Mube Kuietche Hervé

Okra constitutes a crop of significant nutritional and economic relevance, particularly within the African context. It frequently exhibits constrained productivity and suboptimal nutritional quality under conventional mineral fertilization regimes, which are also associated with adverse environmental externalities. There is therefore an urgent need to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of contrasting organic fertilizers in concurrently enhancing growth performance, yield components, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in okra, within a framework of sustainable agronomic intensification. This study evaluated the influence of organic and chemical fertilization on the biochemical quality of okra fruits. A randomized complete block design was implemented to test different fertilization treatments: mineral fertilizer (200 kg/ha NPK), poultry manure (5 and 10 t/ha), rabbit urine (1000 and 2000 L/ha), and combinations of poultry manure with rabbit urine (poultry manure, 5 t/ha + rabbit urine, 1000 L/ha; poultry manure, 10 t/ha + rabbit urine, 2000 L/ha; poultry manure, 5 t/ha + rabbit urine, 2000 L/ha; poultry manure, 10 t/ha + rabbit urine, 1000 L/ha). The okra cultivar Kirikou F1 was used and planted at a spacing of 0.4 × 0.5 m, corresponding to a population density of 50,000 plants ha ⁻¹ . Growth and yield variables were evaluated. Quantification of phenolic compounds, soluble sugars, proteins, flavonoids, and carotenoids was performed via UV–visible spectrophotometry, while enzymatic activities and mineral contents were also assessed. The results revealed that the combined application of poultry manure (5 t/ha) and rabbit urine (2000 L/ha) significantly enhanced both the growth performance (plant height and collar diameter) and yield of okra. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, anthraquinones, and terpenes in the fruits in some treatments; however, tannins were absents in all the treatments. The treatments clearly changed the composition of the okra fruits, but the effect varied depending on the measured variable. For total phenolic compounds, the treatments combining poultry manure and rabbit urine, especially those based on T6 (poultry manure, 5 t/ha + rabbit urine, 1000 L/ha); T7 (poultry manure, 10 t/ha + rabbit urine, 2000 L/ha); T8 (poultry manure, 5 t/ha + rabbit urine, 2000 L/ha); and T9 (poultry manure, 10 t/ha + rabbit urine, 1000 L/ha), appeared to be the most effective, whereas the T0 control showed the lowest values. For total soluble sugars, the same organic combinations and some applications of rabbit urine alone were generally more favorable than the control and NPK alone. Regarding total proteins, the enriched treatments, especially the poultry manure + rabbit urine mixtures, also showed better performance, while the less fertilized or unfertilized treatments remained lower. Mineral analysis revealed enhanced calcium (206.13 ppm) and magnesium (250.83 ppm) under the 5 t/ha poultry manure with 2000 L/ha rabbit urine treatment in comparison with NPK fertilizer (135.96 and 123.53 ppm for calcium and magnesium, respectively). The study shows that organic fertilization improves okra fruit composition by stimulating bioactive metabolite synthesis and enhancing mineral nutrients, thus supporting sustainable production while improving the crop’s nutritional quality and overall value.

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel powder supplementation on the digestibility of feed chemical components and the composition of caecal microbiota in guinea pig. One hundred and thirty guinea pigs were randomly assigned to four groups. For 27 days, the animals were fed once daily with either a standard control diet (complete concentrate) or a concentrated mixture with 2.5, 5 or 7.5% (w/w) neem kernel powder. The results showed a significant increase in feed intake and digestibility with the rate of kernel incorporation. In the caeca content, the log count of lactic acid bacteria and Clostridium butyricum increased quadratically (P < 0.001) with the supplementation level whereas Escherichia coli count decreased. The results suggest that neem kernel powder could be used as a phytogenic supplement for guinea pigs, enhancing both nutrient digestibility and gut microbiota quality.

In the poultry value chain, live animal markets are common hotspots for dispersing multiple infectious diseases. This work was initiated to assess biosecurity practices in the poultry market. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in 8 live poultry markets in Yaoundé, in combination with a questionnaire-based survey with the stakeholders of the livestock markets. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that all the markets (100%) were not only used for selling live poultry, and the birds were not confined. In all the markets (100%), poultry was sold without any disinfection observed, and no program was implemented to fight against rodents. The introduction of birds into the market without quarantine was observed at 33.9%; 46.9% of traders and slaughtering persons were working together in closed proximity, birds were kept in wooden cages on the ground in all the market (85.8%) and, when transported inter-urbanely the birds were kept in plastic cages (100%). Cages were piled on top of one another (61.4%) had poultry of different breeds (30.3%) and of different ages (100%). All traders do not put on clean uniforms reserved for their poultry selling activities only, and they do not carry out any medical check-ups. Most customers (72.8%) slaughtered their birds in the market, and the unsold birds (100%) were not returned. Stray dogs, rodents, and cats were found in the market (100%). It was concluded that there is a limited application of biosecurity measures in the live poultry markets in Yaoundé, which, therefore, represents a risk of the dissemination of high pathogenic avian/zoonosis diseases. Live bird market stakeholders should be educated on adhering to biosecurity measures and practices.

A survey was carried out on 356 breeders in the Department of the Menoua Region of West Cameroon to characterize guinea pig breeding systems, using descriptive analysis, factorial analysis of multiple correspondences (AFCM), and upward hierarchical classification (CAH). Three types of guinea pig breeders have been identified, discriminated according to the size of the herd and the professional character of the breeding. Most of the housing systems were of the traditional type, free-ranging on the ground. Feed generally was based on fodders and food residues, and hygiene conditions were considered as good. The main difficulties faced by the farmers were mortalities resulting from diseases and predation. Guinea pig breeding was considered a source of income for households. Sales were year-round, at age-related prices. Development of guinea pig breeding in Cameroon would require better-addressing breeding techniques and the creation of economic interest groups to strengthen food security allowed by this activity.

Face à l’insécurité alimentaire qui menace les pays en développement comme le Cameroun, la production rationnelle des espèces endogènes est une nécessité. C’est ainsi que les besoins protéiques de croissance de la pintade locale du Cameroun ont été étudié. Le travail a été mené à la Ferme d’Application et de Recherche (FAR) de l’Université de Dschang. Un total de 64 pintadeaux d’un jour non sexés de type local (gris perlé) ont été utilisés. Ces animaux ont été soumis à quatre niveaux de protéines (26, 24, 22 et 20% de protéine brute correspondants aux rations R26, R24, R22 et R20 respectivement) suivant un dispositif complètement randomisé comportant quatre traitements et quatre répétitions de huit pintades chacune. Les données collectées (consommation alimentaire, poids vif, gain de poids et indice de consommation) ont été soumises à l’analyse de la Variance à un facteur (niveau de protéine). Les principaux résultats ont montré que les animaux soumis au taux de protéines 24% (R24) ont obtenu un poids vif et un gain de poids significativement plus élevé comparé à ceux des autres lots. De même le plus faible indice de consommation (2,98) et coût de production ont été enregistrés avec la même ration. Par contre, la ration R26 a obtenu la consommation alimentaire la plus élevée par rapport à celle des autres. En conclusion, 24% de protéines brutes est le niveau indiqué pour une meilleure croissance des pintades en phase démarrage (0-8 semaines). Faced with the problem of food insecurity that threatens developing countries like Cameroon, the rational production of endogenous species is a necessity. Thus the protein requirement for the growth of the local Cameroon guinea fowl was studied. This study was carried out at the Research and Application Farm (FAR) of the University of Dschang. A total of 64 unsexed day-old keets of local type (pearl grey) were used. These animals were subjected to four protein levels (26, 24, 22 and 20% crude protein corresponding to the rations R26, R24, R22 and R20 respectively) in a completely randomized design of four treatments. Each treatment was replicated four times with eight guinea fowls per replicate. Data collected (feed consumption, live weight, weight gain and feed conversion) was subjected to one-way analysis of variance (protein level). The main results show that, animals submitted to 24% protein level (R24) obtained a live weight and weight gain that was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to those of the other treatment groups. Similarly, the lowest feed conversion ratio (2.98) and cost of production were recorded with the same ration. Animal fed with R26 ration had the highest feed intake compared to the other rations. In conclusion, 24% crude protein was the best level of incorporation indicated for better growth of guinea fowl in the starter phase (0-8 weeks).

Aims: The aim of the study was to increase rabbit production by evaluating the effects of bean offal on the growth performance of the New Zealand rabbits breed and to reduce the economic costs of feed. Study Design: Study was conducted in a completely randomized design. Methodology: For this purpose, forty-eight (48) rabbits of 50 days old were divided into four equal groups each containing 12 rabbits and into sub-groups of 3 rabbits per cage, depending on the rate of incorporation of bean offal (0, 15, 22.5, and 30% respectively for T0, T15, T22.5 and T30) in a completely randomized design. The diets were iso caloric and iso nitrogenous. Results: The results obtained showed that there was no significance (p> 0.05) different among treatment means in final live weight, weekly live weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR), however, feed intake was significantly higher in the control diet T0 (3251±554.96 g) as compared to T22.5 (31412±554.96 g). Weight gain of rabbit fed dietT22.5 was higher (3173±284.93 g) as compared to those fed on control diet T0 that recorded the lowest values (2986.67±284.93 g). Cost of production per kg of live weight was significantly higher (pConclusion: It is concluded that up to 22% of bean offal could be included in rabbit diet to reduce cost of feed and improve performances.