Volume 8 Number 1 (January 2023)

Supply of urban centers with energy resources and the need to preserve the environment case of coal consumption at Baco-Djicoroni

Fatoumata Maiga, Ibrahima Traore, Hamadoun Traore

In Mali, with strong population growth, forest resources are under multiple pressures, the most important of which are agricultural clearing, land speculation and the consumption of wood and/or charcoal as energy fuel. Studies have shown that this is a major problem. According to the FAO (2020, p 21), its production from 2010 to 2018 increased from 137,907 to 379,124 tons against 79,221 Qm to 334,454 Qm between 2008-2017 (MEADD, 2018, pp 41 and 73). The objective aims to demonstrate the challenges of charcoal consumption as fuel in the Baco-Djicoroni district of the Bamako district in order to raise the awareness of decision-makers. The sampling involved 190 people (160 randomly selected households, 24 traders/wholesalers and 6 technical service agents). The methodology was based on the exploitation of documents, the field survey and the analysis and processing of data using Word, Excel and SPSS software. The analysis of the results records 12 charcoal sales depot sites in Baco-Djicoroni with a sales capacity of 7750 bags per week whose households of 10 to 14 people are the biggest consumers, us 89 bags per month. In a context of climate change and forest preservation, the development of a strategy is necessary and alternatives to charcoal remains the promotion of renewable and/or alternative energies.

Distribution Patterns of Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium spp. Following Stock Enhancement Programme in Sabah, Malaysia

The decline of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium spp. in rivers can be attributed to overfishing, habitat loss and pollution. In order to offset the pressure, a community-based stock enhancement project was initiated by Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), University Malaysia Sabah, to increase the number of Macrobrachium spp. in Petagas River, Putatan, Sabah. This study was conducted to determine the distribution and abundance of different life stages of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium spp. following stocking programme. The different life stages of the freshwater prawns were caught using hand net and modified prawn trap. A total of 539 specimens were caught and separated into postlarvae (PL), juvenile and adult. Abundance of PL (53.47%) was found at the downstream region of Petagas River, juvenile (18.06%) was found at the midstream region while adult prawn (81.63%) was found at the upstream region. The distribution of PL prawn was found to be increased with increasing salinities (R2=0.95) while for juvenile (R2= 0.98) and adult prawns (R2=0.921) were inversely correlated. The CPUE of PL, juvenile and adult were positively correlated with the increase of stocking juvenile following stocking programme with R2=0.89, R2=0.73 and R2=0.87 accordingly. The stock enhancement programme is suggested to be implemented continuously to improve the population of Macrobrachium spp. in the Petagas River. This study will provide baseline information on the effectiveness of stock enhancement programme of freshwater prawn especially in Malaysia.

Determination of the best cooking time and the characteristics of Nile tilapia pepes (an Indonesian traditional fish product) processed by microwave oven

The present study aimed to examine the best cooking time of Nile tilapia pepes processed by the microwave oven and to observe its chemical characteristics. The research was conducted in two stages. The treatment in the first stage was pepes cooking time which consists of four levels. The observed parameter was pepes sensory using multiple comparison tests. The experimental design to determine the chemical characteristics of pepes in the second stage was Completely Randomized Design with three levels namely raw, steamed, and microwave oven pepes in three replications. The observed parameters were moisture content, protein, amino acids, and free fatty acid levels. The result shows that the best cooking time of pepes with a microwave oven was five minutes. Analysis of variance showed that cooking affected the total selected essential amino acid and 14 kinds of amino acids content that were analyzed, namely aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, histidine, threonine, arginine, alanine, tyrosine, methionine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine content of pepes but not significantly affected on the moisture content, protein, glycine and free fatty acids content of pepes. The total selected essential amino acid and 14 kinds of amino acids content of raw pepes were significantly different to cooked pepes (microwave oven and steamed pepes), but the total selected essential amino acid and 14 kinds of amino acids content of microwave oven pepes were not significantly different to steamed pepes. The chemical characteristics of microwave oven pepes were 73.04% wb of moisture, 67.95% DB of protein, 28.48% DB of total selected essential amino acids, and 7.22% in oil of free fatty acids content.

Urban and peri-urban plastic bag pollution: producers' perceptions of the impacts of plastic bag ingestion by domestic ruminants in the commune of Dori in Burkina Faso

The phenomenon of pollution by plastic waste is a public health problem in Burkina Faso. The ingestion of these plastic bags by domestic ruminants causes enormous losses to producers. Thus, to have the involvement of these producers in the management of plastic, this study was initiated to collect their perceptions (knowledge, attitudes and practices) on this scourge of plastic ingestion by farm animals. It was conducted from May to June 2021 and involved 60 producers living in the urban and peri-urban area of the commune of Dori in Burkina Faso. The interviews focused on the characterization of their farms (breeding system, livestock diversity, animal feeding); their knowledge of the phenomenon of ingestion of plastic bags by domestic ruminants and its impact (mortality and loss of income) on farms; attitudes, practices in the face of the scourge and their proposed solutions. The survey revealed that animal feed was based essentially on natural grazing at 77% with supplementation for a minority of farms (6%) (p < 0.001). In addition, the extensive system based on transhumance was the most widespread because it concerned 83% (50) of the producers (p < 0.001). The ingestion of plastic bags by the animals is perceived by the producers as one of the main causes of the mortalities recorded in their farms, however the causes seem to be external to the farming systems, in view of the solutions they recommend. Respondents know the symptoms of plastic ingestion (weight loss (43%), persistent bloating (31%) often accompanied by a hardening of the abdomen and diarrhea (13%), anorexia (12 %) and a runny nose (1%)), but which can be confused with other parasitoses, and have traditional practices for diagnosing it. The study suggests that special arrangements be made for a better awareness of the management of plastic bags in the environment, with the support of environmental and public health technicians, municipal and communal authorities of Dori.

Cloning of phytase gene from Aspergillus niger 563 and its expression in E.coli system

S. Geetha, K. K. Kumar, L. Arul, E. Kokiladevi, P. Balasubramanian, D. Sudhakar

A phyA was cloned from Aspergillus niger by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The amplified 1404 bp fragment was cloned in a T/A cloning vector and confirmed by sequencing. The isolated phytase gene showed 99.0 % sequence identity at nucleotide and protein level with Aspergillus niger CBS 513.88 phytase. The amino acid sequence from the phyA cDNA contained the consensus motifs, RHGXRXP and HD which are conserved among histidine acid phosphatases. The phytase cDNA was subcloned in pET28a(+) expression vector and expressed in E. coli. The expression of the gene was confirmed through SDS-PAGE analysis. A 52 kDa protein as per the calculated molecular mass of the translational product of phytase gene was observed in crude lysate of E. coli culture induced with IPTG. The protein was purified using nickel based His-bind resin column and checked on SDS-PAGE. The purified recombinant enzyme showed a single band of 52 kDa protein. The phytase activity of pET-phyA IPTG induced E. coli culture and purified phytase was 383.5 U/ml and 826.33 U/ml, respectively.

Analysis of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Content of Seaweed Codium sp. in Super Intensive Shrimp Pond Liquid Waste

Codium sp. seaweed cultivation trials. Which is different seed weights on the growth media in the form of super intensive shrimp pond liquid waste. The research aims to analyze the ability of Codium sp. absorbing nitrogen and phosphorus from shrimp culture media. The study was conducted for 45 days at the Experimental Pond Installation (ITP) Research and Development Center for Brackish Water Aquaculture (BPPBAP), Punaga Village, Mangarabombang District, Takalar Regency. A plastic box is used by container in this reseach measuring 87 cm x 64 cm with a water level of 40. The study consisted of 4 weight treatments of Codium sp. namely A (50 g), B (100 g), C (50 g) and D (200 g) and each treatment was repeated three times. Data of reseach is analyzed by ANOVA with 95% confidence level and further W-Tuckey test using SPSS version 23 software. The results showed that there was an effect of absorption by seaweed Codium sp. with a seed weight of 200 g resulted in the highest N-total absorption rate of 0.1133±0.01155%, while the highest P-Total absorption rate was at a weight of 100 g with a value of 0.00500±0.002646%.

Application of advanced molecular to select the variety of Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia .L ) in Can Tho

Lang Thi Nguyen, Hieu Chi Bui, Loan Hong Thi Nguyen, Phuoc Trong Nguyen

A study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variation in bitter ground to using SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) markers. Thirty -five primers showing reliable polymorphism were used .This paper mainly applies the molecular directive from the self-absorbed population of F6 of Cho Moi/Ben Tre. The Polymorphism on two SNP directives, TP1386 and TP 1877 with Bitter gourd on LG1. A wide variation was observed for morphological traits like the number of days to the first male flower anthesis (29.33–33.67), first female flower anthesis (30.5–38.6), fruit length (19.00–22.80 cm), fruit diameter (12.20–19.60 cm), and yield per plant (933.8–1147.9 g).According to the GGT map, it is easier to determine the genetic pattern of hybrids in the population compared to the genome of the parents in the F6 generation of the Cho Moi/Ben Tre . With 34 SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphism) molecules directives on LG1, the genetic distance from 0-112. cM. The selected lines carried a superior homogeneity to the parent on the LG1. The result is 7 lines with F7 with 100% genes for hight yield the same with the father variety ( Ben Tre ), carrying hight yield. The seven lines selected are: 1(F2-2-1-7-1); 2(F2-8-17-2-2); 5(F2 -5-3-1-5); 7(F2-25-15-8-7); 10(F2-54-4-1-10; 35(F2-10-6-5-35); 36(F2-5-2-7-36). However, after evaluating F7 lines and comparing phenotypes and genotypes, there were only two lines: 2(F2-8-17-2-2); 7(F2-25-15-8-7)good appty for breeding and hight yield . Named line 7(F2-25-15-8-7) was designated HATRI 07KQ . DNA Sequence of HATRI 07KQ were submitted to GenBank .

The potential of Zai pit technology and Integrated soil fertility management to enhance crop productivity in semi-arid regions of Sub-Sahara Africa: A review

Mercy Cheruto Kebenei, Monicah Mucheru-Muna, Felista Muriu-Ng’ang’a

Low and continuously deteriorating soil fertility coupled with frequent droughts and extended mid-season dry spells scenarios brought about by low and unreliable rainfalls have had a significant negative influence on agricultural productivity in most semi-arid regions of the world. The farmers' limited capacity to change their farming practices and adjust to the changing climatic circumstances further exacerbates these effects. Various in-field rainwater collection techniques, including Zai pits, have been promoted in recent years to assist farmers, particularly in dry and semi-arid locations, to harvest, store, and use rainfall for increased crop productivity. Zai pit is a form of dryland farming technique that involves the unitization of holes or troughs aimed at ensuring soil maintenance, soil erosion control and water preservation in agricultural fields. Additionally, combining effective soil fertility management strategies, such as integrated soil fertility management, with rainwater harvesting methods has the potential to further boost crop yields. Integrated soil fertility management involves the combined use of inorganic fertilizers and organic fertilizers such as cattle manure with the aim of improving soil fertility. Zai pit technology and integrated soil fertility management techniques have been utilized as climate smart agricultural approaches to reduce soil moisture stress and improve crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. This paper reviews previous research results on crop productivity as influenced by Zai pit technology and integrated soil fertility management techniques.

Pattern Analysis and Marketing Efficiency of Bokar in Rural Area, Batanghari Regency, Indonesia

Yusma Damayanti, Saidin Nainggolan, Putri Utami

Marketing is said to be efficient if it is considered capable of distributing products from farmers to the crumb rubber industry at a reasonable cost and a fair distribution of the price paid by the crumb rubber industry. For this reason, this study aims to analyze the marketing efficiency of bokar. This research was conducted in the Rural Area of Batanghari Regency, with a sample size of 77 farmers. Sampling uses the sSimple Random Sampling method. The data analysis used is quantitative descriptive analysis. with the One Way Anova test. Bokar marketing in Batanghari Regency consists of three marketing channels, namely: (1) Farmers - Auction Market - Provincial Collector Traders (PPProv) - Factory (Crumb Rubber). (2) Farmers - Village Collector Traders (PPD) - Provincial Collector Traders (PPProv) - Factory (Crumb Rubber). (3) Farmers - Provincial Collector Traders (PPProv) - Factories (Crumb Rubber). Based on the efficiency indicators of bokar marketing through marketing margin, farmer's share and profit ratio and marketing cost of bokar marketing channel I is more efficient than channels II and III. Based on the results of the One Way Anova test, the farmer's share received by bokar farmers in marketing channel I, marketing channel II and marketing channel III there is a significant difference. This means that the existence of a bokar auction market pool is able to significantly increase the efficiency of bokar marketing, and for this it is necessary to establish auction market poo in other villages.

A Perception-Based Survey on Innovation and Technology Adoption by Small-Scale Farmers in Semi-Arid Zimbabwe

Tirivashe Phillip Masere

This study was conducted with agricultural extension agents of semi-arid Zimbabwe to gather their perceptions on innovation and technology adoption by small-scale resource-constrained farmers, as well as the effect of their working conditions on the quality of service delivery to small-scale farmers. Data was solicited through focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with all the public agricultural extension agents operating in the study area. It was found that agents were mainly hampered by lack of in-service training, transport and poor remuneration. Of all disseminated technologies during the last 20 years, respondents assessed that 17% had very low adoption rate, 26% had low adoption, 17% had average adoption, 26% had high adoption and only 13% had very high adoption. Bulky, expensive and risky technologies like tractors, solar driers, metal silos and bee farming were among the least adopted whereas hybrid seeds and value addition were very highly adopted. Reasons for the very low adoption were noted to be lack of capital, markets and information support on how to use new technology. Despite these challenges respondents indicated that small-scale farmers had the capacity to innovate and to adopt technology in the form of indigenous knowledge, willingness and commitment to learn and improve productivity, and labor. Agents suggested the strengthening of farmer-extension-research linkages so that technologies could be developed from some successful indigenous innovations, where possible and also to ensure the development of technology tailor-made to the needs of small-scale farmers, resource-endowments and biophysical conditions of their farming communities.

Alarm: Mankind is Not Ready for Inevitable Global Climate Change

Dr. Mikhail Krasnyansky

This article is a scientific review, first, of the consequences of global warming and climate change, and second, of the urgent ways for humanity to adapt to these climate changes. It is shown that an increase in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, as well as an increase in its average temperature, correlates well with an increase in the number of natural disasters and, accordingly, an increase in budget costs for the removal of their consequences. On the other hand, the impossibility of completely stopping global climate change, let alone returning to its 1970 parameters, is discussed, for example: removing billions of tons of CO2 from the Earth's atmosphere; restoring trillions of tons of ice at the poles of the Earth and its mountain peaks; reduce the acidity of the waters of the World Ocean and its cooling. Hence the conclusion is made about the inexpediency of spending hundreds of billions of dollars on "the fight against climate change" and the expediency of spending these billions on the urgent adaptation of mankind to an already changed climate. Further, the article examines in detail the ways and options to prevent the destruction and loss caused by hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, massive burning of fossil fuels, traditional agriculture, as well as huge pollution of the World Ocean: replacement of fossil fuels with green energy and green transport, the construction of only hurricane-resistant and fire-resistant buildings in hazardous areas, the construction of dams and powerful drainage systems in areas of probable flooding, the transition to superconducting underground electrical cables, the widespread use of small modular low-enriched uranium nuclear reactors, widespread use of heat pumps, the transition from traditional cattle breeding to artificial meat, the widespread in agriculture use of so-called vertical farms, minimization of food losses at all stages, and more. The main idea of this report was clearly expressed by Charles Darwin in his well-known quote: “It is not the strongest and smartest who survive but the one who adjusts best to the changing environment.” That is, not the strongest nation (with the largest GDP), not the smartest nation (which will learn to extract all the excess CO2 from the atmosphere), but the nation that is best adapted to live in this changed climate (with hurricanes, floods, droughts, wildfires, etc.) - will have more chances to survive.