Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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In vivo ANTAGONISM OF Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Phaseoli, AND GROWTH PROMOTION IN COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris) (FABACEAE) BY Trichoderma spp.
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenic capacity of Fusarium oxysporum, the antagonistic capacity, and growth promotion of the strains of Trichoderma spp. in vivo in common beans. The experiment was carried in two steps. First, the pathogenicity evaluation test of the F. oxysporum strain was carried out in 200 mL pots, and the biometry of the bean plants was subsequently evaluated. In the second experiment, were used pots of 5L containing sterile soil. Four strains of Trichoderma, and one strain of F. oxysporum were used. The bean seeds were previously sterilized, followed by inoculation with the pathogen previously grown in Petri dishes with Mannitol, followed by planting the infected seeds. The antagonists were grown in petri dishes, and after five days scraping was performed obtaining a spore suspension (10-4 spores per ml), followed by direct inoculation in the soil after planting the seeds. In all experiments, a completely randomized design with three replications was adopted. After 57 days, their agronomic and biometric characters were evaluated, namely: number of leaves, plant height, basal diameter, root length, root weight, leaf area. The data obtained were tabulated, and submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the means compared by the Skott-Knott test (P = .05). Plants treated with Trichoderma inoculum show the best results regarding biometric parameters, can acting as plant growth promoters. Among these parameters, biomass and dry mass are the most significant for this crop. Trichoderma strains used in this study can inhibit the damage of F. oxysporum, and promote bean growth
EFFECTS OF THE 2, 4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID (2,4-D) HERBICIDE CONTAMINATION ON SOIL MICROBIOLOGY AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL
No full textOwing to the knowledge that 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2, 4-D) is rapidly degraded by soil microorganisms, little or no research attention has been given to enhancement of its degradation as a form of environmental remediation. A completely randomized design laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to examine the potentials of organic and mineral fertilizers to stimulate microbial activities in soils under the influence of the 2, 4-D herbicide. Soil contaminated with the field rate of 2, 4-D was separately amended with compost and NPK mineral fertilizer, and the treated samples were incubated for 56 days at room temperature. Soil microbiological parameters were measured in dynamics and eco-physiological quotients were computed at the end of the incubation period to determine responses of soil microbes at the community level of the treatments. Application of 2, 4-D either alone or in combination with fertilizer, regardless of type, raised soil respiration and soil microbial biomass. Addition of NPK to the 2, 4-D contaminated soil increased the microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2) while this parameter was reduced when compost was added. Addition of compost improved all the eco-physiological quotients compared to the sole application of 2, 4-D herbicide. It was therefore concluded that the 2, 4-D herbicide at the field recommended rate has the potential to negatively influence the soil microbial community, application of organic fertilizer may help the soil to regain its microbial competence through enhanced degradation engendered by bio-stimulation of native microorganisms
ALDO LEOPOLD’S LAND ETHIC AND DESERTIFICATION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: AN ETHICAL APPROACH
No full textThis work is on Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic and desertification in northern Nigeria: An Ethical Approach. Desertification is a global environmental problem that has affected both developed and developing countries in various parts of the world. Nigeria is one of the countries south of the Sahara faced with fast desert encroachment, with notable effects on the northern part of Nigeria. The study showed that desertification has been experienced and reported in the northern part of Nigeria since the 1920s, but its effect or impact has been glaring since after the famine of 1971–1973. The problem this work looks at is the issue of desertification in northern Nigeria. Consequently, the study looks at the problem of desertification in Nigeria and analyses it with Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic. This work employed the method of content analysis to get a clarification of Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic and how it can be applied to the problem of desertification. The analytic method was also used to look at the concept of desertification. The work also pointed out that the government has not done enough to curb this environmental menace peculiar to those in the northern part of Nigeria. The work was able to establish that anthropocentric activities are the major causes of desertification, and it was further revealed that desertification is seriously affecting northern Nigeria. In conclusion, the work recommends that the government should not just make environmental laws but should also go further to ensure that the people are guided by these laws, that is, by enforcing them
CLAY CONTENT, BULK DENSITY AND CARBON STORAGE RELATIONSHIPS IN MANGROVE AND RAINFOREST SOILS DURING DRY AND WET SEASONS
No full textEvaluation of carbon stock in soil is an essential step in estimating the carbon storage potential of an ecosystem. A field study was carried out on a humid tropical Rainforest and Mangrove soils at the Forestry Unit of the Rivers State University Teaching and Research Farm and the Eagle Island quantify the effects of vegetation and seasons on soil organic carbon, organic carbon stock and other physical to attributes of the soils. Results revealed that seasons and vegetation did no change the soil texture, but influenced other properties of the soils. Bulk density was significantly low (p<0.05) at 0.64 g cm-3 in Mangrove soils in the peak of dry season. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was moderately rapid (20.88 cm h-1) in Rainforest soil, and moderately slow (15.59 cm h-1) in the Mangrove soils. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly higher (p<0-05) in mangrove soils at 53 g kg-1 during the rains, and 16 g kg-1 in Rainforest soils during the same season. Soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) was significantly higher at 65.4 kg m-2 in Rainforest soils (p<0.05), compared to 8.4 kg m-2 in Mangrove soils during the same season. SOCS correlated positively bulk density (BD) (r = 0.679, p<0.05) and clay content (r = 0.892, p<0.01). The model: Y = 0.165+4.068x can be used to predict SOCS and bulk density, also the model Y = -0.246+0.361x can be used to predict the effects of clay content on SOCS in the two soils during the seasons. The Rainforest was found to have the potentials to store carbon in the soil than the Mangrove
MODERN APPROACHES TO CONTRACEPTION IN DOMESTIC AND WILD ANIMALS: A REVIEW
No full textContraception is the use of practices, methods, or equipment to prevent pregnancy in a sexually active female. Contraception methods, often known as birth control, pregnancy prevention, or fertility control, are intended to prevent the fertilization of an egg or the implantation of an embryo within the uterus. Hormonal contraception is a term that refer to techniques of contraception that work by affecting the endocrine system. To reduce the population of stray animals and wildlife, as well as to control rabies and damage to agricultural commodities, crops, and forest resources, advanced and effective contraceptives are required. Recently, advanced compounds are used as contraceptives like classical use of Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), GnRH agonist, GnRH antagonist, and GnRH toxin conjugate-PAP in dogs and GnRH vaccines in deer, feral pigs, rabbits, and bisons. The possibility of limiting fertility by antibodies, inactivating important reproductive hormones, as established by active and passive immunization in animals, is a recent advancement in immunological contraception. Contraceptive vaccination (CV) could be a realistic and helpful alternative to currently existing contraception methods. The molecules being studied for CV development either target gamete production [luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)/GnRH, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)], gamete function [sperm antigens and oocyte zona pellucida (ZP)], or gamete outcome (hCG). Veterinary candidate molecules are available like zone vaccine for dogs, bovine LH receptor vaccine, and phage peptide sperm protein vaccine. A number of target-based upcoming technologies include gene silencing, Kisspeptin, Gonadotropin inhibiting hormone (GnIH), Retinoic acid receptor antagonist, etc might make perfect and desirable contraception in animals and humans
ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACES IN ABEOKUTA NIGERIA
No full textRecreational open spaces provides recreational areas for residents and helps to enhance the beauty and environmental quality of neighbourhoods. It consists of natural and organized open spaces used for outdoor recreational purposes. This paper examines the physical characteristics of recreational open spaces in Abeokuta Nigeria. In order to achieve this, available recreational facilities of the recreational open spaces in the study area were identified.. Descriptive and Kendall Tau B’s test was used for the analysis, and result showed significant relationship between environmental aesthetics and physical characteristics of ROS in Abeokuta, This implies that the physical characteristics influences the environmental aesthetic quality of the ROS. It also establishes the fact that environmental aesthetic quality has an impact on the patronage of ROS. It is recommended that the environmental aesthetics of recreational open spaces in the study area be improved in order to enhance its patronage
LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONCEPTS AND ISSUES AMONG PRE-SERVICE CHEMISTRY TEACHERS AT MUFULIRA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN ZAMBIA
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the level of awareness of climate change concepts and issues among the pre-service chemistry teachers at Mufulira College of Education in Zambia. The study was motivated by the need to enable teachers and learners address climate change challenges which are among the issues facing the world today. The study used a qualitative survey targeted at all the 334 pre-service chemistry teachers from Mufulira College of Education as at 2021 when the research was carried out. However, data was only collected from 303 participants who completed questionnaires, representing a response rate of over 90%. The survey explored the students’ awareness levels on the different causes of climate change, the impact of climate change on the environment and the students’ ability to recognize the different mitigation measures of climate change. The study established that on average 60% of the students could only go as far as recalling concepts and issues of climate change but could not critically explain how climate change was caused and why it was a threat to the environment. At the same time climate change issues and concepts did not form part of the priorities for assessment in the pre-service chemistry curriculum at the selected college. It is recommended that a policy is created that ensures that climate change issues and concepts are given the attention they deserve. There is need to urgently develop teaching and learning materials on climate change education for the pre-service chemistry education curriculum
RANGELAND CONDITION IN PASTORAL AND AGRO-PASTORAL AREAS OF SOUTH-EAST ETHIOPIA: A COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE-BASED ASSESSMENT
No full textThe use indigenous community knowledge in evaluating and sustaining the range land resources has often been overlooked. This paper presents a community knowledge -based assessment undertaken with the objective of assessing the community’s perception towards current rangeland condition and utilization in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of south east Ethiopia. A multistage sampling method was used where five representative woredas were purposively selected. Peasant Associations (PAs) were stratified into pastoral and agro-pastoral based on their livelihood, and ten PAs were randomly selected from which 5% of the household heads were chosen for interviews. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics. Results showed that the mean family size in pastoral and agro pastoral areas was 7.71 and 7.32, respectively. Both pastoral and agro-pastoral systems varied (P<0.001) in terms of their livestock ownership. 88.29 % of the respondents from the pastoralists and 68.07 % from the agro-pastoralists responded that natural pasture is the major feed sources for livestock. Feed shortage was the primary challenge to livestock production followed by drought in pastoral and agro pastoral systems, respectively.92.16% and 66. 67% of the respondents in pastoral and agro pastoral categorized the current rangeland condition as poor, respectively, and the driving forces for the change in rangeland condition were indicated as agriculture, over grazing, recurrent drought, bush encroachment and deforestation. In both production systems, range land condition deteriorated due to agricultural expansion, overgrazing, recurrent drought, bush encroachment and deforestation, where the impact of agriculture is more sever in agro pastoral system
EVALUATION OF SOIL QUALITY UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPES IN THE COASTAL PLAIN SANDS OF NIGER DELTA
No full textThe effect of different land use types (fallow land, continuous cropping and mono cropping) on soil quality on soils derived from coastal plain sand of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria were evaluated. The study was carried out at Choba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, four profiles were dug, one in each of the land use types in the study area replicated three times, total of sixty-nine soil samples were subjected to laboratory analysis. The sand fraction dominated the particle size distribution followed by clay and silt, the highest silt to clay ratio of 0.9 was recorded in the mono cropping land use type. Generally, the soil chemical properties were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the different land use in the study area. The soil degradation rating and vulnerability potential, the soil have potential for degradation. The soil pH (SDR=1;Vp=5) were of good quality across the land use types. The total nitrogen and total organic carbon contents for forest and fallow land are of good quality , SDR=1;Vp =5 , but for continuous and mono cropping, the values are SDR =2; Vp = 4 , SDR = 3; Vp = 3 for total nitrogen, SDR= 3; Vp =3 , SDR =3; Vp =3 are of poor quality, The exchangeable bases (Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium) had SDR 5; Vp=2, SDR 3; Vp=3, SDR 4; Vp=2 for for fallow land, SDR 5; Vp=1, SDR 3; Vp=3, SDR 5; Vp=1 for continuous cropping, SDR 5; Vp=2, SDR 3; Vp=3, SDR 5; Vp=3 for forest and SDR 5; Vp=2, SDR 3; Vp=3, SDR 5; Vp=1 for mono cropping. The study indicated that soil quality of continuous and monocropping was adversely affected in terms organic carbon and nitrogen stock, also practices that encourages reforestation should be championed in the study area as this will eventually improve the carbon and nitrogen stocks and Technical support should be provided to the end-user for effective management of soil resources
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CANADIAN STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS ON EMPTY PLASTIC BEVERAGE CONTAINERS IN SASKATCHEWAN AND ALBERTA PROVINCES
No full textStewardship programs are gradually being phased out in favor of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, which are used in various forms in different Canadian provinces. An example is the British Columbia province\u27s EPR program on empty plastic beverage containers. Provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta, on the other hand, continue to rely on stewardship programs and are in the process of incorporating the EPR policy as a program into their waste management regulations. Therefore, this study will discuss how stewardship program policies have helped to solve a portion of the plastic waste problem; however, negotiations to fully integrate the EPR program into Saskatchewan and Alberta waste management policies are still ongoing. The significance of this study has demonstrated how stewardship programs in Saskatchewan and Alberta have promoted the reuse and recycling economy of plastic management to a limited extent in these respective provinces. A case study method was used to analyze and investigate the stewardship program, with a focus on plastic bottle management. Field observations were conducted at selected recycling companies (Sarcan recycling and Alberta beverage container recycling corporation) in Saskatchewan and Alberta to correlate the data gathered during the investigation, as presented in this research outcome. Implementing the EPR program, according to the study\u27s findings, may be the most effective way for Canada to achieve a circular economy of plastic waste management