Towards community-based in situ conservation strategies: a typological analysis of Borgou cattle herding systems in northeastern Benin

A thorough knowledge of cattle herding systems is very important for planning sustainable genetic improvement and conservation strategies. This paper is initiated to characterize Benin native Borgou cattle farming systems in its department of origin by mean of survey including 180 cattle farmers owning at least one phenotype of that breed. Using multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical ascending classification, four groups of Borgou cattle farms have been identified. The first group qualified as “semi-intensive purebred Borgou cattle farming” own high numbers (87.2 ± 3.95 heads) purchased and reared with the view to promote its genetic improvement, its production, and its conservation as Benin animal genetic resource. The second group (sedentary purebred Borgou cattle farming) is represented by Bariba ethnic group with small numbers (22.18 ± 0.71 heads) of purebred Borgou cattle used mainly for draught. Cattle farmers of the third group are “large transhumant of Zebu and Borgou crossbred cattle farmers” represented by Fulani and Gando ethnic groups whose herds are generally composed of high numbers (75.20 ± 3.43 heads) of cattle acquired by purchasing, inheriting, and fostering. The last one is the “small transhumant of Zebu and Borgou crossbred cattle farming” with an average herd size of 31.98 ± 0.72 heads. Cattle farming is their main activity and animals are used for the production of milk and cheese. These distinctions between Borgou cattle farmers can be an anchorage point for designing sustainable community-based in situ conservation strategies for safeguarding this local breed in its original cradle.

     

旱作技术对水稻中期群体结构的影响

利用三因素二次回归旋转组合设计探索水稻旱种的施氮量、基肥施氮比例及点播密度对水稻抽穗期群体的有效穗、单茎重的影响。结果表明:适宜的施氮量、基肥施氮比例及点播密度将形成抽穗期群体适宜的有效穗、较高的单茎重和茎鞘重/叶重比值。通过改进旱作技术,可使旱作水稻群体形成适宜的有效穗,个体充分生长,并促进抽穗前群体合成的净光合物质由叶流向茎,形成壮蘖、大穗,并控制叶的生长而实现高产。     

First report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neospora caninum</Emphasis> infection in cattle in Sudan

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Sudan to determine sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with Neospora caninum infection in non-vaccinated dairy herds and to assess importance of the disease. Blood samples were collected from a total of 262 animals from 25 herds. Sera were tested for antibodies against N. caninum using ELISA test. The prevalence rates of N. caninum antibodies in cattle were high both at herd level (44%) and at individual animal level (10.7%). Herd level infection rates were similar in Khartoum State (43.7%) and at Gazira States (44.4%). The overall prevalence rates were higher (16.1%) in Gazira State than in Khartoum State (9%) but with no significant variation. The sero-prevalence at individual animal level was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in animals with history of abortion (12.8%) than in apparently healthy animal (11.3%), animal with history of infertility (8.1%), or neonatal death of calves (4.3%). In addition, significantly higher (P < 0.05) sero-prevalence was observed in samples collected during the rainy season (6.87%) than winter (3.05%) or summer (0.76%). However, no significant differences in sero-prevalence due to locality, animal breed, sex, and age were observed (p > 0.05). This preliminary study reveals for the first time the existence of natural N. caninum infection in Sudan. Also, the findings of the present study indicated that this disease is highly prevalent in two major areas of dairy production in the country, and this calls for control strategy to be implemented.     

Water Relations, Abscisic Acid and Yield of Wheat Plants in Relation to the Interactive Effect of Seawater and Growth Bioregulators

Irrigation of wheat plants with seawater (10 and 25 %) led to significant increases in free and bound abscisic acid (ABA) in leaves, especially at 25 %. The relative water content (RWC) and water use efficiency (calculated from grain yield, WUE_G, or from biomass yield, WUE_B) of the seawater-irrigated plants were lower than those of the control. Grain pre-soaking in gibberellic acid (GA₃), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or ABA reduced the levels of accumulated ABA (free and bound) produced by seawater irrigation. The stress imposed by seawater generally reduced yield and yield components of wheat plants and the effect was more pronounced at the higher level of seawater irrigation (25 %). Furthermore, seawater treatments decreased the carbohydrate content and increased the protein content of the developing grains. The effect of seawater treatments on ion concentrations in the developing grains was not consistent. The application of growth bioregulators appeared to mitigate the effect of seawater salinity stress on wheat productivity. GA₃ was the most effective hormone in this regard. The economic yield (grain yield) had a strong positive correlation with RWC, WUE_G, WUE_B, plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, grain number/main spike, kernel weight and harvest index.