Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences最新文献

Integrated agricultural systems (IAS) present a potent solution to address global food shortages by integrating crops, livestock, and forests in a rotational or sequential manner on a single piece of land. This study aims to explore current advances in IAS and their impacts on soil quality improvement. The study also shows the ability of IAS to enhance soil carbon sequestration and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Compared to the monoculture systems, the combined production of crops, livestock and forest can improve soil quality attributes including physical properties (aggregate stability, water infiltration, pore distribution and soil water storage), chemical properties (exchangeable bases, base saturation, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium), and biological properties (microbial community and biochemical activities). The enhancement of soil quality due to the adoption of IAS can reduce the dependency on inorganic fertilizer application for increasing global food production. Furthermore, the diverse components in IAS can be harnessed to improve environmental protection by increasing soil carbon storage while limiting the emissions of methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Therefore, the adoption of IAS offers the opportunity to sustainably manage soil environment while increasing food production.

Ganoderma boninense, the causative agent behind basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm, instigated a pressing need for innovative and ecologically sustainable strategies to counter its impact. Biological control strategies, particularly employing bio-fungicides, have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives for managing oil palm plant diseases. This study delved into harnessing the biocontrol potential of Indigenous bacterial isolate by investigating and evaluating its bioactive compounds of ethyl acetate extract with the capacity to suppress G. boninense growth in oil palm plants. Molecular identification was utilized to identify of bacterial isolate using 16S rRNA primers (5′- AGA GTT TGA TCC TGG CTC AG– 3′) and (5′- GGA TAC CTT GTT ACG ACT T– 3′). The agar well diffusion technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to assess the inhibitory effects of bacterial ethyl acetate extract against G. boninense. A comprehensive analysis of the bacterial ethyl acetate extracts was conducted by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Molecular identification confirmed that the bacterial isolate was Bacterium strain BS1727. By employing SEM, the ethyl acetate extracts had influenced on G. boninense mycelial architecture. The exposure to the bacterial ethyl acetate extracts induced degradation and morphological distortion of the mycelial structure, serving as an indicator of its impact on the mycelium's structural modulation. Noteworthy, the spectrum of bioactive compounds was a subset of aromatic hydrocarbons, encompassing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Based on GC–MS analysis, among the VOCs, acetic acid butyl ester and toluene showed the highest relative peak areas, 46.34 % for acetic acid butyl ester and 31.82 % for toluene, respectively. Ethylbenzene had a relative peak area of 5.4 %, 1,1,2-trichloroethane 4.41 %, and allyldimethyl (prop-1-ynyl) silane 3.17 %. The remaining compounds were 6-undecyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one, 3-decen-5-one, 2-methyl-, and o-cymene, with the relative peak areas were below 1 %. These findings explained the inherent capacity of antifungal compounds as a viable strategy in inhibiting the growth of G. boninense.

Fluoride is an essential element in preventing tooth decay, but excessive consumption can be harmful to health. There are various sources of fluoride exposure, including oral intake from water, tea, dates, toothpaste, and green vegetables; however, the extent of exposure varies among different groups in the population. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the consumption of these sources to avoid the risk of excessive fluoride intake. Our study, analyzing 33 varieties of root, fruit, tuber, and leaf vegetables produced in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region of Morocco, should be aiming to understand fluoride accumulation in vegetables, classify different varieties based on their fluoride content, and assess the risks associated with high fluoride exposure through vegetable consumption. The results revealed fluoride levels ranging from 2.3 to 36.2 mg/kg for leaves of consumable plants, 0.17 to 13.2 mg/kg for leafy vegetables, 0 to 5.19 mg/kg for fruit vegetables, 1.45 to 3.66 mg/kg for tuber vegetables, 1.62 to 8.33 mg/kg for bulb vegetables, and 0.85 to 3.40 mg/kg for root vegetables. This study emphasizes the significance of understanding fluoride concentrations in vegetables. It suggests classifying different varieties based on their fluoride content to prevent the risks associated with excessive fluoride exposure from consuming these vegetables. High fluoride exposure through vegetables can result in various health problems, including dental, skeletal, and other types of fluorosis.

The use of assisted reproductive technologies to improve productivity in livestock industry is becoming popular. The study aimed to determine the utilisation of artificial insemination (AI) and to find out the factors associated with adoption of AI by beef farmers in selected areas of Southern and Ghanzi districts. The data were collected through a survey where a questionnaire was administered to beef farmers. Random sampling was used to interview 54 beef farmers in Southern district and 40 beef farmers in Ghanzi district. The data were analysed using Frequency procedure in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The association between the nominal variables was tested using Pearson Chi-square in SPSS. There is significant (P < 0.05) association between AI utilization by beef farmers and these socio-economic factors; district where farming is done, age of the farmer, education level, occupation of the farmer, purpose of rearing cattle (commercial or subsistence) and land (communal or ranches). Gender of the farmer is not associated with AI utilization.

Soil carbohydrates play a vital role in maintaining the health of soil and ensuring that ecosystems function properly. The method used in this study for measuring carbohydrate content in soil is quick, effective and easy. The investigation involved using three techniques to extract 45 soil samples of different soil texture; hot water, cool water and classical methods. The extracted samples were then analyzed for carbohydrates using two techniques; the widely accepted Phenol Sulfuric Acid method and the newly developed Sulfuric Acid UV method. The results revealed that the hot water extraction method consistently yielded higher levels of carbohydrates compared to the other methods. Interestingly the newly developed Sulfuric Acid UV method consistently produced similar results to those obtained from the well established Phenol Sulfuric Acid method. These results suggest that the novel Sulfuric Acid UV method, which relies on absorption in the ultraviolet region to analyze soil carbohydrate content is indeed a viable approach. This has allowed scientists and researchers to have an alternative means of determining soil carbohydrate levels.

This experiment was aimed to study the responses of Boerka does (Boer × Kacang crosses) during the transition period to low or high fat concentrates. Thirty nine multiparous pregnant Boerka does with average BW and BCS of 40.6 ± 5.28 kg and of 3.21 ± 0.28, respectively were used. The animals were divided into three groups (n = 13 does), and individually housed in a raised-floor pens (1.2 × 1.5 m²/doe). Each group was randomly assigned to one of three concentrate diet treatments: LFD (low fat concentrate without palm fatty acid distillate/PFAD), HSFD (high fat concentrate with saponified PFAD), and HUFD (high fat concentrate with unsaponified PFAD). Brachiaria ruziziensis was offered as forage. Diet treatments were offered along 3 weeks prior to expected parturition to 3 weeks after parturition. Data were analysed as a completely randomized design and were averaged before statistical analyses. Diet effect on DMI was detected (P = 0.01). During the prepartum period the DMI in the HSFD group was consistently greater (P = 0.01) than in the HUFD group, while the DMI in the LFD group was not different (P = 0.56) to both the HSFD and HUFD groups. At parturition and postpartum period DMI in the HUFD group was consistently lower (P = 0.01) as compared to the LFD and HSFD groups. Body weight was not affected by dietary treatments (P = 0.41). Litter weight tended to be affected by diet treatments (P = 0.08). Birth weight of twins was affected by diet treatments (P = 0.03). The ratio of litter weight/does weight at parturition was not affected by diet treatments (P = 0.49). The milk fat contents were not different (P = 0.834) among the dietary groups, but milk protein content was highest (P = 0.03) in the LFD group. Blood NEFA and BHBA were greater (P = 0.04) in the HSFD or HUFD group at week 2 and 3 postpartum, while blood glucose level was highest in the LFD group at parturition (P = 0.01). Blood insulin and thyroxin were greater in the LFD group. It is concluded that during transition period the Boerka does responded better to low-fat concentrate compared to high fat concentrates when unsaponified PFAD was used, but reponded comparably to high fat diet when saponified PFAD was used.

Illicium griffithii Hook. f. & Thoms. is a threatened medicinal plant of North East India with low natural population. Field observation showed that the seeds remain dormant for 4–5 months and even after germination it fails to convert into saplings due to biotic interference. In the present study, various physical and chemical tests were conducted to overcome dormancy. The study revealed that the seeds of I. griffithii exhibited simple morpho-physiological dormancy reducing the germination percentage. Chemical scarification with 95 % H₂SO₄ for 5 min helped to overcome mechanical restriction of the endosperm and seed coat and resulted in high germination (80.5 %). Pre-treatment of the seeds with cold stratification for 60 days or application of gibberellic acid (GA₃: 2000 mgl⁻¹) effectively broke seed dormancy. Seeds stored at 5 °C (in moist sand) exhibited a minimum viability of 40 %, but all seeds stored dry at room temperatures and moist at 25 °C died. This study on seed germination would be helpful for mass multiplication of the species for reintroduction programmes including ex situ conservation that would aid in improving the subsistence economy of the local indigenous communities.

Cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptra: Noctuidae) is considered one of the most destructive insect pests in Egypt. A field trail was conducted at the experimental farm of Nubaria agricultural research station, Behaira Governorate, Egypt, during 2021 and 2022 seasons to evaluate the performance of 14 new genotypes and two check varieties under the cotton leaf worn natural infestation conditions. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The combined results revealed that there were substantial differences across genotypes for all evaluated parameters. The genotypes (H7L39/2015, H6L49, and H6L28) were considered as more resistant ones over the resistant check variety (Giza 111) which recorded the least infestation (25.86, 27.57 and 32.14 %, respectively), with feeding damage area of 18.52, 19.58 and 18.58 %, respectively. These genotypes gave the highest leaf content of P%, K%, total phenolic compounds, yield, and its components. The correlations between infestation% and leaflet area damage% or N all were positive on one another. All other correlations, with the exception of plant height and branches no plant-1, had negative effects on one another. The results proposed that the genotypes (H7L39/2015, H6L49 and H6L28) are promising and could be planted at Nubaria region and used in the breeding programs.

The areas occupied by the common chestnut tree, Castanea sativa Mill. are continuously declining on an international scale. In Morocco, the chestnut trees are present in a restricted geographical area in the North and remains relatively unknown in the rest of the kingdom. This study represents the first contribution to the characterization and the evaluation of phenotypic similarities among Moroccan populations of Castanea sativa Mill. through univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of quantitative parameters and qualitative descriptors of fruits. The analysis was conducted on 13,455 fruits from 299 trees distributed across 31 populations from three regions. Ten qualitative descriptors were evaluated: nut shape (NSh), nut size (NSz), area of pubescence on upper part (AP), area of hilum (AH), shape of border line of hilum and pericarp (BSh), color of skin (CSk), glossiness (Gl), kernel color (CKr), coat adherence to kernel (CoA), and kernel inner-cavity (KC). In addition, the number of fruits/cupule (N/B), the number of fruits/kilo (N/K), and the average weight of fruits (W) were measured along with 11 quantitative parameters: nut length (NL), nut width (NW), nut thickness (NT), hilum length (HL), hilum width (HW), NL/NW, NT/NL, NT/NW, NW/HL, HW/NT, and HW/HL. The results of statistical analysis conducted on the 24 quantitative and qualitative parameters studied (ANOVA and SNK mean comparison test) demonstrated a very highly significant intra and inter-population variability for all the studied parameters. The correlation matrix analysis of the 12 quantitative parameters reveals a strong correlation between the fruit and hilum measurements, specifically NL, NW, NT, HW, and HL. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and UPGMA analyses have shown the structuring of the 31 populations subdivided into two groups with subgroups, indicating significant diversity. The overall results highlighted a high genotypic variability of Moroccan populations of the chestnut trees and can be used to develop programs that aim to preserve the existing genetic variability of the chestnut tree and establish an in-situ collection of genetic resources in a geographically restricted area in the North of Morocco.