Showing papers in "Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2013"
TL;DR: It was concluded that botanicals have storage pesticidal properties to suppress S. zeamais in maize grain and could be used as an alternative control option to synthetic pesticides.
Abstract: Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) is an important storage pest of maize grain in several parts of Africa including Zimbabwe. Although synthetic pesticides are effective at controlling the pest, environmental and health hazards of these chemicals are of increasing concern. The study assessed efficacy of botanical leaf powders of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Tagetes minuta and Carica papaya in controlling S. zeamais using rates of 5 g, 10 g and 20 g per 200 g of open pollinated maize grain (variety ZM421). The trial was laid in a completely randomised design (CRD), with 12 treatments replicated three times. The grain was put in a freezer at -4oC for a fortnight, before the botanicals were added, to kill any prior sources of weevil inoculum and eggs which might be already pre-existing in the grain. 200 g maize grain was infested with 200 three week old unsexed pure culture weevils in 750 ml jars. After 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days, weevils were sieved and their mortality determined. Percentage grain weight loss was assessed after 35 days post pests introduction. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in number of weevil mortality and grain weight loss among treatments and their application rates. The findings showed that conventional chemical control was most effective than all botanicals used. E. tereticornis was the most effective of all the botanical pesticides at an application rate of 20 g as evidenced by high weevil mortality and less grain weight loss. It was concluded that botanicals have storage pesticidal properties to suppress S. zeamais in maize grain and could be used as an alternative control option to synthetic pesticides.
43 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a study was conducted to assess the impact of land use/land cover on the physicochemical properties of soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia, where three adjacent land use types, namely forest, grazing and cultivated lands each falling under four land mapping units (1Ac, 1Bc, 2Cc and 3Cl) were considered for the study.
Abstract: Assessing land use-induced changes in soil properties are essential for addressing issues of agro-ecosystem transformation and sustainable land productivity. In view of this, a study was conducted to assess the impact of land use/land cover on the physicochemical properties of soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia. Three adjacent land use types, namely forest, grazing and cultivated lands each falling under four land mapping units (1Ac, 1Bc, 2Cc and 3Cl) were considered for the study. A total of 40 random soil samples (0-20 cm depth) were collected to make three composite samples for each land use type across the land mapping units and analyzed for selected soil physical and chemical properties. The results of the study, on one hand, revealed that soil OM, total N, CEC, PBS and available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) contents of the cultivated land was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the adjacent forest land. For instance, soil OM, total N, CEC, PBS, exchangeable Mg and available micronutrients (Mn, Zn and Cu) contents of cultivated land was significantly lower than the adjacent forest land by 32.98, 33.33, 16.16, 17.81, 21.88, 29.47, 40.05 and 53.92%, respectively. On the other hand, the results of the study revealed that exchangeable cations (Mg, K and Na), PBS and available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) contents of the gazing land was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the adjacent forest land. However, significant differences were not observed between the forests and grazing lands in soil OM, total N, CEC and available P. From the present study, it could be concluded that the soil quality and health were maintained relatively under the forest, whereas the influence on most parameters were negative on the soils of the cultivated land, indicating the need for employing integrated soil fertility management in sustainable manner to optimize and maintain the favorable soil physicochemical properties.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a greenhouse experiment was carried out on acidic soils collected from the Tsegede highlands of northern Ethiopia, where wheat production is severely constrained by soil acidity, to evaluate wheat crop response to the applications of liming materials (Wukro lime and Sheba lime) and N and P fertilizers.
Abstract: A greenhouse experiment was carried out on acidic soils collected from the Tsegede highlands of northern Ethiopia, where wheat production is severely constrained by soil acidity, to evaluate wheat crop response to the applications of liming materials (Wukro lime and Sheba lime) and N and P fertilizers. Three lime sources (without lime, Wukro lime and Sheba lime) and four N and P fertilizers (without N and P, recommended N, recommended P and recommended N + recommended P) were arranged in a factorial experiment using randomized complete block design with four replications. The results indicated that yield and yield attributes of wheat showed significant (P ≤ 0.01) response to the main effects of lime and fertilizer applications. Similarly, fertilizer by lime interaction effect was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different in grain yield, total biomass and N and P uptakes. The soils which received only recommended N + recommended P fertilizers (NP), Wukro lime and Sheba lime showed significant grain yield increment by about 78, 76 and 96% over the control, respectively. However, the applications of NP + Wukro lime and NP + Sheba lime augmented grain yield by 239 and 233%, respectively, over the control plot. Likewise, N uptakes were enhanced by about 66, 80 and 81% and P uptakes by 93, 91 and 93% in the soils which received only NP, Wukro lime and Sheba lime over the control while the application of NP + Wukro lime and NP + Sheba lime increased N uptakes by 241 and 237% and P uptakes by 451 and 471% over the control, in that order. The highest agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery efficiency were also recorded in the soils treated with Wukro and Sheba limes along with only recommended P and NP fertilizers, respectively. Hence, a combined application of adjusted lime rate and NP fertilizers are recommended to achieve sustainable wheat crop production on acidic soils of the Tsegede highlands.
28 citations
TL;DR: It has been observed that majority of the cultivars collected from the saline habitat and Veliyan, one cultivar collected from a non-saline area performed well under moderate salt stress, and early flowering was induced by salt stress.
Abstract: Rice is the most importantcereal cropamong many ofthe low and middle income countries of the world. Natural phenomena and human activities have led to the loss of rice fields at an alarming speed. Utilization of marginal and critical habitats for cultivation is the only way to sustain the net cropping area available for the crop. Many of such areas are threatened by salinity stress. Screening of rice cultivars for salt tolerance and their conservation, improvement and utilization are the only solutions. Seven native rice cultivars of Kerala state of India have been screened presently for their performance under salt stress. Five of them were collected from a traditional saline habitat and two from non-saline areas. It has been observed that majority of the cultivars collected from the saline habitat and Veliyan, one cultivar collected from a non-saline area performed well under moderate salt stress. In all the cases, early flowering was induced by salt stress.
23 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that planting pre-germinated seeds or hydro-primed seeds soaked and dried for 24 hrs could be practiced as the first and second best alternatives for rice production on Fogera plains in northwestern Ethiopia.
Abstract: Terminal moisture stress is one of the major problems constraining rain-fed lowland rice production in north-western Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted in 2010 and 2011 at Fogera plains to study the effect of hydro-priming and pre-germinating rice seed on the yield and response of the crop to terminal moisture stress. A factorial combination of eight seed treatments and three sowing times were studied in RCB design with three replications. Data on crop phenology, shoot biomass, leaf area, number of productive and unproductive tillers, filled and unfilled spikeletes, plant height, biomass yield, thousand seed weight, and grain yield were collected and analyzed. The results revealed that planting pre-germinated seeds as well as seeds soaked and dried for 24 hrs at the local (farmers’) sowing time resulted in significantly earlier seedling emergence, heading, and maturity. Higher numbers of productive tillers, filled spikeletes, leaf area index, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, grain yield, biomass yield, and harvest index were recorded in response to planting pre-germinated seeds followed by seeds soaked and dried for 24 hrs at farmers’ sowing time. The present study concluded that planting pre-germinated seeds or hydro-primed seeds soaked and dried for 24 hrs could be practiced as the first and second best alternatives for rice production on Fogera plains in northwestern Ethiopia.
16 citations
TL;DR: An exploratory study was carried out to identify the homestead tree resources, their utilization pattern, economic return of major fruit and timber tree species, their management activities for sustainable production as well as constraints of homestead plantation in Fatickchari upazila of Chittagong district, Bangladesh over the period of six months as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: An exploratory study was carried out to identify the homestead tree resources, their utilization pattern, economic return of major fruit and timber tree species, their management activities for sustainable production as well as constraints of homestead plantation in Fatickchari upazila of Chittagong district, Bangladesh over the period of six months by using multistage random sampling design of 96 households categorized into marginal (>0.02-0.08 ha), small (0.08-0.14 ha), medium (>0.14-0.20 ha) and large (>0.20 ha) based on homestead areas. Sample households were selected randomly taking three from each category in each ward. Total number of tree species was increased with the increase in homestead areas. In case of socio-economic aspects of the respondents, it was found that tree variety (%) has a gradual increasing trend with increase of education level. However, relative tree density (%) was found to have increasing trend with education up to higher secondary level and after that there was a slight decreasing trend. People involve in agriculture have got higher tree density (31%) compared to other occupations such as; service (28%), business (24%) and daily labour (17%). The investment analysis revealed that longer time investment on fruit and timber tree species is profitable. Lack of technical knowledge of growing trees, unavailability of space and good quality seed/seedlings were the major constraints of homestead forestry production. This study may be useful baseline information to forest policy makers in Bangladesh.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present results of a landform classification of a section of the Chongwe-Rufunsa area, Zambia, with an overall classification accuracy of 73.51%.
Abstract: This paper presents results of a landform classification of a section of the Chongwe-Rufunsa area, Zambia. The objective of the study was to separate the landscape into landform classes that indicate or suggest marked differences with respect to soil properties and agricultural suitability. Terrain attributes derived from a digital elevation model were overlaid using cell statistics to generate a landform map with five classes. The generated landform map had an overall classification accuracy of 73.51%. The landform map provided a base for benchmark soil sampling for ongoing research on digital soil mapping.
11 citations
TL;DR: The clustering of genotypes based on 11 quantitative traits revealed the existence of five distinct groups and the genotypes grouped in these clusters could be used for crossing if high fresh tuber yield genotypes are planned in breeding program.
Abstract: The experiment was conducted at Jimma Agricultural Research Centre during 2007 cropping season. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the genetic diversity of aerial yam using agronomic traits so as to characterize and cluster with in collected aerial yam genotypes. Forty-seven aerial yam genotypes were sampled from the collection. Relatively high broad sense heritability was observed for Vine dry weight (53.14), tuber diameter (42.54), tuber length (42.04) and vine length (39.69) indicating the existence of possibility for selection of genotypes for high fresh tuber yield. The clustering of genotypes based on 11 quantitative traits revealed the existence of five distinct groups. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between genotypes under cluster II and V and I (D2 =1844) IV and V (D2 =1702) hence, the genotypes grouped in these clusters could be used for crossing if high fresh tuber yield genotypes are planned in breeding program.
9 citations
TL;DR: The results of the study revealed that farmers in the region produce onions with application of higher rates of inorganic mineral NP fertilizers than the rates commonly recommended by the research system.
Abstract: Onion is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. A survey was conducted during the off-season of 2011 to document nutrient management and post-harvest handling practices in onion production in four districts (Adama, Merti, Dugda Bora and Adamitulu-Jiddokombolcha) in the region. Data were collected from 128 farmers using a standard questionnaire and focus group discussions. The results revealed that all of the sampled smallholder onion growing farmers used Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea whilst only 10.9% and 5.5% used farmyard manure (FYM) and compost, respectively. The growers on average used 298.8 kg ha-1 Urea and 299.21 kg DAP ha-1. Only small amounts of farmyard manure (1.71 t ha-1) and compost (1.56 t ha-1) were applied by the onion growers. The data also showed that farmers did not practise curing and storing of onion bulbs, and sold the produce on the field during harvest at farm-gate prices. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that farmers in the region produce onions with application of higher rates of inorganic mineral NP fertilizers than the rates commonly recommended by the research system. The results also showed that the farmers did not subject harvested onion bulbs to any post-harvest management practices for enhancing shelf-life and marketability of the crop.
8 citations
TL;DR: Factor analysis revealed that bush spread showed the maximum factor loading followed by length of primary branches and girth of primary branch, which shows the strength of the association of these characters with others and their importance in robusta breeding programmes.
Abstract: Commercial coffee is obtained from the processed beans of two species of the genus Coffea namely C. arabica and C. canephora, the former yielding arabica coffee and the latter yielding robusta coffee. Most of the agronomic characters of crop plants are controlled by polygenes and hence they show different levels of interrelationships. Analysis of correlation between such characters and further study of relative contribution of each character towards the genetic potential of the species provide valuable tools to identify the lead characters among them so that further improvement programmes could be based on such characters. The present study of the agronomically important polygenic characters of robusta coffee, utilizing the robusta coffee germplasm maintained in the Regional Coffee Research Station, Chundale, Wayanad, Kerala, India by the Central Coffee Research Institute of India has shown that girth of primary branches, weight of 100 dry fruits and percentage of A grade beans have got significant positive correlation with the maximum number of other characters. Factor analysis revealed that bush spread showed the maximum factor loading followed by length of primary branches and girth of primary branches. This shows the strength of the association of these characters with others and their importance in robusta breeding programmes.
8 citations
TL;DR: Hydro and Osmo-Priming effects on germination in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds showed that Carina cultivar is more resistant to osmotic stress than other pea cultivars (Rondo and Utrillo).
Abstract: Study was conducted to determine the effects of osmo-priming on germination of pea seeds (Pisum sativum L). Experiment was arranged under completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. This study was conducted in germination cabinet at Gaziantep University Vocational School of Higher Education in Nurdagi during February-May 2013. Seeds were primed in various osmotic potential of polyethylene glycol-6000 (-0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) and distilled water (2.5 μs/cm) at 20 0C for 24 hours and there was also a control treatment. In this study, 3 pea cultivars (Utrillo, Carina and Rondo) were used and germination tests were carried out in dark conditions in a germination cabinet held at 20 0C and 50% relative humidity for 8 days. The beneficial and harmful effects of priming depend on the organism physiology and aim of this study Hydro and Osmo-Priming effects on germination in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds. Seedling length, germination percentage, vigor index values varied between treatments 1.32-5.85cm, 48.33-86.39% and 73.54-543.89, respectively. Results showed that Carina cultivar is more resistant to osmotic stress than other pea cultivars (Rondo and Utrillo).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the forest soil in Ombi, southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria as light and falls under sandy loam, which is very useful for forest crop plantation.
Abstract: Most studies on soil characteristics had centered on suitability for agricultural production. Once a soil does not support crop production, it is referred to as poor, unproductive, and finally abandoned. Such soil could be very useful for forest crop plantation. This study was designed to investigate characteristics and describe the forest soil in Ombi, southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Soil samples were collected randomly from three locations around the engineering department of Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia, at depth of 0-30cm. Samples (1kg each) were taken in plastics bags to the laboratory for studies. Physical and chemical properties were analyzed according to standard procedures. Results show that sand had the highest % in soil of the area (74.96). Bulk densities were within the same range (1.68; 1.77 and 1.78g/cm3) for sand, silt and clay respectively. Sand had the highest porosity (37.7%) while clay had the least (31.6%). Aggregate stability was least for sand (9.74%) and highest for clay (56.82%). Soil reaction was neutral (7.05); nitrogen and CEC were 1.6 and 12.3 Cmol kg -1 among others, while organic carbon was 4.82g/kg-1. The soil is described as light and falls under sandy loam. Forest plantation establishment will be worthwhile.
TL;DR: Yield and quality of onion seeds significantly influenced by vernalization and the highest seed yield per plot was found from theCold treatment of mother bulbs influenced the plant to produce maximum number of leaves.
Abstract: An experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Farm, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during the period from October 2010 to April 2011. The present study was aimed at determining the effect of vernalization on the yield of onion seed. The experiment consisted three levels of Vernalization (viz., vernalization of mother bulbs at 50C ± 1 and 100C ± 1 and no vernalization). Bulbs of 20±1g size of local cultivar Taherpuri were used as planting material and were vernalized at the duration of 14 days in freezing. Yield and quality of onion seeds significantly influenced by vernalization. Bulbs were vernalized in a refrigerator at a calibrated temperature of 5 ± 10C and 10 ± 10C. Plant produced from the bulbs vernalized at 5±1o C temperature prior to planting gave maximum leaves at 15, 30 and 45 DAP (19.91, 26.47 and 30.84 leaves per plant, respectively). Maximum seeds (189.05g) per umbel were produced by the plants that were vernalized in 5±10C. The highest seed yield per plot (915.89g) was found from the cold treatment at 5±10C. Early plant emergence was noticed for longer vernalization treatment. Cold treatment of mother bulbs influenced the plant to produce maximum number of leaves.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated land suitability for maize cultivation on a regional basis in the main land of Buton Island, Indonesia, and found that due to severe limiting factors, suitable land (class S3) covers only a total area of 509.60 ha, or only 0.64% of the total potential area for development (74,664 ha). This was mainly located in Sampolawa sub-district 405.34 ha (0.47%), where the largest area was in South Lasalimu 6,5459.23 ha
Abstract: From a regional planning perspective, information on agroecological zones, land characteristics and its suitability for a certain land use type is needed for more efficient land management decisions. The main aim of this paper is to assess land characteristics and to evaluate land suitability for maize cultivation on a regional basis. This research was conducted from August 2012 to February 2013 on 10 locations (sub-districts), in the main land of Buton Island, Indonesia, namely: Batauga, Sampolawa, Lapandewa, Wabula, Pasarwajo, Wolowa, Siontapina, South Lasalimu, Lasalimu, and Kapontori. Three main stages were undertaken in this study: survey, mapping, and evaluation, to assess land suitability for maize development. Land suitability map for maize was developed in GIS, based on such parameters as climate (air temperature, air humidity, and rainfall), soils (texture, pH, C-organics, clay CEC, drainage, and erosion condition), and physiography (topography, landform, and altitude). Land suitability classes were grouped into very suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), currently not suitable (N1), and permanently not suitable (N2). The results show that due to severe limiting factors, suitable land (class S3) covers only a total area of 509.60 ha, or only 0.64% of the total potential area for development (74,664 ha). This was mainly located in Sampolawa sub-district 405.34 ha (0.54%) and Kapontori 104.26 ha (0.14%). Other locations in general, fall into permanently not suitable class (N2) with a total area of 61,113.08 (81.85%), where the largest area was found in Pasarwajo 12,616.68 (16.90%); and currently not suitable class (N1) covers only 13,042.01 ha (17.47%), where the largest area was in South Lasalimu 6,5459.23 ha (8.32%). This research may be useful as references for efficient spatial decision making in the allocation of maize in the region.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors applied the Box-Jenkins methodology to build Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model for monthly catches of two fish species for a period of five years.
Abstract: Fish catch prediction is an important problem in the fisheries sector and has a long history of research. The main goal of this paper is to create a model and make predictions using fish catch data of two fish species. Among the most effective and prominent approaches for analyzing time series data is the methods introduced by Box and Jenkins. In this study we applied the Box-Jenkins methodology to build Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model for monthly catches of two fish species for a period of five years (2007 – 2011). The seasonal ARIMA (1, 1, 0)(0, 0, 1)12 and SARIMA (0, 1, 1) (0, 0, 1)12 models were found fit and confirmed by the Ljung-Box test and these models were used to forecast 5 months upcoming catches of Trichiurus lepturus (Ikan Selayor) and Amblygaster leiogaster (Tambun Beluru) fish species. The result will help decision makers to establish priorities in terms of fisheries management.
TL;DR: The sprawling and erect cultivars of sugarcane cultivars suppressed weed growth more and gave higher cane yield than the erect cultivar ‘NCo334’, implying the need to use herbicides or other weed control methods during critical periods of weed interference to keep cane yield loss levels below 5%.
Abstract: Field experiments involving sprawling and erect cultivars of sugarcane and 12 weed competition periods were conducted in randomized complete block design in four replications for two cropping seasons at three sugarcane plantations of Ethiopia. Sugarcane was either kept free of weeds or weeds were allowed to grow for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks after planting (WAP). The sprawling sugarcane cultivars (‘B41227’ and ‘N14’) suppressed weed growth more and gave higher cane yield than the erect cultivar ‘NCo334’. The cane yield loss in unweeded plots compared to weed free plots ranged from 69.7% for sprawling cultivar ‘B41227’ at Methara to 83.5% at Wonji-Shoa for the erect cultivar ‘NCo334’. The beginning and end of critical periods of weed interference on 5% acceptable cane yield loss levels ranged from about 2.5 to 14 WAP for the erect cultivar and from 3 to 13.5 WAP for the sprawling cultivars implying the need to use herbicides or other weed control methods in sugarcane plantations of Ethiopia during these periods to keep cane yield loss levels below 5%.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used purposive sampling to identify a sample size of 50 smallholder dairy farmers based in Eldoret, Kenya, to understand whether entrepreneurial value chain drivers, namely, access to incentives (finance), training and access to production resource had influenced the performance of smallholders within the dairy value chain.
Abstract: Smallholder activity is the backbone of the agricultural sector and plays an important role in Kenya’s economy. As the Republic of Kenya (R. oK.), donors and development agencies concert their efforts to grow the agricultural sector in Kenya, most of the interventions are designed to adopt the value chain approach and appreciate that the beginning of the value chain is an integral part of its success, the smallholders. There has been a deliberate focus by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to develop the dairy value chain and the agency has designed an entrepreneurial value chain concept to improve the performance of smallholders. This study attempted to understand whether entrepreneurial value chain drivers, namely, access to incentives (finance), training and access to production resource had influenced the performance of smallholders within the dairy value chain .The USAID entrepreneurial value chain projects have a total of 70 smallholder dairy farmers who formed the sampling frame for this study. The researcher used purposive sampling to identify a sample size of 50 smallholder dairy farmers based in Eldoret. A semi-structured questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect primary data from a total of 49 out of 50 respondents; this is a 98% response rate. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20, to test the relationships in the conceptual framework. Data was presented in narratives and tables. The study established that training had to a greater extent improved the performance of smallholders; this was followed by access to incentives and then production resources. In respect to what aspects of their production increased, the smallholders indicated that a larger impact was reflected on improved quantity of milk followed by increased revenue, increased herd and lastly increased milk quality. The recommendations drawn from the study were in two categories, further research and best practice. Further research is recommend to establish whether the entrepreneurial value chain drivers have an impact on other value chain actors higher up the dairy chain. This finding would be used to identify which entrepreneurial drivers can be introduced across the chain and assist in developing a sustainable diary value chain. There is also need for further research to determine whether the entrepreneurial value chain would improve performance of smallholders in other agricultural value chains. As for best practice, the study revealed empirical evidence on the positive implication of entrepreneurial driving opportunities on smallholder performance, hence justification for a widespread adoption of entrepreneurial value chains as interventions that support smallholders especially within the dairy value chain.
TL;DR: Considering other man-agement technique in controlling whiteflies on brinjal such as optimum nutrient supplement as plant growth progress and good pest care during seedling stage was proposed.
Abstract: This study investigated the consequence of nutrient concentration levels and pre-infestation of brinjal (Solanum melongena) plant (by whitefly and aphids) on population of whitefly (Aleyrodidae; Hemiptera) over two cropping periods. Both factors, nutrient levels and pre-infestation by pests could also change plant-pest relationship especially with herbi-vorous insect pests. Variation in nutrient levels applied to the plants could influence different physiological performance of the plants which subsequently affected whitefly population. Populations of whitefly were higher following increasing levels of nutrients in non-pre-infested (control) plants. Lower whitefly populations were observed on whitefly pre-infested brinjal plants compared to aphid pre-infested and control plants. Pre-infested plants were suspected to induce productions of sec-ondary metabolites as a chemical defense system thus lowering the number of whiteflies on them. Considering other man-agement technique in controlling whiteflies on brinjal such as optimum nutrient supplement as plant growth progress and good pest care during seedling stage was proposed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors found that most of the forest laws and policies are originated from the rule of British colonial authorities and some significant amendments of the laws are made after the partition of the Indian subcontinent and a few are also amended after the independence of Bangladesh.
Abstract: Forest and forest resources are one of the important factors for the conservation and development of the environment and environmental resources in Bangladesh.It is observed that these natural resources of our country are not properly utilized but it is often exploited due to over population, unwise use of natural resources etc. To cope with these problems, some important legal foundations have already been passed for effective role in the development of forest and forest resources of Bangladesh.The study finds that most of the forest laws and policies are originated from the rule of British colonial authorities. In this regard, some significant amendments of the laws are made after the partition of the Indian subcontinent and a few are also amended after the independence of Bangladesh. In 1990s, some important integrated Acts such as the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and its Rules, 1997 and the Environment Court, 2000 etc., are passed for the development and conservation of the environment of Bangladesh which enormously carried out for the protection of the forest and forest resources in Bangladesh. There are some limitations such as lack of enforcement, non-coordination, corruptions, outdated laws, insufficient penal provisions etc., which makes hindrance to the implementation of the forest laws and policies in Bangladesh. It is suggested that the policy implications framed in this study should strictly be emphasized for the implementation as to bringing about sustainable forest environment and development of Bangladesh.
TL;DR: The goal of this article is to present Amphibians and Reptiles included in the new edition of Red Data Book of Armenia.
Abstract: Being a mountainous country with distinct altitudinal zonality, Armenia retains high diversity and endemism of plant and animal species. New edition of the Red Data Book represents an important official document and a guide towards the efficient conservation of Armenia’s unique fauna which demands for the large-scale work on the improvement of legislative background, implementation of population monitoring, early detection of imminent threats, and development of the regional strategy of genetic resources conservation. The goal of this article is to present Amphibians and Reptiles included in the new edition of Red Data Book of Armenia.
TL;DR: Microscopic observation of the anatomical and histo-cytological structure of the graft union area revealed that new cambium, xylem, and phloem tissues were formed in the samples 120 days after grafting.
Abstract: Graft compatibility is a complex mechanism with a wide range of different physiological, biochemical, and anatomical interactions. In the present paper, features of the graft union on the combination of the European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) on an oak (Quercus vulcanica Boiss.) rootstock based on whip grafting was investigated. The trial was conducted in the greenhouse at the Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, in western Turkey during 2006-7. The grafts were made with scion from chestnut genotype N-3-4 on an oak rootstock. Cross and longitudinal sections of the graft union for examination were taken 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 210 days after grafting, and fixed in 70% ethanol. Microscopic observation of the anatomical and histo-cytological structure of the graft union area revealed that new cambium, xylem, and phloem tissues were formed in the samples 120 days after grafting. The results showed that, graft compatibility exists between chestnut and oaks. Callus formation and differentiation of vascular tissues started 150 days after grafting.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the effect of autochthonous bacterial activity on the biodegradation of organic matter and the mobilization of heavy metals in the sediments of Al-Ghadir river (Mount Lebanon).
Abstract: Although there is no doubt about the importance of the bacterial activity on the solubilisation and the distribution of heavy metals in aquatic sediments, hydromorphic soils and ground waters; little is known about the involvement of bacterial dissolution in periodically anaerobic environments like that found in dredged sediments and little is known about the processes and the environmental factors controlling this process.The aim of this paper was to study the effect of the autochthonous bacterial activity on the biodegradation of organic matter and the mobilization of heavy metals in the sediments of Al-Ghadir river (Mount Lebanon). Sediments were incubated under standard anaerobic conditions and enriched with glucose to stimulate and accelerate microbial metabolism. The evolution of carbon metabolism (Organic matter evolved, carbon consumed and organic acids produced) and metals released in batch reactors were followed over time. Under the adopted conditions, analysis of the chemical parameters indicated that the incubated sediments showed a significant release of organic carbon corresponding to bacterial development. Mineral analysis showed an important solubilisation of Fe2+ and Mn2+ indicating the presence of Fe- and Mn-reducing bacteria in sediments. Pb, Cd and Cr solubilisation profiles were observed and appeared concomitant to the solubilisation profiles of Fe and Mn indicating that the redox cycle has been well installed and that Pb, Cd and Cr were associated to Fe and Mn oxides. The production of Cu appeared in parallel to the mineralization of the organic matter in the sediment indicating that Cu was associated to this fraction. Zn appeared associated to the sulphide fraction than to the Fe and Mn oxides fraction. Microbiological and genetic analysis showed a decrease and the disappearance of some bacterial strains due to the shift in the culture conditions and the toxicity of the released heavy metals but at the same time the development and the growth of many other populations which showed to be tolerant to the same conditions
TL;DR: Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pod meal could therefore substitute corn in broiler rations and produce comparable gain in weight, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, dressing percentage, liver weight and profit above feed cost of birds.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the performance of broilers fed with 0% to 35% Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pod meal in the formulated rations in terms of gain in weight, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, dressing percentage, per cent liver weight and profit above feed cost. Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pods were dried for 3-5 days, ground then mixed with the other feed ingredients to produce isocaloric and isonitrogenous rations. Commercial mash served as the control. Based from the results of the study, Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pod meal at 0% to 35% of the formulated rations produced comparable gain in weight, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, dressing percentage, liver weight and profit above feed cost of birds. Results also revealed that the performance of birds fed with the formulated rations were comparable to the performance of birds fed with commercial ration. Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pod meal could therefore substitute corn in broiler rations.
TL;DR: In this article, the status of global agricultural policies in general and selected continent wise policies in particular is analyzed based on meta-analysis, and the best future agricultural policies are also suggested.
Abstract: Globally, Agriculture it seems is back on the development agenda, seen as a key to spurring growth and reduction poverty, and as a key route to meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Continent -wide policy can safeguard each country’s independence. The main focus of this paper is to analyse global agricultural policies and critically appraisal of their policies and arrive the best policies. The study is based on meta-analysis. The status of global agricultural policies in general and selected continent wise policies in particular is analysed. It also suggests the best future global agricultural policies. World as a whole the pressures on agriculture to produce much less than indicated projections for the period to 2050 because of deceleration population growth. The basic changes in Europe models concerning the transformation from supply driven models of traditional agriculture to the concept of modern agriculture focusing on demand-driven types of market agriculture. The North American Model; United States, Mexico, and Canada have each made significant changes to their agricultural policies over the past several years particularly in the area of income supports. The Latin America continent was confronted with a new twist to the Green Revolution model, with the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops and run by transnational corporations. In Africa, agriculture is runs by the significance of aid provided by donors. The successful Asian State Green revolution model focuses more on seed and technologies to increase production. The most common policy response taken by the emerging economies – and also worldwide – has been to reduce or suspend import tariffs on food products. The year 2011 highlighted after many years of neglect, agriculture and food security are back on the development and political agendas. The study suggests to focus future policies on agriculture as a global agenda and global efforts.
TL;DR: In this paper, a study was carried out to evaluate physical properties of wood of four indigenous tree species, i.e., Acacia burkea, Terminelia serecia, Spirostachys africana and S. africanum.
Abstract: A study was carried out to evaluate physical properties of wood of four indigenous tree species. Samples were obtained at random from the logs at a timber and wood processing yard. Acacia burkea and S. Africana possess heartwood that is distinctly different in colour from the sapwood. Acacia burkeashowed very dark colour in the heartwood while that of Spirostachys africana was dark greyish brown in colour. Wood of P. africanum and Terminelia serecia displayed no distinctly different colours between the sapwood and the heartwood. Density also varied in different woods with the highest density values recorded at 0.97 g cm3 in the A. burkeaand the lowest was 0.70 g cm3 in P. africanum. There were significant differences in densities between wood of all these species. The highest change in dimensions was recorded in the tangent side of all woods except for A. burkea. The highest dimensional changes were recorded at 9.02± 4.02 percentin the tangent side of P. africanum. The lowest dimensional changes were recorded at 0.41±0.08 percent in the longitudinal section of the P. africanumwood. Overall the lowest changes were recorded in the longitudinal side of wood.
TL;DR: The present protocol is the first ever re- ported of its kind and is unique in itself as the latex poses a threat for tissue culture.
Abstract: Plant regeneration through Somatic embryogenesis has several advantages over other routes to in vitro plant production and appears that most promising area of research for large scale production and rapid plant propagation. Sapindus emarginatus vahl commonly known as soap nut tree wherein the nut shell contains saponin, which acts like soap when comes in contact with water. It has very high economic and medicinal values in saponin industry and is also being used for important medicinal properties. The present study is aimed on somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants of Sapindus emarginatus Vahl employing auxin such as 2, 4-D along with cytokinin BAP/Kn. The present protocol is the first ever reported of its kind and is unique in itself as the latex poses a threat for tissue culture.
TL;DR: This study presents a pioneering expe-rimental ergonomic research, of an off-road cabin design that produces a better fitted design to the operator and his operational needs, which help the engineer to design a cabin that may lead to less strenuous sitting postures and fatigue.
Abstract: The design of off-road vehicles is complicated Particularly when the driving, is accompanied with another task, simultaneously (eg plowing) Such a complex environment may lead to human error and end up with an accident In Aus-tralia, 20-25 percent of vehicle accidents’ casualties are from off-road accidents The literature suggests three combined and important aspects, in vehicle design: vision control, anthropometrical fitting and biomechanical considerations No study is found which supports an off-road vehicle design from all three aspects together In addition, the extensive use of computer aided design (CAD) in the vehicles’ design stages, produce only qualitative results This study presents a pioneering expe-rimental ergonomic research, of an off-road cabin design The research inquires the three aspects,combined, generating quantitative results These results produce a better fitted design to the operator and his operational needs, which help the engineer to design a cabinthat may lead to less strenuous sitting postures and fatigue
TL;DR: In this article, the level of dependencies of three rural communities on Pandam Wildlife Park in Plateau State, Nigeria were investigated and a transect (10 x 1000) was laid across the park.
Abstract: Most rural communities are opposed to forest reservation by the government not only because it denies them of the right of land ownership but because of the essential services these forests provide for the populace. In most cases there is usually total ban on any form of extraction from such forests without taking cognizance of the effects on those who live around these forests. The reason is because Government is not well informed of the rate of reliance of rural dwellers on the forests surrounding them. This research was conducted to ascertain the level of dependencies of three rural communities on Pandam Wildlife Park in Plateau State, Nigeria. Woody plants used by Pandam, Namu and Kayarda communities were investigated. A transect (10 x 1000) was laid across the park. Woody plants from 10cmdbh were marked. 12 people knowledgeable in plants and their uses were selected. They were made toidentify marked trees, their uses and parts used. Data were descriptively analyzed. Results show that 99% of identified plants have medicinal uses, 5 are used for food, 5 for economic purposes, 1 as first aid, 11 have multiple uses, 3 are under harvest pressure. Parts used are leave (37.10%),bark (30.65%). There is need for conservation especially those species (15) with multiple uses.
TL;DR: The new approaches to solving problems of selection parent’s pairs (varieties) for crossing and forecast of eco-genetic portrait of the future new variety are presented.
Abstract: The new approaches to solving problems of selection parent’s pairs (varieties) for crossing and forecast of eco-genetic portrait of the future new variety. Paper supplements the two previous publications on the formalization of the quantitative theory of eco-genetic processes [1,2].