Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology
Name: Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology E-ISSN: 2723-5106 DOI: 10.11594 Period: June and December Indexing and Abstracting: Google Scholar, Crossref, Dimensions, ROAD, Scilit, Garuda, BASE, ICI Copernicus, CABI, Scinapse, Erihplus, and others in progress Partnered with: ReviewerCredits and Publons Publication Guidelines: COPE Guidelines Publisher: Future Science, Malang, Indonesia Founded: 02 May 2020 The journal is committed to publishing original scientific work that will broaden the horizons of tropical agricultural science and plant biology. The publication language of the journal is English. JAAB welcomes article submissions related to tropical crops. The editor is committed to the quality of each paper and providing a fast response to each manuscript. Manuscripts must quote 75% of the past 10 years' journal. Each manuscript will be checked for similarity rate and may not exceed the 25% limit. The paper will be peer-reviewed by two or three reviewers: the editorial board and or 1-2 assigned reviewers. The journal employs the double-blind peer review process, where both reviewers and authors remain anonymous throughout the review process. The review process may take place more than once to ensure that each manuscript meets journal standards. Editor-in-Chief will appoint reviewers, make final decisions on acceptances and rejections, check the content of the journal, advance and promote journal. Editorial Board members have the roles to review submitted manuscript, support the quality of each issue of the journal, and promote journal in your area of influence Reviewers will review the paper and provide authors the constructive feedback to improve the manuscript. Authors could download the author guideline and template article then changed your paper accordingly. Kindly provide 2 potential reviewers to speed up the process reviewing, however Editor will determine the reviewers. Manuscript. After reviewing and its acceptance, the paper will be added immediately to the "Current Issue".
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Influence of pH on bioplastic production from Sweet Potato Starch (Ipomea batatas L.)
Scientists are exploring biodegradable bioplastic polymers as alternatives to traditional plastics to address environmental concerns. Bioplastics are derived from renewable materials such as starch, vegetable oils, and other organic sources. This study specifically focuses on using sweet potatoes to produce a bioplastic. Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious crop that is widely grown around the world. The roots of sweet potatoes contain starch, which makes up a significant part of their composition. Starch is a valuable food source with industrial uses, including as a carrier medium for various substances in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The research was conducted in the Souf region of the Algerian Sahara, where sweet potato starch is obtained through a multi-step process that includes washing, peeling, filtering, and drying. This starch (5g) is mixed with 50 ml of water, hydrochloric acid, and glycerol (5 ml), then heated and dried to create bioplastics. The results show that the starch yield from sweet potatoes varies depending on the pH of the extraction medium, with the highest yield being achieved with a neutral medium (7.6±1.72 g). This study also investigates the potential of recycling industrial food waste, lovely potato peelings, for the production of bioplastics. It highlights the importance of pH in starch extraction and its subsequent use in bioplastics production, highlights environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics, and contributes to the ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Impact of pesticide on the physical and chemical agricultural soil in a semi-arid region of Algeria (M’Sila)
This study aims to monitor the impacts of pesticides on the physical and chemical quality of agricultural soil in Algeria's semi-arid region. The region primarily cultivates market garden crops such as potatoes and wheat. Sandy soil types and a semi-arid climate characterize it. Twenty- seven samples were collected from various soil horizons at different depths and locations within the study area. Among these, 9 samples were designated as controls, 9 were treated with a potent herbicide called haloxyfop-methyl ester, and the remaining 9 were treated with a fungicide containing two active ingredients: fenamidone and a methyl ester. The measured parameters (pH, conductivity, TDS, CO, MO, lime- stone, Mg+, Ca+, NO2, P2O5, K2O) exhibited variability, with the treated samples generally showing higher values than the control samples. This difference can be attributed to various factors, such as treatment con- ditions, characteristics of the study area, types of pesticides used, and the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, as well as chemical pesticides. Intensive agriculture often employs this approach, aiming to produce large quantities of food on a relatively small land area. The heavy metals analysis (iron, copper, manganese, aluminum, and chro- mium) of agricultural soil showed concentration values within interna- tional norms. Despite this, these metals remain toxic chemicals with bi- oaccumulative persistence in the environment. The uncontrolled use of pesticides impacts both the short-term and long-term soil quality. While they effectively kill weeds and fungi, they also penetrate and ac- cumulate in the soil and pollute groundwater. It is crucial to use herbi- cides sparingly and choose those with minimal environmental impact.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ettayib Bensaci, FATIMA ZAHRA BAKHTT , FATAH ZOUGGAGHE
Comparative study of immobilized enzyme on nano-composite (SCN) and free enzyme of invertase isolated from baker's yeast
The objective of this study was to compare the properties and performance of invertase enzyme isolated from baker's yeast, both in free and immobilized form on a starch-copper nanocomposite (SCN). The SCN was synthesized using starch as a reducing agent for the biological production of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). The Characterization of SCN was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction to confirm nanoparticle formation and structural properties. The immobilization of invertase onto SCN was optimized by varying nanoparticle concentration, pH, incubation time, and temperature to maximize enzyme attachment and activity. Enzyme activity was measured for both free and immobilized forms to determine the immobilization efficiency. The study found that the high levels of enzyme immobilization were observed at pH = 9, temperature T = 30, and 3% SCN concentration. For both free and immobilized invertase, the ideal reaction temperatures were 35°C and 40°C, with corresponding pH values of 5 and 4.5. Reusability experiments revealed that the immobilized enzyme retained 49% of its activity after ten cycles, demonstrating improved stability and potential for repeated use. The results suggest that enzyme immobilization on SCN occurs through non-covalent interactions, providing a practical and sustainable approach for biocatalytic applications. This research highlights the potential of starch-based nanocomposites for enzyme stabilization, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for industrial and biotechnological applications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Maroua Chouia, Samir Derouiche
First record of Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) in the cork oak at Collo forest (Algeria)
The Erotylidae family remains poorly documented in North Africa, with very limited published data available on its distribution and ecological preferences. This study provides the first confirmed record of Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) within Algerian cork oak (Quercus suber) forests, significantly expanding the known range of this species in the region. A total of 71 specimens were documented, collected primarily through soil-surface interception traps deployed across multiple sites. Among these, 25 individuals were captured between 2015 and 2016 in different sections of the surveyed oak groves. Field observations revealed that T. melanocephala exhibits a strong association with decaying cork oak wood, particularly in trees heavily colonized by mature tinder fungi (Fomes spp.). Further investigation through careful dissection of these fungal growths uncovered an additional 30 specimens, reinforcing the species' reliance on this microhabitat. The beetles were most frequently found in moist, shaded areas of decomposing wood, suggesting that microclimatic conditions may play a key role in their distribution. The study sites included Oued Agouf, where 2 specimens were collected in 2015 and 4 in 2016; Ain Fegoum, with 6 specimens in 2015 and 8 in 2016; and El Maktoua, where 4 specimens were recorded in 2015 and 6 in 2016. These findings indicate a consistent presence of T. melanocephala across multiple locations, though population densities varied between sites. This discovery not only fills a gap in the understanding of Erotylidae in North Africa but also highlights the ecological importance of old-growth cork oak forests and their associated fungal communities in supporting specialized beetle fauna.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sabrina Laouira, Gahdab Chakali, Faiza Marniche
Cultivation of Genovese basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese) in aquaponic and hydroponic systems: A comparative study
Recently, many horticultural crops have been subjected to study under hydroponic and aquaponic conditions, with a view to enhance their productivity. Nevertheless, a comparative analysis of these two soilless cultivation systems has rarely been undertaken, despite the fact that they represent two distinct approaches. This study’s objective was to compare between the aquaponic cultivation system and the hydroponic one, with the aim of identifying the most suitable soilless system for cultivating Genovese basil (O. basilicum L. cv. Genovese). For the purpose of this study, a factorial randomized complete block with three repetitions was conducted. It was carried out at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia under glasshouse conditions. Accordingly, the variation of the soilless cultivation systems effects was determined by measuring and evaluating plant growth, biomass production and photosynthetic performance of basil. Main results showed that plant height (25.69 ± 2.87 cm/plant), length of internodes (2.47 ± 0.17 cm/plant) and leaves number (10.89 ± 1.02 leaves/plant), fresh and dry weight of shoots (9.17 ± 0.49 g and 1.03 ± 0.05 g, respectively) and roots (5.22 ± 0.14 g and 0.37 ± 0.03 g, respectively) were significantly higher in aquaponically grown plants in comparison to hydroponics. However, no significant differences were noted between aquaponics and hydroponics regarding the shoot and root dry matter contents. In addition, the content of chlorophyll a (44.59 ± 3.42 µg∙mg-1 FW) and the efficiency of the photosystem II (Fv/Fm) (0.83 ± 0.01) were significantly higher in basil grown in aquaponics when compared to the hydroponic system. Overall, these findings indicate that aquaponics seems to be more suitable for growing basil plants than the hydroponic system.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hibat Allah Annabi, Bochra Laribi, Taoufik Bettaieb
The effects of herbicide application on the properties of agricultural soil in Algeria
Phytosanitary products, particularly herbicides, are essential for weed control in agriculture. This study examined the concentration and persistence of Pinoxaden residues in different soil textures. Seventy-two soil samples from two farms in Tiaret, Algeria, were analyzed using liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure herbicide residues. The analysis used a mobile phase of acetonitrile and methanol (50/50, V/V) with a retention time of 2 minutes. Results indicated significant differences in residue persistence based on soil texture. Clay-loam soils showed higher residue persistence, averaging 6.01 × 10^-4 ± 8.7 × 10^-5 μg/g, while sandy soils had lower persistence, averaging 6.4 × 10^-5 ± 5.9 × 10^-6 μg/g. This underscores the impact of soil characteristics on herbicide behavior and the need for tailored management strategies. Despite herbicides' benefits, their environmental impacts are concerning. Persistent residues can contaminate soil and harm ecosystems. Raising awareness among stakeholders about these risks is essential. The study recommends sustainable alternatives, such as biological control methods, to reduce dependency on chemical herbicides. Biological controls offer eco-friendly solutions, promoting ecosystem balance and reducing agriculture's ecological footprint. Implementing crop rotation and other integrated pest management (IPM) strategies can enhance weed control effectiveness while decreasing reliance on chemical herbicides. These practices mitigate environmental risks and improve soil health and agricultural productivity. In conclusion, while herbicides are indispensable in modern agriculture, responsible use and management are crucial for environmental sustainability and the long-term viability of agricultural systems. By adopting sustainable practices and innovative technologies, it is possible to balance agricultural productivity with environmental protection.
Copyright (c) 2024 Zemour Hafidh; Karima Oulbachir ; Kaddour m; Tedj Eddine Adda Ardjane
Bio-treatment of Cheese Whey by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) reared in Algeria
Whey, a by-product of cheese industry, poses environmental challenges when discharged untreated. This study aimed to mitigate whey pollution and transform it into value-added products using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). By investigating whey effects on BSFL growth and performance, an innovative waste management strategy was explored. The five-old-day larvae were fed with four diets; dry spent coffee ground (SCG) as the control diet, while SCG wetted with acid, sweet and fermented whey were the test diets. The results showed that whey types increased significantly (p < 0.05) BSFL growth compared to the control, the dry weight (53.83±0.49 Vs 25.10±0.18 mg/larva), growth rate (1.59±0.06 Vs 0.44±0.01 mg/day) and survival rate (78.83±1.25 Vs 68.50±1.5 %) of larvae and reduced their development time (28.00±01 Vs 37.00±01 day). Furthermore, mixing SCG diet with whey enhanced positively their performance by increasing the waste reduction (26.73±0.81 Vs 16.87±0.37 %), waste reduction index (0.85±0.03 Vs 0.45±0.01 %/day), approximate digestibility (36.49±1.52 Vs 20.29±0.53 %) and bioconversion rate (17.94±0.47 Vs11.65±0.52%). Adding whey to SCG diet increased protein content of BSFL (40.11% vs. 34.18%) and reduced fat (36.06 vs. 37.87 %) in dry mass. Whey also improved the composition of frass by increasing the phosphorus and total nitrogen levels. This approach demonstrates a sustainable solution for dairy industries waste, contributing to the circular economy and offering potential applications in animal feed and fertilizer production.
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in natura mycorrhizal status evaluation and broad bean cropland soil biological fertility
The Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) is a legume with many virtues, commonly cultivated in the Mediterranean region, especially in Algeria, valued for its high nutritional properties and role in crop rotation systems. Moreover, as a natural green fertilizer, estab-lishing symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi found in the soil, faba bean brings significant agronomic benefits, promotes biodiversity and contributes to soil preservation by limiting erosion. This study was conducted in a faba bean cropland site in the northwestern region of Algeria (Sebkha-Wilaya of Oran) in 2022 to assess in natura plant roots mycorrhi-zal colonization, soil characteristics and its biological fertility through mycorrhizal soil infectivity (MSI) and the spore’s abun-dance estimation. Physical and chemical properties analysis showed that the soil had a fine loamy-clay texture, with an alka-line pH, and low phosphorus content. It was moderately poor in organic matter and total nitrogen with less than 12 C/N ratio. In natura Vicia faba L. root fragments mycorrhizal colonization rate was very high (100%) with a highly mycorrhizal intensity (80.45%) and an arbuscular structures abundance (99.28%). Spores extracted from rhizosphere soil sample density were 1657±15.09 spores/100 g. Furthermore, results showed that Vi-cia faba rhizosphere cropland soil was high mycorrhizal infectiv-ity was high with 2.36±1.02g MSI Units/100 g. All results strong-ly suggested that Sebkha Vicia faba cropland soil has a good bio-logical fertility with a significant spore density. These results support the characterization of the soil as a potential biofertiliz-er.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anissa Chahrazed Abdedjelil, Amina Kadiri, Zohra Ighilhariz
Effect of pulsed electric field on yield and absorption of Basil essential oil
The effect of applying pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments on Basil leaves for essential oil extraction was studied. After treatment with pulsed electric field (PEF) with an intensity of 2 kV.cm-1, specific energy of 5kJ.kg-1 and 60 min of distillation, the yield of Basil EO increased from 0.63% (Control) to 0.82%, an increase of 30.16%. However, when basil leaves were treated with very high specific energy PEF (50 kJ.kg-1) a non-significant increase in EO yield compared to the control was observed. This experimental study reports the results regarding the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on the absorbance of Basil EO. The study allowed us to recognize an increase in EO absorption by the application of PEF with moderate specific energies. This has significance in quality control, which is an essential factor for the use of essential oils in various applications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kaddour MILOUDI, Abdelkader Baghdad, Abdelkader Elkebir, Fouad Kherbouche, Youcef Benmimoun, Abderrahmane Hamimed
Agroforestry in crops systems and its influence on the chemical fertility of soils in semi-arid regions: Case of the Dahra foothills (North-West, Algeria)
To guarantee a stable offer and healthy food, the new techniques of maintaining and improving the natural production capacity of agri-cultural land must take appropriate measures for each environ-ment. However, the identification and the valorization of all local dynamics of production systems must ensure the conservation of agricultural land fertility and butter fertilizer management. This study aims to evaluate the physico-chemical quality of soils in the north-western foothills of Dahra. After a bioclimatic overview of the study area, out of the fourteen studied stations, four of the most practiced farming systems (agroforestry, non-irrigated tree crop cultivation, annual field cropping and fallow cultivation) were compared based on analyses of various indicators related to the physico-chemical properties of soils used in the literature concerning soil chemical fertility. Indeed, the studied soils ex-hibit a clay-loam and sandy-loam textures, a slightly acidic pH, and an organ-ic matter content that requires improvement for more active biological ac-tivity. To optimize soil fertility, the practice of green manures as contribu-tions of major elements (N, P, and K) would be desirable along with studied crop rotations. The results showed that lands in the north-western foothills of Dahra are naturally intended for agriculture and predisposed to promot-ing agro-ecological practices, particularly agroforestry. This will improve soil health through enhanced biodiversity and efficient resource use. Also, the biological fertility measures offer more opportunities for sustainable agriculture in semi-arid environments where agroforestry practic-es and green manures effectively contribute to increasing organic matter content, bio-fertility, income diversity, and the standard of living for farmers.
Comparatif monitoring arthropod: Auxiliary-pest complex in vineyard table grapes cultivars in Boumerdes vineyards, Northern Algeria
As an alternative to chemical treatments, traps are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to control pests in agricul-tural systems. The efficacy of traps can be maximized by taking adventage of the fact that arthropods, and especially pests, have preferences for certain colors and stimuli. From January to De-cember 2022, in the locality of Corso, situated in Boumerdes Province, Northern Algeria. The experimental site consisted of a three-year-old table grape plantation. A descriptive observa-tional method was employed to assess the performance of four different trap types: pitfall traps, food-based traps, and two col-or-based traps (yellow and blue). The experiment followed a completely randomized design with five replications to ensure reliable and accurate results. Yellow traps proved to be the most successful throughout the research., capturing a total of 1,925 arthropod individuals. In contrast, food-based traps were the least effective, with only 14 individuals captured. The traps re-vealed a richness of 106 species spanning 54 families, 11 orders, and 3 classes, highlighting the diverse arthropod community present in the vineyard ecosystem. The most frequently captured species was Jacobiasca lybica, which accounted for 81.6% of the total pests trapped. The timing of trap installation was also a crit-ical factor, with the morning period yielding the highest capture rates. These findings underscore the importance of using color-specific traps and strategic timing to enhance pest management in vineyards.
Copyright (c) 2025 Roumaissa Ben Mokhtar, Fatma Zohra Bissaad, Faiza Marniche, Farid Bounaceur
Corrigendum, Vol 5 No 2 page 164-177, 2024
Estimation of vulnerability to pollution of groundwater of agricultural origin by application of the GOD and SI models in the Ghriss plain (North-West Algeria)
Assessing groundwater sensitivity in areas contaminated by agri-cultural pollution is a complex task for groundwater resource managers. The Ghriss plain (north-western Algeria) is the basis of agricultural development based on diversified crops, irrigated from a local water table of Plio-Quaternary age, considered to be one of the country’s most important reservoirs. In recent years, the overuse of nitrogenous fertilizers and various phytosanitary products, combined with wastewater discharges, has led to the appearance of traces of chemical elements exceeding drinking wa-ter standards, and to a worrying risk of water quality deteriora-tion. This study aims to measure the different categories of vul-nerability to migration of chemical inputs through the unsaturated zone, to preserve groundwater contamination. The approach con-sists of applying two universal methods: the GOD model and the SI model (Susceptibility Index). The mapping of the two models shows that GOD represents a low concentration of measured ni-trate ions, while SI attributes a high pollution dispersion to the unsaturated zone. From this comparison, the GOD method indi-cates the presence of four classes of vulnerability: high 1%; medi-um 70%; low 28% and very low 1%. On the other hand, the SI comparison shows two classes of vulnerability to pollution: very high to high 72% to 23%; medium to very low 2% to 3%. From this comparative study, we deduce that SI gives us a true picture of the pollution phenomena likely to occur, taking into account the nature of the land use, hence its interest in a more accurate esti-mation of unsaturated zones' vulnerability to groundwater pollu-tion by nitrates.
Study of the impact of desertification on land use in the El Bayadh region, South-Western Algeria
Algeria's steppe rangelands, covering an extensive 32 million hectares, serve as a vital biological zone, functioning as a transitional buffer between the sub-humid northern areas and the parched Sahara to the south. These rangelands are crucial for preserving biodiversity and aiding local inhabitants, although they are progressively susceptible to desertification, a significant environmental peril in Algeria. The wilaya of El Bayadh, a significant steppe area, is notably impacted by this occurrence. This research examines land use alterations in the wilaya of El Bayadh from 1990 to 2022, using remote sensing methodologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) alongside Landsat TM satellite images. The aim is to observe the advancement of desertification and delineate the spread of sand deposits in three northern communes: Bougtoub, El Kaf Lahmar, and Tousmouline. The findings demonstrate a significant increase in silting over the research period, indicating substantial changes in land cover. These results emphasize the increasing severity of desertification and stress the need for prompt action to protect this delicate environment. This study offers significant geographical data and analysis, establishing a basis for formulating effective policies and methods to address desertification. Through the implementation of specific strategies, stakeholders and policymakers may alleviate the detrimental impacts of desertification, foster sustainable land use practices, and secure the enduring stability of Algeria's steppe areas. The research highlights the need of using modern geospatial technology to tackle environmental issues and enhance resilience in at-risk ecosystems.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hachemi Zaidi, Karim Berrouaguia , Amina Guerroudj, Helima Tennah, El khansa Kachabia , Zemour Hafidh, Kenza Touzri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of unconventional waters irrigation on some morphological and physiological parameters of barley
A test on a variety of barley “Fouara” was carried out to verify the effects of treated wastewater on some physio-morphological parameters of this plant. Two different types of irrigation were chosen, one using treated wastewater from the Ain Beida wastewater treatment plant, and the other, ordinary water serving as a control. The physicochemical results of the treated wastewater showed, in particular, the EC, NH4, NO3 and the DCO/DB05 ratio do not exceed the admissible standards when they reach their maximum values The physio-morphological parameters of barley respond positively to the use of this water; represented by the two averages of the 'sugar' parameter which shows a clear difference depending on the water category (T and S) or the control individuals express an average (0.055) significantly lower than that of the S individuals (0.847). We note that significant values of the positive correlation coefficient of r=0.812 between the two parameters TRE and SF, therefore there is an association between these two factors. But negative for the TRE and PSF (r = -0.722). This means that the values of the two parameters do not evolve in the same direction. The factors 'sugar' and 'chlorophyll b' present the best correlation, they better represent the six individuals and the proline contents are higher in the treated plants.
Triticum durum productivity and adaptability of two genotypes under water deficit in Algerian high plains
Over the past few decades, Algeria has experienced a significant decline in rainfall patterns, which has been exacerbated by increasing hot spells leading to elevated rates of evapotranspiration. This combination of factors has induced severe water stress, critically impacting agricultural productivity, particularly in cereal production. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, our study was conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons at the experimental agricultural site of Ibn Khaldoun University in Tiaret, located in the western region of Algeria. We specifically investigated the performance of two durum wheat cultivars, ACSAD 297 and CTA 159, under conditions of water stress typical of the Algerian high plains. Our research focused on the impacts of water deficits during the grain filling phase, assessing their effects on seed formation, seed quality, and overall yield development. The results highlighted that contributions from various plant components to grain filling were notably affected by water availability, with lower leaves contributing 22%, the flag leaf 15%, the ear 14%, the ear neck 10%, and awns less than 1%. Notably, the ACSAD 297 cultivar exhibited superior drought tolerance compared to CTA 159, indicating its potential for cultivation in arid conditions. Furthermore, we established strong correlations between grain diameter, thousand grain weight, and stem height, which could inform future breeding initiatives. These findings not only provide important targets for enhancing drought resistance in durum wheat but also have broader implications for improving wheat productivity in semi-arid regions around the world, contributing to food security in the face of climate change.
Copyright (c) 2024 Amina BELGUENDOUZ, Mohamed Sahnoune
Mapping anthropogenic impacts on natural resources in the northeastern Sahara region: A case study on the past 26 years over the Ziban region (Algeria)
The objective of this research was to map and analyze anthropogenic impacts on natural resources in the Ziban region of Algeria using remote sensing imagery from 1995 to 2021. Medium-resolution satellite images from Landsat TM and OLI were utilized, with image processing techniques such as colorful compositions and supervised classification to map land cover. Seven land use and land cover (LULC) classes were identified, distinguishing human-derived categories (palm, agriculture, urban, and greenhouses) from natural surfaces (nebka, natural vegetation, and bare soil). The results indicated significant increases in human-driven elements like palm, urban areas, agriculture, greenhouses, and nebka, and notable decreases in natural components like vegetation and bare soil. Specifically, the rate of change (Tc) showed increases of 0.9% for palm, 1.14% for urban, 1.55% for agriculture, 1.91% for greenhouses, and 9.37% for nebka, and decreases of -3.68% for vegetation and -11.19% for bare soil. These findings highlight the impact of agricultural policies, population growth, and natural and human-induced conditions on natural resources. Palm areas remained largely unchanged due to state policies, whereas agriculture saw significant conversions to bare soil and palm. Vegetation declined substantially due to adverse climatic conditions and agricultural expansion. Nebka and urban areas had moderate to high conversion rates, and bare soil saw notable changes due to sand movement and urban/agricultural development. The study highlights the role of remote sensing and land cover analysis in managing natural resources sustainably, considering factors like agricultural policies and population growth. It emphasizes developing data-driven strategies for effective land use and management.
Copyright (c) 2024 Samira Kendri, Ali Masmoudi, Francesco Pirotti, Mohamed Amine Abdennour
Centaurea dimorpha Viv. (Asteraceae) growing in Algeria extracts as a promising natural cosmetic active ingredient: Broad-spectrum photoprotection and antioxidant efficacy
Recently, plants have been considered as a valuable natural source of cosmetic active ingredientsowing to their sustainability and weak toxicity. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the cosmetic efficacy of Centaurea dimorpha Viv (Asteraceae), an endemic species of North Africa, as a promising natural cosmetic active ingredient. In the present study, Ethyl acetate and Butanolic extracts obtained from powdered Centaurea dimorpha aerial parts were investigated for their phenolic and flavonoid contents, which were evaluatedvia Folin-ciocalteu reagent and aluminium chloride methods, the in vitro antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging,phosphomolybdenum and phenanthroline assays, the UVB and broad spectrum protective efficacy was spectrophotometrically assessed by measuring SPF, UVA/UVB ratio and critical wavelength (CW) indices. The highest levels of TPC and TFCwere recorded by the ethyl-acetate extract (119.20 ± 0.32 µg GAE mg-1, 50.65 ± 0.43 µg QEmg-1, respectively). Similarly, this extract displayed a significant antioxidant effect, particularly in the phenanthroline assay (152.63 ± 0.49 µg AAEmg-1). Ethyl acetate extract also showed UVB and broad-spectrum (UVB-UVA) protective efficacy (SPF=12.30 ± 0.001, UVA/UVB ratio=0.63 ± 0.001, λc= 371). The results obtained show the possibility to use Ethyl acetate extract as a promising active ingredient for sunscreen formulations.
Copyright (c) 2024 Salima Azzouzi, Mostefa LEFAHAL, El-Hani Makhloufi, salah Akkal, Kamel Medjroubi
Field efficacy of different insecticides against jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) in brinjal at Gauradaha, Jhapa, Nepal
Jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) is regarded as the most harmful sap-sucking pest affecting the brinjal crop. This research evaluated the efficacy of insecticides against Jassid in seasonal brinjal in open fields at Gauradaha, Jhapa, Nepal, from January to April 2023. We selected a registered hybrid variety and designed the experiment with seven treatments, each replicated three times. The treatments were: T1: Emamectin benzoate 5% WDG-0.625 g/plot, T2: Spinosad 45% SC-0.5 ml/plot, T3: Neem oil 5000 ppm-8 ml/plot, T4: Fipronil 0.3% GR-40 g/plot, T5: Beauveria bassiana-1.3 g/plot, T6: Imidacloprid 70% WG-0.14 g/plot, and T7: Untreated or Control (water spray)-2 l/plot. Treatments were applied 3 times using a foliar spray method. Data regarding the Jassid population before spraying insecticides and after the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days of spraying were recorded. Data were collected, log10 transformed, and analyzed using ANOVA in GenStat (15th edition), with mean separation by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results show that Imidacloprid was the most effective against Jassid, with mean mortality of 82.04%, 40.35%, and 42.13% followed by Fipronil with 33.12%, 12.56%, and 17.86%. The highest yield (14.32 Mt/ha) was recorded from Imidacloprid 70% WG followed by Beauveria bassiana (13.82 Mt/ha). Regarding the B: C ratio, Imidacloprid 70% WG was the superior treatment with the highest value (2.5) followed by Fipronil 0.3% GR (2.1). The highest length (20.48 cm) and diameter (4.5 cm) were observed in Imidacloprid and Fipronil, while the lowest was recorded in Emamectin benzoate (12.14 cm) and Control (3.6 cm), respectively. These findings demonstrate that Imidacloprid significantly reduces Jassid populations and enhances brinjal productivity and economic returns, making it a superior choice for pest management in brinjal cultivation in Jhapa, Nepal.
Copyright (c) 2025 Asmita Tamang, Pratima Chaudhary, Mikun Pokharel, Manju Acharya, Ankit Soti
Comparative evaluation of the aphicidal activity from Ziziphus spina-christi leaf and stem bark extracts against Aphis fabae Scopoli
Recently, using plants as a renewable source of bioactive mole-cules has aroused worldwide interest in the search for environ-mentally friendly alternatives that are less toxic and less costly than chemical pesticides. The black aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli (Homoptera: Aphididae) is a major insect pest that considerably compromises the quality and productivity of bean crops. This study aimed to compare the aphicidal activity of extracts derived from the medicinal plant Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) (Rhamnaceae) against Aphis fabae to determine and select the most potent ex-tracts in terms of toxicity. We treated aphid larvae and adults with various extracts (of hexane, dichloromethane, methane and water) from the leaves and stem bark of the plant using laborato-ry contact toxicity methods. The toxicity of the extracts was as-sessed based on the percentage of residual population (PR%) in aphid larvae and adults. Our results indicate that the methanolic extracts of Z. spina-christi leaves and bark had the lowest residual population percentages (RP less than 30%) compared with those recorded for the other extracts. The methanol extracts were more toxic to Aphis fabae larvae than adults. We conclude that methanol extracts of Z. spina-christi, particularly the stem bark methanol extract, can be considered an effective botanical aphi-cide harmless to the health and environment and therefore can be used to combat aphids as an alternative to chemical insecti-cides.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nassima Guezzoun, Bachir Khezzani, Mehdi Selmane, Naoual Zemmouli
Development of physicochemical properties and color of Arbutus unedo L. fruit during osmotic process
Arbutus unedo L. fruit, rich in bioactive compounds with health bene-fits, experiences rapid softening and significant postharvest quality changes, affecting its consumer appeal and storage life. This study investigates the effect of osmotic dehydration (OD) on the physico-chemical composition, water loss (WL), sugar gain (SG), weight re-duction (WR) and color during drying. The fruit was subjected to OD using sucrose solutions of varying concentrations (30, 50, and 60 °Brix) and temperatures (30 and 40 °C). The fresh fruit exhibited a moisture content of 57 %, a pH of 4.37, and 16.90 % of total soluble solids (TSS). The total phenolic content of arbutus fruit was 15.62 ± 0.78 µg/mg extract and the total flavonoid content was 1.63 ± 0.06 µg/mg extract. Our findings revealed that OD at 30 °Brix enhanced the color and reduced the browning compared to untreated fruit (p < 0.05). OD using a 60 °Brix solution notably reduced the moisture con-tent by approximately 13% while simultaneously lowering the pH and increasing the TSS significantly (p < 0.05). These changes strong-ly correlated with WL, SG and sucrose concentration (R = 0.89, 0.79, and 0.82, respectively). OD prevented the color deterioration during drying with E ranging between 6.43 ± 3.37 and 19.97 ± 3.52. The study proposes that OD at 60 °Brix and 40 °C produces dried arbutus unedo fruit with reduced moisture content and minimized color dete-rioration after the application of convective drying, rendering it suit-able for industrial applications as functional food and the production of value-added dried berries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ibtissem Refas, Malek Amiali, Safia Belkhir
Comparative analysis of the possible radical scavenging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of several extracts in case of Artemisia herba-alba and Juniperus communis gathered from Algeria's mountainous regions
This research reports a comparative analysis of the possible radical scavenging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of several ex-tracts in case of Artemisia herba-alba and Juniperus communis gathered from Algeria's mountainous regions. The plants extracts total phenolic acid content was ascertained using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and their total flavonoid content was ascertained using the aluminum chlo-ride colorimetric test. By estimating their ability to remove free radi-cals using the DPPH method and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, their antioxidant capacity was assessed. Disk diffusion was used to measure the antibacterial activity against five strains of bacteria, and a protein denaturation assay was performed to examine the anti-inflammatory activity. A high polyphenol content of 104.54 ±0.35 mg GAE/g was observed in the hydroethanolic extract of Artemi-sia herba-alba, while a high flavonoid content of 17.05 ±0.13 mg QE/g was found in the hydroethanolic extract of Juniperus communis. Both species extracts showed important antioxidant activity in two separate tests, where the hydroethanolic extracts demonstrated effective action. The crude extracts showed positive antibacterial activity, especially the hydroethanolic extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae with a super inhibition on concentration 20 mg/ml. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the hydroethanolic extract of J. comminus with IC50: 23.58 ±0.02 μg/mL, has the most potent anti-denaturation effect on albumin. According to the study's findings, the hydroethanolic ex-tracts in case of Artemisia herba-alba and Juniperus communis gathered from Algeria's mountainous regions are possible sources of phenolic compounds with important natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that may be employed in pharmaceutical products.
Copyright (c) 2025 Layadi Ikram, TLILI Mohammed Laid , LAICHE Ammar Touhami
Assessment of agro-morphological performance of twenty-four corn (Zea mays l.,) parent lines resistant to Striga hermonthica for determining hybrid parents
The data available on the study of corn parental lines against weeds in Côte d'Ivoire is still limited. The principal objective of the present study was to assess the agro-morphological performance of those resistant to Striga hermonthica. Specifically, the objective was to as-certain the hybrid parents of twenty-four individuals from IITA under conditions of artificial Striga infestation. The trials were conducted at the CNRA research station in Ferkessédougou, located in northern Côte d'Ivoire. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Nine CIMMYT/IBPGR were used. Analy-sis of variance revealed significant differences between the lines about the different agro-morphological traits. Hierarchical ascending classification (HAC) revealed variability structured into four groups of morphological diversity. Group 2 and Group 4, respectively, con-tained the earliest (FM = 57.93 +- 1.72 and 58.62 ± 3.15) and most productive (NER = 21.25 +- 4.57 and 13.70 +- 2.77) lines, which also exhibit very good emergence density (DL = 28.25 ± 5.13 and 25.00 +- 7.50). Group 3 contained the intermediate lines (FM = 61.50 +- 1.88; FF = 63.18 +- 2.64; NER = 10.81 +- 5.27; DL = 23.12 +- 8.09). Group 1 contained the late lines (FM = 66.50 +- 2.82; FF = 68 ± 0.00), which demonstrated reduced productivity (NER = 3.75 +- 1.76) and exhibit-ed a low emergence density (DL = 9.25 +- 10.25). Discriminant factor analysis (DFA) identified nine parental lines in groups 2 and 4 that exhibited favorable characteristics about early maturity and produc-tivity. These lines may be used as hybrid parents in a program de-signed to enhance corn productivity in Côte d'Ivoire.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dofougo KONATE, N'da Huges Annicet, FONDIO Lassina, ABO Kouabenan
In vitro assessment of protease production and stress tolerance of mutant isolates of Trichoderma sp.
Soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi cause serious losses in agricultural products. The antagonistic fungi for the control of plant diseases have increased efficiency and use of space has emerged as an alternative to other methods for the protection of agricultural products. One of the fungi used for this purpose is Trichoderma species. In this study mu-tant isolates of Trichoderma spp. were used. The resistance and pro-tease enzyme activities of mutant isolates against abiotic factors such as temperature, drought and salinity were investigated. Mutant iso-lates of Trichoderma sp. were showed differed in tolerance to differ-ent abiotic stress factors. Protease enzyme activity produced by iso-lates was influenced by the tested abiotic factors. In the medium con-taining 30% PEG, the highest protease activity was determined in Tm13 isolate. Indigenous Trichoderma strains produced proteases in high temperature, drought and saline conditions. This indicates that isolates may be promising candidates in agricultural production.
Growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by date of sowing and hybrids
A field experiment was conducted at college of Agriculture, UAHS, Shivamogga during kharif 2015 to study the effect of date of sowing and hybrids on growth and yield of Maize (Zea mays L.). The experi-ment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial concept and replicated thrice. There were eight treatment combinations which includes four dates of sowing (15th June, 30th June, 15th July and 30th July) and two hybrids (PAC-740 and CP-818). Crop sown on 15th June recorded significantly higher plant height (201.03 cm), number of green leaves (3.03), leaf area (992.49 cm2), LAI (0.74), total dry matter (305.65 g), cob length (22.16 cm), kernels cob-1 (670.93), kernel yield cob-1 (230.95 g), test weight (43.08 g), kernel yield (7632.57 kg ha-1), stover yield (9512.56 kg ha-1) and har-vest index (44.52 %) as compared to other sowing dates. Among the hybrids CP -818 recorded significantly higher plant height (191.85 cm), number of green leaves (2.72), leaf area (954.32 cm2), LAI (0.71), total dry matter (277.65 g), cob length (19.81 cm), kernels cob-1 (541.88), kernel yield cob-1 (207.71 g), test weight (39.16 g), kernel yield (7060.72 kg ha-1), Stover yield (8839.98 kg ha-1) and harvest in-dex (44.44%) as compared to PAC-740. The interaction between dates of sowing and hybrids are non-significant.
Investigating the anti-acne potential of endophytic bacterial extracts isolated from Mangifera casturi in indigenous South Borneo, Indonesia
Endophytic bacteria are beneficial microorganisms living in the tis-sues system of various parts of a plant, including fruits, leaves, twigs, and roots. The bacteria are stated as forming colonies without caus-ing any damage to the plant. Thus, this study aimed at isolating endo-phytic bacterial from the leaves, barks, and fruits of Kasturi plant (Mangifera casturi), screening its endophytic bacteria, determining the potential of those endophytic bacteria, identifying 16S rRNA and analyzing potential growth of the bacteria. The isolated endophytic bacteria appeared to show potential activity against pathogenic bac-teria Propionibacterium acnes with disc-diffusion methods. Besides, the observations on bacterial activities showed isolate L2, S2 and F4 isolated from leaves, bark and fruits, respectively, as the most potent producers of antibacterial compounds. Technically, those activities were indicated by the formation of clear zones. Molecular identifica-tion was investigated by applying PCR amplification on 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, the isolate L2 was identified as Enterobacter clo-acae with 99% sequence similarities; however, isolates S2 and F4 were identified as Escherichia coli. Therefore, these findings sug-gested that the identified strains would contribute to any further searches for new sources of anti-acne substances.
Anti-inflammatory potential of african leaf water extract
Inflammation is the immune system's main response to infection and irritation. African leaf (Gymnanthemum amygdalinum) is one of the medicinal plants that can be used as anti-inflammatory because of the presence of flavonoid compounds. Flavonoid compounds have an anti-inflammatory effect that can regulate arachidonic acid metabo-lism by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipooksigenase activi-ties. This study aims to obtain scientific information and the potential of African leaf extract as an anti-inflammatory in vitro and in vivo test. In this study, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity tests were carried out. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the ability of African leaf extracts to prevent protein denaturation and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by observing the reduction of edema in the soles of rats induced by carrageenan by giving three lev-els of doses of African leaf extract. The results showed that the African leaf extract at a concentration of 8273.91 mg L-1 was able to inhibit 50% denatured protein (IC50), while in the in vivo test African leaf had the potential as an anti-inflammatory with the most effective percent-age of inhibition at a dose of 200 mg kg-1 which is 85.20%. African leaf have the potential of approximately 2 times greater than the positive control of diclofenac sodium which is 45.70%.
Use of non-chemical methods for the management of southern blight disease of carrot incited by Sclerotium rolfsii
This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Trichoderma harzianum, soil solarization, and biofumigant on southern blight dis-ease of carrot incited by Sclerotium rolfsii isolate CS 5. A series of in-vitro and in-vivo trials laid out to select a virulent isolate of S. rolfsii against the carrot variety New Kuroda and evaluated the mustard, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli leaf extracts for choosing an effec-tive biofumigant against test pathogen. Mustard was the most effec-tive in inhibiting the radial growth, and sclerotia formation (80.37 and 83.37%) of S. rolfsii (isolate CS 5) at 40% level of concentration followed by cabbage leaf extract (62.22 and 68.69%). On the contrary, a total of 10 isolates of T. harzianum were screened against the test pathogen on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium for choosing a dominant isolate of T. harzianum. The isolate Th-6 was found as the most active in inhibiting the radial growth (84.44%) of S. rolfsii fol-lowed by Th-1 (75.56%). In the application of T. harzianum, biofumi-gation, and soil solarization, the treatment appeared to be the most superior in reducing pre- and post-emergence mortality of carrot during secondary field trials. The lowest southern blight disease inci-dence (10.77%), and disease severity (12.78%) were found at the same treatment. Subsequently, the yield of carrot was increased 155.18% which might be due to the reduction of carrot disease as well as the addition of organic materials in the soil.
Use of GIS in soil fertility mapping of Rapti Municipality, Chitwan, Nepal
Mapping the spatial distribution of soil fertility in a particular area gives an idea about the nutrient content in the soil which plays an im-portant role in fertilizer recommendation, sustainable soil manage-ment, integrated plant nutrient management, land use planning, and site-specific nutrient management (SSNM). A study was carried out to assess the soil fertility status of the Rapti Municipality, Chitwan, Ne-pal. A total of 120 soil samples was collected based on land use, slope, and aspects with the use of Google Earth Pro (GEP) and ArcGIS. Based on the soil test report spatial variation of soil texture, soil pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, and potassium of the study area was prepared. The majority of the study area (57.11%) has sandy clay soils. The soil pH was very strongly acidic to slightly alkaline with pH values ranging from 4.8 to 8.0. Soil organic matter (1.94-3.75%), total nitrogen (0.097-0.187%), available phosphorous (51.03-270.10 kg ha-1), and available potassium (169.87-358.68 kg ha-1) in the soil are within the range of medium to high in the study area. To maintain this nutrient status, the use of organic manure, reduced use of chemical fertilizers, and different soil management practices should be adopted in this area.
Effect of silver nanoparticles, synthesized from fleshy stem and leaves extract of Brassica campestris L., on Alternari lini inhibition
Several fungal pathogens showed resistance against pesticides, plant mediated synthesized silver nanoparticles have been recognized as effective against them. The present research work was an attempt to synthesize silver nanoparticles by using fleshy stem and leaves ex-tract of Brassica compestris L. from silver nitrate, which reduces it to synthesized silver nanoparticles. Biosynthesized AgNP’s were char-acterized by different techniques like UV-visible spectrophotometry and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and fungal inhibi-tory activity by well diffusion method. The colour change of solution indicated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. UV-visible spectro-photometer showed the peak between 415 to 455 nm for fleshy stem and leaves extract of B. compestris and Field Emission Scanning Elec-tron Microscope analysis revealed that spherical shaped nanoparti-cles with size 20-65 nm. These synthesized nanoparticles showed in-hibitory activity against fungi, Alternaria lini, a linseed blight patho-gen which causes linseed blight disease in Linum usitatissimum L. The 30 μl concentrations of silver nanoparticles had showed significant inhibition to growth of A. lini. These findings may suggest AgNP’s syn-thesized by B. compestris used against plant pathogenic fungi.