In semi-arid areas, high climatic variability induce a major risk on food security. Therefore an operational forecasting system for the grain yields is required and could help decisionmakers to make early decisions and plan annual imports. It can be challenging to monitor the crop canopy and production capacity of plants, especially cereals. In this context, the aim of the present study is to a...

Five types of agricultural wastes were used for the production of xylanolytic enzyme by Aspergillus flavus K-03. All wastes materials supported high levels of xylanase and β-xylosidase production. A high level of proteolytic activity was observed in barley and rice bran cultures, while only a weak proteolytic activity was detected in corn cob, barley and rice straw cultures. Maximum production ...

The purpose of this study was to investigate live weight (LW) and body condition (BC) variation in two lines of Rembi sheep reared in extensive and semi-intensive alimentary management. The heavy ewes of the first group were fed with 800g per head/day during winter and spring months. However, the light ewes of the second group received, in winter season, a survival diet regimen consisted of 300...

The enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of reed canary grass, harvested in the spring or autumn, and barley straw were studied. Steam pretreated materials were efficiently hydrolysed by commercial enzymes with a dosage of 10-20FPU/g d.m. Reed canary grass harvested in the spring was hydrolysed more efficiently than the autumn-harvested reed canary grass. Additional β-glucosidase improved the ...

Twenty seven lambs were used to investigate the effects of the inclusion of 4% hydrogenated palm oil (HPO) or sunflower oil (SFO) in the concentrate on feed intake, animal performance and fatty acid composition. Animals (16.2±0.27 kg initial weight) were fed concentrate (Control, HPO or SFO) and barley straw ad libitum and slaughtered at 25 kg. Vegetable oils did not affect (P>0.05) feed intake...

Natural thermal insulation materials developed from renewable crop by-products and natural binders are analysed in terms of their thermal degradation and fire behaviour. A pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetre (PCFC) is used to characterise some kinds of crop by-products, including rice husk, corn pith and barley straw. This technique is complemented with a TG analysis. Six thermal insulation m...

Historically, manure has been recognized as an excellent soil amendment that can improve soil quality and provide nutrients for crop production. In areas of high animal density, however, the potential for water pollution resulting from improper storage or disposal of manure may be significant. The objective of this study was to determine the P balance of cultivated soils under barley (Hordeum v...

Thirty-two Merino lambs fed barley straw and a concentrate alone (CONTROL group) or enriched with carnosic acid [0.6 g kg(-1) dry matter (DM), CARN006 group; 1.2 g kg(-1) DM, CARN012 group] or vitamin E (0.6 g kg(-1) DM, VITE006 group) were used to assess the effect of these antioxidant compounds on meat quality. After being fed the experimental diets for at least 5 weeks, the animals were slau...