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This study aimed to valorize Atractylis gummifera rhizome (AGR) from a phytochemical study aspect of the aqueous and methanolic extract to determine the total phenolic, flavonoids, and tannins compounds and to evaluate the rat poison effect of the powder (AGRP), methanolic (MEAGR) and aqueous extracts against Wistar rats under laboratory and Rattus norvegicus under field conditions in Tiaret, Algeria. The methanolic and aqueous extracts gave a yield of 9.4% and 20% respectively from AGR. The total polyphenols [mg gallic acid Eq/g dry matter (DM)], flavonoids (mg quercetin Eq /g DM), and tannins (mg catechin Eq/g DM) quantities were 27.14 ± 0.01, 17.73 ± 0.04, 9.71 ± 0.01, and 20.60 ± 0.01, 4.46 ± 0.46, 11.12 ± 0.02 in the methanolic and aqueous extract. The laboratory studies of toxicity showed that the three forms of plant rhizome have a poison effect against males and females of the Wistar rat with the highly toxic effect of AGRP. The results revealed a highly significant (< 0.01) increase in mortality with dose and time. Both LD₅₀ and LD₉₀ of the powder form were determined for males (471, 513 mg/kg/d) and females (471, 513 mg/kg/d) respectively. For the methanolic and aqueous extracts, the LD₅₀ values were 575 and 646 mg/kg/d for males and 676 and 708 mg/kg/d for females, respectively. While an LD₉₀ of 776 mg/kg/d was calculated for MEAGR in males, no LD₉₀ values were recorded for aqueous extract in either sex. Organs of dead rats were removed and examined for gross lesions. Histopathological examination confirmed the toxicity of the plant by pathological changes observed in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and small intestine, where hemorrhage and congestion were observed in the liver, kidneys, and lungs in all the subjects, also intestinal enteritis was present. In the light of the results obtained in the field test, the AGRP has proved its effectiveness in a significant reduction of rodent’s population in comparison with the chemical rodenticides. Powder of A. gummifera rhizome may be a good alternative to chemical rodenticides.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the mediation role of motivation in the relationships between awareness, accessibility, perceived organizational support, and adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The data was obtained using the multi-stage cluster sampling method with questionnaires administered to 254 respondents. While structural equation modelling was used for the analysis, Constructivism Theory, Digital Divide Theory, as well as Vroom's Expectancy Theory were adopted in the study. The majority of the respondents were males, married, and in their middle age with long years of work experience who had also obtained either high school diploma or Bachelor degree. The direct relationship paths showed that the exogenous construct [awareness, accessibility, Perceived Organizational Support (POS)] had a direct positive effect on the endogenous construct (ICT adoption) with an R² value of .23 (23%). The final model has an R² of 0.47 (47%) of the variation in ICT adoption explained by the model with a substantial increase in the direct model, which explains 23% of the variation. The mediation effect of motivation in the relationships between awareness, accessibility, POS, and ICT adoption was also established indicating partial mediation. The study recommends that extension organizations should be mindful of the motivation levels of their employee to facilitate the adoption of ICT in extension work, which will facilitate timely delivery of messages, cover the manpower shortages, reduce cost, as well as a total transformation of agricultural development in the area.