Reproductive phenology stages and their contributions to seed production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) in Sudanian savanna region of Benin, West Africa

in Agricultural Science Research Journal (in press)

Flowering pattern, reproductive stage period (flowering, peg production, pod production and seed maturation) and efficiency of each stage for mature fruit production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT ... [more ▼]

Flowering pattern, reproductive stage period (flowering, peg production, pod production and seed maturation) and efficiency of each stage for mature fruit production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) were investigated in West Africa. Plants were sown in a randomized complete block design with four replicates per ecotype. Data collected over 3 years were analyzed with ANOVA. First flowers appeared on average 26 and 45 d after sowing for CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744, respectively. Pegs began to extend about 8 and 18 d after anthesis; pod initiation about 22 and 40 d after anthesis and seed fully matured about 85 and 120 d after anthesis, respectively. CIAT 17434 produced (2269 flowers/plant) significantly (p≤0.05) more flower than CIAT 18744 (761 flowers/plant) during 7 months flowering. Conversely, flower efficiency for peg production was significantly (p≤0.05) higher for CIAT 18744 (8.14%) than for CIAT 17434 (4.02%). From 85 to 97% of pegs produced pods for both ecotypes. This research showed clearly that the principal constraint for effective seed production in particular ecological conditions of West Africa was the quite low efficiency of flowers for pegs production. [less ▲]

Evaluation de la durabilité des productions porcines en Wallonie : développement d'un outil de modélisation

in 45èmes Journées de la Recherche Porcine (2013)

Garantir la durabilité d’une filière de production implique d’évaluer son impact sur les trois dimensions du développement durable : (1) maîtrise des impacts sur l’environnement, (2) viabilité économique ... [more ▼]

Garantir la durabilité d’une filière de production implique d’évaluer son impact sur les trois dimensions du développement durable : (1) maîtrise des impacts sur l’environnement, (2) viabilité économique, (3) attentes sociétales des éleveurs, des citoyens et des consommateurs. Cette recherche s’inscrit dans le cadre de la révision, par les autorités publiques de Wallonie (Belgique), des critères minimaux permettant la reconnaissance de la qualité différenciée axés sur les 3 piliers de la durabilité. Elle consiste à développer un outil informatique de modélisation mathématique du fonctionnement technico-environnemental de la production porcine et de ses impacts socio-économiques. Le programme est développé dans Matlab. Le modèle s’articule autour des différentes composantes des systèmes de production selon le paradigme orienté-objet. Les nouveaux critères de différenciation qui définiront de nouveaux labels axés sur des attributs de durabilité en constituent les variables motrices : taille de l’exploitation, origine des aliments et des matières premières, logement, indépendance énergétique, effluents, etc. Les impacts sont relevés à chaque étape de production jusqu’à la sortie du porc sur pied de la ferme selon la norme « Analyse de Cycle de Vie » (ACV). L’évaluation environnementale utilise des modèles mécanistiques de flux de composés chimiques, convertis en indicateurs ACV. L’analyse de la dimension sociale s’appuie sur une base de données intégrée, comprenant le temps de travail. Enfin, un modèle économique attestera du dernier volet. L’outil finalisé permettra de prédire les conséquences de choix opérationnels liés aux critères de qualité différenciée au niveau d’une exploitation. [less ▲]

Discrepancies in microbiota composition along the pig gastrointestinal tract between in vivo observations and an in vitro batch fermentation model

in Journal of Animal Science (2012, December), 90(supplement 4), 393-396

Nutritive value of four tropical forage legume hays fed to pigs in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Conference (2012, November 15)

The incorporation of fibrous feed ingredients such as legume forages in the diets of pigs can be economically interesting due to their low cost and the fact that they do not compete with human food ... [more ▼]

The incorporation of fibrous feed ingredients such as legume forages in the diets of pigs can be economically interesting due to their low cost and the fact that they do not compete with human food. Psophocarpus scandens and Vigna unguiculata are potential protein pig resources. Due to their negative effect on the overall digestibility of the diets, the contribution of tropical forage legumes to the diet should not exceed 25 %. TFL can be potential sources of protein for small scale tropical pig farms, preferably in adult pigs. [less ▲]

Improved in vitro gas fermentation method to assess prebiotic potential of indigestible carbohydrates

Poster (2012, November 09)

In vitro determination of prebiotic potential of sugar beet pulp extracted candidates and influence of production method

Poster (2012, June 12)

Various prebiotic hydrolysates were produced starting from sugar beet pulp (SBP) using alternative solution to traditional acidic hydolysis. SBP pectin was first extracted by acid extraction and ethanol ... [more ▼]

Various prebiotic hydrolysates were produced starting from sugar beet pulp (SBP) using alternative solution to traditional acidic hydolysis. SBP pectin was first extracted by acid extraction and ethanol precipitation. Then two technics are used to produced pectic oligosaccharides (POS) : enzymatic hydrolysis (EnzPOS : Rapidase Smart (DSM) ; 50°C ; pH 5) and microwaves-assisted hydrolysis (MW1POS : 104°C/10min/pH 7; MW2POS : 110°C/15min/pH 7). Structural characterization of fractions gave rise to different structural profiles between the four products. Moreover, fermentation parameters obtained in-vitro (A, B, Rmax and Tmax) were also characteristic of the fractions and in favor of a tight relationship between POS structure and POS function. Finally, to avoid solvent use, POS production could be envisaged directly on SBP. Avoiding the step of acidic extraction will allow to meet the green chemistry principles. [less ▲]

Discrepancies in microbiota composition along the pig gastro-intestinal tract between in vivo observations and an in vitro batch fermentation model

in XII International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs (2012, May)

Influence of reducing agent on microbial fermentation characteristics using an in vitro gas production method

Poster (2012, February 10)

Le Cobaye: un petit herbivore facile à nourrir dans des petites parcelles

Article for general public (2012)

Fermentable Fiber Ameliorates Fermentable Protein-Induced Changes in Microbial Ecology, but not the Mucosal Response, in the Colon of Piglets

in Journal of Nutrition (2012), 142

Dietary inclusion of fermentable carbohydrates (fCHO) is reported to reduce large intestinal formation of putatively toxic metabolites derived from fermentable proteins (fCP). However, the influence of ... [more ▼]

Dietary inclusion of fermentable carbohydrates (fCHO) is reported to reduce large intestinal formation of putatively toxic metabolites derived from fermentable proteins (fCP). However, the influence of diets high in fCP concentration on epithelial response and interaction with fCHO is still unclear. Thirty-two weaned piglets were fed 4 diets in a 2 3 2 factorial design with low fCP/low fCHO [14.5% crude protein (CP)/14.5% total dietary fiber (TDF)]; low fCP/high fCHO (14.8% CP/ 16.6% TDF); high fCP low fCHO (19.8% CP/14.5% TDF); and high fCP/high fCHO (20.1% CP/18.0% TDF) as dietary treatments. After 21–23 d, pigs were killed and colon digesta and tissue samples analyzed for indices of microbial ecology, tissue expression of genes for cell turnover, cytokines, mucus genes (MUC), and oxidative stress indices. Pig performance was unaffected by diet. fCP increased (P , 0.05) cell counts of clostridia in the Clostridium leptum group and total short and branched chain fatty acids, ammonia, putrescine, histamine, and spermidine concentrations, whereas high fCHO increased (P , 0.05) cell counts of clostridia in the C. leptum and C. coccoides groups, shifted the acetate to propionate ratio toward acetate (P , 0.05), and reduced ammonia and putrescine (P , 0.05). High dietary fCP increased (P , 0.05) expression of PCNA, IL1b, IL10, TGFb, MUC1, MUC2, and MUC20, irrespective of fCHO concentration. The ratio of glutathione:glutathione disulfide was reduced (P , 0.05) by fCP and the expression of glutathione transferase was reduced by fCHO (P , 0.05). In conclusion, fermentable fiber ameliorates fermentable protein-induced changes in most measures of luminal microbial ecology but not the mucosal response in the large intestine of pigs. [less ▲]