RESUMO
The objectives of this study are to determine which model, among those of Brody, Logistic, Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy and Richards, is the most appropriate to describe the growth of this breed and to choose a point for this model which would be closest to the slaughter weight which have to be used as a selection criterion. Also, in preparation for genetic evaluation under uncertain paternity, Henderson's Average Numerator Relationship Matrix method was used and an R code was developed for the creation of the inverse matrix A which was replaced the pedigree in the animal model. To do this, 64,282 observations corresponding to 12,944 animals, collected between 2009 and 2016, were analyzed. The Von Bertalanffy function had the smallest AIC, BIC, and deviance criteria values, indicating better data representation for both sexes. Considering the average slaughter live weight of 29.4 kg in the study area, the new point of characterization named f(tbm), later than the inflection point of the growth curve, is closer to the commercial target for females intended for regular slaughter supplying butchers and for animals of both sexes intended for religious festivals. Therefore, it would be appropriate to consider this point as a selection criterion for this breed. The developed R code will be integrated into a free R package allowing the estimation of the genetic parameters of the traits of the Von Bertalanffy model.
Assuntos
Modelos Biológicos , Dinâmica não Linear , Masculino , Feminino , Ovinos , Animais , FenótipoRESUMO
Pesticides play an important role in the improvement of agricultural production, but their use may result in adverse effects on the environment, consumers, and farmers' health. As there are limited data focusing on the factors influencing safety behavior toward pesticide use in Morocco, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in 15 rural communities of Morocco's Fes Meknes region to assess the attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding pesticide use. A structured questionnaire was completed, containing the data of the interviewed farmers, their behavior towards safety measures, the type of active ingredient used, as well as the perception of risks to their own health following exposure to pesticides by the existence of chronic, self-perceived symptoms. Non-probability (empirical) sampling with the quota method was carried out, which consists of constructing the sample. Results showed that most respondents have not been trained in the application of pesticides, with almost half of the farmers using a category of pesticides which are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probable human carcinogenic (i.e., Glyphosate, Malathion). In terms of pesticide storage, 40% of farmers said that they did not store pesticides in a separate room after purchasing or using them. The empty containers were buried or burnt by half of the responders, while the remainder were thrown at the edge of fields or in public dumps. Although the participants were aware of the negative effects on their own health and on the environment caused by the application of pesticides in use, the protection measures by individual equipment were insufficient. A canonical analysis indicates that these behaviors were influenced by the farming experience, the benefit of the agricultural council services, the follow-up of training, and the education level. These variables are important factors in explaining and understanding the dangers to both the environment and health caused by pesticides. The most recorded likely consequences of pesticide exposure were visual impairment (46%), followed by dizziness (44.3%), headache (39.4%), and excessive sweating (34.4%), and 30.2% of participants identified consequent respiratory problems. Extension services targeted at safety and protection measures should be developed and accompanied by educational programs to put farmers' perceptions into practice and encourage them to adopt healthy and environmentally friendly behaviors.
