International audience

peer reviewed

International audience

International audience | The primary objective of this investigation was to examine the impact of postponed grazing on the floristic diversity and pastoral capacity of Stipa tenacissima L. rangelands, spanning from a reserved zone to an openly grazed rangeland along a transect. During the spring of 2021, field sampling was conducted along four transects intersecting in pairs, each approximately 8,000 meters in length, employing the quadrat point technique. The findings demonstrate notable impacts on all scrutinized characteristics, favoring the fully protected pathway distinguished by a vegetation cover of ≥ 80%, with annual species contributing up to 40% of the cover. Within the enclosed region, surface soil attributes exhibit a litter rate nearing 8% and minimal bare soil presence (<5%). Pastoral output surpasses 330 UF.ha-1.an-1, with an estimated potential stocking rate of 0.84 eq.ov.ha-1. | Le présent travail vise à étudier l'effet du report du pâturage sur la diversité floristique et les potentialités pastorales des parcours de Stipa tenacissima L., le long d’un transect allant d'une mise en défens vers un parcours à pâturage libre. Au printemps 2021, un échantillonnage a été effectué sur quatre transects croisés deux par deux d'une longueur moyenne de 8000 m selon la méthode des points quadrats. Les résultats obtenus révèlent des effets significatifs pour l’ensemble des attributs analysés en faveur du parcours de protection intégrale qui se caractérise par un recouvrement de la végétation ≥ 80 % et, où les espèces annuelles contribuent jusqu’à 40 % du couvert. Dans la zone en défens, les éléments de la surface du sol sont caractérisés par un taux de litière qui avoisine les 8 % et une faible présence de sol nu (&lt;5%). La productivité pastorale est supérieure à 330 UF.ha-1.an-1et la capacité de charge potentielle est estimée à 0.84 eq.ov.ha-1.

peer reviewed | The sexual activity of 237 ewes of the most representative of Algerian sheep breeds (about 70%): the "Ouled Djellal", was studied during the anestrous season i.e. in spring (April 2016), in Constantine, a north-eastern Algerian province. A number of 50 ewes, chosen randomly from the flock, were subjected to a double injection of PGF2α at an 11 days’ interval and the 187 females remaining have served as a control group. 80% of the ewes treated started mating about 60 hours after the release, with the whole flock, of 14 rams that have been previously separated from the flock but not sensory isolated. A lambing percentage of 90 spread over 23 days and 98.9 spread over 47 days occurred respectively in the treated and control group. Both treated and untreated ewes with PGF2α exhibited estrus (April and May), got pregnant and lambed within a period of less than 2 months. The use of PGF2α, through the luteolysis it induces during spring: first confirms the results of previous studies reporting the ability of “Ouled Djellal” ewe to exhibit sexual activity throughout the year, second shortens considerably the laming period and last and more importantly can be substituted to the use of the progestogens impregnated sponges, far more invasive, time consuming and more costly, as a means to manipulate the female sexual activity.

peer reviewed | The feeding of ruminants in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based on the use of natural vegetation. This vegetation is characterised by grasses and rarely legumes. In addition to this, the lack of legumes in the southern part of the country means that the dry season becomes longer (over 6 months). This leads farmers with the financial means, to use commercial foods, most of which are imported. Grasses which form the basis of forage remain as straws in the dry season. They have a digestibility of less than 45%, and are very low in nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as other minerals, which further limits their feed intake (Chenost and Kayouli 1997; Jarrige 1987). The use of locally available protein banks to supplement poor foods is therefore essential. In the same region, soils are increasingly contaminated with heavy metals from mining activities. The choice of sustainable and high protein plant species should be dictated by their adaptation to environmental conditions, including high levels of heavy metals in soil. They must also be adapted to the long dry season and provide fodder throughout the year. Among the species encountered, Adenodolichos rhomboideus is the most resistant to drought and is widespread in the region (INEAC 1954). It grows on normal soil or that contaminated by heavy metals (Faucon 2009; Meerts 2008 and Tshibangu et al 2014c). Two other species, Leucaena leucocephala and Stylosanthes guianensis are durable and are used in ruminant diets, but are neither widespread nor adapted to the contaminated soil Tshibangu et al 2014ab. The objective of this study was to compare the use of A. rhomboideus, L. leucocephala and S. guianensis forage as a complement to grass hay on the growth of local goats at Lubumbashi.

peer reviewed

peer reviewed | For the first time, the status of cavy culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is reviewed with emphasis on Sud-Kivu province. Cavy culture, as discussed in this paper, is the raising, production and utilization of the domestic cavy (i.e., Guinea pig, Cavia porcellus) for consumption. Many sources were used in the review, but published scientific research literature is extremely scarce. Nevertheless, it can be estimated that more than 2 million cavies are kept in DRC, contributing significantly to nutrition security, especially animal protein, and income generation of some hundreds of thousands of poor rural and urban households. The largest cavy populations are in the Kivu provinces, which is probably partly due to the inclusion of cavies in ‘rehabilitation kits’ of humanitarian NGOs and in the agricultural portfolio of development agencies who seek to address the challenges of widespread hunger and malnutrition in the area. The review covers the history of cavy culture in Sud-Kivu since colonial times based on oral tradition; it describes the current ‘cavy status’ in the country and identifies research and capacity building needs. We suggest that cavy culture in DRC is likely to become more widespread and important due to the activities of a new project on ‘Harnessing husbandry of domestic cavy for alternative and rapid access to food and income in Cameroon and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’. Given the dimension, cavies should be included in livestock census as well as research and development agenda, honoring their role in the livelihoods of less endowed people, especially women.

peer reviewed | A survey on the production characteristics of guinea fowl (Meleagris numida) was carried out in the Borgou department located in the soudano-guinean zone North-Est of Benin. Chicks and reproductive groups were kept either on station under improved management conditions or in rural environment. In rural environment, the birds were divided in two groups. The birds pertaining to the first group were treated against parasitic diseases, whereas those in the second one (control group) received no treatment. Under station conditions, the feed conversion ratio and the daily weight gain were 8.8 and 5.7 g/day respectively. Mean body weight at six months of age were 1151g and 1085g for males and females, respectively. Sexual maturity was reached at 36 weeks of age. For mature hens kept on station, laying rate and the mean egg weight were 37.2% (65% at the peak) and 41.1g respectively. Smothering, stress and pricking were the major constraints to the cloistering of guinea fowl. In rural environment, the mean hatchability rate was 70%. Mortality rate and adult body weight were not significantly different between groups. Mortality rate observed in the rural environment was 50% for both treated or untreated birds. Apart from the parasitic affections, the main causes of mortality were the rain, the predators, the cold and the fragility of chicks. The mean body weight at six months of age is higher for the birds raised under village conditions in comparison to the birds kept on station.