Sudanian Zone Research Articles

Trends and Determinants of Children's Wasting and Women's Thinness in Chad, 2015 to 2021.

Cross-sectional surveys using the Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions methodology have been conducted annually in Chad since 2015 to evaluate population-level nutritional status. This analysis characterizes national and subnational trends in child wasting and women's thinness from 2015 to 2021 in Chad and identifies risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Annual survey data with 12,000 to 15,000 households were included. Wasting was estimated for children 6 to 59 months using the WHO child growth standards, and among women 15 to 49 years, thinness was defined as mid-upper arm circumference <23 cm. Trends were stratified by agroecological zone, and chi-square tests used to assess statistical significance. Simple and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted for 2020 and 2021 to identify risk factors of wasting and thinness. About 11,958 to 17,897 children and 9883 to 15,535 women contributed values each year. National wasting and thinness rates did not significantly decrease over the 7-year period (wasting: 14.1% to 12.1%, P = .43; thinness: 15.2% to 13.4%, P = .51) and wasting rose from 2020 to 2021. The Saharan and Sahelian zones had consistently higher rates compared to the Sudanian zone. Younger age, male sex, inadequate infant and young child feeding practices, and poorer household socio-economic factors were associated with greater odds of child wasting. For women, younger age, lack of nutrition knowledge, and poorer household socio-economic factors increased the odds of thinness. Undernutrition in Chad has not improved since 2015, and the COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated the crisis among children nationally and among women subnationally. Multisectoral approaches and regional targeting of interventions are recommended.

Determination of optimal doses and periods of biochar and compost application on maize productivity in the sudanian zone of Chad

The sandy-loam soils of the Sudanian zone of Chad were subject to increased depletion. One of the solutions to this problem of declining soil fertility would be to apply a reasoned organic fertilisation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fertilising potential of biochar and compost on this depleted soil and to determine the optimal doses and the best periods of application on maize. Seven treatments with inputs such as two weeks before sowing, during sowing and two weeks after emergence were conducted in controlled environment : the control, soil + 5tha-1 of biochar, soil + 7.5tha-1 of biochar, soil + 10tha-1 of biochar, soil + 5tha-1 of biochar + 5tha-1 of compost, soil + 7.5tha -1 of biochar + 5tha-1 of compost, soil + 10tha-1 of biochar + 5tha-1 of compost. Each treatment was repeated four times. Eight agro-morphological variables were evaluated: vigour of plant, harvested plant ratio, cob circumference, cob length, cob weight, plant height on maturity, weight of one thousand grain and aerian biomass yield. These variables showed that growth and yield are clearly improved on fertilized treatements whatever dose and bringing period (in average: 3 ≤ VIG ≤ 7, 41.7 ≤ TPR ≤ 91.7%, 7.9 ≤ CIE ≤ 11.4 cm, 66.4 ≤ POE ≤ 83.4g, 115.2 ≤ PMG ≤ 187.3g) comparatively to control (VIG = 3, TPR = 25%, CIE = 6.5 cm, POE = 51.9g, PMG = 102g). These results confirmed more the importance of biochar and compost on soils fertilisation. The treatment at two weeks before seedling for 10tha1 of biochar alone and 10tha-1 of biochar+5tha-1 of compost were judged the best indicated to be applied in the field like alternative to chemical fertiliser for the best maize productivity in the sudanian zone of Chad. &#x0D; &#x0D; English title: Détermination des doses optimales et des périodes d’apport de biochar et de compost sur la productivité du maïs dans la zone soudanienne du Tchad&#x0D; Les sols sablo-limoneux de la zone soudanienne du Tchad sont sujets aux phénomènes d'appauvrissement accru. L'une des solutions pour palier à ce problème de baisse de fertilité des sols serait d'apporter une fertilisation organique raisonnée. Cette étude avait pour but d’évaluer le potentiel fertilisant du biochar et du compost sur ce sol appauvri et déterminer les doses optimales et les meilleures périodes d’apport sur du maïs. Sept traitements aux apports à deux semaines avant le semis au semis et deux semaines après la levée ont été conduits en milieu contrôlé : sol témoin, sol + 5t/ha de biochar, sol + 7,5t/ha de biochar, sol + 10t/ha de biochar, sol + 5t/ha de biochar + 5t/ha de compost, sol + 7,5t/ha de biochar + 5t/ha de compost, sol+10t/ha de biochar + 5t/ha de compost. Chaque traitement a été répété quatre fois. Huit variables agromorphologiques ont été évaluées : vigueur de la plante à la levée, taux des plantes récoltées, circonférence de l’épi, longueur de l’épi, le poids de l’épi, hauteur de la plante à maturité, poids de mille grains, rendement de biomasse aérienne. Ces variables ont montré que les croissances et les rendements sont nettement améliorés dans les traitements fertilisés au biochar et compost quelques soit la dose et la période d’apport (en moyenne : 3 ≤ VIG ≤ 7, 41,7 ≤ TPR ≤ 91,7%, 7,9 ≤ CIE ≤ 11,4 cm, 66,4 ≤ POE ≤ 83,4g, 115,2 ≤ PMG ≤ 187,3g) comparativement au témoin (VIG = 3, TPR = 25%, CIE = 6,5 cm, POE = 51,9g, PMG = 102g). Ces résultats confirment davantage l’importance capitale du biochar et du compost dans la fertilisation des sols. Les traitements à deux semaines avant le semis pour les doses de 10t/ha de biochar seul et de 10 t/ha de biochar+5t/ha de compost ont été jugées les mieux indiquées à être appliquées en champ en alternatif aux engrais chimiques pour une meilleure productivité de maïs en zone soudanienne du Tchad.

Fertilizer application and chemical fertility of a lixisol in a crop rotation system in the southern Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso

The lack of organic matter in soils and the high cost of mineral fertilizers are constraints to the intensification of agricultural production in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the joint application of organic and mineral matter on soil fertility under crop rotation conditions. The study was carried out at the research station in Farakoba, from 2018 to 2020. The system was a 4x4 split-plot factorial with 3 replications. The 4 treatments corresponded to 4 crop rotations used as the main factor and 4 manures as the secondary factor. We used 4 rotation sequences: Sorghum-Fonio, Soya-Fonio, Mung bean-fonio, Sorghum-Mung bean. The four secondary treatments corresponded to four fertilizers: control with no fertilizer application; NPK and urea; Compost+poultry manure; Compost+poultry manure+Burkina phosphate). Results showed that legume-cereal rotations resulted in a 2.3% drop in C/N ratio, while the total exchangeable base (TEB) and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased by 82.53% and 24.08% respectively compared to the soil at the start of cultivation. Compared to the soil at the beginning of the crop, the soya-fonio rotation resulted in CEC and TEB increases of 26.87% and 86.55% respectively. The Compost+poultry manure treatment recorded significantly higher TEB and CEC contents, followed by the Compost+poultry manure+Burkina Phosphate and Compost+NPK+Urea treatments. Compared to the Compost+NPK+Urea treatment, the Compost+Poultry manure +Burkina Phosphate treatment resulted in TEB and CEC increases of 18.7% and 5.06% respectively. The results showed a negative and non-significant correlation between C/N and the parameters Ca, Na, Mg, TEB, CEC and saturation level. On the other hand, the correlation between C/N and K was positive and non-significant (r=0.036). In a context of high mineral fertilizer costs, fertilization techniques and productivity of systems can therefore be improved by combining local fertilizing resources such as poultry manure, Burkina phosphate and legume rotations.

Determinants of farmers’ willingness to pay for improved cultivars of Macrotyloma geocarpum (harms) Maréchal and Baudet in Benin and Togo

IntroductionQuality seed is essential to satisfy food demand. This is also true for neglected crops especially those that are economically valuable such as Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum), which holds the potential to improve farmers’ livelihoods. In this study, we assessed the attributes that drove Kersting groundnut farmers’ willingness to pay for improved seeds.MethodsA total of 567 respondents were selected in the Northern Guinea and Southern Sudanian production zones in Benin and Togo using chain referral sampling, and they were then interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. Classification and regression trees, Ordinary Least Squared, and Tobit regression were combined to assess the relationship between the socio-demographic variables and farmers’ Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Amount they are Willing to Pay (AWTP).Results and discussionResults suggested that more than 90% of respondents involved in the production of Macrotyloma geocarpum were willing to access its improved seeds, including those who had already abandoned the cultivation of this crop due to constraints such as the very low seed yield of current cultivars, the difficulty to access seeds, and the cultivation practices. The factors which affected the amount farmers are willing to pay included the following: the low yield of current cultivars used by farmers, the expected yield of the improved variety, which should be higher than 1 ton per ha (1 t.ha−1), the socio-linguistic group affiliation, and the adoption level of improved agricultural technologies. The average amount fixed by seed companies that farmers were willing to pay for 1 kg of the improved seed was USD 5.35 but they have freely proposed to pay the average amount of USD 4.63 to access 1 kg of improved seed. The white-seeded cultivar was the most appreciated by farmers and was the most cultivated in the Northern Guinean Zone whereas the cultivation of the colored-seeded (e.g., black-seeded) cultivars was mainly noted in the Southern Sudanian Zone. Furthermore, the respondents indicated seed yield improvement and disease management as their main research needs to help increase the production of the crop. The findings of this research will help refine Macrotyloma geocarpum improvement programs to release farmer-needed varieties.

Ecological and structural differentiation of the Sudanian woodlands in the Biosphere Reserve of Pendjari, Benin

Aims: This study aims to: i) differentiate the plant associations in the Biosphere Reserve of Pendjari (BRP), ii) determine the ecological characteristics of their habitats and iii) present distribution maps on different soil types. Study area: The BRP, located in the Sudanian Zone of Benin. Methods: 202 phytosociological relevés were sampled according to the Braun-Blanquet method within the BRP. Ordination was performed using Detrended Correspondence Analysis to evaluate vegetation patterns. Soil parameters were used to characterize the vegetation types. Results: The numerical analysis of 202 plots and 249 plant species showed two major floristic groups that correlated with a moisture gradient: drylands versus wetlands. The dryland group was a mixture of woodland and shrub savanna, the dominant ecosystems of the study area. The wetland group encompassed species primarily from riparian forest, tree savanna and grass savanna on floodplains. Syntaxonomical analysis of the dryland group showed rocky and gravelly soil associations (Burkeo africanae-Detarietum microcarpi) and soils associated with or without fine gravels (Andropogono gayani-Terminalietum avicennioidis, Andropogono gayani-Senegalietum dudgeonii and Terminalietum leiocarpae). Syntaxonomical analysis of the wetland group showed riparian forest associations on sandy-clay soil (Coletum laurifoliae, Borassetum aethiopi and Hyparrhenio glabriusculae-Mitragynetum inermis) and floodplain associations on silt-clay soil (Terminalio macropterae-Mitragynetum inermis, Brachiario jubatae-Terminalietum macropterae, Sorghastro bipennati-Vachellietum hockii). Conclusions: Eleven new associations were identified in this study. If the distribution of plant associations was determined by different soil properties, the soil humidity would be one of the main ecological factors determining the establishment of plant species and thus plant association development. Taxonomic reference: Akoègninou et al. (2006), Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants (APG IV, 2016). Abbreviations: BRP = Biosphere Reserve of Pendjari; CBD = Convention on Biological Diversity; CCA = Constrained Correspondence Analysis; DCA = Detrended Correspondence Analysis; GPS UTM = Global Positioning System Universal Transverse Mercator.

Socio-demographic determinants of farmers’ beliefs about climate change cause in the Sudanian zone of Benin

Understanding farmers’ beliefs on climate change is crucial as it drives the adaptation strategies that they might adopt. This paper investigates farmers’ beliefs on climate change in the Sudan Savannah Zone of Benin, a region heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture. The multinomial logit model is applied to cross-sectional data collected through a survey of 60 randomly selected farm households. The findings suggested that 33.33%, 31.67%, 21.67%, and 13.33% of the farm households believe that climate change is due to human activities, to natural changes in the environment, gods anger, and to both human activities and natural changes in the environment, respectively. Moreover, the estimation results of the determinants of climate change cause indicate that the gender of the household head, the ethnic group, and household size influence significantly climate change beliefs. Based on the findings, information on the fact that climate change is not only due to natural changes in the environment, but is also due to anthropogenic greenhouse gases should be provided to farmers. This paper contributes to the literature by analyzing what farmers believe as causes of climate change which is beyond climate change perception. Moreover, the variable ethnic group and household size are found for the first time to our knowledge to determine climate change beliefs.

Morphometric Characterization of Local Goat Breeds in Two Agroecological Zones of Burkina Faso, West Africa

In Burkina Faso, goats are the second most numerous ruminant livestock population, with almost exclusively indigenous breeds being reared in extensive production systems in various agroecological zones. This study was carried out to understand the morphological variation of local goat breeds in the Sudano-Sahelian and Sudanian agroecological zones. A total of 511 adult female animals belonging to two presumed populations (Mossi breed in Sudano-Sahelian zone and Djallonké breed in Sudanian zone) were sampled and body weight as well as a range of linear body measurements, following FAO guidelines, were recorded. The least squares means of body measurements of indicated that Sudano-Sahelian goats have significantly (p &lt; 0.001) larger body measurements than Sudanian goats. Furthermore, relative high variability of the two populations in morphometric traits was observed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) suggested structure between Mossi breed on one side and Djallonké on the other side, but no strict separation was observed, suggesting that gene flow is occurring among the different populations. A dispersion map with four clusters was built based on the first two factors. The least square means of body measurements ranked the four groups from small to large body size, namely Djallonké, Mossi × Djallonké, Mossi, and Sahelian × Mossi. Gene flow from Sahelian goat into other populations of the country, based on migration of the Fulani ethnic group from the Sahel into areas with Mossi and Djallonké breeds, could explain this configuration and confirms the continuous erosion of genetic identity of these two local breeds. The sustainable use of these adapted local goat genetic resources calls for the promotion of sustainable genetic improvement using participatory breeding approaches.

Yield Performance and Stability Analysis of Promising Soybean Genotypes under Contrasting Environments in the Semi-arid Zone of Sudan

Background: The challenge to food security posed by climate change and coupled with the substantial rise in the global population, necessitate a shift in crop improvement programmes towards developing crop cultivars with stable and high yield potentials across a wide range of agro-ecological conditions. Methods: New high yielding crop varieties with stable performance across environments are enabling the expansion of their production area into non-traditional environments with semi-arid climates. Soybean (Glycine max L.), a tropical leguminous crop, has received significant attention as a target crop in breeding programmes for adaptation to semi-arid environments, due to its low water content, high nutritive value and the capacity to produce a variety of products. The objective of this study was to asses yield performance and stability of promising soybean genotypes under contrasting environments in the semi-arid zone of Sudan. We evaluated five soybean genotypes using a split plot design with environment as the main plot and genotype as the subplot. Result: Combined ANOVA showed significant differences among the genotypes, environment and genotype x environment interaction. Moreover, significant positive relationships were observed between seed yield and number of days to 95% flowering, 100-seed weight, leaf area and number of pods per plant. AMMI stability values revealed significant differences among the genotypes and genotype-by-environment main effects for seed yield. Similarly, results of GGE biplot showed significant contributions of genotypes and genotype-by-environment main effects. The stability models enabled us to identify genotypes with superior performance to specific environments. TGX 1904-6F, was found to be the most stable genotype with appreciable seed yield and adaptability across all environments that can be recommended for release to farmers in semi-arid Sudan.

Allometric Equations for Estimation of Below-ground Biomass of Two Dominants Shrub Species of Burkina Faso

Deforestation leads to a significant loss of carbon and contributes indirectly to climate change. This study was carried out in four types of formations in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso to assess the contribution of plant species to climate change mitigation. The below-ground biomass of two species (Piliostigma reticulatum and Guiera senegalensis) was determined by the direct method. Three classes of subjects were determined and a total of 80 shrubs of P. reticulatum and 90 shrubs of G. senegalensis were completely excavated. The results showed that P. reticulatum measures about 0.49 to 2.10 m in height, 3.58 to 25 cm in circumference at the base of the trunk and stores 0.18 to 3.68 tC/ha in the root biomass (respectively after 3 years and 15 years) for a 3x3m plantation. In the 15-year fallow dominated by G. senegalensis stands, 3.93 tC/ha are stored by the underground biomass of G. senegalensis shrubs. Model fit showed that there is a good correlation between circumference at the base of the trunk and below-ground biomass for P. reticulatum. For G. senegalensis, it is the total height of the foot that is most correlated with the below-ground biomass. These results provide information on the carbon sequestration potential of these two species, and can thus help in the decision-making process for climate change adaptation and/or mitigation policies.

Farmers’ perception and management of water scarcity in irrigated rice-based systems in dry climatic zones of West Africa

Water scarcity threatens irrigated agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Knowledge of farmers’ perceptions and drivers for decision-making in view of coping with water scarcity is so far lacking but needed to improve local technologies and frame policies fostering their adoption. Here, for the first time, we investigated farmers’ perception of water scarcity, key adaptation strategies, and the determinants of their adoption in irrigated rice schemes in dry climatic zones of West Africa. We surveyed 572 farming households and conducted expert interviews with key informants in four contrasting irrigated rice schemes in Burkina Faso between April 2018 and August 2019. Information was gathered on biophysical field characteristics, grain yields, agronomic and water management practices, farmers’ perception of water scarcity, their adaptive responses, and social-economic attributes of adopting households. Nearly 80% of the respondents reported having experienced water scarcity during the past 5 years. To cope with the adverse effect of water scarcity, farmers implemented seventeen different adaptation strategies that could be categorized into seven groups. Most popular among those were “water and soil conservation practices” (consisting mainly of field bunding and leveling), “no rice cultivation,” and “crop rotation.” Farmers in drier areas (Sudano-Sahelian zone) were less likely to adopt and implement several adaptation strategies to water scarcity compared to farmers in wetter areas (Sudanian zone). Belonging to farming associations increased the probability of implementing several strategies to alleviate water scarcity, while female-headed households tended to have a lower propensity to adopt and implement concomitantly several adaptation strategies in comparison with their male counterpart. The dissemination of scheme- and household-specific technology options could contribute to mitigating water scarcity in irrigated rice-based systems in the dry climatic zones of West Africa, thus contributing to rural livelihood and food security.

Genetic diversity assessment of the indigenous goat population of Benin using microsatellite markers.

Improved knowledge of the diversity within and among local animal populations is increasingly necessary for their sustainable management. Accordingly, this study assessed the genetic diversity and structure of the indigenous goat population of Benin. Nine hundred and fifty-four goats were sampled across the three vegetation zones of Benin [i.e., Guineo-Congolese zone (GCZ), Guineo-Sudanian zone (GSZ), and Sudanian zone (SZ)] and genotyped with 12 multiplexed microsatellite markers. The genetic diversity and structure of the indigenous goat population of Benin were examined using the usual genetic indices (number of alleles Na, expected and observed heterozygosities He and Ho, Fixation index FST, coefficient of genetic differentiation GST), and three different methods of structure assessment [Bayesian admixture model in STRUCTURE, self-organizing map (SOM), and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC)]. The mean values of Na (11.25), He (0.69), Ho (0.66), FST (0.012), and GST (0.012) estimated in the indigenous Beninese goat population highlighted great genetic diversity. STRUCTURE and SOM results showed the existence of two distinct goat groups (Djallonké and Sahelian) with high crossbreeding effects. Furthermore, DAPC distinguished four clusters within the goat population descending from the two ancestry groups. Clusters 1 and 3 (most individuals from GCZ) respectively showed a mean Djallonké ancestry proportion of 73.79% and 71.18%, whereas cluster 4 (mainly of goats from SZ and some goats of GSZ) showed a mean Sahelian ancestry proportion of 78.65%. Cluster 2, which grouped almost all animals from the three zones, was also of Sahelian ancestry but with a high level of interbreeding, as shown by the mean membership proportion of only 62.73%. It is therefore urgent to develop community management programs and selection schemes for the main goat types to ensure the sustainability of goat production in Benin.

Performance of food–feed maize and cowpea cultivars under monoculture and intercropping systems: Grain yield, fodder biomass, and nutritive value

Livestock feeding in Burkina Faso is characterized by a recurrent deficit in both the quality and the quantity of fodder during the dry season, which affects animal performance. To overcome this, quality fodder/forage production is an alternative. Therefore, this study evaluated food- and feed-improved cultivars of maize and cowpea in intercropping trials using the “mother and baby trials” approach with crop–livestock farmers. The mother trial comprised a randomized block design with eight treatments and four replicates: two cowpea (KVx745-11P and Tiligré) and two maize cultivars (Barka and Espoir), and grown under two cropping systems (monoculture and intercropping). Baby trials were established on-farm and involved 30 farmers during two seasons (2019 and 2020) in four villages in the South Sudan zone of Burkina Faso. Data were collected on (1) weed density and biomass, (2) grain yield and fodder biomass, (3) intercropping efficiency, and (4) fodder nutritive value. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and the least significant difference (LSD) means separation at a 5% threshold. The results revealed that maize and cowpea intercropping significantly reduced weed biomass (p ≤ 0.05). In monoculture, the maize cultivar Barka produced a greater grain yield (4980 kg/ha) and fodder biomass [6259 kg dry matter (DM)/ha] than the cultivar Espoir, which produced a grain yield of 2581 kg/ha and fodder biomass of 4952 kg DM/ha. The cowpea cultivars, KVx745-11P and Tiligré, were similar (p ≥ 0.05) in terms of fodder biomass (2435–2820 kg DM/ha) and grain yield (1152–1163 kg/ha). For the intercropping system, land equivalent ratios for fodder biomass (1.18:1.41) and grain yield (1.02:1.44) were greater than 1; intercropping also had better productivity system indexes than the monoculture cropping system. The crude protein concentration of fodder was greater for Barka maize (9.5%–9.8%) than for Espoir maize (8.5%–8.7%). The crude protein concentration was greater for cowpea KVx745-11P (19%–21.8%) than for cowpea Tiligré (15%–17%). Intercropping both Barka maize and cowpea KVx745-11P was the most productive cropping system for maximizing grain and fodder production for crop–livestock farmers in the South Sudan zone of Burkina Faso.

Consumption and mineral profile of Cochlospermum spp. root powder: A traditional food ingredient in Sudanian zone of Benin (West Africa)

AbstractCochlospermum spp. root powder is widely used by local populations in Sudanian zone of Benin as food ingredient. This study aims at documenting the mineral profile of Cochlospermum spp. root powder and the consumption frequencies of foods enriched with this species in the three phytodistricts of Sudanian zone of Benin. A consumption frequency survey was conducted among 449 women of reproductive age and their children (n = 406) aged 6 to 59 months. Processing follow‐up was performed among twelve (12) selected processors per phytodistict and samples were collected for minerals (Ca, Mg, Na, P, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) analysis. Results showed that most (&gt;75%) women and their children consumed foods enriched with Cochlospermum spp. root powder at least two times per day. The mineral contents (expect Ca and P) of Cochlospermum spp. root powder do not vary significantly according to phytodistricts. High mineral content was obtained for iron (54.1 ± 21.5 mg/100 g dry weight) and calcium (573.7 ± 98 and 802.5 ± 49.9 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively in Atacora Chain and Northern Borgou phytodistricts). Cochlospermum spp. root powder could be used to alleviate iron and calcium deficiencies among populations. Further studies should focus on the bioavailability of minerals and anti‐nutrients content of this plant food.

Post-Harvest Fungi Associated with Cowpea (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Vigna unguiculata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L. Walp.) Seeds Produced in Burkina Faso

Cowpea is a very popular foodstuff among people in sub-Saharan Africa. In Burkina Faso, it is the main food legume, especially in rural areas. Its production is facing difficulties including post-harvest losses caused by fungi. Therefore, the objective of this study was to isolate and identify fungal strains associated with cowpea seeds produced in Burkina Faso. Thus, a total of 108 seed samples were collected in the three agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso. The sanitary analysis of the seeds was carried out using the direct contact method. The isolation and purification of the isolates were performed on Potato Dextrose Agar medium while their identification was done through macroscopic and microscopic phenotypical characterization using different culture media (Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Czapeck Dox Agar (CZA)) and different identification keys. A total of 10 fungal species were isolated, with predominance of Aspergillus flavus, Aspegillus niger, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium oxysporium and Rhizopus sp. whose infection rates were 70.8% to 100% of seed samples. In addition to being present in all three zones, the infection rates of Aspergillus flavus (56.55%), Aspergillus niger (20.35%) and Rhizopus (32.80%) were higher in the Sahelian zone. In the Sudano-Sahelian zone, Macrophomina (50.66%) and Fusarium (18.88%) presented the highest infection rates, while Penicillium sp. showed the highest infection rate (2.84%) in the Sudanian zone. This finding demonstrated the necessity to improve post-harvest and conservation techniques of cowpea to limit crop losses and preserve the sanitary quality of this important foodstuff.

Comparison of Different Models to Estimate Global Solar Irradiation in the Sudanese Zone of Chad

Sustainable future development relies on solar radiation, which is the main source of renewable energy. Thus, in this article, the monthly average global solar irradiation of four sites in the Sudanian zone region of Chad is estimated using different empirical models. The data used in this study were collected at the General Directorate of Meteorology of Chad. The reliability and accuracy of six models estimating global solar radiation were validated and compared by statistical indicators identifying the most accurate model. The results obtained show that the Allen model has the best performance for the Moundou site (5.760 kWh/m²/d, R2=0.843), the Angstrom Prescott model for the Sarh sites (5.658 kWh/m²/d, R2=0.805) and Pala (5.793 kWh/m²/d, R²=0.889), the Sabbagh model for the Bongor site (5.657 kWh/m²/d, R²=0.888). These models are validated against NASA data. The results show that the Sudanian zone of Chad has good solar potential and is therefore suitable for possible exploitation.

Effect of additional pollen supplement on fruit setting in Moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a woody species with hermaphrodite flowers cultivated for its fruits and seeds for oil production. The fruit production of the species remains below producers' expectations.The current study was carried out from July to October along two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) at Komsilga (12°18'48.2''N and 1°64'60.2''W ) and at the INERA experimental station in Ouagadougou (12°22'801''N and 1°30'295''W ) both located in the northern Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. Our study aimed at testing whether additional pollen on the flower stigma could improve pod and seed yields. For this purpose, a sample of 10 flowering trees and 20 inflorescences/tree was randomly selected at each site. Per tree, 10 newly flowering inflorescences were left to open pollinated and 10 others received pollenmanually. Results show that hand-pollinated inflorescences produced an average of 0.19 and 0.17 fruits, compared to 0.16 and 0.14 for open-pollinated inflorescences at INERA and Komsilga respectively (p= 0.7720). The mean seed weight was 63 (±11.2) and 50 (±7.4) g for the manualand open pollinated treatment, respectively. The Kruskal-wallis test of mean seed weight shows that the smallest fruits were obtained in the open pollination which differed significantly from manual pollination (p&lt; 0.0001). The addition of pollen significantly improved Moringa fruit production.

Evaluation of Early Maturity Group of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) for Agronomic Performance and Estimates of Genetic Parameters in Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso

Soybean is one of the promising food crops and feeds which contributes significantly to the development of agriculture in Burkina Faso. However, very few improved soybean varieties have been developed in the country. The introduction of new genotypes with high agronomic potential and adapted to the climatic conditions of the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso will boost soybean production in the region. Twenty-four (24) newly introduced soybean genotypes were evaluated for their agromorphological and adaptation characteristics in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. The variability parameters such as genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability, and expected genetic advance were estimated for 14 agromorphological characters. The experimental design used in this study was an alpha lattice with 3 replications. Planting was done following a spacing of 50 cm (inter-row) × 5 cm (within row). Analysis of variance revealed significant difference ( P &lt; 0.001 ; P &lt; 0.05 ) for all characters studied except the nodule diameter, nodule score, and grain yield. The values of the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters indicating the influence of environmental factors. The highest GCV and PVC values were found in the number of nodules (70.07% and 77.26%), number of seeds per plant (41.34% and 44.18%), and number of pods per plant (29.27% and 33.50%), respectively. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance expressed as a percentage of mean were observed for 10 of the 14 traits, suggesting an important expected genetic gain allowing more success in selection.

Diversity of the Medico-Veterinary and Agricultural Interest Arthropods at Bia in the Sudanian Zone of Mali

Arthropods by their progressive evolution, occupyied the first place, either by the role of vectors of pathogenic organisms of some of its representatives, or by the nuisance for others. This study was conducted to document the diversity of the arthropods fauna at Bia in the Sudanian zone of Mali. A monthly inventory during a period from April 2021 to February 2022 was conducted. The collection were made with two types of traps (emergence and "T" traps). Arthropods collected were identified by observation with a magnifying glass using dichotomous identification keys for some and by PCR for mosquitoes. It allowed the inventory of 57 species divided into 2 classes, 10 orders and 50 families. Arthropods of agricultural interest are the most frequent group during the rainy and dry seasons. Among these different orders, the coleoptera are the most represented with a total of 16 families.

Intestinal Helminthiases among School Children in the Sahelian and Sudanian Zones of Chad: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of intestinal helminthiases in school children in the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of Chad.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional and descriptive.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: September 2021 to February 2022 in two of Chad's three ecological zones: the Sudanian and Sahelian zones.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 1408 stool samples were collected from school children (aged from 5 to 18 years) in 19 schools; 13 of which were in the Sudanian zone and 6 in the Sahelian zone. The analysis of these samples was carried out by the Kato-Katz method, for the detection and quantification of intestinal helminths eggs.&#x0D; Results: Analysis of these samples revealed the presence of 9 helminths taxa, with an overall infestation rate of 35.87% in both zones. Ascaris lumbricoides (16.41%), Schistosoma mansoni (14.00%) and Hymenolepis nana (6.53%) were the most common helminths found. Pupils in the Sudanian zone were relatively more infested than those in the Sahelian zone, except for Taenia saginata and Ascaris lumbricoides which were more often found in the Sahelian zone. With the exception of Enterobius vermicularis, no other difference in infestation rates was observed between age groups. By gender, the only significant difference in infestation rates was noted for Schistosoma mansoni for which girls were more parasitized.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of these parasitoses in Chad and that poor hygiene favors the endemicity and persistence of these helminthiases; it also points to the need for a national helminthiases control program.

Primary Abdominal Tuberculosis Presenting as Peritonitis: Experience at an Emergency Medical Unit in the War Zone

Tubercular disease is a global health problem, but it is more prevalent in developing countries. Emergency surgery for complicated abdominal tubercular disease in a war zone is challenging as the confirmation of definite diagnosis is difficult and delayed. We are presenting a case of abdominal tubercular disease complicated with peritonitis from intestinal perforation in a young female, diagnosed as acute surgical abdomen, and undergone emergent exploratory laparotomy at a “Médecins Sans Frontières” (MSF) Emergency Medical Unit in the war zone of Lankien-South Sudan. She was managed with abdominal washouts and intestinal stoma; diseased tissues and ascitic fluid were taken for histopathology and cultures. A Bogota Bag was used for abdominal closure. The patient was timely but empirically put on anti-tubercular therapy, and she was transferred to a primary hospital on the 20th postoperative day to continue her treatment. We were informed that her primary abdominal tuberculosis was confirmed by histopathology from intraoperatively obtained tissues and she was doing well during a three-month follow-up.