Water erosion is a serious threat to the environment, sustainability of agriculture and socio-economic development. It is widespread in the Mediterranean regions, particularly in Tunisia. The upstream watershed of the Nebhana dam (855 km2), located in central Tunisia, is among the regions most affected by this global issue. The objective of this study is to estimate and spatially assess water erosion in the basin, produce an erosion risk map and identify priority areas to facilitate the intervention of decision makers and managers in developing appropriate policies for conserving soils and protecting the upstream Nebhana-dam against sedimentation. The adopted methodology uses the Revised Universal Soil Losses Equation (RUSLE) and the MEDALUS approach in a GIS environment. The obtained results showed that RUSLE model was efficient in quantifying the average soil loss in the basin, given that estimated value (10.94 t/ha/year) was very close to the value obtained from bathymetric measurements in the dam reservoir (11.25 t/ha/year). Furthermore, RUSLE estimated that 34% of the total area is suffering from an erosion risk exceeding the soil loss tolerance which is in agreement with results found by MEDALUS approach revealing that 30% of the total area were vulnerable to erosion and were considered as areas with highest priority for land management intervention.
An effective education system is measured by the employment of the graduates it produces. Education systems in Africa are largely marked by rampant underemployment and unemployment rates. In Togo, these rates were 24.9% and 3.9% respectively in 2015. As the number of young people and their levels of education increase, the question arises as to whether they have the soft skills required to facilitate their integration into the workforce, especially graduates of higher education ? Indeed, after forty-five interviews conducted with managers of placement agencies for graduates, NGO managers and human resources directors of some companies that receive higher education graduates for internships, it appears that employers are asking more and more for socio-emotional (soft) skills than cognitive ones. The soft skills highlighted by these employers include: punctuality, humility, commitment, curiosity, integrity, flexibility and proactivity. From the point of view of know-how, apart from the mastery of English and the computer tool which are transversal knowledge, we must retain the sense of organization, the ability to do personal research and to produce reports within the deadlines.
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith), was first reported in sub-Saharan Africa in January 2016 in Nigeria, Sao Tome, Benin and Togo. Shortly after its introduction, its presence was confirmed in more than thirty countries on the African continent. This rapid spread associated with its polyphagy and voracity confirms its status as a major pest that feeds on the leaves and stems of over eighty (80) plant species. This situation constitutes a serious threat to African agriculture and more precisely to the food and nutritional security of the populations of the affected countries. The major hosts of Spodoptera frugiperda are maize (Zea mays), sugarcane (Saccharium officinarum), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and rice (Oriza sativa). Studies reveal that damage by this moth is most severe on maize where all parts of the plant are attacked causing yield losses ranging from 15 to 73% when 55 to 100% of the plants were attacked. This review provides an update on research on Spodoptera frugiperda in Africa with particular emphasis on its bioecology, host plants, economic importance and different methods of infestation management. Significant research work has been carried out in Africa since the detection and expansion of CLA in Africa. The analysis of the results of this work attests to a better knowledge of this lepidopter an, which has allowed the design of several management strategies for CLA. Among these strategies, agroecological management, the push-pull approach, the use of pheromone traps and resistant varieties, chemical control with Dimethoate and Deltametrine and biological control with parasitoids, in particular Telenomus sp, Trichogramma sp for ovoparasitoids and Cotesia icipe for larval parasitoids, have been widely tested.
The cereal group occupies a prominent place in the dietary habits of the populations of southern Benin and there are few recent consumption data on cereals. This study aims to assess the consumption, acquisition and supply of cereals to households in Cotonou. A semi-directive survey with KoBoCollect was conducted with 345 households to collect individual cereal food consumption data. The survey data studied by inferential statistics showed that the most consumed cereals are corn (99%, p=1), rice (85%, p=0.936), wheat (35%, p=0.999), sorghum (15%, p=0.659), millet (10%, p=0.971) and fonio at less than 5%. The most common mode of acquisition is buying from secondary market (95%, p=0.987) and street (85%, p=0.999) retailers. The most used preservation techniques are: drying at room temperature (70%, p=0.619) and keeping the product away from light (30%, p=0.806). Households most often dry in areas laid out at home (70%, p=0.984) or at the edge of the road (30%, p=0.939). Storage places are very diverse: the kitchen (45%, p=0.871), the bedroom (40%, 0.998), the living room (25%, p=0.900) and the store (20, 0.931). In addition, the supply costs of cereals increased from 0.009 USD to 0.056 USD between 2020 and 2021. This vertiginous rise in prices is due to the covid19 pandemic. The various data emitted make it possible not only to have fresh data but also to invest them in the assessment of health risks for the achievement of a high level of protection of the health and life of consumers.
Changes in forest vegetation composition can lead to changes in carbon stocks. The aim of this study is to identify the relationships between diversity attributes, structural parameters and aboveground carbon stock within vegetation units in the Péni Classified Forest. In total, 3225 individuals belonging to 212 woody species were measured. Our results show a variability of carbon stock between vegetation units ranging from 2.56±2.31 t.ha-1 in shrub savannas to 131.80±75.45 t.ha-1 in gallery forests. Allometric models of structural parameters alone govern the variation of carbon stock between vegetation units. In gallery forests, Gmelina plantations and tree savannas, basal area explained 95%, 95% and 92% of the variation in carbon stock, respectively. In shrub savannas, the model combining mean diameter, basal area and mean height, explained 92% of the variation in carbon stock. The consideration of models combining diversity attributes and structure parameters is therefore necessary for a good estimation of the carbon stock of forest ecosystems.
The population of the canton of Sédomé, a locality bordering the Togodo-Sud National Park (PNTS) (District of Yoto in Togo), uses a diversity of plant species for which little scientific work has been done. This study is devoted to the inventory of plants and plant recipes with therapeutic potential in Sédomé, with the aim of enhancing the value of these plants. From March to September 2020, an ethnobotanical survey, based on a semi-structured questionnaire, was carried out with 72 practitioners of traditional medicine. 141 species belonging to 60 families have been identified. The most represented families were Fabaceae (12 species), Euphorbiaceae (09 species), Asteraceae and Poaceae (08 species each). The most cited species were: Citrus aurantifolia (Christm. & Panzer) Swingle (7.23%), Newbouldia laevis Seem, (4.22%) and Momordica charantia L. (3.61%). 290 recipes have been inventoried and are used in the treatment of 92 diseases. The decoction (35.86%) and the powder (23.68%) are the main methods of preparation of the recipes which are administered mainly by the oral route (65.34%) and by the cutaneous route (23.93%). The leaves (54.04%) and roots (16.47%) are the most used organs. Most of the organs are collected in riparian vegetation at the PNTS (29.73%), in the gardens (23%) and in the PNTS (20.58%). This study provides a database on plants with therapeutic potential in Sédomé. Future pharmacological studies are possible on these recipes.
The trophic behavior of Aedes aegypti at Dandji, a neighbourhood of Cotonou located in southern Benin was evaluated trough a cross-sectional study where adults of Ae. Aegypti populations were collected from May to July 2022 daily twice a week by Human Landing Catch and BG-Sentinel traps.
From the total of 717 Aedes collected by different methods, Ae. Aegypti is more abundant in urban than peri-urban areas (p<0.05). The aggressive density of Ae. aegypti populations was significantly higher in urban areas (102.89 bites per man per hour) than in peri-urban areas (52.85 bites per man per hour) (p<0.05). Also, out of 160 females blood-fed Ae. Aegypti tested by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique for blood meal identification, 90% took their blood meal on humans compared to 6.5% which took their blood meal on sheeps. These findings showed that the neighbourhood Dandji in southern Benin offered good condition for the development of Ae. aegypti populations. The anthropology and endophagy behavior of Ae. aegypty observed from this study need to be considered as a tool to control this mosquito.
The aim of the current research is to show how adults’ skill needs can be met and to explain different processes, tools and means that can foster limited training to adult coaching. In limited training to adult coaching, it is preferable to teach adults new practical skills; to obtain new information aimed at reaching the new skills; to have a training that satisfies the adults’ personal and professional desires; to improve a skill or an already acquired professional experience. We also presented some of the ways in which training is encouraged, including self-training, continuing education and distance learning.
Poor cultivation practices, attacks by numerous pests and diseases, unavailability of arable land in urban areas, and the excessive and unreasonable use of fertilizers and pesticides are the constraints to celosia cultivation. Faced with all these constraints, a trial was conducted to improve celosia productivity, using a split-plot system with three blocks, at the CNRA Foods Crops Research Station in Bouaké. Six doses of compost combined with six microdoses of urea were tested. The results of the growth parameters showed that the D4T5 treatment, which was a combination of 8 t/ha of compost and 3 g of urea/package, promoted very good vegetative development at 45 days. The D2T3 and D0T5 treatments, which were respectively the combination of 4 t/ha compost + 2 g urea/packet and 0 t/ha compost + 3 g urea/packet, were the most productive with 27.28±4.50 and 27.08±2.88 t/ha respectively. The optimum compost rate was therefore obtained by treatment D2 and the optimum urea rate by treatment T3. Furthermore, of all the treatments applied, treatment D0T1, a combination of 0 t/ha compost + 0.5 g urea/packet, and treatment D0T2, a combination of 0 t/ha compost + 1 g urea/packet, obtained the best agronomic efficiencies with 14.89±12.01 and 12.89±7.75 kg MS/kg respectively. It appears that the combination of urea and compost (D2T3), which seems to produce better yields, could be recommended to farmers.
The ecology of a species is a fundamental aspect in its sustainable management. The objective is to study the ecological and floristic characteristics of plant formations with D. mespiliformis. The study was conducted in western Niger along the main tributaries of the Niger River crossing two agroecologicals compartments. Abiotic factors and forestry data where collected in 220 plots of 2500 m2. Thus, the species is present in all types of soil in the area near streams. The area is moderately diverse with 41 woody species dominated by D. mespiliformis with 50% of Importance Value Index. The Shannon diversity index was 2.61 in Dargol and 2.19 in Goroubi and the Sorensen similarity index between the two zones was 0.62. The density of D. mespiliformis per hectare is 46.04 in Dargol and 33.19 in Goroubi. The demographic structure of its population of all species shows a dominance of small diameter individuals evolving into sawtooth characterized by anthropogenic pressure. These results constitute a scientific basis for the sustainable management of this food and multi-use species, which is one of the species in decline in the area.
The girl-mother phenomenon is nowadays a complex fact in the city of Beni in General and in the Mulekera common, NGONGOLIO district in particular. By undertaking this study, we have the ambition to assess the perception that girl-mothers have of themselves; identify the ideas they think those around them have about them and about their children, test the influence of level of education and socio-economic category on their self-perception and the perception of their offspring. After analysis and interpretation of tables, the results show us that the young girl-mother suffers of the negative perception of herself, her child and is the subject of a strong social indexing. Using the chi-square test; we noticed that the methods of the variable level of study and the socio economic category of girl-mothers do not influence enough on their self-perception and their perception of their children.
This work investigated, using a 3-D modelling, the influences of the magnitude and the inclination angle of an electromagnetic field (EMF) carried by AM radio waves on the current and the voltage of a polycrystalline silicon PV cell.
The electrons transport equations were solved to find the density of electrons and then to derive the current density and the voltage. Through numerical simulation, the effects of both the magnitude and the inclination angle of the EMF on the density of electrons, the current density and the open circuit voltage were studied.
Results of simulation showed that depending on the inclination angle (0 rad; π/2 rad and π rad), the EMF acts differently on the electrical parameters (Jsc and Voc). The analysis also showed that, regardless of the inclination angle of the EMF, there is an open circuit current (Joc) proportional to the magnitude of the EMF (inversely proportional to the distance). This current (Joc) is lost by Joule heating either at the junction (θ = 0 rad) or in the base (θ = π/2 rad and θ = π rad). Finally, the analysis showed that, for θ = π rad (reverse polarization of the PV cell), there is an operating domain (Sf ≤ Sfeq) in which the PV cell is blocked. And another operating domain (Sf > Sfeq) in which the PV cell is a current generator unlike a PN junction diode which remains blocked in reverse bias.
This study aims to explore the relevance (costs and benefits) of coffee growing in Idjwi based on the activities already implemented by coffee stakeholders in this region.
Overall, this research was based on a coffee yield study in the territory of Idjwi.
The combination of three methods and three data collection techniques led us in this study to use the verification of our hypotheses.
It appears from the analyses made that on average the operating costs are 213,379 FC with maximum loads of 1,880,000 FC and minimum of 315,00 FC, the quantity per season in kg and the average price are respectively 625.66 kg and 588, 62Fc, with relative maximums and minimums of 5099kgs, 45kgs and 600FC, 450FC.
The found DW (Durbin Watson) statistic of 1.676 is less than 2, showing that the errors are not correlated or related.
The Fisher test being equal to 0.000, lower than the threshold of 0.05 or 5%. We say the model is overall good.
By interpreting the significant variables with respect to the threshold of 0.05, we have:
- When the loads increase or vary by 1%, the production or the quantity produced per season also increases by 0.001.
- When the price increases by 1%, the production or quantity produced per season also increases by 5.354.
- When the profitability or yield increases by 1%, the production or the quantity produced per season also increases by 470,551.
This leads us to say that if policies are needed to increase the quantity produced in the coffee sector in Idjwi, they must be primarily oriented on the three factors that were significant, in particular the price, the operating costs and the profitability in the business.
Jassids are polyphage pests that occur on several host plants. These insects were minor pests on okra and eggplant in Côte d’Ivoire. However, during this season, attacks, similar to those observed on cotton for more than a decade, were reported by farmers. Their invasion on these crops has raised concerns among farmers who also grow cotton. A mission was undertaken to identify the jassid populations that had appeared on these crops. It led to the identification of three species: Jacobiasca lybica (Bergevin & Zanon, 1922), Jacobiella facialis (Dworakowska, 1972) and Amrasca biguttula (Shiraki, 1913). The most abundant species were J. lybica (49.4%) and A. biguttula (47.8%). The species J. facialis was identified only on eggplant with a proportion of 2.8 %. At least two of the species cohabit in the same field. The cohabitation of these species reflects the virulent character of the attacks. A strong outbreak was observed during the period from June to July. This study therefore provides important information for decision-making.
This study aims to assess the quality of groundwater in Grand-Lahou department in southwestern Côte d’Ivoire and to determine the origin of their mineralization. To do this, a sampling campaign conducted in september 2021 focused on twenty boreholes and nine wells. The methodology is based first on the physico-chemical characterization of these waters through elemental statistics and the determination of their chemical facies using the Piper diagram. Then the numerical index WQI method was applied. The results show that the waters are acidic with pH values ranged from 4.6 to 7.8 with an average of 5.75. Apart from iron, the parameters of the groundwater respect the WHO standards and they are fit for consumption. The groundwater has three chemical facies: the calcic and magnesian bicarbonate facies (31.03%), the sodi-potassium bicarbonate facies (17.24%) and the sodi-potassium chloride facies (51.72%). WQI results confirmed those of elementary statistics. They showed that 96.55% of waterworks belong to excellent quality class and one waterwork to good quality class. These results constitute a database for the management of the department’s groundwater resources.
The use of traditional herbal recipes is increasing increasingly all over the eath. These plants, use in the treatment of various pathologies, are for the most part of source of sometimes tragic and fatal poisoning.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the leaves of Albizia adianthifolia S. and Combretum molle R. plants frequently used un traditional medicine in the city of Lubumbashi, respectively for treatment of eye diseases, against diabetes and as an anthelmintic. The assessment of acute toxicity was carried out by observing certain clinical signs of toxicity. The assay of the biochemical parameters namely urea, creatinine, albumin, bilirubin was also carried out.
The aqueous extracts of macerated leaves of Albizia adianthifolia S. and Combretum molle R. as plant material were administered orally to male guinea pigs during the experiment at three doses (1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg).
Renal, hepatic and cardiac toxicity as well as haematologic toxicity were observed by the disturbance of the parameters analyzed, including loss of hair in the abdomen and back, aggressiveness, chills, abnormal breathing, eating disorder, isolation and difficulty in locomotion.
In conclusion, the use of Albizia adianthifolia S. at doses greater than 1g/kg would be toxic for guinea pigs although the LD50 is above 3 kg/ kg and with regard to the use of Combretum molle, it can be classified in the categoty of low toxic plants.
Red Maradi goats from Caprine Centre of Maradi in South of Niger were used during two subsequent lactations from 2 weeks post kidding to 13 weeks (91 days) to evaluate to determine the effect of previous level of feeding on production performance of dams and their kids. For the first lactation, sixty goats were placed into six groups of 10, and randomly assigned to six treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6) with four levels of feeding (g/kg DM): T1=842, T2=T5=T6=934, T3=1079 and T4=1300 corresponding to 200 g, 400g, 600g and 800g of milk production, respectively. During the subsequent lactation, 35 lactating does and 17 kids were used. All does were given one dietary treatment (T4) to determine the effect of previous levels of feeding on preweaning performance of kids and determine the potential milk production of Red Maradi goat. At the 1st lactation, the linear effect of level of feeding increased (P<0.001) dry matter intake, ME intake and milk yield of dams. During the 2nd lactation the previous levels of feeding did not affect these parameters; however, previous levels of feeding affected (P<0.001) final liveweight and live weight change of dams. During 1st kids’ ME intakes increased (P<0.001) linearly with levels of feeding and kids’ final weight also increased linearly with feeding level of does. During the 2nd lactation, the daily ME intake of dams, and daily milk yield (mean milk yield of 367 g/day) were not affected by previous level of feeding.
This study is entitled «Analysis of the rainfall aggressiveness on the soils of the N’Zi watershed. The objective is to analyze the importance of precipitation on soil erosion. To achieve the objective, daily, monthly and annual rainfall data on the N’zi watershed were collected over the period 1960 to 2019. The analysis of rainfall risks was possible for the index of erosivity of Arnoldus and Rango-Arnoldus rainfall, to graphical and spatial representations with R software and ArcGIS software. The results of the analysis of the interannual variability of precipitation show that the temporal aggressiveness generally declined during the 1970s. The rainfall aggressiveness indicates on a monthly scale a weak aggressiveness in general and the strongest would be seasonal at the level of the localities of the basin. It highlights three levels of rainfall aggressiveness on an annual scale: very aggressive aggressiveness (32%), less aggressive (48%) and more or less aggressive aggressiveness (20%), at the basin scale. Five (5) classes were distinguished; excess dominance (41%) qualified as high rainfall aggressiveness, dry period (30%) qualified as low rainfall aggressiveness, a minimum period (18%) qualified as very low rainfall aggressiveness, a maximum period (9%) qualified very high rainfall aggressiveness and a normal period (2%) qualified as average rainfall aggressiveness.
The diagnosis of fertility is a prerequisite for the formulation of balanced and site-specific fertilizer recommendations. To do this, omission trials were set up on 60 plots in the Sourou Valley. The trials were divided into Hydromorphic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils and Vertic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils. Each trial included 06 treatments: 0N-0P-0K, 0N-30P-40K, 120N-0P-40K, 120N-30P-0K, 120N-30P-40K and 120N-30P-40K + 2.5 t.ha-1 of organic matter. Grain and straw yields, soil chemical characteristics and plant nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium exports were determined. The results showed that Vertic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils are slightly richer in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus than into Hydromorphic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils. Indeed, the initial nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents calculated from the exports were respectively 71.20 kg.ha-1, 30.02 kg.ha-1 and 187.19 kg.ha-1 for the Vertic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils, against 52.47 kg.ha-1, 19.10 kg.ha-1 and 159.62 kg.ha-1 for the into Hydromorphic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils. Furthermore, the results showed that nitrogen and phosphorus are the two limiting nutrients for rice production on these two soil types. The internal N use efficiency was 80.59 kg grain.kg-1 N on into Hydromorphic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils and 60.09 kg grain.kg-1 N for Vertic tropical eutrophic ferruginous brown soils. The results of this diagnostic will be used as a basis for the formulation of balanced and site-specific fertilizer recommendations.
South Kivu is heavily influenced by East African supply chains and sources of knowledge, importing inputs and beans and maize is proving essential for clearances especially in the fields of experimentation in the riparian areas of Lake Kivu where even the fish are associated with agriculture for a good yield.
In the DRC, intercropping systems are of paramount importance, particularly in the mountainous Kivu region where more than 80% of bean production by small farmers comes from intercropping on small areas. This practice is dictated by socio-economic and physical considerations, the scarcity of arable land, etc.; but also, the concern for the optimal exploitation of the land. But this practice also complicates the practice of weeding while reducing the yield of each associated crop.
This is how our work set itself the objective of studying the effects of the spacings of the bean associated with the maize and of the no-till components in the riparian areas of Lake Kivu, in South Kivu, it being assumed that the spacings low weeding requirements would be reduced by improving the cover of the maize rows. To do this, a trial was carried out in and the device used was the split-plot with 3 repetitions and 36 plots. The main factor was made up of bean spacings with the variants 20x10, 20x20 and 20x30 cm and the secondary factor was that of the no-till components having as their objects plowing, mulching after plowing, mulching without plowing and the no-till plot. straw serving as control. The plots had 210 corn plants over 45m2 and the sub-plots 70 corn plants over 15m2.
The results obtained attested that the components of no tillage generally influenced the yield in beans and also in maize because they presented the highest yield in maize 1.93 t / ha and in beans 2, 3 t/ha for maize. Combinations including plowing and mulching have the best returns, regardless of bean spacing. The rate of return is highest when no plowing or mulching is done, otherwise when sowing directly on the substrate without disturbing it. Indeed, field work can present costs ranging from $277 to $805 per hectare for average total revenues of $905 per hectare.