The application of biostimulants in agriculture represents an environmentally friendly alternative while increasing agricultural production. The aims of the study were to develop solid biostimulants based on five rhiz...The application of biostimulants in agriculture represents an environmentally friendly alternative while increasing agricultural production. The aims of the study were to develop solid biostimulants based on five rhizobacteria native to Benin’s soils and to evaluate their efficacy on the growth and biomass yield of maize under greenhouse conditions on ferrallitic and ferruginous soils. Clay and peat were used as a conservation binder for the preparation of the biostimulants. These binders were used alone or combined in the different formulations with maize flour and sucrose. 10 g of biostimulants were applied at sowing in pots containing five kilograms of sterilised soil. The experimental design was a completely randomised block of 24 treatments with three replicates. The results obtained showed significant improvements (<em>P</em> < 0.001) in height (49.49%), stem diameter (32.7%), leaf area (66.10%), above-ground biomass (97.12%) and below-ground biomass (53.98%) on ferrallitic soil with the application of the clay + <em>Pseudomonas putida</em> biostimulant compared to the control. On the other hand, the use of the peat biostimulant + <em>Pseudomonas syringae</em> was more beneficial for plant growth on ferruginous soil. The height, stem diameter, leaf area, above-ground biomass and below-ground biomass of the plants under the influence of this biostimulant were improved by 83.06%, 44.57%, 102.94%, 86.84% and 42.68%, respectively, compared to the control. Therefore, these results confirm that Rhizobacteria express their potential through biostimulants formulated on maize. The formulated biostimulants can later be used by producers to improve crop productivity for sustainable agriculture.展开更多
The better knowledge of a plant genetic biodiversity is based on a prior study of its agro-morphological characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity of maize accessions ...The better knowledge of a plant genetic biodiversity is based on a prior study of its agro-morphological characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity of maize accessions and its structure on the basis of 14 variables. For the experimentation, 43 and 98 maize accessions were planted in three replicates respectively in central and northern Benin following an incomplete randomized block. The mixed model analysis of two factors variance revealed a significant difference for all accessions considering each agro-morphological characteristic evaluated except the germination day of two areas seed accessions. The numerical classification grouped the accessions into four groups in each zone. The stepwise discriminant analysis showed that early characters related to plant height and ear insertion were the variables that discriminated accessions in both zones. Maturity and recovery ears, sensitivity to streak and the germination days are the variables that discriminate accessions of the two areas. These results provide a database for the creation of improved maize varieties that meet the needs of展开更多
Preferences of different oil palm crosses in the station of Pobè in Benin were tested on Coelaenomenodera lameensis by monitoring the natural population for 7 consecutive years. Experiments monitoring of developm...Preferences of different oil palm crosses in the station of Pobè in Benin were tested on Coelaenomenodera lameensis by monitoring the natural population for 7 consecutive years. Experiments monitoring of developmental stages of the insect were performed on material types Elaeis guineensis and Elaeis oleifera. Observations were performed every two weeks on leaves of different ranks (25, 17 or 9) depending on the degree of defoliation by counting the different stages of insect development on leaflets. The results showed that the evolution of pest density is a function of species and the origin of the materials being compared. Population densities of different stages of C. lameensis were more abundant in the crosses from Yocoboué where average population indices were higher at all stages of development from early observations. By contrast, in crosses La Mé, Yangambi and Deli, the numbers of larvae, pupae and adults were lower. Among these three crosses infestation was more abundant in La Mé, followed by Yangambi and Deli. E. oleifera is much less or not attacked. The stages of development (larvae and adults) were also differently held in oil palm origins in comparison. The larval population is significantly important during the short rainy season and lesser important during the dry season. These results may contribute to the development of suitable materials for the genetic improvement of breeding tolerant oil palm material to leaf miner.展开更多
This paper traces the origins and achievements of the R^seau Ouest et Centre Africain du Riz--ROCARIZ （West and Central Africa Rice Research and Development Network）. The ROCARIZ institutional arrangement showed tha...This paper traces the origins and achievements of the R^seau Ouest et Centre Africain du Riz--ROCARIZ （West and Central Africa Rice Research and Development Network）. The ROCARIZ institutional arrangement showed that rice science is approached from multi-stakeholder perspectives that place end users and entrepreneurs at the center of research for development, and collaboration among rice-based stakeholders can be enhanced and sustained. The ROCARIZ used competitive research grants through multi-stakeholder task forces to generate, adapt, and facilitate the adoption of rice-based technologies and approaches by resource poor households. The grants contributed to： （1） farmer adoption of high yielding and multiple stress resilient lowland NERICAs （New Rices for Africa） （NERICA-L）; （2） producer access to credit and services resulting in increased marketing of quality seed rice, paddy, and grain rice by farmer entrepreneurs and poor rural households; （3） improved skills of stakeholders on the use of impact assessment tools to demonstrate adoption of rice-based technologies; （4） enhanced skills of rice breeders in molecular assisted marker selection to shorten the varietal development process; and （S） experiential learning and sharing to improve access to information and knowledge.展开更多
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major cereal cultivated in Benin and it is important to know its genetic diversity to improve the yield. The genetic markers of important traits are evaluated in order to improve the maize i...Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major cereal cultivated in Benin and it is important to know its genetic diversity to improve the yield. The genetic markers of important traits are evaluated in order to improve the maize inbred lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Benin’s maize accessions by SSR marker. Thus, one hundred eighty seven maize accessions from three areas (South, Center and North) were analyzed using three SSR markers. A total of 227 polymorphic bands were produced and showed high genetic diversity (Shannon index = 0.51). The polymorphic information content (PIC) values for the SSR loci ranged from 0.58 to 0.81, with an average of 0.71. Genetic distance-based UPGMA dendrogram showed a genetic differentiation between accessions and they were grouped into four clusters in each area. This work provides necessary information that can be used not only to improve the maize production and conservation but also to better manage genetic species resources in Benin.展开更多
Bacterial wilt is the most damaging disease of tomato in Benin. To select resistant varieties of tomato against bacterial wilt, 21 tomato varieties were evaluated twice under screen house and field conditions in a ran...Bacterial wilt is the most damaging disease of tomato in Benin. To select resistant varieties of tomato against bacterial wilt, 21 tomato varieties were evaluated twice under screen house and field conditions in a randomized complete block design with four replicates and 21 treatments which are the tested varieties. Three weeks old tomato seedlings were inoculated by crown flooding with 40 ml of a bacterial suspension of <i>R. solanacearum </i>strain CR-1103-2, phylotype I sequvar 14. At 28 days after inoculation, the control resistant varieties Hawaii 7997 and PADMA maintained their resistance and the known susceptible variety Tohounvi showed to be susceptible to the bacterial wilt. Among the hybrid tomato varieties, only Cobra 26 was moderately resistant. No resistant line was found among the tested local varieties. The <span>hybrid varieties Buffalo, Petomech, Tropimech, Sumo, Prado, Ninja, Jaguar, Anaya, Topaze, Cobra 34, Heinz, Kiara, Euclid and local Kêkêfo, Akikonkouin, Agbotrui and Adjaa were all susceptible. In conclusion, Cobra 26 emerges as a new variety of tomato moderately resistant to bacterial wilt. This is a new finding since it adds. All the tested varieties, regardless of their resistance, were colonized by <i>R. solanacearum</i>. This is a challenge for tomato farmers who must practice sanitation in their fields when producing tomato susceptible or resistant varieties. The variety Cobra 26 must be scaled up to</span> farmers.展开更多
Abstract This study aims to determine the optimal N, P, K, Mg and Zn rates for groundnut production on Ferric and Plintic Luvisol in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones of Benin Republic. Two years (2018 and 2019) e...Abstract This study aims to determine the optimal N, P, K, Mg and Zn rates for groundnut production on Ferric and Plintic Luvisol in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones of Benin Republic. Two years (2018 and 2019) experiment was carried out in the municipality of Ouessè in the Sudano-Guinean zone and Bembèrèkè in the Sudanian zone. The tested nutrient doses were N (0, 20 and 40 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>), P (0, 25 and 50 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>), K (0, 20 and 40 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>), Mg (0, 15 and 30 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>) and Zn (0, 4 and 8 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>). The Box and Behnken rotating design is used to define the N, P, K, Mg and Zn rate combinations leading to 46 combinations. A completely randomized bloc design was setting up considering farmers as replication. In total, four farmers’ fields were selected. A one-way analysis of variance is carried out on yield data, using the linear mixed-effect model. Response surface analyses were used to determine the optimal doses for each N, P, K, Mg and Zn. Nodule production (6.5 times higher than the control), number of gynophores (2.8 times higher than the control) and root length (19.2 ± 0.2 cm) of groundnut plants were significantly (p = 0.0001) improved with nutrient application. The response surface analysis shows that treatments N-P-K-Mg-Zn of 16.01-20.18-6.70-5.65-2.47 (in the Sudano-Guinean zone) and 13.1-25.07-11.47-0-1.82 (in the Sudanian zone) are the optimal rates that have induced optimal yield of 2.1 t<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup> (<em>i.e.</em> 2.5 times the yield in the farmers’ field) pod yield and the best return on investment per hectare. Nevertheless, for a sustainable groundnut producproduction, treatment 13.1-25.07-11.47-20-1.82 is suggested as regular K input is required for the respect of the fertilization laws.展开更多
In Benin, Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is one of the agroforestry species of great socio-economic importance for local populations. Given the actual variation in the climate parameters, it is necessary to anticipat...In Benin, Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is one of the agroforestry species of great socio-economic importance for local populations. Given the actual variation in the climate parameters, it is necessary to anticipate the future spatial distribution of Shea trees as an adaptation strategy and for designing relevant conservation strategies. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the influence of climate change on the distribution areas of Shea trees in Benin. Occurrence data consisting of geographic coordinates of Shea trees in Benin as well as bioclimatic variables were recorded. Furthemore, additional presence points were collected from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility database website. Current and future environmental data for the study area were obtained from the Africlim website. Bioclimatic variables (moisture and temperature), monthly maximum and minimum temperatures and annual rainfall were collected from Worldclim synoptic stations website for the period 1970-2000. The aridity index was created from the potential evapotranspiration (PET) and annual rainfall, using spatial analysis tools of ArcGIS. The impact of current and future environmental conditions on favourable Shea trees’ growing area was assessed following the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach under two climate scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). Under the current climate conditions, 80% of Benin territory and 79% of the protected areas were highly favourable for Shea trees growing and conservation. However, all climate scenarios projected the significant decrease of 14% to 19% of the distribution of favourable for Shea tree growing area and 26% to 30% of the protected areas by 2055 in favour of non-favourable for the trees’ distribution. The protection of habitats favourable for the species development, coupled with a quick restoration of the species through the use of appropriate vegetative propagation techniques are required to sustain the species’ conservation in Benin and maintain farmers’ livelihood.展开更多
The objective of the study was to characterize the clays of the Lama depression in Benin. Macroscopic examination of hand soundings, dynamic penetration test and stratigraphic correlation of water borehole logs, as we...The objective of the study was to characterize the clays of the Lama depression in Benin. Macroscopic examination of hand soundings, dynamic penetration test and stratigraphic correlation of water borehole logs, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) method were made on compact or stratified clays. The large grains are embedded in a sintered matrix. The texture is heterogeneous and open, including quartz, carbonates and organic matter. The fine fraction is dominated by mineral paragenesis characterizing Kaolinite-Quartz-Calcite-Gypsum dioctahedral smectites composed of: Oxygen, Silica, Carbon, Aluminum, Iron, Zinc, Titanium and Magnesium. This smectic and regular structure includes coarse grains of the order of 800 μm. The pore diameters vary from 130 μm to 1.14 μm. The inter-particle porosity is poorly developed unlike the inter-aggregate pores larger than 0.05 μm. The texture is laminar and shows elongated turbo static particles with more or less rounded edges and honeycomb particles. Quartz and carbonates induce an increase in heterogeneities which develop mechanical sensitivity and hydraulic conductivity. High contents of silica, iron or aluminum and low contents of calcium and magnesium, as well as the presence of other trace elements suggest an alumino-ferriferous clay resulting from the hydrothermal alteration of the acid granite massif. These heterogeneities promote less tortuous pores or paths, making these clays more permeable. Finally, other stabilization studies and improvements to hydraulic products and binders should favor the use of the studied clay as improved backfill or drilling muds.展开更多
The experiment was conducted during the short dry and the short rainy seasons in 2008. A botanical inventory and relative frequencies of forage selected by Djallonke sheep grazing were developed by observation and han...The experiment was conducted during the short dry and the short rainy seasons in 2008. A botanical inventory and relative frequencies of forage selected by Djallonke sheep grazing were developed by observation and hand-plucking. Chemical composition and in vitro organic matter digestibility （IVOMD） of hand-plucked material was determined. From July to October, woody plants are a major component of the sheep diet. Sheep selected 40 woody plants and 21 species of herbaceous. During the dry season, grazing occurred more frequently in the fallows. The most frequent woody species belonged to Elaeis guineensis and Fagara zanthoxyloides. At the rainy season, a high proportion of Panicum maximum and Eleucine indica were sampled. Crude protein was high in woody leaves at the dry season. Crude fibre were more variable in herbaceous than in woody and herbaceous were generally higher in the levels of fibre. Chromolaena odorata, Citrus sinensis, Vitex doniana were very high in IVOMD. Spondias mombin, Moringa oleifera, Persea americana, Psidium guajava, Dialium guineense presented lowest values in IVOMD. Among herbaceous, Andropogon gayanus and Panicum maximum still presented a high value of IVOMD at the dry season. High proteins suggest woody with potential as nitrogen supplements to ruminants fed low quality forage during the dry season.展开更多
Native （Andropogon gayanus, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum） and exotic grasses （Brachiaria ruzi：iensis, Panieum maximum cv. C1 and T58） consumed in tropical humid zone were evaluated by estimating their...Native （Andropogon gayanus, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum） and exotic grasses （Brachiaria ruzi：iensis, Panieum maximum cv. C1 and T58） consumed in tropical humid zone were evaluated by estimating their voluntary intake and in vivo digestibility. The measurements were performed with 4 male Djallonke sheep （28 kg LW） fed ad libitum in metabolic cages, during a 10-days in vivo trial, preceded by a 14-days accommodation period. Each grass was studied at 3 stages of development. The samples （distributed grasses, refusals and faeces） were analysed for organic matter （OM）, crude fibre （CF）, neutral detergent fibre （NDF）, acid detergent fibre （ADF）, acid detergent lignin （ADL） and crude protein （CP） contents. Voluntary digestible organic matter intake （VDOMI） and voluntary digestible crude protein intake （VDCPI） were calculated （in g kg ^-1 LW075） as synthetic parameters to compare the grasses. The chemical composition of the distributed forages varied significantly （P 〈 0.001） between species or cultivars and development stages. After 4-5 leaves per tiller stage, CP contents decreased in all species and lowest in native species. Andropogon gayanus was the most l ignified species at any stage of development. At the end of the rainy season, Pennisetum purpureum leaves and Brachiaria ruziziensis had the highest CP. For all the grasses, CP contents were higher （and CF contents lower） in the consumed material, compared to the offered forages, showing thereby the high selectivity by the sheep. Dry matter intake, OM and CP digestibility varied greatly （P 〈 0.001） between forages and development stages with high interactions between these factors （P 〈 0.001）. Voluntary digestible organic matter intake and VDCPI were the highest （P 〈 0.05） for native Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum. There was a relationship between digestibility and intake parameters, and ADL content of the grasses seems to be an important factor determining at least digestibility.展开更多
Deep Learning(DL),a type of Machine Learning,has gained significant interest in many fields,including agriculture.This paper aims to shed light on deep learning techniques used in agriculture for abiotic and biotic st...Deep Learning(DL),a type of Machine Learning,has gained significant interest in many fields,including agriculture.This paper aims to shed light on deep learning techniques used in agriculture for abiotic and biotic stress detection in fruits and vegetables,their benefits,and the challenges faced by users.Scientific papers were collected from Web of Science,Scopus,Google Scholar,Springer,and Directory of Open Access Journals(DOAJ)using combinations of specific keywords such as:’Deep Learning’OR’Artificial Intelligence’in combination with fruit disease’,vegetable disease’,‘fruit stress',OR‘vegetable stress'following PRISMA guidelines.From the initial 818 papers identified using the keywords,132 were reviewed after excluding books,reviews,and the irrelevant.The recovered scientific papers were from 2003 to 2022;93%addressed biotic stress on fruits and vegetables.The most common biotic stresses on species are fungal diseases(grey spots,brown spots,black spots,downy mildew,powdery mildew,and anthracnose).Few studies were interested in abiotic stresses(nutrient deficiency,water stress,light intensity,and heavy metal contamination).Deep Learning and Convolutional Neural Networks were the most used keywords,with GoogleNet(18.28%),ResNet50(16.67%),and VGG16(16.67%)as the most used architectures.Fifty-two percent of the data used to compile these models come from the fields,followed by data obtained online.Precision problems due to unbalanced classes and the small size of some databases were also analyzed.We provided the research gaps and some perspectives from the reviewed papers.Further research works are required for a deep understanding of the use of machine learning techniques in fruit and vegetable studies:collection of large datasets according to different scenarios on fruit and vegetable diseases,evaluation of the effect of climatic variability on the fruit and vegetable yield using AI methods and more abiotic stress studies.展开更多
文摘The application of biostimulants in agriculture represents an environmentally friendly alternative while increasing agricultural production. The aims of the study were to develop solid biostimulants based on five rhizobacteria native to Benin’s soils and to evaluate their efficacy on the growth and biomass yield of maize under greenhouse conditions on ferrallitic and ferruginous soils. Clay and peat were used as a conservation binder for the preparation of the biostimulants. These binders were used alone or combined in the different formulations with maize flour and sucrose. 10 g of biostimulants were applied at sowing in pots containing five kilograms of sterilised soil. The experimental design was a completely randomised block of 24 treatments with three replicates. The results obtained showed significant improvements (<em>P</em> < 0.001) in height (49.49%), stem diameter (32.7%), leaf area (66.10%), above-ground biomass (97.12%) and below-ground biomass (53.98%) on ferrallitic soil with the application of the clay + <em>Pseudomonas putida</em> biostimulant compared to the control. On the other hand, the use of the peat biostimulant + <em>Pseudomonas syringae</em> was more beneficial for plant growth on ferruginous soil. The height, stem diameter, leaf area, above-ground biomass and below-ground biomass of the plants under the influence of this biostimulant were improved by 83.06%, 44.57%, 102.94%, 86.84% and 42.68%, respectively, compared to the control. Therefore, these results confirm that Rhizobacteria express their potential through biostimulants formulated on maize. The formulated biostimulants can later be used by producers to improve crop productivity for sustainable agriculture.
文摘The better knowledge of a plant genetic biodiversity is based on a prior study of its agro-morphological characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity of maize accessions and its structure on the basis of 14 variables. For the experimentation, 43 and 98 maize accessions were planted in three replicates respectively in central and northern Benin following an incomplete randomized block. The mixed model analysis of two factors variance revealed a significant difference for all accessions considering each agro-morphological characteristic evaluated except the germination day of two areas seed accessions. The numerical classification grouped the accessions into four groups in each zone. The stepwise discriminant analysis showed that early characters related to plant height and ear insertion were the variables that discriminated accessions in both zones. Maturity and recovery ears, sensitivity to streak and the germination days are the variables that discriminate accessions of the two areas. These results provide a database for the creation of improved maize varieties that meet the needs of
文摘Preferences of different oil palm crosses in the station of Pobè in Benin were tested on Coelaenomenodera lameensis by monitoring the natural population for 7 consecutive years. Experiments monitoring of developmental stages of the insect were performed on material types Elaeis guineensis and Elaeis oleifera. Observations were performed every two weeks on leaves of different ranks (25, 17 or 9) depending on the degree of defoliation by counting the different stages of insect development on leaflets. The results showed that the evolution of pest density is a function of species and the origin of the materials being compared. Population densities of different stages of C. lameensis were more abundant in the crosses from Yocoboué where average population indices were higher at all stages of development from early observations. By contrast, in crosses La Mé, Yangambi and Deli, the numbers of larvae, pupae and adults were lower. Among these three crosses infestation was more abundant in La Mé, followed by Yangambi and Deli. E. oleifera is much less or not attacked. The stages of development (larvae and adults) were also differently held in oil palm origins in comparison. The larval population is significantly important during the short rainy season and lesser important during the dry season. These results may contribute to the development of suitable materials for the genetic improvement of breeding tolerant oil palm material to leaf miner.
文摘This paper traces the origins and achievements of the R^seau Ouest et Centre Africain du Riz--ROCARIZ （West and Central Africa Rice Research and Development Network）. The ROCARIZ institutional arrangement showed that rice science is approached from multi-stakeholder perspectives that place end users and entrepreneurs at the center of research for development, and collaboration among rice-based stakeholders can be enhanced and sustained. The ROCARIZ used competitive research grants through multi-stakeholder task forces to generate, adapt, and facilitate the adoption of rice-based technologies and approaches by resource poor households. The grants contributed to： （1） farmer adoption of high yielding and multiple stress resilient lowland NERICAs （New Rices for Africa） （NERICA-L）; （2） producer access to credit and services resulting in increased marketing of quality seed rice, paddy, and grain rice by farmer entrepreneurs and poor rural households; （3） improved skills of stakeholders on the use of impact assessment tools to demonstrate adoption of rice-based technologies; （4） enhanced skills of rice breeders in molecular assisted marker selection to shorten the varietal development process; and （S） experiential learning and sharing to improve access to information and knowledge.
文摘Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major cereal cultivated in Benin and it is important to know its genetic diversity to improve the yield. The genetic markers of important traits are evaluated in order to improve the maize inbred lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Benin’s maize accessions by SSR marker. Thus, one hundred eighty seven maize accessions from three areas (South, Center and North) were analyzed using three SSR markers. A total of 227 polymorphic bands were produced and showed high genetic diversity (Shannon index = 0.51). The polymorphic information content (PIC) values for the SSR loci ranged from 0.58 to 0.81, with an average of 0.71. Genetic distance-based UPGMA dendrogram showed a genetic differentiation between accessions and they were grouped into four clusters in each area. This work provides necessary information that can be used not only to improve the maize production and conservation but also to better manage genetic species resources in Benin.
文摘Bacterial wilt is the most damaging disease of tomato in Benin. To select resistant varieties of tomato against bacterial wilt, 21 tomato varieties were evaluated twice under screen house and field conditions in a randomized complete block design with four replicates and 21 treatments which are the tested varieties. Three weeks old tomato seedlings were inoculated by crown flooding with 40 ml of a bacterial suspension of <i>R. solanacearum </i>strain CR-1103-2, phylotype I sequvar 14. At 28 days after inoculation, the control resistant varieties Hawaii 7997 and PADMA maintained their resistance and the known susceptible variety Tohounvi showed to be susceptible to the bacterial wilt. Among the hybrid tomato varieties, only Cobra 26 was moderately resistant. No resistant line was found among the tested local varieties. The <span>hybrid varieties Buffalo, Petomech, Tropimech, Sumo, Prado, Ninja, Jaguar, Anaya, Topaze, Cobra 34, Heinz, Kiara, Euclid and local Kêkêfo, Akikonkouin, Agbotrui and Adjaa were all susceptible. In conclusion, Cobra 26 emerges as a new variety of tomato moderately resistant to bacterial wilt. This is a new finding since it adds. All the tested varieties, regardless of their resistance, were colonized by <i>R. solanacearum</i>. This is a challenge for tomato farmers who must practice sanitation in their fields when producing tomato susceptible or resistant varieties. The variety Cobra 26 must be scaled up to</span> farmers.
文摘Abstract This study aims to determine the optimal N, P, K, Mg and Zn rates for groundnut production on Ferric and Plintic Luvisol in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones of Benin Republic. Two years (2018 and 2019) experiment was carried out in the municipality of Ouessè in the Sudano-Guinean zone and Bembèrèkè in the Sudanian zone. The tested nutrient doses were N (0, 20 and 40 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>), P (0, 25 and 50 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>), K (0, 20 and 40 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>), Mg (0, 15 and 30 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>) and Zn (0, 4 and 8 kg<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>). The Box and Behnken rotating design is used to define the N, P, K, Mg and Zn rate combinations leading to 46 combinations. A completely randomized bloc design was setting up considering farmers as replication. In total, four farmers’ fields were selected. A one-way analysis of variance is carried out on yield data, using the linear mixed-effect model. Response surface analyses were used to determine the optimal doses for each N, P, K, Mg and Zn. Nodule production (6.5 times higher than the control), number of gynophores (2.8 times higher than the control) and root length (19.2 ± 0.2 cm) of groundnut plants were significantly (p = 0.0001) improved with nutrient application. The response surface analysis shows that treatments N-P-K-Mg-Zn of 16.01-20.18-6.70-5.65-2.47 (in the Sudano-Guinean zone) and 13.1-25.07-11.47-0-1.82 (in the Sudanian zone) are the optimal rates that have induced optimal yield of 2.1 t<span style="white-space:nowrap;">⋅</span>ha<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup> (<em>i.e.</em> 2.5 times the yield in the farmers’ field) pod yield and the best return on investment per hectare. Nevertheless, for a sustainable groundnut producproduction, treatment 13.1-25.07-11.47-20-1.82 is suggested as regular K input is required for the respect of the fertilization laws.
文摘In Benin, Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is one of the agroforestry species of great socio-economic importance for local populations. Given the actual variation in the climate parameters, it is necessary to anticipate the future spatial distribution of Shea trees as an adaptation strategy and for designing relevant conservation strategies. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the influence of climate change on the distribution areas of Shea trees in Benin. Occurrence data consisting of geographic coordinates of Shea trees in Benin as well as bioclimatic variables were recorded. Furthemore, additional presence points were collected from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility database website. Current and future environmental data for the study area were obtained from the Africlim website. Bioclimatic variables (moisture and temperature), monthly maximum and minimum temperatures and annual rainfall were collected from Worldclim synoptic stations website for the period 1970-2000. The aridity index was created from the potential evapotranspiration (PET) and annual rainfall, using spatial analysis tools of ArcGIS. The impact of current and future environmental conditions on favourable Shea trees’ growing area was assessed following the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach under two climate scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). Under the current climate conditions, 80% of Benin territory and 79% of the protected areas were highly favourable for Shea trees growing and conservation. However, all climate scenarios projected the significant decrease of 14% to 19% of the distribution of favourable for Shea tree growing area and 26% to 30% of the protected areas by 2055 in favour of non-favourable for the trees’ distribution. The protection of habitats favourable for the species development, coupled with a quick restoration of the species through the use of appropriate vegetative propagation techniques are required to sustain the species’ conservation in Benin and maintain farmers’ livelihood.
文摘The objective of the study was to characterize the clays of the Lama depression in Benin. Macroscopic examination of hand soundings, dynamic penetration test and stratigraphic correlation of water borehole logs, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) method were made on compact or stratified clays. The large grains are embedded in a sintered matrix. The texture is heterogeneous and open, including quartz, carbonates and organic matter. The fine fraction is dominated by mineral paragenesis characterizing Kaolinite-Quartz-Calcite-Gypsum dioctahedral smectites composed of: Oxygen, Silica, Carbon, Aluminum, Iron, Zinc, Titanium and Magnesium. This smectic and regular structure includes coarse grains of the order of 800 μm. The pore diameters vary from 130 μm to 1.14 μm. The inter-particle porosity is poorly developed unlike the inter-aggregate pores larger than 0.05 μm. The texture is laminar and shows elongated turbo static particles with more or less rounded edges and honeycomb particles. Quartz and carbonates induce an increase in heterogeneities which develop mechanical sensitivity and hydraulic conductivity. High contents of silica, iron or aluminum and low contents of calcium and magnesium, as well as the presence of other trace elements suggest an alumino-ferriferous clay resulting from the hydrothermal alteration of the acid granite massif. These heterogeneities promote less tortuous pores or paths, making these clays more permeable. Finally, other stabilization studies and improvements to hydraulic products and binders should favor the use of the studied clay as improved backfill or drilling muds.
文摘The experiment was conducted during the short dry and the short rainy seasons in 2008. A botanical inventory and relative frequencies of forage selected by Djallonke sheep grazing were developed by observation and hand-plucking. Chemical composition and in vitro organic matter digestibility （IVOMD） of hand-plucked material was determined. From July to October, woody plants are a major component of the sheep diet. Sheep selected 40 woody plants and 21 species of herbaceous. During the dry season, grazing occurred more frequently in the fallows. The most frequent woody species belonged to Elaeis guineensis and Fagara zanthoxyloides. At the rainy season, a high proportion of Panicum maximum and Eleucine indica were sampled. Crude protein was high in woody leaves at the dry season. Crude fibre were more variable in herbaceous than in woody and herbaceous were generally higher in the levels of fibre. Chromolaena odorata, Citrus sinensis, Vitex doniana were very high in IVOMD. Spondias mombin, Moringa oleifera, Persea americana, Psidium guajava, Dialium guineense presented lowest values in IVOMD. Among herbaceous, Andropogon gayanus and Panicum maximum still presented a high value of IVOMD at the dry season. High proteins suggest woody with potential as nitrogen supplements to ruminants fed low quality forage during the dry season.
文摘Native （Andropogon gayanus, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum） and exotic grasses （Brachiaria ruzi：iensis, Panieum maximum cv. C1 and T58） consumed in tropical humid zone were evaluated by estimating their voluntary intake and in vivo digestibility. The measurements were performed with 4 male Djallonke sheep （28 kg LW） fed ad libitum in metabolic cages, during a 10-days in vivo trial, preceded by a 14-days accommodation period. Each grass was studied at 3 stages of development. The samples （distributed grasses, refusals and faeces） were analysed for organic matter （OM）, crude fibre （CF）, neutral detergent fibre （NDF）, acid detergent fibre （ADF）, acid detergent lignin （ADL） and crude protein （CP） contents. Voluntary digestible organic matter intake （VDOMI） and voluntary digestible crude protein intake （VDCPI） were calculated （in g kg ^-1 LW075） as synthetic parameters to compare the grasses. The chemical composition of the distributed forages varied significantly （P 〈 0.001） between species or cultivars and development stages. After 4-5 leaves per tiller stage, CP contents decreased in all species and lowest in native species. Andropogon gayanus was the most l ignified species at any stage of development. At the end of the rainy season, Pennisetum purpureum leaves and Brachiaria ruziziensis had the highest CP. For all the grasses, CP contents were higher （and CF contents lower） in the consumed material, compared to the offered forages, showing thereby the high selectivity by the sheep. Dry matter intake, OM and CP digestibility varied greatly （P 〈 0.001） between forages and development stages with high interactions between these factors （P 〈 0.001）. Voluntary digestible organic matter intake and VDCPI were the highest （P 〈 0.05） for native Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum. There was a relationship between digestibility and intake parameters, and ADL content of the grasses seems to be an important factor determining at least digestibility.
基金the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD)and the scholarship program“Artificial Intelligence for Development(AI4D)in Africa”the International Development Research Centre(IDRC)+1 种基金the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency(SIDA)the African Centre for Technology Studies(ACTS).
文摘Deep Learning(DL),a type of Machine Learning,has gained significant interest in many fields,including agriculture.This paper aims to shed light on deep learning techniques used in agriculture for abiotic and biotic stress detection in fruits and vegetables,their benefits,and the challenges faced by users.Scientific papers were collected from Web of Science,Scopus,Google Scholar,Springer,and Directory of Open Access Journals(DOAJ)using combinations of specific keywords such as:’Deep Learning’OR’Artificial Intelligence’in combination with fruit disease’,vegetable disease’,‘fruit stress',OR‘vegetable stress'following PRISMA guidelines.From the initial 818 papers identified using the keywords,132 were reviewed after excluding books,reviews,and the irrelevant.The recovered scientific papers were from 2003 to 2022;93%addressed biotic stress on fruits and vegetables.The most common biotic stresses on species are fungal diseases(grey spots,brown spots,black spots,downy mildew,powdery mildew,and anthracnose).Few studies were interested in abiotic stresses(nutrient deficiency,water stress,light intensity,and heavy metal contamination).Deep Learning and Convolutional Neural Networks were the most used keywords,with GoogleNet(18.28%),ResNet50(16.67%),and VGG16(16.67%)as the most used architectures.Fifty-two percent of the data used to compile these models come from the fields,followed by data obtained online.Precision problems due to unbalanced classes and the small size of some databases were also analyzed.We provided the research gaps and some perspectives from the reviewed papers.Further research works are required for a deep understanding of the use of machine learning techniques in fruit and vegetable studies:collection of large datasets according to different scenarios on fruit and vegetable diseases,evaluation of the effect of climatic variability on the fruit and vegetable yield using AI methods and more abiotic stress studies.
