Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences最新文献

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.

Adenostemma madurense is one of the Asteraceae with many medical properties but has not been widely cultivated. This study aims to determine the different fertilizer doses that can produce the best growth, phenolic, flavonoid, terpenoid, and the 11α-OH KA (a diterpenoid found in A. madurense productivity), resulting in the high antioxidant capacity of A. madurense. A one-factor randomized block design was employed in five fertilizer doses, control/without fertilizer, 100 % cow manure (20 tons/ha), 100 % NPK (in the form of urea, SP-36, and KCl:135, 100, 135 kg/ha, respectively), a combination of 50 % cow manure + 50 % NPK, and a combination of 100 % cow manure + 100 % NPK. Fertilizers increase plant growth. Applying the combination of 100 % cow manure + 100 % NPK was the best fertilizer composition, which produced the highest plant height, leaf, and branch number. This fertilizer combination produced total phenolic, flavonoid productivity of 739.50 μmol Gallic Acid Equivalent/plant, 97.37 μmol Quercetin Equivalent/plant, not significantly different from applying 100 % NPK and the combination of 50 % cow manure + 50 % NPK, and terpenoid productivity of 77.51 mmol Nerol Equivalent/plant. The 11α-OH KA productivity and antioxidant capacity of this fertilizer is 18.00 mM 11α-OH KA/plant and 601.76 μmol Ascorbic Acid Equivalent/g dry sample, not significantly different from applying 100 % NPK. Applying 100 % cow manure + 100 % NPK may enhance the medicinal plant A. madurense’s efficacy, especially for antioxidants.

Water stress in plants due to the effects of climate change resulted in reduced growth and yield of coffee in the tropics. Efficient use of water through the use of SMART irrigation systems available provides a promising solution to address such a problem. Thus, a study utilizing a combined climate- based and soil moisture SMART irrigation system has been conducted to assess its effects on the growth of Robusta coffee seedlings compared to practiced manual irrigation. The experimental design utilized a Complete Block Design (CBD) approach. Additionally, water consumption was measured to determine any significant differences. Over the course of the two-month experiment, 20 replications per treatment, it was observed that coffee seedlings subjected to the automated irrigation system (T1) exhibited significant improvements in both plant height and number of leaves, with growth rates of 72.56% and 65.29%, respectively, compared to manually irrigated plants (T0). Although the water savings achieved under the automated system were not statistically significant, there was an 18.95% reduction in water consumption. These findings highlight the potential benefits of automating irrigation systems using an IoT approach, specifically in terms of enhancing coffee seedling productivity. By utilizing real-time data from sensors, the SMART irrigation system effectively optimized water usage and resulted in improved growth and yield. This research underscores the importance of implementing such technological advancements to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on coffee cultivation in tropical regions.

The cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, is a polyphagous pest that attacks various economic crops. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses different techniques to combat this pest unfortunately chemical control is the predominant. However, it does not target the pupal stage of the insect. Therefore, a safe and cost-effective technique must be developed to address this issue.

This technique integrates using plant-based agents; M. oleifera and R. angustifolia seed oils as pupaicids. Various concentrations (1%, 2%, and 4%) of both oils were employed by means of the dipping method of pre-pupae. The study delved into the biological, and biochemical aspects of pupal development to adult emergence. Analysis of the fatty acids along with the hydrocarbons and sterols was conducted through GLC analysis for oils composition.

Our research has shown that Moringa oleifera and Ruta angustifolia oils at a concentration of 4 % have a significant impact on pre-pupal mortality (42.57& 61.9 %) and pupation of survival pre-pupa (57.42&38.09 %) However, emerged adults were reduced to 83.33 % and 60 %, respectively. Chitinase recording significantly disturbance after 1 day for Ruta (6.21 µg/min/g) and Moringa oil (2.12 µg/min/g). Also, Phosphatase enzyme showed a significant disturbance after 4 and 7 days of treatments. GLC data of fatty acids showed that oleic acid (74.42 %) was the major fatty acid in M. oleifera oil, while linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids represented 31.39 %, 22.70 %, and 21.95 %, respectively, in R. angustifolia oil. Sterols in M. oleifera oil were β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, while Ruta oil contained additional amounts of cholesterol and campesterol,

Briefly, the suggested technique was effective in disturbing pupal development and reducing emerged adults. Ruta was more effective than Moringa oil due to its contents of sterols and hydrocarbons that may affect ecdysis.

Corn cultivation is relevant to the province of Tayacaja, a region with the greatest biodiversity in the Huancavelica State, although to date there are no published studies. Phenotypic characterization pursues measuring the genetic diversity of a group of genotypes, using appropriate morphological descriptors. The main objective of this work was to study the agro-morphological characteristics and productive potential of 25 starchy corn varieties, evaluated in four contrasting environments of the province of Tayacaja, Perú, during the crop cycle 2019–2020. For this purpose, 25 plant and ear characteristics were chosen, using principal components (PC) and cluster analysis. The experiments were established in an alpha-lattice design, with three replications, in experimental units of two rows, with 0.20 m between plants and 0.80 m between furrows, 4 m long. The agro-morphological characterization grouped the 25 varieties within 6 well-defined clusters, giving an overview of the existing phenotypic variability among the evaluated starchy corn varieties. The varieties G₆, G₁₄, G₂₀, G_T3, and G₁₈ were the genotypes with the most outstanding characteristics, which facilitated their separation from the rest of the materials studied. The multivariate analysis brought together representative varieties of certain races, with typical plant and ear characteristics. The study revealed the existence of a good productive and agronomic potential for the development of genetic materials for cancha (toasted kernel grains), choclo (fresh corn), and mote corn production; as well as the presence of anthocyanin in the grain, information that, together with the agro-morphological characterization, could be very useful to enhance gains in the selection process in future genetic improvement work.