Agroecological Features Research Articles

Determinants of Agricultural Land Fallowing in Kerala, India: Insights and Implications

Kerala's land use dynamics have undergone significant transformations, with increasing fallows emerged as a key concern amid changing land utilization patterns. The study explores key factors contributing to the fallowing of agricultural land in Kerala. The research was conducted across three districts selected based on implementation of fallow land development schemes representing the northern, central, and southern regions of the state. A total of 360 farmers were surveyed, comprising 180 farmers with owned fallow land and 180 beneficiaries of fallow land development schemes. Data were collected using a pretested interview schedule, developed through extensive literature review and expert inputs. Factor analysis was employed to identify key determinants. Six major factors with eigenvalues greater than one were extracted, explaining 58.95% of the cumulative variance. These factors include perspectives on fallowing, socio-economic attributes, land use experience, risk contingencies, personal traits, and economic and agro-ecological features. The findings highlight that perspectives on fallowing contribute the largest variance (21.96%), emphasizing the importance of farmers' perception on causes and consequences of fallowing. Socio-economic attributes (11.25%) underline the role of family size, subsidiary enterprises, land value, and wage rate in influencing land use decisions. Land use experience (9.06%) reflects farming experience and preceding crop cultivated. Risk contingencies (6.22%) emphasize challenges like wild animal attacks and distance of farm land from road. Personal traits (5.50%) comprise of age and personal reason for fallowing. Economic and agro-ecological features (4.96%) including income, extreme weather events and land fragmentation, also emerged as critical determinants. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the multi-dimensional factors driving agricultural land fallowing in Kerala, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders to design targeted interventions to promote sustainable land use.

Study of Agroecological Features of Ligustrum vulgare L. in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Prospects for Its Use in Greening

The results of a study are presented to study the possibilities of using Ligustrum vulgare L. in urban landscaping. Information is provided on the bioecological characteristics of Ligustrum vulgare — Common Privet, Olive family. The possibilities of using this species in creating various compositions and forms as an ornamental plant are analyzed. It has been established that the use of this plant in landscaping works makes it possible to create a beautiful background in parks and gardens in cities and towns of the region. Ligustrum vulgare is mainly used to create various green compositions as a living fence.

Agro-ecological features of the features of productivity formation of lettuce with the application of biohumus

Agro-ecological features of the features of productivity formation of lettuce with the application of biohumus

Agroecological features in the area of the melioration channel for irrigation of the Biđ-Bosut Field

Osnovne agroekološke značajke (geografske, klimatske, hidrografske, hidropedološke i poljoprivredne) opisane u ovom radu promatrane su na području dovodnog Melioracijskog kanala za navodnjavanje Biđbosutskog polja (DMKBBP). Prikazani pokazatelji dobrim se dijelom temelje na istraživanjima vezanim u sklopu višegodišnjeg (2000.-2022.) projekta, odnosno monitoringa „Vodnog režima poljoprivrednih tala i kakvoće vode na području DMKBBP“, kojeg provodi Agronomski fakultet u Zagrebu. U okviru navedenih praćenja uočene su zanimljive promjene koje valja posebno naglasiti. Primjetno je značajno klimatsko „zasušivanje“ prvenstveno povezano s trendom povišenja srednjih, a posebice maksimalnih temperatura zraka. Također, uočen je trend značajnog povećanja nedostatka (manjka) vode u tlu. Zamjetno je i opadanje srednjih i maksimalnih vrijednosti vodostaja, posebice rijeka Save, Biđa i Bosuta. Temeljni načini vlaženja tala, posebice hipoglejni i humoglejni, osjetno su narušeni zbog značajnog sniženja razine podzemne vode u tlu. U sklopu tradicionalnog uzgoja poljoprivrednih kultura (suho ratarenje) primjetni su ozbiljni problemi zbog nedostatne količine vode (vlage) u tlu. Shodno navedenom, može se zaključiti da je potreba za navodnjavanjem uzgajanih kultura žurna i neizbježna ukoliko želimo stabilnu i ekonomski opravdanu biljnu proizvodnju.

Some Agroecological Features of Soils Sharur and Ordubad Districts (Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan)

The geographical location, geological and geomorphological structure, hydrography and soil cover of the Sharur and Ordubad districts are given. The analysis of indicators of fertility of soil types is carried out. The soils of the mountain and plain parts are distinguished. There are 3 types of soil formation in total. In the Sharur district, the authors identify 8 types of soils. In the Ordubad district, according to the classification of the authors, there are 3 more types. In addition to the above, it should be added: irrigated gray; irrigated alluvial-meadow and saline soils.

PECULIARITIES OF PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN KARAKALPAKSTAN

The article focuses on the study of issues such as agro-ecological features of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, improvement of economic mechanisms for the development of family-based entrepreneurship in rural areas, study of theoretical and methodological problems related to sustainable economic development, effective use of specific features of the region and development of new approaches. Also, the result of agrarian reforms in the world and our country, the specific positive features, scale and possibilities of effective use of all forms of agribusiness: large, medium and small, to increase food resources in the agrarian sector of the economy, were studied. Therefore, it is necessary to have a deeper understanding of the social-economic nature of the concept of the family economy, its signs and structural-functional characteristics, and the laws of development, which are becoming more and more important for the development of our country as a subject of the market economy. Proposals and recommendations on expanding the participation of family farms in ensuring socio-economic stability in the country by increasing the income of the population in the village, reducing the level of unemployment, and growing the layer of middle owners are presented.

Effect of school feeding program on the anthropometric and haemoglobin status of school children in Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia: a prospective study.

Ethiopia recently scaled up the implementation of a school feeding program (SFP) as a targeted intervention for protecting disadvantaged school children from hunger and food insecurity. However, the contribution of the program to advancing the nutritional status of children has not been adequately explored. We assessed the effect of SFP on the anthropometric and haemoglobin status of school children in Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia. Our prospective cohort study compared the height-for-age z-score (HAZ), BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and haemoglobin concentration of SFP beneficiary (n 240) and non-beneficiary (n 240) children, 10-14 years of age. The children were recruited from 8 SFP implementing and 8 control schools using a multistage sampling procedure and were followed for an academic year. The SFP intervention and control schools were matched one-to-one based on agro ecological features and geographical proximity. Exposure, outcome and pertinent extraneous variables were collected through baseline and end-line surveys. Multilevel difference-in-differences (DID) analysis was used to measure the net effect on the outcomes of interest. In the multivariable DID model adjusted for potential confounders including maternal and paternal literacy, household monthly income, wealth index and household food insecurity, the SFP did not show significant effects on the haemoglobin concentration (β = 0⋅251, 95 % confidence interval (CI): -0⋅238, 0⋅739), BAZ (β = 0⋅121, 95 % CI: -0⋅163, 0⋅405) and HAZ (β = -0⋅291, 95 % CI: -0⋅640, 0⋅588) of children.

Mapping of the agrolandscapes in the system of balanced environmental management on the agricultural activity land

There are show regularites of the complex influence of agricultural activity on the ecological problems of natural resources of Ukraine. The relationship between agro-landscape mapping and the choice of areas of sustainable environmental management is indiating. Integrated landscape planning in the countries of the European Union is principle different from the rational use of nature in the field of crop production in Ukraine. The aim of the research is to highlight key practical issues of agrolandscape mapping as a basis for their environmental assessment and forecasting of sustainable environmental management measures to prevent land erosion and groundwater pollution. We determined the main stages of mapping of agrolandscapes, of their complex ecological ranking and assessment. The taxonomy scheme of naturalanthropogenic factors of formation of agroecological features the lands of the Pravobereshnogo Lisosteppu of Ukraine is developed. We described structures of wide-speap landscapes of agricultural lands, natural and residential areas. We are proposing the system of quantitative-qualitative indication parameters of agrolandscapes as a basis of comprehensive assessment the levels of danger of degradation of land and groundwater pollution. Expert assessments of these environmental problems are calculated for conditions of the 13 agrolandscapes, 7 natural and 3 anthropogenic landscapes. It is establishing that the ecological danger of the land erosion can reach the highest estimates both within the agrolandscapes of arable lands (17–18 balls) and forests landscapes (19 balls). High riskes of groundwater pollution is characteristic of the landscapes residential (18–20 balls) and natural of river’s floodplains (18–21 balls). We are differenting the considered landscapes into 4 categories according to the levels of dangers of two ecological problems. There are proposed diverse territorian models of balanced environmental management which accord peculiarites of dangers those ecological problems. We are presente the fragment of the small-scale map of the directions of balanced environmental management in central part the Pravobereshnogo Lisostepu of Ukraine.

Почвенные исследования Карабахского региона Азербайджанской Республики

The article describes the qualities of common soils in the Karabakh region. The current state of soils has been studied. Agroecological features and proposals for the further use of the region’s soils are given. Most of the soil is suitable for agriculture. The soils are especially fertile in the Araz zone, Agdam, Fizuli, Jebrail and Gubadli regions. One of the important issues is the conduct of reclamation studies on these soils. Natural conditions are favorable for planting millet, peas, lentils, beans, as well as orchards (apples, pears, quince, pomegranates, dates, cherries, plums) and grape plantations, it is possible to plant mulberry seedlings for the development of cocoons. In the foothills and plains, there is an opportunity to grow industrial crops (cotton, corn, sunflower, soybeans). In these areas, it is possible to grow and obtain high yields of kiwi, which is a subtropical plant. The use of waters from the Araz, Khakari and Bargushad rivers, the Sarhang and Sugovushan reservoirs will ensure high yields. There are good conditions for gardening and planting potatoes in the high and middle mountainous parts of the Kelbajar, Shusha and Gubadli regions.

Agroecological features of technozems micromorphology

The pedozems of reclaimed lands of Research Agricultural Station of Dnipro State Agrarian and Economy University (DSAEU) were studied in orderto diagnose their condition taking into account the,cutaneous complex. It is noted that under the influence of environmental factors formation of the initial process of soil formation in the experimental areas is observed. It is established that use of ecological micromorphology and cutaneous complex on technozem is a reliable information tool, which reveals the influence of environmental factors on the soil genesis of reclaimed soils. It was found that in profiles with strong biological influence biogenic microaggregates are formed and the general micromorphological characteristics which define features of profiles of the studied pedoses improve. Peculiarities of micromorphological structure of pedozems of the trial plot of agricultural reclamation are revealed. The agroecological substantiation of the process of soil formation of the studied technosoils is given. It is established that the most characteristic neoplasms of the studied profile are skeletons, clay and iron-claycutanes. This type of neoplasm is of hemogenic origin, and the presence of clay cutanes indicates the development of the process of leaching and in-soil loam. Dominance in the mechanical composition of dust soils of dusty fraction is established. Humus-clay microstructure inthe upper horizons (0–30 cm) and iron-humus-clayin the lower horizons (30–175), well-rounded grainsand their coordinated angles indicate the intensityof the weathering process in the experimental areas.Good aggregation of the upper humus horizons is due to the influence of biogeocenotic cover and indicates the intensity of the structure of the upper horizons. Conducted micromorphological studies allow to diagnose artificially created soils under the influence of crops, in addition to the already available data on the macromorphological structure of the profile and mechanical composition of soils to provide more complete information on the process of soil formation.

Alfalfa leaf curl virus is efficiently acquired by its aphid vector Aphis craccivora but inefficiently transmitted.

Alfalfa leaf curl virus (ALCV) is the first geminivirus for which aphid transmission was reported. Transmission by Aphis craccivora was determined previously to be highly specific and circulative. Using various complementary techniques, the transmission journey of ALCV was monitored from its uptake from infected plant tissues up to the head of its vector. ALCV was shown to be restricted to phloem tissues using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and electropenetrography (EPG) monitoring of virus acquisition. Furthermore, the virus is heterogeneously distributed in phloem tissues, as revealed by FISH and quantitative PCR of viral DNA acquired by EPG-monitored aphids. Despite the efficient ingestion of viral DNA, about 106 viral DNA copies per insect in a 15 h feeding period on ALCV-infected plants, the individual maximum transmission rate was 12 %. Transmission success was related to a critical viral accumulation, around 1.6×107 viral DNA copies per insect, a threshold that generally needed more than 48 h to be reached. Moreover, whereas the amount of acquired virus did not decrease over time in the whole aphid body, it declined in the haemolymph and heads. ALCV was not detected in progenies of viruliferous aphids and did not affect aphid fitness. Compared to geminiviruses transmitted by whiteflies or leafhoppers, or to luteoviruses transmitted by aphids, the transmission efficiency of ALCV by A. craccivora is low. This result is discussed in relation to the aphid vector of this geminivirus and the agroecological features of alfalfa, a hardy perennial host plant.

Genomic diversity in pearl millet inbred lines derived from landraces and improved varieties

BackgroundGenetic improvement of pearl millet is lagging behind most of the major crops. Development of genomic resources is expected to expedite breeding for improved agronomic traits, stress tolerance, yield, and nutritional quality. Genotyping a breeding population with high throughput markers enables exploration of genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) which are important preludes for marker-trait association studies and application of genomic-assisted breeding.ResultsGenotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) libraries of 309 inbred lines derived from landraces and improved varieties from Africa and India generated 54,770 high quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. On average one SNP per 29 Kb was mapped in the reference genome, with the telomeric regions more densely mapped than the pericentromeric regions of the chromosomes. Population structure analysis using 30,208 SNPs evenly distributed in the genome divided 309 accessions into five subpopulations with different levels of admixture. Pairwise genetic distance (GD) between accessions varied from 0.09 to 0.33 with the average distance of 0.28. Rapid LD decay implied low tendency of markers inherited together. Genetic differentiation estimates were the highest between subgroups 4 and 5, and the lowest between subgroups 1 and 2.ConclusionsPopulation genomic analysis of pearl millet inbred lines derived from diverse geographic and agroecological features identified five subgroups mostly following pedigree differences with different levels of admixture. It also revealed the prevalence of high genetic diversity in pearl millet, which is very useful in defining heterotic groups for hybrid breeding, trait mapping, and holds promise for improving pearl millet for yield and nutritional quality. The short LD decay observed suggests an absence of persistent haplotype blocks in pearl millet. The diverse genetic background of these lines and their low LD make this set of germplasm useful for traits mapping.

Can Transportation Change Land Property Rights in Developing Rural Areas? Case Study of Land Titles in a Brazilian Municipality

The impact of transportation on economic development has been the subject of intense research. This paper investigates a potential impact on yet another aspect of the economy: land property rights (LPR). This institution determines who may own land and under what circumstances land transactions happen, with significant implications for farmers’ incentives and agricultural performance. Transportation is assumed to represent a technological shock capable of generating incentives for land titling. Data was collected in a rural municipality in Brazil where agricultural development has been closely related to the construction of a railway and a paved road. Farmers have subsequently applied for land titles. Two hypotheses are tested: first, farmers whose produce is transported by the railway are more likely to have land titles than those whose produce is not; second, farmers that are located closer to the paved road are more likely to have land titles than those located further away. IV are introduced to treat anticipated endogenous problems. Results indicate the acceptance of both hypotheses, which points to one significant policy implication: improvements in LPR can be considered one indirect impact of transportation, at least where the legal framework for titling is present. Initiatives to improve transportation and LPR may be implemented in parallel with mutually reinforcing effects. It must be noted, however, that likelihood of titling in rural areas is dependent on modes of transportation and on which products can be produced according to the agro-ecological features of each region.

Adaptive landscape agricultural development in the south-east of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The purpose of the research was to develop an adaptive landscape agriculture system (ALAS) for the test (in terms of agri-environmental conditions of foothill plain of the Iliysky Alatau mountain range) of commercial farm unit “Bayserke-Agro” LLP (Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty Region, Talgar District) providing high productivity and sustainability of agro-landscapes and effective reproduction of soil fertility. ALAS design was carried out in stages by developing of the geo-information system (GIS) for agro-ecological land assessment as the first stage, namely-electronic maps composition reflecting the relief, exposure, lithological, hydrological conditions and soil cover structure of agro-landscapes. Electronic maps were made by soil-landscape mapping of rangelands on a scale of 1: 50000 in the context of the elemental areal of agro-landscapes (EAA), ranked in a certain structural hierarchy in accordance with the landscape-ecological classification of lands. Developed map of agro-ecological land groups and types is a basis for designing ALAS and agro-technologies for various agro-ecological land groups. It defines their specific agro-ecological position, which is of a general nature in the widespread climatic cropping patterns. Our approach to ALAS development in the southeast of the Republic of Kazakhstan, based on various electronic maps reflecting to landscape differentiation of rangelands, is the first known approach in the Republic. It is the first stage of this process that may be interesting and complement the world data bank with agro-ecological features of lands in the region. This reveals practical significance and the world novelty of the research.

Characteristic agro-ecological features of soil populations of bean root rot pathogens

Associations of soil populations of the predominant root rot pathogens with a number of agro-ecological features were assessed in bean production fields in Zanjan province, Iran. According to multivariate analyses, bean market class, herbicide, P-fertilizer, previous crop, region, field size, sand content, soil pH and texture, and urea use affected densities of Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina populations in farm soils. For F. solani, bean class, herbicide and P-fertilizer significantly affected soil population density. Region, soil pH and sand were associated with Rhizoctonia solani populations in soil. Lower total soil populations of four root rot pathogens were associated with Red beans, larger fields, the Kheirabad and Khodabandeh regions, P-fertilization, lack of trifluralin and urea application, and at higher levels of electrical conductivity, pH and sand of field soil. With this knowledge it should be possible to identify bean-root-rot-suppressive agro-ecosystems.

Zonificación agroecológica del Coffea arabica en el municipio Atoyac de Álvarez, Guerrero, México

Costa Grande, the largest coffee-producing region in the state of Guerrero, is where the lowest yields are obtained at the state level: An average 249 kg per ha, according to Sagarpa et al. (2011). This may be due not only to the low plant density in the area (approximately 1 274 plants per hectare), but also to the lack of chemical fertilization. It is estimated that chemical fertilizers are applied to only 0.2% of the coffee plants, and only 3% of them benefit from the manure added to the soil. With the aim to establish agro-ecological areas for Coffea arabica (i.e., those with the most favorable agricultural conditions and the highest biophysical potential for optimum yields) a territorial survey was carried out in the municipality of Atoyac de Álvarez, Guerrero analyzing geomorphological, hydrothermal and edaphic maps based on gis platforms. Six map sheets at a scale of 1:50 000 (inegi, 2009) were employed so as to cover the entire area of study. On these maps the altitude, inclination, climate (temperature, rainfall) and soil types that were compatible with the agronomic requirements of Coffea Arabica were identified and marked out. Rainfall, temperature and soil type data were obtained from maps at a scale of 1:250 000 (inegi, 2009) transformed from vector to raster formats so as to facilitate automated processing. For the morphometric evaluation of the relief, a digital elevation model was built with measurements at each 20 m so as to obtain an hypsometric gradient of 100 m and the classification of inclination into four classes: 0.1° to 18° (32%), 18.1° to 25° (33-47%), 25.1° to 40° (48-84%), and over 40° (> 84%). Central to the agro-ecological zoning of coffee is the concept of agro-ecological potential, as the set of quantitative and qualitative requirements on the natural environment conducive to the proper development of the coffee plant. The relationships between the different variables and the determination of their potentials, as well as the physical-geographical zoning of Coffea Arabica, depended on the reclassification of selected variables and their spatial analysis based on GIS using the software ILWIS 3.31 with a view to obtaining an integrated natural potential model. Agro-ecological areas with optimal, medium, low and very low potentials for the production of this variety of coffee were defined. Optimal areas are located at moderate-to-weak mountain slopes (1.1° to 18°) with Acrisols (hierarchical key Ah+Bh+Hh/2) in semi-warm climates (18 ° to 22 °C) with a rainfall regime between 1 500 and 2,000 mm and at an altitude between 1,100 and 1 500 m. They extend over an area of 7 163.47 ha. Medium-potential areas cover 28 143.75 ha, low-potential areas 62 130.65 ha, and very-low potential areas 58 411.38 ha. This agro-ecological zoning of Coffea arabica is a valuable technical instrument based on national and international experiences and information on the natural conditions prevalent in the municipality of Atoyac de Alvarez. The updating of a database on geomorphological, climatic and soil conditions will help to devise strategies for the achievement of higher crop yields. This approach and methodology can be implemented in any geographical setting with the necessary map scales adjustments and evaluation of the local agro-ecological features. It has the potential to contribute to government and business initiatives alike for the planning and management of coffee areas of their promotion.

Agroecology and the design of climate change-resilient farming systems

Diverse, severe, and location-specific impacts on agricultural production are anticipated with climate change. The last IPCC report indicates that the rise of CO2 and associated “greenhouse” gases could lead to a 1.4 to 5.8 °C increase in global surface temperatures, with subsequent consequences on precipitation frequency and amounts. Temperature and water availability remain key factors in determining crop growth and productivity; predicted changes in these factors will lead to reduced crop yields. Climate-induced changes in insect pest, pathogen and weed population dynamics and invasiveness could compound such effects. Undoubtedly, climate- and weather-induced instability will affect levels of and access to food supply, altering social and economic stability and regional competiveness. Adaptation is considered a key factor that will shape the future severity of climate change impacts on food production. Changes that will not radically modify the monoculture nature of dominant agroecosystems may moderate negative impacts temporarily. The biggest and most durable benefits will likely result from more radical agroecological measures that will strengthen the resilience of farmers and rural communities, such as diversification of agroecosytems in the form of polycultures, agroforestry systems, and crop-livestock mixed systems accompanied by organic soil management, water conservation and harvesting, and general enhancement of agrobiodiversity. Traditional farming systems are repositories of a wealth of principles and measures that can help modern agricultural systems become more resilient to climatic extremes. Many of these agroecological strategies that reduce vulnerabilities to climate variability include crop diversification, maintaining local genetic diversity, animal integration, soil organic management, water conservation and harvesting, etc. Understanding the agroecological features that underlie the resilience of traditional agroecosystems is an urgent matter, as they can serve as the foundation for the design of adapted agricultural systems. Observations of agricultural performance after extreme climatic events (hurricanes and droughts) in the last two decades have revealed that resiliency to climate disasters is closely linked to farms with increased levels of biodiversity. Field surveys and results reported in the literature suggest that agroecosystems are more resilient when inserted in a complex landscape matrix, featuring adapted local germplasm deployed in diversified cropping systems managed with organic matter rich soils and water conservation-harvesting techniques. The identification of systems that have withstood climatic events recently or in the past and understanding the agroecological features of such systems that allowed them to resist and/or recover from extreme events is of increased urgency, as the derived resiliency principles and practices that underlie successful farms can be disseminated to thousands of farmers via Campesino a Campesino networks to scale up agroecological practices that enhance the resiliency of agroecosystems. The effective diffusion of agroecological technologies will largely determine how well and how fast farmers adapt to climate change.

Agroecological features of the new varieties soft winter wheat Yuvivata 60

The main factor, and cost-effective rapid increase in yield of all crops and raising its quality is an innovative process for the creation and introduction of new varieties. Overall condition of use in the production of new varieties is very unsatisfactory. For this year the country loses more than 1.5 mln. tonnes of grains of winter cereals. Currently, the requirements for soft winter wheat, as a factor of sustainable productivity, increase. Despite the obvious advances in breeding wheat varieties as genetic yield potential of more than 10 t/ha, the actual implementation of it is around 50 %. Therefore remains an urgent problem of developing varieties with high potential and implementation of evidence-based their growth. Thus, the genetic yield potential genotype implemented with a balanced exposure of a number of factors. The purpose of research – create a soft winter wheat variety with well-defined ecological and adaptive properties and high quantitative and qualitative indicators of grain yield, varieties show ability to withstand adverse abiotic, biotic and anthropogenic factors of the environment for future breeding. Stated agroecological characteristics of variety soft winter wheat Yuvivata 60 by economically valuable indicators. Performed a detailed description of the new variety wheat based on morphological and biological characteristics. Showing environmental features Yuvivata 60 (in terms of genotypic effect and degree of plasticity) under different conditions ecotops of Ukraine. For agricultural producers proposed of adaptive variety soft winter wheat Yuvivata 60, that will provide guaranteed high quality and grain yield.

Assessing introgression of Sahelian zebu genes into native Bos taurus breeds in Burkina Faso

A total of 350 samples were analyzed to estimate zebu gene proportions into two different taurine cattle breeds of Burkina Faso (Lobi and N'Dama) using 38 microsatellites and various statistical methodologies. West African and East African zebu samples were sequentially used as reference parental populations. Furthermore, N'Dama cattle from Congo, the composite South African Bonsmara cattle breed and a pool of European cattle were used successively as second parental populations. Independently of the methodology applied: (a) the use of West African zebu samples gave higher admixture coefficients than the East African zebu; (b) the higher zebu proportions were estimated when the European cattle was used as parental population 2; and (c) the use of the N'Dama population from Congo as parental population 2 gave the more consistent zebu proportion estimates for both the Lobi and the N'Dama breeds. In any case, the zebu admixture proportions estimated were not negligible and were always higher in the N'Dama cattle than in the Lobi cattle of Burkina Faso. This suggested that the introgression of Sahelian zebu genes into the taurine cattle of Southern West Africa can follow a complex pattern that can depend on local agro-ecological features. The current research pointed out that the estimation of admixture coefficients is highly dependent on both the assumptions underlying the methodologies applied and the selection of parental populations. Our analyses suggest that either too high or nil genetic identity between the parental and the expectedly derived populations must be avoided.

Integrity in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A comparative study for rural landscapes

Abstract Since 2005, Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is the standard by which United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) evaluates world cultural heritage site suitability. The sites worthy of UNESCO preservation as well as the parameters used to demonstrate OUV are diverse. Our study focused on the uniquely distinguished rural landscape sites and the OUV parameter of integrity. Integrity however, is an elusive concept for which UNESCO provides no definitional protocol, and for which the scientific community objects to a static or pure historical interpretation. Given this, our work aims to analyse the concept of integrity and how it can be used to preserve the heritage of rural landscapes. After reviewing the UNESCO approach, we focused on the international scientific debate on the meaning and application of integrity. We designed and conducted a comparative study of UNESCO rural landscapes selected from the 2011 World Heritage List. Documents describing the historical, rural, and agro-ecological features of each of the fourteen rural sites were analysed. From this, several historical and ecological parameters were chosen as “values to have” and several socio-economic and management parameters were chosen as “values to maintain” to assess the integrity of each landscape. Our results found integrity to be a value of both cultural and natural landscapes and that it is key to site identity. We demonstrated that UNESCO assigns a high value to the following parameters: historical features, traditional crops and local products, land-use and agricultural practice permanence, and the presence of architecture related to agricultural activity. Finally, we found the relationship between culture and nature to characterize best the integrity of a rural landscape, rather than nature or culture alone.