In order to contribute to a better understanding of the biodiversity of local chicken populations, this study focused on the description of the essential qualitative parameters in the phenotypic characterization of lo...In order to contribute to a better understanding of the biodiversity of local chicken populations, this study focused on the description of the essential qualitative parameters in the phenotypic characterization of local species. Conducted in 6 localities in the Far North Region of Cameroon (Doukoula, Yagoua, Guidiguis, Dziguilao, Maroua 3rd and Méri), a population of 240 local chickens, including 172 hens and 68 cocks were characterized in family farms. The choice of localities was made on the basis of their strong potential local chicken flocks in the region. To this end, each animal was the subject of a qualitative description based on the identification of the sex of the animal, the description of the colorations of the plumage and extremities, and the description of the types of format, plumage and crests. All observations were made with the naked eye and in daylight and then photographed. The main results show that the plumage colors are multiple and dominated by the White-Pied-Black (21.7%) and the Mille-fleur (20.8%);the wattles are dominated by the red (60%) and the pink (35.4%);the tarsi are dominated by the white (43.8%) and the black (32.08%);the white skin (92.5%) dominates over the pink skin (7.5%);the “Smooth-uniform” feather is dominant (97.08%), followed by the smooth-crested type (2.08%) and the fries type (0.82%);the medium size of the chickens is dominant (86.66%), followed by the dwarf size (9.58%) and the large size (3.75%). The results of this study demonstrate that there is a strong phenotypic diversity within the local chicken population. This diversity can serve as a basis for the development of selection, conservation and genetic potential improvement programs based on rational exploitation of the local chicken.展开更多
The characterization of African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus fish farming was conducted in the Bi-modal agro-ecological zone of Cameroon from January to May 2021, Thirty-two fish farmers were interviewed and SPSS 6....The characterization of African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus fish farming was conducted in the Bi-modal agro-ecological zone of Cameroon from January to May 2021, Thirty-two fish farmers were interviewed and SPSS 6.2 Version was used to analyse the data. The results showed that the majority of fish farmers (81%) are men above 51 years, all of whom are Christians with more than fifty percent of them married. About 43% of them have university level education, and more than 6% of them considered the farming of Heterotis niloticus as their main income-earning activity. The main objective of Heterotis niloticus farming is sales (50%) and the uses (56%) of waged labour. A majority of the farmers produced reared African bonytongue in a polyculture system and 65% of them raised Heterotis niloticus in derivation ponds.展开更多
A survey was conducted in the Sudano-Sahelian, High Savannah, and Western Highlands agroecological zones of Cameroon to assess the morphometric features and to determine the population structure of the native common g...A survey was conducted in the Sudano-Sahelian, High Savannah, and Western Highlands agroecological zones of Cameroon to assess the morphometric features and to determine the population structure of the native common guinea fowl breed. A total of 1021 adult common guinea fowls were sampled in the dominant pastoral production system. The main results showed that there was a phenotypic variability (p < 0.01) of the morphometric characteristics of common guinea fowls with a dominance of pearl gray coloring of the plumage (23.02%), bluish red barbels (29.09%), black eyes (36.04%) and tarsi (39.18%). The development of the barbels and the shape of the comb are determinants of the sex (p < 0.01), as well as the live weight which presents a dimorphism in favor of the females (p < 0.01). The average measurements (in cm) were: Crest height (2.07 ± 0.03), Crest length (2.79 ± 0.03), Barbel length (3.35 ± 0.04), Barbel height (2.28 ± 0.02), Spout length (2.11 ± 0.01), Caruncle length (0.69 ± 0.01), Baleen length (4.32 ± 0.04), Chest circumference (31.81 ± 0.99), Wing length (25.99 ± 0.18), wingspan (41.82 ± 0.32), Thigh diameter (9.17 ± 0.10), Thigh length (11.30 ± 0.07), Tarsus length (6.62 ± 0.04), Tarsus diameter (1.20 ± 0.07), Body length (40.13 ± 0.15), and Live weight (1.68 ± 0.02 kg). The highest positive correlation (r < 0.70) was observed between thigh and ridge length. The PCR revealed that three (3) components (F1, F2 and F3) make it possible to better explain phenotypic variability (50.21%). The variables that contributed most to the explanation of the observed total variability are the length of the crest (0.70%), the beak (0.61%), the wattle (0.70%), the body (0.44%), the wing (0.35%), thigh (0.68%), tarsus (0.29%) and wing span (0.41%) for the main component F1 while the F2 and F3 components mainly concern the length of the barbel (0.43%) and the height of the crest (0.48%) respectively. The F1 factor constitutes the most discriminating variable (89.40%). The AFD and the CAH made it possible to detect 03 sub-populations (T1, T2, and T3) which can be grouped into 2 subgroups on the basis of intra/inter population variations and genetic distances. Morphometric assessment coupled with genomics would increase the efficiency of selection, improvement, and conservation of common guinea fowl in Cameroun.展开更多
Background:In the Western Highlands of Cameroon(WHC),information on the nutritional value of fodder species consumed by ruminants is very limited.Methods:Through interviews with farmers and monitoring of animals on th...Background:In the Western Highlands of Cameroon(WHC),information on the nutritional value of fodder species consumed by ruminants is very limited.Methods:Through interviews with farmers and monitoring of animals on the range,information was obtained on the types of fodder resources consumed by the ruminants.Samples of each forage species were collected in 15 districts,mixed,chopped,and dried in a ventilated oven at 60°C,and then ground for chemical composition analysis.Results:Twenty-two forage species were identified.Among these species,Vernonia amygdalina(29.43%±0.45%dry matter[DM])and Pennisetum clandestinum(87.21%±1.33%DM)were,respectively,the highest in protein and neutral detergent fiber contents.Manihot esculenta was one of the most energy-rich forages in terms of forage unit for lactation and forage unit for meat production.Hierarchical ascending classification revealed three main groups of forages,respectively,rich in crude fiber(Group 1),protein(Group 2),and energy(Group 3).Conclusions:The present study identified 22 forage species browsed by ruminants in WHC.Further studies should be carried out to determine the antinutritional factors and to evaluate their nutrient value using in vitro or in situ digestibility techniques.展开更多
文摘In order to contribute to a better understanding of the biodiversity of local chicken populations, this study focused on the description of the essential qualitative parameters in the phenotypic characterization of local species. Conducted in 6 localities in the Far North Region of Cameroon (Doukoula, Yagoua, Guidiguis, Dziguilao, Maroua 3rd and Méri), a population of 240 local chickens, including 172 hens and 68 cocks were characterized in family farms. The choice of localities was made on the basis of their strong potential local chicken flocks in the region. To this end, each animal was the subject of a qualitative description based on the identification of the sex of the animal, the description of the colorations of the plumage and extremities, and the description of the types of format, plumage and crests. All observations were made with the naked eye and in daylight and then photographed. The main results show that the plumage colors are multiple and dominated by the White-Pied-Black (21.7%) and the Mille-fleur (20.8%);the wattles are dominated by the red (60%) and the pink (35.4%);the tarsi are dominated by the white (43.8%) and the black (32.08%);the white skin (92.5%) dominates over the pink skin (7.5%);the “Smooth-uniform” feather is dominant (97.08%), followed by the smooth-crested type (2.08%) and the fries type (0.82%);the medium size of the chickens is dominant (86.66%), followed by the dwarf size (9.58%) and the large size (3.75%). The results of this study demonstrate that there is a strong phenotypic diversity within the local chicken population. This diversity can serve as a basis for the development of selection, conservation and genetic potential improvement programs based on rational exploitation of the local chicken.
文摘The characterization of African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus fish farming was conducted in the Bi-modal agro-ecological zone of Cameroon from January to May 2021, Thirty-two fish farmers were interviewed and SPSS 6.2 Version was used to analyse the data. The results showed that the majority of fish farmers (81%) are men above 51 years, all of whom are Christians with more than fifty percent of them married. About 43% of them have university level education, and more than 6% of them considered the farming of Heterotis niloticus as their main income-earning activity. The main objective of Heterotis niloticus farming is sales (50%) and the uses (56%) of waged labour. A majority of the farmers produced reared African bonytongue in a polyculture system and 65% of them raised Heterotis niloticus in derivation ponds.
文摘A survey was conducted in the Sudano-Sahelian, High Savannah, and Western Highlands agroecological zones of Cameroon to assess the morphometric features and to determine the population structure of the native common guinea fowl breed. A total of 1021 adult common guinea fowls were sampled in the dominant pastoral production system. The main results showed that there was a phenotypic variability (p < 0.01) of the morphometric characteristics of common guinea fowls with a dominance of pearl gray coloring of the plumage (23.02%), bluish red barbels (29.09%), black eyes (36.04%) and tarsi (39.18%). The development of the barbels and the shape of the comb are determinants of the sex (p < 0.01), as well as the live weight which presents a dimorphism in favor of the females (p < 0.01). The average measurements (in cm) were: Crest height (2.07 ± 0.03), Crest length (2.79 ± 0.03), Barbel length (3.35 ± 0.04), Barbel height (2.28 ± 0.02), Spout length (2.11 ± 0.01), Caruncle length (0.69 ± 0.01), Baleen length (4.32 ± 0.04), Chest circumference (31.81 ± 0.99), Wing length (25.99 ± 0.18), wingspan (41.82 ± 0.32), Thigh diameter (9.17 ± 0.10), Thigh length (11.30 ± 0.07), Tarsus length (6.62 ± 0.04), Tarsus diameter (1.20 ± 0.07), Body length (40.13 ± 0.15), and Live weight (1.68 ± 0.02 kg). The highest positive correlation (r < 0.70) was observed between thigh and ridge length. The PCR revealed that three (3) components (F1, F2 and F3) make it possible to better explain phenotypic variability (50.21%). The variables that contributed most to the explanation of the observed total variability are the length of the crest (0.70%), the beak (0.61%), the wattle (0.70%), the body (0.44%), the wing (0.35%), thigh (0.68%), tarsus (0.29%) and wing span (0.41%) for the main component F1 while the F2 and F3 components mainly concern the length of the barbel (0.43%) and the height of the crest (0.48%) respectively. The F1 factor constitutes the most discriminating variable (89.40%). The AFD and the CAH made it possible to detect 03 sub-populations (T1, T2, and T3) which can be grouped into 2 subgroups on the basis of intra/inter population variations and genetic distances. Morphometric assessment coupled with genomics would increase the efficiency of selection, improvement, and conservation of common guinea fowl in Cameroun.
文摘Background:In the Western Highlands of Cameroon(WHC),information on the nutritional value of fodder species consumed by ruminants is very limited.Methods:Through interviews with farmers and monitoring of animals on the range,information was obtained on the types of fodder resources consumed by the ruminants.Samples of each forage species were collected in 15 districts,mixed,chopped,and dried in a ventilated oven at 60°C,and then ground for chemical composition analysis.Results:Twenty-two forage species were identified.Among these species,Vernonia amygdalina(29.43%±0.45%dry matter[DM])and Pennisetum clandestinum(87.21%±1.33%DM)were,respectively,the highest in protein and neutral detergent fiber contents.Manihot esculenta was one of the most energy-rich forages in terms of forage unit for lactation and forage unit for meat production.Hierarchical ascending classification revealed three main groups of forages,respectively,rich in crude fiber(Group 1),protein(Group 2),and energy(Group 3).Conclusions:The present study identified 22 forage species browsed by ruminants in WHC.Further studies should be carried out to determine the antinutritional factors and to evaluate their nutrient value using in vitro or in situ digestibility techniques.