Animal rabies epidemiology in Nepal from 2005 to 2017

Background and Aim: Animal rabies is endemic in Nepal, and it occurs in two forms. Although governmental and non-governmental agencies are working toward the control of rabies by mass dog vaccination and stray dog population management, there is still massive number of rabies incidence reported to the reference veterinary laboratory, Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to assess animal species, temporal, regional, and agro-ecological distribution patterns of animal rabies in Nepal from 2005 to 2017. Materials and Methods: The epidemiological data on animal rabies from the period of 2005 to 2017 were obtained from the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal. The laboratory-confirmed rabies cases were analyzed according to animal species, temporal, regional (developmental zones), and agro-ecological distributions. In addition, descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the distribution patterns of rabies. Results: From 2005 to 2017, a total of 2771 suspected rabies cases in animals were reported to The Central Veterinary Hospital, Kathmandu. Of which, 1302 were found laboratory-confirmed cases. The rabies cases were most commonly reported and confirmed in dogs followed by other domestic animals. The high occurrences were recorded between 2005 and 2007. However, the incidence was increased during 2016 and 2017. The highest number of rabies cases was recorded in the eastern development zone, and the least number in the central zone at regional level. Likewise, it was highest in the Terai (plain) region and lowest in mountainous areas at agro-ecological zones. The findings also revealed that the occurrences of rabies significantly differed among seasons. Conclusion: Rabies is present in Nepal throughout the year and all seasons with seasonal variation. Among the animal species, dogs are the primary animals affected with rabies followed by cattle and other domestic animals. At the regional level, eastern development zone had the highest incidence and Central development zone recorded the least. Similarly, the Terai region had the highest incidence rates, and the least overall prevalence rate was observed in mountainous regions among agro-ecological zones. Therefore, the government should implement the strict enforcement of mass dog vaccination and dog population management through one health approach to control rabies incidence in the country.

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Effet de la période et densité de semis sur la croissance et le rendement du cotonnier au Bénin

Journal of Applied Biosciences ◽

10.35759/jabs.152.7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 152 ◽

pp. 15676-15697

Author(s):

Isidore Amonmidé ◽

Germain D. Fayalo ◽

Gustave D. Dagbenonbakin

Keyword(s):

Cotton Seed ◽

Plant Density ◽

Central Zone ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Sowing Time ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Split Plot ◽

Northern Zone ◽

Seed Yields ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Objectif : L’objectif de l’étude était d’identifier les meilleures périodes et densités de semis dans les différentes zones agro-écologiques cotonnières du Bénin dans un contexte de changement climatique. Méthodologie et résultats : Les expérimentations ont été conduites pendant deux ans (2017 et 2018) en station au Bénin dans un dispositif expérimental en split-plot à deux facteurs, la période (facteur principal) et la densité de semis (facteur secondaire) respectivement à quatre et cinq variantes avec quatre répétitions. Les données collectées ont été soumises à une analyse de variance sous le logiciel R.3.6.1 au seuil de 5% de probabilité d’erreur. Les résultats ont montré au cours des deux années d’expérimentation que les semis tardifs ont enregistré les plus faibles rendements en coton graine dans la zone centre-nord tandis que toutes les dates de semis ont donné des rendements équivalents dans la zone nord. La densité de semis à 62500 plants/ha a donné le meilleur rendement. Conclusion et applications des résultats : Le semis du cotonnier peut s’étendre sur quatre décades (20 mai au 30 juin) dans la zone nord contrairement au centre-nord où la période optimale de semis s’étend seulement sur les deux dernières décades de juin (10-30 juin). La densité à 62500 plants/ha (0,20m x 0,80m à 1 plant/poquet) pourrait être recommandée pour l’amélioration des rendements en culture cotonnière au Bénin. L’adoption de cette densité de semis offre aux producteurs l’opportunité de mécaniser les opérations de semis et de fertilisation, compte tenu de la faible distance inter-poquets par rapport aux densités en vulgarisation. Mots clés : Période de semis, densité de semis, rendement coton graine, zones cotonnières, Bénin. Effect of sowing time and plant density on growth, development and yield in Benin ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed at identifying the best sowing date and plant densities in the different cotton agro-ecological zones of Benin in a context of climate change. Methodology and results: On-station trials were conducted during two years (2017 and 2018) in Benin in a split-plot experimental design with two factors, the sowing date (main factor) and the plant density (secondary factor) with four and five levels, respectively with four replications. Collected data were submitted to an analysis of variance under R.3.6.1 software at 5% probability threshold error. Results showed other the two Amonmidé et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2020 Effet de la période et densité de semis sur la croissance et le rendement du cotonnier au Bénin 15677 years of trial that late sowings recorded the lowest cotton seed yields in the northern central zone while all sowing date gave similar yields in the northern zone. Planting density of 62500 plants/ha gave the best yields. Conclusion and applications of the results: Cotton sowing could be extended over four decades (20 May to 30 June) in the northern zone contrarily to the northern central zone where the optimal sowing time covers only the last two decades of June (10-30 June). Plant density of 62500 plants/ha (0.20 m x 0.80 m at 1 plant/pot) could be recommended to improve cotton seed yields in Benin. The adoption of this new plant density offers producers the opportunity to mechanize sowing and fertilizer application, given low inter-plant space compared to the recommendation in Benin. Key words: Sowing date, plant density, cotton seed yield, cotton agro-ecological zones, Benin.

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Topography and syntopy of abdominopelvic viscera of the giant anteater (Myrmecophage tridactyla - Linnaeus, 1758)

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-4162-11124 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 1961-1967

Author(s):

F.R. Oliveira ◽

F.R. Lima ◽

M.J. Silvino ◽

L.F. Pereira ◽

F.G.G. Dias

Keyword(s):

Individual Variation ◽

Animal Species ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

The Other ◽

Formaldehyde Solution ◽

Military Police ◽

The University ◽

Similar Location ◽

Direct Inspection ◽

Veterinary Laboratory

ABSTRACT In view of the scarcity of data about the topography and syntopy of abdominopelvic viscera of the giant anteater (Myrmecophage tridactyla - Linnaeus, 1758), the present study aimed to elucidate these characteristics and to compare them with the other animal species, especially the domestic ones. Three specimens, two males and one female, were donated by the Environmental Military Police of Franca to the Anatomy Veterinary Laboratory of the University of Franca, after death by road killings. The animals were fixed and maintained in aqueous 10% formaldehyde solution, followed by conventional dissection of the abdominopelvic cavities for subsequent direct inspection and topographic description of the viscera, aiming at comparative analyzes with other species, whose positioning and particularities are already established in the literature. It was observed that most of the viscera of these cavities have similar location and syntopy to domestic animals, except for the kidneys and testicles. In view of the established methodology and the results obtained, it is accepted that more specimens of anteater, both genera, should be evaluated and registered scientifically to confirm the data of the current research and anatomical preconization of the abdominopelvic cavity, inasmuch anatomical individual variation are possible between animals of the same species.

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Differential Adaptation Strategies By Agro-Ecological Zones In African Livestock Management

10.1596/1813-9450-4601 ◽

2008 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. Niggol Seo ◽

Robert Mendelsohn ◽

Ariel Dinar ◽

Pradeep Kurukulasuriya

Keyword(s):

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Livestock Management ◽

Differential Adaptation ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

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Towards Understanding Variability in Droughts in Response to Extreme Climate Conditions over the Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Pakistan

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126910 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6910

Author(s):

Adil Dilawar ◽

Baozhang Chen ◽

Arfan Arshad ◽

Lifeng Guo ◽

Muhammad Irfan Ehsan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pearson Correlation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Precipitation Extremes ◽

Climate Mitigation ◽

Mean Annual Temperature ◽

Climate Extreme ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

The Mean ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Here, we provided a comprehensive analysis of long-term drought and climate extreme patterns in the agro ecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan during 1980–2019. Drought trends were investigated using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at various timescales (SPEI-1, SPEI-3, SPEI-6, and SPEI-12). The results showed that droughts (seasonal and annual) were more persistent and severe in the southern, southwestern, southeastern, and central parts of the region. Drought exacerbated with slopes of −0.02, −0.07, −0.08, −0.01, and −0.02 per year. Drought prevailed in all AEZs in the spring season. The majority of AEZs in Pakistan’s southern, middle, and southwestern regions had experienced substantial warming. The mean annual temperature minimum (Tmin) increased faster than the mean annual temperature maximum (Tmax) in all zones. Precipitation decreased in the southern, northern, central, and southwestern parts of the region. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a robust increase in temperature extremes with a variance of 76% and a decrease in precipitation extremes with a variance of 91% in the region. Temperature and precipitation extremes indices had a strong Pearson correlation with drought events. Higher temperatures resulted in extreme drought (dry conditions), while higher precipitation levels resulted in wetting conditions (no drought) in different AEZs. In most AEZs, drought occurrences were more responsive to precipitation. The current findings are helpful for climate mitigation strategies and specific zonal efforts are needed to alleviate the environmental and societal impacts of drought.

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Stock and stability of organic carbon in soils under major agro-ecological zones and cropping systems of sub-tropical India

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment ◽

10.1016/j.agee.2021.107317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 312 ◽

pp. 107317

Author(s):

Nirmalendu Basak ◽

Biswapati Mandal ◽

Ashim Datta ◽

Manik Chandra Kundu ◽

Arvind Kumar Rai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

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Diverse symbiovars nodulating Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in highly adaptable agro-ecological zones in Mozambique

Systematic and Applied Microbiology ◽

10.1016/j.syapm.2021.126220 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 126220

Author(s):

Margarida G. Simbine ◽

Sanjay K Jaiswal ◽

Felix D. Dakora

Keyword(s):

Vigna Unguiculata ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

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Comparative Experimental Effects of Intercropping and Cypermethrin on Insect Pest Infestation and Yield of Maize, Cowpea and Okra in Two Cameroonian Agro-Ecological Zones

AgriEngineering ◽

10.3390/agriengineering3020025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 383-393

Author(s):

Patient Farsia Djidjonri ◽

Nukenine Elias Nchiwan ◽

Hartmut Koehler

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Pest Infestation ◽

Final Yield ◽

Cropping Seasons ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

The present study investigates the effect of intercropping (maize-cowpea, maize-okra, maize-okra-cowpea, okra-cowpea) compared to insecticide application on the level of infestation of insect pests and the final yield of maize, cowpea and okra. Field experiments were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the Guinean Savannah (Dang-Ngaoundere) and Sudano Sahelian (Gouna-Garoua) agro-ecological zones in Cameroon. Our experimental design was a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block with four replications. The main factor was assigned to the use of insecticide (Cypermethrin) and sub plots were devoted for cropping systems. We compared the efficiency of intercropping to that of Cypermethrin application on the Yield of maize, cowpea and okra as influenced by insect pest damages. The comparison of monocropped sprayed by Cypermethrin to unsprayed showed that, in Dang, insect pests reduced maize yield by 37% and 24% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was lower than 8% during the both years. Reduction in seed yield by insect pests on cowpea in Dang represented 47% and 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was 55% and 63% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. For okra, insect pests reduced okra fruit yield by 25% and 44% in Dang and 23% and 28% in Gouna, respectively, in 2016 and 2017. Crop yield was lower in intercropping compared to monoculture due to competition of plants in association on different resources. Considering the total yields obtained from each intercropping, intercropping trials resulted generally in higher yields compared to mono-culture (LER > 1) in both sites and years but the respective yields were quite different. On the basis of the results obtained, we recommend maize-cowpea intercropping as a sustainable solution to reduce the infestation level of their pest insects.

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Vegetation Height and Diurnal Period Influenced the Landscape-Use Pattern of Small Ruminants in Woodlands around Summer

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12020205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 205

Author(s):

Shailes Bhattrai ◽

Uma Karki ◽

Sanjok Poudel

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Animal Species ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Ground Level ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Control Area ◽

Weather Data ◽

Vegetation Height ◽

Understory Shrubs ◽

Diurnal Period

Despite the huge potential of using woodlands for small ruminant grazing in the southeast US, unmanaged understory shrubs grown beyond animals’ access minimize the utilization of such vegetation. This study aimed to determine the effect of vegetation height and diurnal period on the behavior and distribution patterns of goats and sheep in woodlands around summer. The study was conducted in six woodland plots (0.4 ha each) comprising southern pines and non-pine (non-target) plant species. Non-pine plants in each study plot were assigned to four treatments: cut to 0 m, 0.9 m, or 1.5 m from the ground level or left uncut (control). Cut plant stubs were allowed to regrow to full canopy before stocking animals. Eight Kiko wethers and five Katahdin rams were rotationally stocked in separate plots, and their diurnal (dawn–dusk) behaviors and distribution patterns were monitored when they were in each plot (three plots per animal species) around the summer of 2018. Animal behavior data were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure with multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) in SAS, while animal distribution pattern and weather data were analyzed in SAS using a GLM procedure and the distribution evenness index (DEI) using the Kruskal–Wallis rank-sum test in R. Level of significance was set at 5%. Both animal species visited the control area the least. Wethers browsed predominantly in areas where non-pine plants were cut to 0.9 m from the ground level, and rams grazed mostly in areas where non-pine plants were cut to the ground level, mostly during the post-midday period. Browsing was the dominant feeding behavior of wethers (39% browsing vs. 4% grazing), while rams’ feeding behavior was dominated with grazing (24% grazing vs. 12% browsing). Lying was a predominant diurnal behavior in both wethers (46%) and rams (35%), mostly during the midday period. Wethers had a higher value for DEI than rams during the morning and post-midday periods. This study established that (1) the utilization of woodland understory foliage by small ruminants can be increased by lowering plant height, and (2) both vegetation characteristics and diurnal period are important factors for influencing small ruminants’ behavior while stocked in woodlands around summer.

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