Journal of Agricultural Science, Issue: Vol.18, No.5

Costs and Benefits of Wetland Retention in the Riding Mountain Agricultural Region of Manitoba

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:54:20 +0000

Canada’s agrifood sector is significant within the economy, contributing over 2.3 million jobs along with $144 billion annually in GDP. Expansion of the farmland base since European settlement has provided an abundance of land, but there are concerns about the ecological cost of continued expansion. Using a wetland conservation cost model with spatially explicit dimensions, this research estimates the economic benefits of wetland drainage in a sub-basin of the Assiniboine West Watershed District in Manitoba, concluding that soil productivity and commodity prices significantly affect decisions to drain wetlands. Options for optimal policy based upon specific ecosystem value are outlined, and policy costs are estimated.

Resistance Levels of Different Potato Genotypes Against Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) under Natural Infestation

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:57:59 +0000

Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) is a major disease affecting global potato production. Host plant resistance has been proposed as the cheapest and most practical bacterial wilt management option. However, this management option has various limitations which has necessitated frequent screening of different potato germplasms to identify those with resistance traits for adoption and commercialization. A study was conducted for two successive seasons (October 2021 to August 2022) at Kiandu (Nyeri County) and Turi (Nakuru County) in Kenya to assess resistance levels of thirty potato genotypes against bacterial wilt. The experiment was laid down in 3 × 7 alpha lattice design with 3 replicates in season one and 3 × 9 alpha lattice design with 3 replicates in season two. Data were collected on disease severity, disease incidence and yield parameters. Scott Knott test (p < 0.05) was performed on AUDPC to rank resistance levels of potato genotypes per trial site using ‘ScottKnott’ package in R software. The study results ranked genotypes CIP 515008.530, CIP 515014.567, CIP 515004.535, CIP 515008.521, Sherekea, Kenya Karibu and CIP 515002.516 as the most resistant to bacterial wilt while Shangi, Asante, Tigoni and Arka were highly susceptible. However, all the resistant genotypes had very low yields [tuber weights (t/ha)] compared to commercialized varieties which may affect their future adoption and commercialization by farmers. Thus, to increase chances of adoption and commercialization, future studies should focus on integrating high yielding and resistance traits. Additionally, most of the tested genotypes displayed internal bacterial wilt symptoms from dissected tubers and hence can only be suitable for ware potato production as opposed to seed potato production.

Epidemiology of Cassava Mosaic Disease Viruses in Western Democratic Republic of Congo

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:06:23 +0000

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is one of the most destructive constraints to cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of viruses causing CMD in the Kwango, Kwilu, and Maï-Ndombe provinces of western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where data remain limited. The objective was to identify and to map the viral strains associated with CMD. A field survey was conducted, during which 216 cassava leaf samples were collected from plants aged from 3 to 6 months. Disease severity was evaluated using a scale of 1 to 5. Molecular detection was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with both specific and universal primers targeting most of CMD begomoviruses. Results revealed a high prevalence of ACMV in Kwilu (70.9%) and Kwango (66.6%), with Kwango also showing substantial incidences of EACMV (51.5%) and unidentified begomoviruses (48.5%). Co-infections of ACMV and EACMV were observed in 33.3% of samples, indicating complex viral interactions. In contrast, Maï-Ndombe was characterized by a predominance of unidentified begomoviruses (45%). These findings highlight the need to strengthen phytosanitary surveillance and molecular diagnostic capacities, particularly through high-throughput sequencing technologies. The study also recommends to develop and disseminate resistant cassava varieties and to adopt integrated disease management strategies to ensure sustainable CMD control.

Biodegradation of Phenanthrene by Consortia of Newly Isolated Bacterial Strains Enriched From Industrial Waste Water

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:08:09 +0000

Many aromatic hydrocarbons are known to be toxic and carcinogenic to humans and their contamination of soils and water bodies is of a great environmental concern. Hence microbial degradation of these hydrocarbons to less toxic compounds has become a vital tool in making the environment safe for humans as well as other life forms. The biodegradation of a low molecular weight (LMW) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) consisting of a mixture of a Phenanthrene (Phe), by bacteria enriched from industrial waste water samples was extensively investigated. The samples from which the bacteria were enriched were randomly collected from three different points at a local brewery in Shuangyang County, Jilin province, China. These samples were designated by the letters: HY, YY and WS. The Bacteria were enriched using Mineral salt Medium-MSM (K₂HPO₄, KH₂PO₄, MgSO₄∙7H₂O, NaCl, FeSO₄∙7H₂O, NH₄NO₃, CaCl₂∙2H₂O, C₆H₁₂O₆). The pH and optical density (ODλ) readings after five consecutive weeks (five transfers) were determined. The OD readings revealed that the sample HY degraded Phe the most, followed by the sample YY. The sample WS was least degraded Phe. This indicated that there were more bacteria in HY exhibiting synergism in degrading Phe than YY. Six pure bacteria were isolated from the samples, and among these, WS111 had the highest bacterial density/OD value. The genomic DNA of the six bacteria was extracted, and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis and 16SrDNA of the bacteria were identified based on similarity using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) online standard BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) program (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) as: HY1 = Alcaligenes sp., HY32 = Phyllobacteriaceae sp., HY52 = Pseudochrobactrum sp., YY31 = Pseudomonas sp., YY41 = Alcaligenes sp., and WS11 = Sphingobacterium sp. These bacteria (WS111, HY32 and HY 52) degraded Phe. LMW fluoranthene (flo), and HMW Pyrene (pye), and Chrysene (chy) on mineral salt agar medium were also degraded by these bacteria. The catechol was formed by bacteria as an intermediate, and emulsions and foams were formed when added to crude oil (petrol) and also a clearer zone/halo was formed by the bacteria YY31 when added to blood agar medium compared to the others.

Genetic Variability of C67A, A148C, and A64G Polymorphisms in Beta-Casein, Kappa-Casein, and Beta-Lactoglobulin Milk Protein Genes in Borgou Cattle

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:14:54 +0000

The study of genetic polymorphism represents a valuable tool for the selection and genetic improvement of livestock production, as it enables the identification of molecular markers favorably associated with traits of interest. This study aimed to analyze polymorphisms in three genes that determine the technological properties and physico-chemical characteristics of cow’s milk, including kappa-casein (κ-casein), beta-casein (β-casein), and beta-lactoglobulin (β-lactoglobulin). Genomic DNA extracted from 90 blood samples from Borgou cattle was used to amplify target gene fragments. PCR products were genotyped using the RFLP technique with the restriction enzymes DdeI, HindIII, and HaeIII for the β-casein, κ-casein, and β-lactoglobulin genes, respectively. Results revealed three genotypes for each locus: A1A1 (0.04), A1A2 (0.22), and A2A2 (0.74) for the C67A polymorphism of β-casein; AA (0.03), AB (0.59), and BB (0.38) for the A148C polymorphism of κ-casein; and AA (0.03), AB (0.19), and BB (0.78) for the A64G polymorphism of β-lactoglobulin. The predominant allelic frequencies A2 (0.85) for β-casein C67A, B (0.67) for κ-casein A148C, and B (0.87) for β-lactoglobulin A64G suggest that this cattle breed harbors underexploited genetic potential. Given the benefits associated with these alleles, it would be appropriate to conduct further studies on a larger sample, including a correlation analysis with milk technological and cheese-making properties, to use them in marker-assisted selection to improve milk production in Benin.

Rice Yellow Mottle Virus Prevalence, Farmers’ Perceptions, and Production Constraints in Lowland Rice Systems of Benin

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:17:59 +0000

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is one of the most damaging viral diseases affecting rice production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Benin, lowland rice systems play a key role in national food security but remain highly vulnerable to biotic constraints, including viral diseases. This study assessed the distribution and prevalence of RYMV in major lowland rice-growing areas of Benin while documenting farmers’ perceptions of disease occurrence, yield losses, and management practices. Field surveys and farmer interviews were conducted in eight districts between September and October 2017. Disease incidence and severity were assessed through field inspections and confirmed using ACP-ELISA. A total of 102 farmers from 21 villages were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Results showed that RYMV was present in all surveyed districts except Dassa, with significant spatial variation in prevalence (p < 0.05). Most infected fields exhibited moderate disease severity, and farmers estimated yield losses ranging from 50% to 100% depending on the stage of infection. Management practices mainly relied on fertilizer application and chemical insecticides, while limited use of improved varieties was reported. Farmers identified limited access to inputs, soil fertility decline, and diseases as major constraints to lowland rice production. Although IR841 was the most widely cultivated variety, its apparent tolerance should not be interpreted as confirmed resistance. The study highlights the continued importance of RYMV in Benin and underscores the need for integrated disease management strategies combining resistant varieties, improved agronomic practices, and strengthened extension services.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 18, No. 5

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:19:47 +0000

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 18, No. 5, 2026.