1 ABSTRACT The characterization of livestock systems enables to identify the diversity of livestock farms in order to define development actions. The aim of this study is to characterize the different farming practices observed in the Red Maradi goat farms located in the North East of Benin. Data collection took place between August and December 2019, in 90 goat farms with at least one breeding nucleus of the Red Maradi breed. Using the Multiple Correspondence Factor Analysis (AFCM) and Ascending Hierarchical Classification (CAH) methods, a typology of Red Maradi goat farms in the region was developed. Thus, four types of breeding of Red Maradi goats were identified. Agro-pastoralists, traders (27.59%) and craftsmen (17.24%) mostly from the Bariba socio-cultural ethnic group (38.72%) characterize wandering peasant farms (type 1). They are responsible for herds of modest numbers (15 ± 8 heads) made up by purchase. The mode of rearing goat straying is practiced in 93.1% of these farms against 6.9% of semi-straying. The animals hardly have a sheepfold. The farms (type 2), semi-scavenging peasant herds, are mainly characterized by breeders and agro-breeders of the Fulani and Gando socio-cultural ethnic group (56%). They are responsible for small herds (16 ± 8 heads) and practice the seasonal straying of goats (88%). The animals are housed on these farms (58.07%) in a basic sheepfold and receive crop residues as a supplement. The breeders of type 3, semi-improved peasant breeding are from a very diverse socio-cultural ethnic group Dendi (23%), Yorouba (19%), Fon (11.5%), Bariba (12.5%) with a relatively higher level of education. Over 75% of type breeders have reached secondary level. They combine their main activity, public service, commerce and crafts, the breeding of goats with herds of relatively larger size (20 ± 15 heads). The animals are housed in more improved sheepfolds built in roughcast or hard earth and in 75% of these farms receive food and water in the pen. Type 4, semi-intensive dairy farming of Red Maradi goats, brings together farm farms producing and upgrading goat's milk. Fon (51.25%) and Bariba (48.75%) mostly own these farms. They are responsible for larger herds (57 ± 7 heads) so 35% is made up of the Red Maradi goat and the rest of the Saanen breed. The animals have a permanent sheepfold and, in addition to the basic ration consisting of fodder, a production supplement consisting of concentrate.

The effects of different substrates and genotypes on root pruning were estimated in order to recommend a technical plan for the production of Acacia spp. in the nursery. Two randomized tests-- were conducted on Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth and Acacia mangium Willd., in six types of substrates made of humus soil, crushed coal and fine sawdust in different proportions. After sprouting, young seedlings aged three weeks were transplanted into in SAPPI trays, alveolar cells filled with substrates and observed closely until planting season. A low dose of NPK fertilizer (20 20 20) in granule formulation (30g diluted in 10l of water) was provided weekly to the plants. Seedlings heights and diameters were measured during months 1, 2 and 3 in the acclimation area. When the planting age was reached, roots dry matter mass (RDM) was estimated for both species with the aim to appreciate seedling roots pruning. Results indicate that, at the planting age, seedlings from substrates 6 (75% soil + 25% charcoal) and 4 (50% soil + 50% charcoal) had the best growth performances, followed by plants from substrates 1 (75% sawdust + 25% charcoal) and 5 (50% soil + 25% charcoal + 25% sawdust). Substrate 5, because it does not generate compaction, was selected for plants production. A variance analysis revealed a genotype effect on root pruning (0.31g vs 0.24g respectively for Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. and Acacia mangium Willd). At the plantation age, this study results showed strong correlations between diameter and height (r = 0.65, P <0.001), diameter and (RDM) (r = 0.44; P <0.001) on the one hand, and between hei

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values for 305 -d and test-days (TD) milk yields, and to compare the obtained results. For this aim, the data were collected during the years of 1989 and 2007 for 11200 lactation records of Holstein cattle reared at Ceylanpinar State Farm in the Southern East Region of T urkiye. The 305-d milk yield of each animal was calculated using the Test Interval Method (TIM). Ad ditive genetic, residual and permanent environmental variances, heritabilities and breeding values for 305 -d and TD milk yields were estimated by using the REML method on the basis of animal models. Heritability of test day milk yield (0.15) was lower than the heritability of 305-d milk yield (0.20). Pearson, Spearman and Kendall correlation coefficients between breeding values for test day and 305-d milk yield were estimated as: 0.90, 0.90 and 0.74 (P<0.01) for bulls and 0.78, 0.92 and 0.76 (P<0.01) for cows, respectively. Present results reflected that use of test day milk yields could be suggested to estimate 305-d milk yield for the genetic evaluation of dairy cows. Furthermore, use of TD milk yield for genetic evaluations permits researchers to gain more advantages.

Gene cloning and vector construction for plant genetic transformation are routine procedures in plant functional genomic studies. The availability of effective transformation vector is one of the pre -requisites for plant transformation studies. Here, we describe the construction of a series of transformation vectors through different genetic engineering techniques for wheat transformation. For this purpose, NAC-type transcription factor genes TaNAC69-1andTtNAM-B2 were isolated from T. aestivum and T. turgidum, respectively. Then they were cloned into different types of cloning and expression vectors. Besides traditional restriction enzyme digestion and l igation method, Gateway cloning technology which is a fast and reliable alternative cloning method were used for construction of wheat transformation vectors. The transformation vectors constructed in this study are suitable for use in both particle bombar dment (biolistic) and Agrobacteriumbased transformation protocols for wheat plant.

Fig ( Ficus caricaL.) is one of the most important fresh and dried fruits for both consumers and food industry throughout world and isproducedina limitednumber ofcountries. As a leader producerin the world, Turkey has importa nt fig genetic resources as well. However in most parts of the country, in particular coastal regions, local figgenotypesare continuouslysubjected togenetic erosionand therefore,it is necessary to determine,collect, describe and also to maintain them in situandex situ.This study we aimedtoevaluate local fig germplasm in Alanya and Kemerdistricts in Mediterranean regionofTurkey.Theresults showedthat theinvestigatedpomologicaltraitsof figgenotypes display ed significant differences within both districts .Figsamplescollected fromAlanya are more suitable for makingmarmalade and jam because they had relativelysmall fruits, while figs sampled fromKemer are generally considered goodas fresh consumption due to their relativelybigfruitsize. Thesevaluablefig genetic resources are under in-situconservation to use infuturebreeding programmes.

In the present study, a total of 186 bacterial strains isolated from various soil sources and plant species from Eastern Anatolia region in Turkey were evaluated for their ability to suppress gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr.) occurred on strawberry cv. Fern. Among 186 bacterial strains, 36 were found effective to inhibit of development B. cinerea under in vitro conditions, and thirteen of them which have greater inhibition zone were selected as biocontrol agent. These antagonistic strains were identified as Bacillus lentimorbus, B. megaterium, B. pumilis, B. subtilis, Enterobacter intermedius, Kurthia sibirica, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Pantoea agglomerans. The inhibition zones among bacteria against B. cinerea were found between 0.50 (Bacillus C6, Brevibacterium MFD-47 and Pantoea MFD-232) and 3.75 cm (Enterobacter MFD-81) in vitro. The strawberry fruits were inoculated with B. cinerea in laboratory trials and Bacillus MFDU-2 (14.41 mm) was found more effective to prevent mycelial development on strawberry fruits in comparison to the control (19.20 mm). In terms of conidia germination on strawberry fruits, the lowest disease incidence was observed in MFD-45 treatment (20.8%), while disease incidence rate for the control was 79.2%. It was shown that antagonistic bacterial strains inhibited B. cinerea and that they have a potential use in sustainable strawberry production.

intestinalhistomorphology, respectively . The results showed thatat0-21 days of agethebirds performed betteron the dietsup to0.25%of herbal inclusion level .Increasing the inclusion level from 0.5 to 1.5% forOriganum minutiflorum,Thymbra spicataand partially for Rosmarinus officinalis increasedfeed consumption withlower weightgain anddepressed efficiency of feed conversion, but not for Salvia tomentosa, Mrytus communisandCumin. The results further showed that broilers could better perform on the diets up to 0.5% of inclusion level at 42days. All lev els (except 1.5%) for Cumin andSalvia tomentosadid not cause any impairment in performance of broilers. High inclusion levels (0.5 to 1.5%) reduced E. colicount. The selected herbs did not cause an oxidative stress at a given inclusion level. Of the pla ntsRosmarinus officinalis clearly demonstrated strong antioxidant effect. The high doses ofOriganum minutiflorumcaused depression in growth rate associated with shortened villus development of intestinal epithelium in broilers. However, increased growth rate withCumin associated with longer villus and increased dry matter retention in broilers at 21 days were recorded. Itwas suggestedthatsome of selectedherbs can be incorporatedup to 0.5%into broiler diets on account of their antibacterial and ant ioxidantproperties.

various plant growth regulators (PGRs)(0.0, 0.4,0.5,0.6 mgl -1 thidiazuron(TDZ);0.4,0.5,0.6 mgl -1 TDZ x 0.1,0.2 mg l -1 �± -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)) to induce shoot bud induction .The combinations andconcentrations of PGRs showed significant variations for the frequency of callus formation, appearanceofcallusand the potential of callus differentiation. Callus formati on occurred in cultures, but itwas not obtainedinadventitiousshoot regeneration . Therefore,rapid multiplic ation was made by using lateral meristem which wereobtained from4weekssterile seedling. Lateral meristemswere cultured o n basic mediaMS containingvariousPGRs 0.5, 1.0mg l -1 zeatin(ZEA), benzyladenine (BA)and0.22, 0.5 and 1 mg l -1 TDZ. The highest number of shoots (23.6/explants) was obtained on MS medium containing1 mg l -1 TDZ followed by MSmedium cointaining 1 mg l -1 BA which produced 15.80 shoots per explant.It was observed that shoots didnt havehealthy development in all media containing TDZ. Soitwassuggested thatBA is a useful PGR for rapid multiplication inA. schizopterus .The regenerated shoots weretransferred to rooting medium (MS with 0.5-1 mg l -1 NAA and 0.5-1 mg l -1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) )wherethey successfully rooted (100%) and showed rapid elongation. Rootedshootsweretransferred to theex vitroand produced normal plants.

Nutritional stres s during dry summer period is considered as a primary factor limiting goat production in the Mediterranean region. In this study, forage quality of two deciduousspecies(gall oak ( Quercus infectoriaOliv.) and Christs thorn (Paliurus spina-cristiMill.))and herbaceous species ina shrubland inthe South Marmara was determined to assess their quality andcapacity to meet goats needs. Dry matter(DM), ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), dry matter digestibility (DMD), metabolic energy (ME),Phosphorus ()and Calcium (Ca)were determined in the shrubs and herb aceous.Results showed thatDM and Ca inthegall oakweredistinctlylow in April. On the other hand, itsCP and P were high in April while DMD and ME were highin Mayand June. Contents of D M, ash and Ca in the Christs thorn showed a decrease in April-May and those of CP, DMD, and ME increased in May. Herb aceoushad theirlowest DM, NDF, and ADF in April and highest CP, DMD, and ME in March -April. Consequently, when goatsneeds were conside red, goats should be fed with supplementary energy feed throughout the year except for spring months, and with CP during autumn months in order to obtain satisfactory productivity.