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Nematode Fauna of Rajaji National Park, with First Record of Granonchulus subdecurrens Coetzee, 1966 (Mononchida: Mylonchulidae) from India
Vinita Sharma,
Alka Dubey
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
1-6
Received:
26 October 2014
Accepted:
13 November 2014
Published:
22 January 2015
Abstract: A total 26 species of terrestrial nematode (15 from order Dorylaimida and 11 from order Mononchida) has been recorded from Rajaji National Park (RNP), Uttarakhand, India. All are being reported first time from RNP. Of these, Granonchulus subdecurrens Coetzee, 1966 is being recorded from first time from India.
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Change in Diversity and Abundance of Nematode Destroying Fungi in Land Use under Irrigation in Selected Small Scale Irrigation Schemes in Kenya
Wachira P. M.,
Kimenju J. W.,
Otipa M.
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
7-13
Received:
8 December 2014
Accepted:
6 January 2015
Published:
28 January 2015
Abstract: Intensity of land cultivation is usually associated with increase in crop production and loss of soil biodiversity or its function. This study was conducted to determine the effect of intensity of land use under irrigation on the occurrence, abundance and diversity of nematode destroying fungi in selected small scale irrigation systems in Kenya. The study was conducted in four spatially separated irrigation schemes namely Kabaa and Kauti in Machakos and Kathiga Gacheru and Mbogooni) in Embu. The study areas were stratified according to land use, which included the irrigated land, rain-fed cultivated land and undisturbed land under fallow. The period of cultivation also differed with the oldest cultivated irrigation system, having been opened in 1960, while the youngest having been opened in 2011.Soil samples were collected from the study site for isolation of nematode destroying fungi. The soil sprinkle and culture technique was used to isolate soil nematode destroying fungi from the soil samples. A total of 216 fungal isolates were identified as nematode destroying fungi belonging to six genera namely Acrostalagmus, Arthrobotrys, Haptoglossa, Harposporium and Monacrosporium. All the isolates were identified resultingto nine species. 49.5% of all the fungi were isolated from irrigated land while, the rain-fed and the undisturbed land uses accounted for 29.7 and 20.8% of the isolates, respectively. The oldest irrigation systems had the least diversity (0.110) of nematode destroying fungi compared to the youngest which had a diversity index of 1.311.The species Arthrobotrys oligospora was the most frequently isolated fungus followed by Monacrosporium cionapagum with occurrence frequencies of 57 and 53%, respectively. The least frequently isolated species was Nematoctonus leiospora with an occurrence frequency of 2.3%. Of the total identified species, only Nematoctonus leiosporus and Arthrobotrys dactyloides were not affected by the irrigation activities.). From the study, it is evident that land use intensity under irrigation system and the duration of cultivation impacts on occurrence and diversity of nematode destroying fungi in the soil.
Abstract: Intensity of land cultivation is usually associated with increase in crop production and loss of soil biodiversity or its function. This study was conducted to determine the effect of intensity of land use under irrigation on the occurrence, abundance and diversity of nematode destroying fungi in selected small scale irrigation systems in Kenya. Th...
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Adaptability Study of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Varieties in the Mid and High Land Areas of Kaffa Zone, South West Ethiopia
Ermias Assefa,
Addis Alemayehu,
Teshom Mamo
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
14-17
Received:
24 December 2014
Accepted:
6 January 2015
Published:
1 February 2015
Abstract: The bases of the idea to conduct this field experiment are the uses of the spices and the suitable agro-ecology of Kafa zone. There was no any research activity conducted in the Kafa zone in relation to highland seed spices. It is important to evaluate the adaptability of improved black cumin varieties in the Kafa zone in order to diversify their production and to maximize the income of the farmers in the area. Based on this fact, a field experiment was conducted using three improved Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) varieties; Dirishaye, Eden, and Deribera with the local check. The activity was conducted in the 2012 /13 cropping season at Alarigeta and Kaya Kela experimental sites of Bonga Agricultural Research Center. The objective of this study was to test the adaptability of improved Black cumin varieties to the representative areas Kafa zone. These varieties were evaluated for yield, plant height, pods per plant, emergence and flowering dates. The test varieties were used as experimental treatments and arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The grain yield recorded in gram per plot was converted to kilogram per hectare. There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in most parameters evaluated at Alarigata, unlike Kaya Kela site. The local check showed significantly higher grain yield (612.98 Kg ha-1) than Eden, Dirishaye, and Deribera (473.06, 451.9, and 449.62 Kg ha-1, respectively) at Kaya Kela. Based on the results obtained under this study variety Eden could be used for demonstration, popularization and pre-scaling up of the technology at Alarigata and the surrounding areas. On the other hand, this experiment showed the huge potential of the local variety at both experimental sites. Thus, such a potential suggests that the local check or the land race could be used for variety development program which would later be supported by agronomic and pathological studies (fertilizer rate, sowing date, and reaction to insect pests and diseases). This would give rise to the production of adaptive improved black cumin seed spices with specific quality traits at different agro-ecologies of the zone that fulfill the specific international market demands.
Abstract: The bases of the idea to conduct this field experiment are the uses of the spices and the suitable agro-ecology of Kafa zone. There was no any research activity conducted in the Kafa zone in relation to highland seed spices. It is important to evaluate the adaptability of improved black cumin varieties in the Kafa zone in order to diversify their p...
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Multitemporal Land Use Changes in a Region of Pindus Mountain, Central Greece
Apostolos Ainalis,
Ioannis Meliadis,
Konstantinos Tsiouvaras,
Katerina Ainali,
Dimitrios Platis,
Panagiotis Platis
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
18-23
Received:
28 December 2014
Accepted:
18 January 2015
Published:
2 February 2015
Abstract: Natural ecosystems are renewable resources with special environmental, social and economical attributes and characteristics. The increasing need of the human beings for a better environment leads to the use of new technologies that offer many advantages in detecting changes in the ecosystems. In this study the integration of remote sensing tools and technology and the spatial orientation analysis of Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) combined with in situ observations were used in determining any changes in land cover categories along an 18 year period. The study area of 9,287 ha extends to Pindus mountain, in the municipality of Plastira, central Greece. The results have shown that the current technologies can be used for the modelling of environmental parameters improving our knowledge on its attributes, characteristics, situation, trends and changes of natural ecosystems. The multitemporal changes that were observed are mostly due to vegetation evolution and less to socioeconomic reasons. The basic management strategy for the specific area should combine forest, pasture and livestock in such a way that each component produces usable products, while in the same time preserves sustainability.
Abstract: Natural ecosystems are renewable resources with special environmental, social and economical attributes and characteristics. The increasing need of the human beings for a better environment leads to the use of new technologies that offer many advantages in detecting changes in the ecosystems. In this study the integration of remote sensing tools an...
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Tree Growth Response of Pinus oocarpa Along Different Altitude in Dedza Mountain Forest Plantation
Anderson Ndema,
Edward Missanjo
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
24-28
Received:
20 January 2015
Accepted:
29 January 2015
Published:
6 February 2015
Abstract: Understanding of the effects of altitude on tree growth is central to forest management, especially in the establishment of seed source stands. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of altitude on the growth height, diameter at breast height (dbh) and volume of Pinus oocarpa in Malawi. Stands of Pinus oocarpa at the altitude of 1500m, 1700m and 1900m above the sea level (asl) were measured for total height, dbh and volume at the age of 18 years. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. The results shows that there were significant (P<0.001) differences in total mean height, dbh and volume among the different altitudes. Higher mean height (19.2m), dbh (24.5cm) and volume (0.417m3) was observed at 1500m asl, while total mean height, dbh and volume at 1700m asl and 1900m asl were 17.1m, 22.9cm, 0.322m3 and 15.4m, 20.8cm, 0.243m3 respectively. Total mean height, dbh and volume decreased with an increase of altitude. This was attributed to differences in supply of soil nutrients and specific leaf area. It is therefore, recommended that seed sources stands for Pinus oocarpa in Malawi and the surrounding countries should be established at 1500m to 1600m above the sea level for better genetic growth parameters.
Abstract: Understanding of the effects of altitude on tree growth is central to forest management, especially in the establishment of seed source stands. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of altitude on the growth height, diameter at breast height (dbh) and volume of Pinus oocarpa in Malawi. Stands of Pinus oocarpa at the altitude of 1500m, 170...
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