Typological analysis of the sustainability of dairy cattle farming in the Chelif valley (Algeria)

K. Ouakli¹², M. Benidir³*, S. Ikhlef¹ and H. Ikhlef¹

¹Higher National School of Agronomy, El Harrach, DZ16200 Algiers, Algeria
²Saad Dahlab University, Department of Agronomy, DZ9000 Blida, Algeria
³Algeria’s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAA), Setif DZ19000, Algeria
*Corresponding author: moh19ina@yahoo.fr

Abstract:

To identify production systems that could increase local milk production in a sustainable manner, a study was conducted on 135 dairy farms in the three main plains of the Chelif Valley, Algeria. These have been evaluated for environmental, social and economic sustainability based on the IDEA (Farm Sustainability Indicators) method.
The Principal Component Analysis identified 4 different types dairy production systems, namely Type 1: Medium-size dairy farms with cereal crop production; Type 2: Small-size dairy farms; Type 3: Medium-size dairy farms diversified crop production, and Type 4: Large-size dairy farms with diversified crop production.
Comparative analysis of ecological sustainability showed better results for medium-size dairy farms with cereal crop production (52.3 ± 10.17 / 100 points) and for large-size dairy farms with diversified crop production (51.6 ± 10.38 / 100 points), while the economic sustainability was better for medium-size dairy farms with diversified crop production (51.6 ± 19.20 / 100 points). On the other hand, social security was the weak point for all farm types.
On the regional level, it appeared that agri-environmental scores were better in Middle and Low Chelif valley while the best economic performances were recorded in High Chelif valley. On the regional level, it appears that the scores of agri-environmental scales are better in the middle and low Chelif while the economic performances are comparable between the three localities.

Key words:

Algeria, dairy farming, IDEA, sustainability, typology

Antennal sensilla in ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

A. Ploomi¹, E. Merivee¹, M. Rahi², J. Bresciani³, H. P. Ravn⁴, A. Luik¹ and V. Sammelselg⁵

¹Institute of Plant Protection, Estonian Agricultural University, Kreutzwaldi 64, 51014, Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: angela@eau.ee
²Institute of Zoology and Botany, Estonian Agricultural University, Riia 181, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
³Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
⁴Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute, Hoersholm Kongevej 11, DK 2970, Hoersholm, Denmark
⁵Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Riia 142, 51014 Tartu, Estonia

Abstract:

The antennal sensilla of male and female ground beetle species Bembidion lampros Hbst., Bembidion properans Steph. and Platynus dorsalis Pont. (Coleoptera, Carabidae) were investigated by using a scanning electron microscope. The filiform antennae of ground beetles consist of the scape, pedicel and 9 flagellomeres. Thirteen different sensillar types were distiguished. These were: four types of sensilla chaetica, two types of sensilla trichodea, six types of sensilla basiconica, pit-organs sensilla coeloconica, and small domes sensilla campaniformia. Sensilla chaetica 4 occur only on the antennae of P. dorsalis, and sensilla trichodea 1 only on the antennae ofBembidion species. No sexual differences in the types of sensilla were found on the antennae of these three species. The possible functions are discussed and three types of sensilla were considered as olfactory, sensilla trichodea 2 and sensilla basiconica 1 and 2. Olfactory sensilla trichodea 2 and sensilla basiconia 1 form clear dorsal and ventral sensillar fields on the flagellomeres, which seems to be common in ground beetles.

Key words: