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Identification of potential sites for the implementation of water harvesting techniques in South-East Tunisia

Identification des sites potentiels d’implantation des travaux de conservation des eaux et du sol dans le Sud-est tunisien

 

 

NESRINE KADRI 1

NACEUR MAHDHI 2

HAMMOUDA AICHI 1

SIHEM JEBARI3

 

1 Ecole Supérieure d’Agriculture Mograne-Zaghouan 

2 Institut des Régions Arides de Médenine 

4 Institut National de recherche du Génie Rural, Eaux et de Forêt

 

 

Abstract – Identifying potential sites for soil and water harvesting techniques (SWHT) is an important step in maximizing runoff collection and land productivity in arid and semi-arid areas. The objective of this work is to present a methodology allowing planners to optimize the choice of implantation of SWH techniques in arid regions through the GIS-AMC coupling (geographic information system-multicriteria analysis) and this by integrating biophysical and socio-economic data on the environment. This methodology was applied in the Oum Zessar watershed (southeastern Tunisia). The biophysical and socioeconomic suitability criteria were selected based on the literature and the opinion of a panel of experts and a group of farmers. For each criterion, five proficiency levels were identified, namely "very high", "high", "medium", "low" and "very low". Weights were assigned to the criteria according to their relative importance using a Hierarchical Analysis Process (HAP method). Maps of potential sites for WHT techniques were then generated using a Geographic information a system. The results of the identification of potential sites show five levels of adequacy for the implementation of SWHT at the scale of the Oued Oum Zessar watershed. The very unfavorable and unfavorable areas occupy respectively 5700 ha (16%) and 1083 ha (3%). On the other hand, the areas classified as moderately favorable and favorable occupy 8206 (22%) and 6947 (19%) respectively. The very favorable areas are more representative, they occupy 14764 ha, or 40.23% of the total area of the study area (36700 ha). Finally, the results of this research can be used to assist in effective planning of water and soil resource management to ensure sustainable water development in Tunisia and other regions suffering from water scarcity.

Keywords: Potential sites, SWHT, AMC, GIS, HAP, Southeastern Tunisia

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Genetic Progress Evaluation of Growth Traits of Barbarine Lambs Raised in State and Private Flocks in Tunisia

Evaluation du progrès génétique de la croissance des agneaux de race Barbarine réalisé dans les troupeaux des secteurs public et privé en Tunisie

 

I. BEN ABDALLAH

M. DJEMALI

 

Laboratoire des ressources génétiques animales et alimentaires, INAT, Université de Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicole, 1082 Tunis Mahrajene, Tunis

 

Abstract – Small ruminants are essential contributors to red meat in Tunisia. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic progress of lamb growth weights at 70 days of age and 2) to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic progress by type of farms (public and private). A total of 72,878 recorded lambs during the period 2010-2019 was used. A pedigree animal model was used to predict breeding values of lambs based on their adjusted weights at 70 days of age. The main results showed a stagnation of genetic improvement in sheep flocks of the Barbarine breed. The genetic progress achieved for the weight of lambs at 70 days of age was evaluated at 40 g/ 10 years at the time when the phenotypic progress stagnated.

Keywords: Barbarine, Growth, Genetic, lamb, model

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Updating Adjustement Factors for Sex-Type of Birth and Age of Dam for Growth Traits of Barbarine Lambs

Actualisation des coefficients d'ajustement des facteurs non génétiques sexe-mode de naissance et âge de la mère pour les caractères de croissance des agneaux de race Barbarine

 

I. BEN ABDALLAH

M. DJEMALI

 

Laboratoire des Ressources Génétiques Animales et Alimentaires, INAT (Université de Carthage), 43 Avenue Charles Nicole, 1082 Tunis Mahrajene, Tunis

 

Abstract – In Tunisia, the Barbarine breed is still of interest in the research field although it has been the subject of several studies. The updating of adjustments for non-genetic factors affecting lamb growth is often recommended. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Identify the major sources of variation in different growth traits, and 2) estimate adjustment coefficients for non-genetic factors that represent significant sources of variation in lamb growth traits. A total of 93,868 lambs with official growth records during the period 2010 to 2019 were used in this study. A linear model containing sex-birth, age of dam, and a farm-herd-year-season-type of farming was used to identify sources of variation in growth traits in the Barbarine breed. The main results showed that the average performances were 4.3 ± 0.5 kg; 8.4 ± 2.1 kg; 14.1 ± 3.4 kg; 16.6 ± 3.8 kg; 138 ± 56 g/day; 140 ± 46 g/day and 135 ± 41 g/day for P0, P30, P70, P90, GMQ030, GMQ3070 and GMQ3090 respectively. The factors sex-birth, age of dam, and the combination farm-herd-year of birth-season-type of farming significantly affected lamb growth. Adjustment factors were computed for sex-type of birth and age of dam.

Keywords: Barbarin, growth, adjustment, sex-fashion, age

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Goat Genetic Resources in Tunisia

Les ressources génétiques caprines en Tunisie

 

S. CHALBI1

S. BEDHIAF-ROMDHANI2

M. DJEMALI1

 

1Laboratoire des Ressources Génétiques Animales et Alimentaires, Institut national Agronomique de Tunisie ,1082 Cité Mahrajène, Université de Carthage

2 Institut national de recherche agronomique de Tunisie, Laboratoire de production animale et fourragère, Ariana 1004, Université de Carthage

 

 

Abstract – The increase of animal production levels and the reflection on adaptation strategies to climate change using indigenous breeds have recently become a focus of interest. The local Tunisian goat is well known for its resistance to harsh environments, extreme climate and limited food availability. The objectives of this study were to describe the performance of the current goat population in Tunisia and the constraints that threaten the goat-breeding sector. A total of 3322 growth records of goat from 8 flocks, recorded during a period of 14 years (2004-2018), was used in this study. Main results showed that the Damascus displayed the heaviest weight for all ages. The average weight at birth for Damascus, Boer and Alpine were 4.28kg ± 0.44, 3.82kg ± 0.36, and 3.86kg ± 0.48. The average weight at 90 days of age for Damascus, Boer and Alpine were 16.22 kg ± 3.78, 13.58kg ± 4.39, and 13.59kg ± 4.41. The Damascus registered the highest Average daily gain. The ADG0-30 for Damascus, Boer and Alpine were 135.95g/d ± 58.7, 75.70g/d ± 48.36, 80.92 g/d ± 62.64, and the ADG30-90 for Damascus, Boer and Alpine were 124.09g/d ±43.32, 114.676 g/d ± 58.85, and 95.59g/d ± 50.19. The lack of a national goat growth control program, as well as hierarchical crossbreeding with exotic breeds, seriously threatens the local goat. Appropriate genetic improvement strategies to conserve the local goat should be considered as a priority.

Key words: climate change, local goat, strategy, performance

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Barbarine and Black Thibar Sheep Breeds: Environment, Realized Phenotypic and Genetic Progress and Proposed Genetic Management

La Barbarine et la Noire de Thibar : Milieu, progrès phénotypique et génétique réalisés et proposition d’une gestion génétique

 

 

M. DJEMALI

I. BEN ABDALLAH

A. HAMROUNI

N. BAKRI

I. DHAOUADI

Z. BEN ABDENNEBI*

 

Laboratoire des Ressources Génétiques Animales et Alimentaires, INAT-Université de Carthage

*OEP, 30 rue Alain Savary, Tunis

 

 

Abstract – This paper shows how slow genetic improvement is realized in sheep flocks of the Barabrine and Black Thibar breeds enrolled in the national program of lamb growth recording. The progress in lamb weight at 70 d of age has been evaluated to be 50 g/10 years while the phenotypic progress was evaluated to be 2 kg/10 years. The Barbarine breed is approximately stagnating in lamb weight at 70 d since 2010. The authors described some potential pathways if Tunisia wants to establish sustainable breeding strategies with real improvements of lamb weights and lamb weight gains. It is more than urgent to rethink national growth recording programs, so that they are integrated into a strategy of coherent genetic improvement of the two breeds. Selection objectives not yet defined should be defined. Genetic evaluation should be assigned to a qualified academic partner who is committed to providing genetic evaluation of breeding males and females. Herds registered for growth control should serve as selection nuclei. Phenotypic and genetic progress should be calculated annually. It is only by adopting these proposals that genetic improvement of sheep in Tunisia could see the light of day.

Keywords: Barabrine, Black Thibar, lambs, weights, genetic

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Copyright

This article is published under license to Journal of New Sciences. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

CC BY 4.0