Improving forage productivity for increased livestock production using biochar and green manure amendments

The rapid population growth in West African cities resulted in rising demand for animal source foods. However, this high demand for animal source food is rarely met by domestic production in Benin due to several factors, including low feed availability and poor animal nutrition, especially during the dry months, and degraded soils. To overcome this situation, the effects of maize (Zea mays) cob biochar and green manure from Gliricidia sepium and Mucuna pruriens (2 t/ha each) and their combination (1 t/ha each) were tested on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés agronomic performance over three months. The combination of biochar and green manure performed best with plant height increased by 57% (103.8 ± 17.12 cm) when compared to the un-amended control plots and each treatment alone two-month after planting. In addition, the number of leaves (22.9 ± 5.82) and the biomass determined (20.3 ± 5.64 t dry matter/ha) were highest with the combined treatment than the un-amended control plots three-months after planting. B. brizantha cv. Xaraés, fertilized with locally available biochar and green manure, could contribute significantly to increasing feed availability at farm level and boost meat and milk production

May Measurement Month 2018: a pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the International Society of Hypertension

Aims Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk

Characterization of 15 nuclear microsatellite markers for Afzelia africana (Fabaceae) and related species

Premise Afzelia africana (Fabaceae) is a valuable, internationally vulnerable tree species in tropical Africa. The development of specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci is necessary for population genetic studies in this tree species and its closest relatives. Methods And Results Fifteen new polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for A. africana using Illumina next‐generation sequencing. We tested the polymorphism of the 15 loci in three populations in Benin, West Africa. The number of expressed alleles per locus varied from one to 12. The levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.100 to 1.000 and from 0.095 to 0.882, respectively. Most markers successfully amplified in the closely related species A. quanzensis and A. bipindensis, but less so in A. bipindensis. Conclusions Because of their cross‐amplification ability, these newly developed loci will serve as useful tools for future molecular analyses on A. africana and related species

Variation of Loranthaceae impact on

Introduction. Shea tree (V. paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.), a species endemic to the Sudanian savanna woodlands, is dominant in the parklands of West Africa where it is of great socioeconomic importance. However, shea tree has been reported in recent decades to be threatened by plant parasites, Loranthaceae. Our study aimed to assess possible variation of the impact of these parasites on shea tree fruit yield in two contrasting habitats. Materials and methods. We selected 41 weakly and 41 heavily infected shea tree individuals, of similar size, in a protected area as well as in its adjacent parklands. Shea tree traits such as diameter at breast height, canopy diameter, tree height, canopy height, number of fruit yielded, number of parasite stumps per tree and an impact index ratio were assessed on each shea tree individual. Two-way ANOVA was performed to compare parasite impact on shea tree fruit yield in relation to habitat. Hierarchical cluster, canonical discriminant and one-way ANOVA analyses were used to show quantitative traits that characterize shea tree groups from habitats. Results. Loranthaceae did not reduce fruit yield significantly either in the parklands or in the protected area. Quantitative traits tended to discriminate all pooled shea trees in relation to habitats. Shea tree individuals in parklands were characterized mostly by the highest value of number of infected stumps per tree and of the impact index ratio, suggesting that many shea tree individuals in parklands were sensitive to Loranthaceae impact on their fruit yield. Conclusion. These findings were helpful for implementing some shea tree conservation plans

La variation spatiale des pratiques de gestion durable des terres dans les terres de culture de l’Atacora Ouest au Bénin (Afrique de l’Ouest)

Sustainable land management is essential to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and the resilience of ecosystems against the risks of climate change. Thus, farmers adopt several sustainable land management strategies to improve their soil fertility and increase their income. This study aims to test the hypothesis that sustainable land management strategies are more practiced in the drier areas of the study area, where the risk of soil degradation and climate change is higher. The study was conducted in the six communes of West Atacora, an area in northern Benin in West Africa. Semi-structured interviews and participant observations were used to generate data on agricultural practices for soil, water, and tree management in cropland areas. Statistical analyses were conducted to test the effect of latitude and altitude on the practice of sustainable management techniques in the study area. The study identified about 30 different techniques that are practiced and that maintain soil productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. The sustainable land management techniques practiced were categorized into different types according to the function or role played by the approach. Good management of crop residue and rational use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides are the most commonly used techniques in the integrated soil fertility management category. People living in high latitudes which are the driest areas, tend to adopt more sustainable land management techniques to increase soil fertility. We thus accept the hypothesis that sustainable land management strategies are more practiced in drier areas. The study recommends techniques to be promoted depending on the area of the West Atacora zone. Keywords: Sustainable land management, agriculture, fertilization techniques, climate change, agricultural practices, BeninLa gestion durable des terres est essentielle pour assurer la durabilité de l'agriculture et la résilience des écosystèmes face aux défis du changement climatique. Ainsi, les producteurs adoptent plusieurs stratégies de gestion durable des terres pour améliorer la fertilité de leur sol et augmenter leur revenu. Cette étude vise à tester l'hypothèse selon laquelle les stratégies de gestion durable des terres sont plus pratiquées dans les zones les plus arides du milieu d’étude, où le risque de dégradation des sols et du changement climatique est plus élevé. L'étude a été menée dans les six communes de l'Atacora Ouest, une zone située au nord du Bénin en Afrique de l'Ouest. Des interviews semi-structurées et observations participantes ont été utilisées pour générer des données sur les pratiques agricoles de gestion des sols, de l'eau et des arbres dans les terres de cultures. Une analyse statistique a été effectuée pour tester l'effet de la latitude et de l'altitude sur la pratique des techniques de gestion durable dans le milieu d’étude. L'étude a identifié une trentaine de techniques différentes qui sont pratiquées et qui préservent la productivité des sols, la biodiversité et la résilience des écosystèmes. Les techniques de gestion durable des terres pratiquées ont été catégorisées en différent types selon la fonction ou le rôle joué par l’approche. La bonne gestion des résidus de culture, l'utilisation rationnelle des engrais minéraux et des pesticides sont les techniques les plus utilisées dans la catégorie gestion intégrée de la fertilité des sols. Les personnes vivant en haute latitude, correspondant aux zones les plus arides, ont tendance à plus adopter des techniques de gestion durable des terres pour augmenter la fertilité des sols. Nous acceptons l’hypothèse selon laquelle les stratégies de gestion durable des terres sont plus pratiquées dans les zones les plus arides. L'étude recommande des techniques à promouvoir selon la zone de l’Atacora Ouest. Mots clés: Gestion durable des terres, agriculture, techniques de fertilisation, changement climatique, pratiques agricoles, Béni

La variation spatiale des pratiques de gestion durable des terres dans les terres de culture de l’Atacora Ouest au Bénin (Afrique de l’Ouest)

La gestion durable des terres est essentielle pour assurer la durabilité de l'agriculture et la résilience des écosystèmes face aux défis du changement climatique. Ainsi, les producteurs adoptent plusieurs stratégies de gestion durable des terres pour améliorer la fertilité de leur sol et augmenter leur revenu. Cette étude vise à tester l'hypothèse selon laquelle les stratégies de gestion durable des terres sont plus pratiquées dans les zones les plus arides du milieu d’étude, où le risque de dégradation des sols et du changement climatique est plus élevé. L'étude a été menée dans les six communes de l'Atacora Ouest, une zone située au nord du Bénin en Afrique de l'Ouest. Des interviews semi-structurées et observations participantes ont été utilisées pour générer des données sur les pratiques agricoles de gestion des sols, de l'eau et des arbres dans les terres de cultures. Une analyse statistique a été effectuée pour tester l'effet de la latitude et de l'altitude sur la pratique des techniques de gestion durable dans le milieu d’étude. L'étude a identifié une trentaine de techniques différentes qui sont pratiquées et qui préservent la productivité des sols, la biodiversité et la résilience des écosystèmes. Les techniques de gestion durable des terres pratiquées ont été catégorisées en différent types selon la fonction ou le rôle joué par l’approche. La bonne gestion des résidus de culture, l'utilisation rationnelle des engrais minéraux et des pesticides sont les techniques les plus utilisées dans la catégorie gestion intégrée de la fertilité des sols. Les personnes vivant en haute latitude, correspondant aux zones les plus arides, ont tendance à plus adopter des techniques de gestion durable des terres pour augmenter la fertilité des sols. Nous acceptons l’hypothèse selon laquelle les stratégies de gestion durable des terres sont plus pratiquées dans les zones les plus arides. L'étude recommande des techniques à promouvoir selon la zone de l’Atacora Ouest. Mots clés: Gestion durable des terres, agriculture, techniques de fertilisation, changement climatique, pratiques agricoles, Béni

Evaluation ethno-médicinale des plantes herbacées en zone Guinéo-Congolaise du Bénin

In Benin, knowledge about herbaceous medicinal plants is not as popular as is woody species despite, they could be used to alleviate the pressure on the woodies ones. This study proposes (i) to identify the main medicinal herbaceous plants in the phytogeographical districts of the Guineo-Congolese zone of Benin and (ii) to evaluate the effect of socio-environmental factors such as age, gender, religion, ethnicity, level of education, and phytogeographical district. Individual and semi-structured interviews with 310 people were carried out on medicinal herbaceous species. Medicinal use values ??(UV) and relative citation frequencies for each species were determined. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney inference tests were performed to test the effect of socio-environmental factors. A total of 93 herbaceous plants grouped into 40 families and 83 botanical genera were identified with a significant effect on gender, religion, ethnicity, and level of education of which the most cited plants are Momordica charantia, Chromolaena adoratta, Cassia occidentalis, Heliotropium indicum, Physalis angulata, Parquetina nigrescens, Pupalia lappacea, Alternanthera repens, Hyptis suaveolens, Acanthospermum hispidum,Argemone mexicana, Aspilia africana, Blactuca taraxacifolia, Cassia rotundifolia, Cleome ciliata, Diodia scandens, Kedrostie foetidissima, Phyllanthus amarus, Schrankia leptocarpa,Sida acuta, Solenostemon monostachyus. This study could contribute to the preservation and sustainable conservation of biological natural resources and the strengthening of knowledge in the field of medicinal herbaceous plants in the Guinean-Congolese zone of Benin. Keywords: Use, herbaceous plants, medicinal plants, diseases, Guinean-Congolese, BeninAu Bénin, la connaissance sur les plantes herbacées médicinales n’est pas aussi populaire comme l’est les espèces ligneuses alors qu’elles pourraient soulager la pression subie par ces dernières. La présente étude se propose (i) d’identifier les principales plantes herbacées médicinales dans les districts phytogéographiques de la zone guinéo-congolaise du Bénin et (ii) d’évaluer l’effet des facteurs socio-environnementaux tels que l’âge, le sexe, la religion, l’ethnie, le niveau d’instruction et le district phytogéographique. Des interviews individuelles et semi-structurées auprès de 310 personnes sont réalisées sur les espèces herbacées médicinales. Les valeurs d’usage médicinal (UV) et les fréquences relatives de citation ont été déterminées. Les tests d’inférence sont réalisés pour tester l’effet des facteurs socio-environnementaux. Un total de 93 plantes herbacées regroupées dans 40 familles et 83 genres a été recensé avec un effet significatif du sexe, la religion, l’ethnie, et le niveau d’instruction. Les plantes les plus citées sont de Momordica charantia, Chromolaena adoratta, Cassia occidentalis, Heliotropium indicum, Physalis angulata, Parquetina nigrescens, Pupalia lappacea, Alternanthera repens, Hyptis suaveolens, Acanthospermum hispidum,Argemone mexicana, Aspilia africana, Blactuca taraxacifolia, Cassia rotundifolia, Cleome ciliata, Diodia scandens, Kedrostie foetidissima, Phyllanthus amarus, Schrankia leptocarpa,Sida acuta, Solenostemon monostachyus.Cette étude pourra contribuer à la préservation et à la conservation de ces ressources naturelles et au renforcement des connaissances en matière des plantes herbacées médicinales dans la zone Guinéo-congolaise du Bénin. Mots clés: Usage, plantes herbacées, médicinales, maladies, Guinéo-congolaise, Béni

Valuation of local preferred uses and traditional ecological knowledge in relation to three multipurpose tree species in Benin (West Africa)

Afzelia africana Sm., Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. and Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss are multipurpose trees widely used in Africa, but endangered in their natural environments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to define and promote conservation strategies for these key species. In this study we analyzed the current patterns of their use preferences by means of a cultural importance index. Local ecological knowledge on their conservation was investigated among local people living around Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin. In total, 160 informants belonging to four ethnic groups (Gourmantche, Waama, Berba and Peulh) were interviewed in twelve villages. Male and female informants, aged between 20 and 90 years, were randomly selected in each ethnic group. For each species, a cultural importance index was calculated combining frequency and importance of use. This index allowed us to identify differences in use intensity within and among ethnic groups. Traditional ecological knowledge was tested as a dependent variable of ethnicity. A. africana was widely used as medicine, fodder and crafting by most communities, whereas P. erinaceus was the preferred source of fodder for all local people. K. senegalensis was mostly used as medicine and fuel wood by most communities, except by the Peulh who preferably used it as fodder. The use of these trees as source of fuel wood was mostly reported by women while religious uses of these species were reported by old men from the Gourmantche ethnicity. Medicinal and fodder use of A. africana, fodder use of P. erinaceus and medicinal use of K. senegalensis had the highest overall cultural importance index value. Knowledge related to local extinction of the target species and their sustainable use varied among socio-cultural groups. The findings of the present study should be considered in future management plans towards an effective conservation of these tree species.Afzelia africana Pterocarpus erinaceus Khaya senegalensis Quantitative ethnobotany Traditional knowledge Conservation

Uses and management of black plum (Vitex doniana Sweet) in Southern Benin

Introduction. Black plum (Vitex doniana) is an indigenous fruit tree species important for the livelihoods of rural populations. Currently, there is renewed national and international interest in black plum, and it has emerged as a priority species for domestication in Africa. The present work addressed farmers' indigenous knowledge of the use and management of the species among different socio-cultural groups in Benin, taking into account gender differences. The specific objective of this work was to study the knowledge, uses, local gathering practices and management systems of V. doniana that are part of the traditions of the communities in Southern Benin. Materials and methods. A total of 150 participants randomly selected from three socio-cultural groups provided survey responses. Information collected mainly referred to the motivation of respondents to conserve black plum trees on their land, the local uses and the management practices to improve the regeneration and production of the black plum. Results and discussion. The study showed that knowledge of black plum is well distributed in the community. However, people have different interests in using black plum and there is variable knowledge of use and management practices. The food and medicinal categories were the most important uses. There were no significant differences in knowledge of the management and utility of black plum between men and women, or across socio-cultural groups. Conclusion. Given its value to the communities in southern Benin, black plum should be prioritized for domestication