Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry
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Evaluation of Tree Volume Equations for Gmelina arborea Roxb. Stand in Southwestern, Nigeria
No full textEffective and sustainable forest management is dependent on volume and yield models. This study was carried out to evaluate ten (10) different tree volume equations for the sustainable management of the Gmelina arborea stand in Oluwa forest reserve. A total of 590 trees were used in this study. The observed volume of the sample trees were calculated by the application Newton‘s formula. The performance of each model were evaluated using five fit statistics such as root mean squared error (RMSE), r-squared (R2), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and relative rank sum were used. All the models in this study performed significantly well in volume estimation as the R2 were above 75% for all the models. Four models (model 10, 8, 6 and 7) performed best for the data set based on their evaluation statistics and as such they were selected for volume estimation of Gmelina arborea stand in Oluwa forest reserve. The evaluation test revealed that model 10 had the least RMSE of 0.2986, hence it was ranked the best model for the study. Scatter plots showed positive correlation between DBH, total height, BA and total volume. The regression residuals were normally distributed, with constant variance and a zero mean
Diversity, Biomass and Carbon Storage Potential of Some Tree Species in a Nigerian Natural Forest
No full textThis study was carried out to assess diversity, biomass and carbon storage potential of some tree species in a Nigerian forest. All trees with Dbh >10cm were enumerated. Tree growth variables, namely the Diameter at the base (Db), Diameter at breast height (Dbh), Diameter at the middle (Dm), Diameter at the top (Dt) and height, were measured for basal area and volume estimation and their frequency of occurrence was ascertained for tree diversity assessment. Fifty-six (56) trees distributed among 21 species and 11 families were enumerated in this study area. Some of these species were Acacia ataxacantha, Blighia sapida, Alstonia bonnie, Ceiba pentandra, Celtis zenkeri, Khaya ivorensis, etc. Funtumia elastica had the highest frequency of occurrence (11 stems) with a Relative Density of 19.64%. Therefore, it could be regarded as the most abundant tree species in the forest. Shannon Wiener index of 2.62 was recorded for this study with an evenness value of 0.86. Khaya senegalensis stored the highest carbon of 4.86 tonnes, and total Above Ground Biomass (ABG) of 53.64 g/m2, equivalent to 26.82 tonnes of Carbon was obtained for all the tree species. The results from this study showed that there is high level of forest degradation in the study area. Though, the forest could only store small amount of carbon but it has been able to reduce the amount of carbon escaping into the atmosphere. Conservative measures must be put in place to protect the forest from further degradation and this will go a long way in mitigating climate change by serving as carbon sinks
Impact Assessment of Small-Scale Irrigation Investment on Poverty Reduction: A Case Study of the Municipality of Dabaga in Niger
No full textNiger is one of the poorest countries in the world, where more than 80% of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture. Agricultural production in Niger depends on rainfall which is irregularly distributed in place and time; thus, causing food deficit or food insecurity. To deal with these constraints and find a remedy to the precariousness of food insecurity, the focus is on irrigated agriculture where the purpose of the study is entitled "contribution of small-scale irrigation to reduce poverty". The main objective of this study was to analyse the economic and social impact of small-scale irrigation investment in the reduction of poverty. The municipality of Dabaga in Niger was selected as a case study. The specific objectives were to characterize the cropping systems practised by the farmers; calculate the gross margin of agricultural production (for the main crops grown); draw up the cereal balance sheet and the farm producers' operating account. Thus, surveys were conducted in the study area where 174 farmers were randomly selected. After that, the farmers were classified into two categories according to the main cultivated culture. Descriptive statistics and econometric correlation tests (Pearson method) were used for data analysis. It emerges from this study that this irrigated agriculture, which is of semi-intensive type, is dominated by the practice of polyculture. It involves the entire surveyed population, which had a negative cereal balance sheet but provides, for 82.18% of the farmers, a satisfactory net monetary income, above the country's monetary poverty line
Influence of Trees Species on Nutrient Availability in the Forest Ecosystem
No full textThis study assessed the influence of tree species on the availability of nutrients in the forest ecosystem. Systematic sampling technique was employed in sampling the vegetation using a quadrats size of 10 m x 10 m spaced at regular intervals of 20 m. Seven (7) woody species were selected for this study. Soil samples were collected from the sampled plots closer to the base of the species using a soil auger at a depth (0-30 cm), these were stored in well labelled Ziploc bag and taken to the laboratory for physicochemical analyses using standard methods. The result revealed that the Organic Matter (3.13 ± 0.001%) and Total Nitrogen (0.08 ± 0.001%) were higher in soils of Musanga cecroploides while available Phosphorus (14.14 ± 1.15 mg/kg) and Calcium (14. 20 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) were higher in soils of Cola argentea. Sodium was higher in soils of Mansonia altissima (0.10 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) and Musanga cecropioides (0.10 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) while Potassium was higher in soil of Coelocaryon Preussii (0.16 ± 0.01 cmol/kg). Pentaclethra macrophylla had the least values for Magnesium (5.01 ± 1.15 mg/kg) while Coelocaryon preussii (0.07 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) and Synsepalum dulcificum (0.07 ± 0.02 cmol/kg) had the least values for sodium. The nutrient compositions across the soil of selected woody species in the forest were significantly different (p<0.05). The study shows that woody species vary in their soil nutrient return and also exert great influence on soil nutrient composition in the forest ecosystem and also that trees are ecosystem engineers and are able to generate species-specific effect on soil properties that could potentially lead to feedback effect
Effect of Soil Compaction and Sowing Dates on Growth and Yield of Three Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter] Varieties in Toke Kutaye District, Ethiopia
No full textTef is a highly valued crop in Ethiopia as tef flour used to prepare Injera which is the most popular food of the country. However, its production and productivity are constrained by a number of problems, out of which soil compaction, inappropriate sowing time, and limited use of improved varieties are the most important. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during the 2021 main cropping season to evaluate the effect of soil compaction, sowing dates and tef varieties on yield and yield components of tef in Toke Kutaye district. Treatments were factorially arranged and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of the data indicated that days to 50% emergence, days to 50% panicle emergence, days to 90% physiological maturity, and number of productive tillers of tef were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by main effect of soil compaction, sowing dates and varieties. Plant height, panicle length, number of total tillers, biomass yield, grain yield and straw yield of tef were significantly affected by the interaction of three factors. Highest plant height (124.26cm), panicle length (36.26cm), above ground biomass yield (7.47 t ha-1), and grain yield (2.8 t ha-1) were recorded from un-compacted soil, from early sown Dagim variety. Therefore, it can be recommended that farmers of the study area can grow Dagim variety early third week of july without trampling the soil to enhance the tef production and productivity
Above-ground Carbon Stocks of Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea Plantations in Njala University, Southern Sierra Leone
No full textThe unprecedented increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration has attracted global research attention on the potential role of tree plantations in climate change mitigation. There is an urgent need to estimate the above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock in forest plantations. This is particularly essential for Sierra Leone, where above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock data are presently lacking. This study estimated the above-ground biomass accumulation and carbon stock of Tectona grandis Linn.f. and Gmelina arborea Roxb. in the spacing and plantation trials at Njala University, Southern Sierra Leone. The assessment was based on a total inventory of trees having a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm and tree height. Above-ground biomass (AGB) was estimated using the allometric equation by Chave et al. (2005), and above-ground carbon (AGC) stock was calculated by multiplying the biomass with a conversion factor of 0.5. The result showed that the mean above-ground carbon stock for Gmelina arborea was higher in the plantation trial (25.2 t ha-1) than in the spacing trial (7.5 t ha-1). For Tectona grandis, the mean above-ground carbon stock was similarly higher in the plantation trial (6.6 t ha-1) than in the spacing trial (1.5 t ha-1). The results further suggest that the variation in the means of above-ground carbon stock is not dependent on the tree species type and experimental site because there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the tree species and experimental sites. 
Modeling the Water Balance of Agricultural Land in the Determination of the Growing Season in Buru Regency
No full textThis study aims to determine the value of surplus and water deviation of agricultural land in Namlea District, Buru Regency. The study was conducted in Namlea Subdistrict, Buru Regency, Maluku Province. Materials used, questionnaires, climate data, air temperature, precipitation, humidity, solar rays 10-20 years. Tools used, computer equipment, writing stationery and location maps. To obtain the surplus value and water deficit of the land used data on the average amount of monthly precipitation and the average monthly temperature using the calculation of the Thornthwaite method. The calculation of the groundwater balance is carried out using a bookkeeping system. The data used are monthly potential evapotranspiration values, climate station data, monthly average rainfall, and rainfall at a 50 percent chance level. The observation parameters calculated in this study are rainfall, evapotranspiration, and determination of land water balance. The results of this study showed that the difference in rainfall and evapotranspiration in Namlea District was highest in June at 85.40 mm, and the lowest in October at -99.83 mm. This value indicates that the evapotranspiration value is greater than the average monthly rainfall value during the period 2010 – 2019. Namlea Subdistrict experienced potential water loss for evaporation (APWL) in May of 35.30 mm, in August to November of August of 65.26 mm, in September of 156.24 mm, in October of 256.07 mm and in November of 303.45 mm. The land water balance in Namlea Subdistrict, namely rainwater deviation, occurs in May, then August to November, while the water surplus occurs in December to July, and continues in June and July. Namlea district annual runoff is 854.01 mm. Regarding agricultural irrigation development policies, this study recommends that it is necessary to pay attention to weaknesses in each food crop sub-sector
Evaluation of Traditional Know-How for the Cultivation of Muskuwaari Transplanted Sorghum in a Context of Climate Change (Mayo-Danay and Mayo-Kani, Far North Cameroon)
No full textAims: Sorghum is a staple food crop and accounts for more than half of cereal production in the Far North region. It is ranked among the seven most important agricultural products in the CEMAC zone. Approximately 12% of this dry season sorghum, known as transplanted sorghum, is used extensively in the population's diet.
Study Design: The study conducted from 2017 to 2019 aims to assess the adopted techniques for better exploitation of Muskuwaari in the Far North region of Cameroon in a context where climate change has a strong influence on agricultural yield.
Methodology: The evaluation of Muskuwaari cultivation techniques is based on farmer surveys and direct field observations. A total of 390 people were surveyed in six different villages in the two regions.
Results: Cultivation lasts from July to April, for a period of 10 months. Several activities were identified: primary preparation of the field from July to August, setting up nurseries from August (This activity is poorly represented in Kalfou (16.92% on both types of soil) and in Kaélé (18.46% on clay soil and 13.85% on hydromorphic soil), preparation of the field from September (The most common techniques used today are spraying and transplanting (Technique 6): 34.92% in Guidiguis, 52.31% in Touloum, 50.77% in Kaélé, 62.50% in Kalfou, 35.38% in Doukoula, 55.38% in Tchatibali on average for the clay type soil and 40,63% in Guidiguis, 47.69% in Touloum, 56.92% in Kaélé, 52.46% in Kalfou, 47.62% in Doukoula, 46.77% in Tchatibali on average for the hydromorphic type soil), transplanting from September, weeding from November and harvesting from January. These activities vary according to the type of soil used and the villages.
Conclusion: The analysis of these Muskuwaari cultivation techniques showed a slight shift in relation to the cultivation calendar described in the past by other authors. This shift is caused by the change in climate that shortens and/or extends the rainy season from one year to the next
Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Skin Diseases in Southern Punjab, Pakistan
No full textSkin conditions are among the most common health problems that affect people. Modern, allopathic, and natural medicine can all help to promote healthy skin. Human skin problems can be successfully treated using medicinal herbs because they contain a wide variety of bioactive molecules. The goal of this research is to look into the dermatological properties of medicinal plants used by different ethnic communities in southern Punjab, Pakistan and it seeks to establish a foundation for the development of novel medications with anti-skin activity. The snowball sampling method was employed for expert sampling in the southern Punjab districts of Multan and Vehari. Direct interviews with traditional herbalists (Hakeem) and shopkeepers selling medicinal plants (pansar) were done between August and December 2021. After gaining their prior informed agreement, 120 experts from southern Punjab were interviewed. 21 medicinal plants were recorded to be utilized in the treatment of skin problems. Plants are largely members of the Asteraceae and Piperaceae families. Leaves (62%) are the plant portion most frequently used as a treatment for skin conditions. Decoction (23%) is the most frequently used method in the study area. Aloe barbadensis miller having the highest Relative Frequency Citation (RFC) value while the frequency citation (FC) value ranged from 20 to 60. The highest value of FC was also recorded for Aloe barbadensis. The fidelity level (FL) ranged from 66 to 100%. The documented 15 medicinal plants have a higher FL value than 85%
Height-Diameter Models for Prediction of Teak Stand in Western Nigeria
No full textThe Diameter-height relationship has proven to be an important part in growth and yield models which describe stand changes. Ten existing nonlinear height-diameter models were used to fit and evaluate Tectona grandis stand in Oluwa forest reserve (Nigeria) in this study. Three hundred and ninety-seven (397) trees were measured for their stand variables of which diameter at breast height (Dbh) and height (Ht) were paramount. All functions were fitted using weighted nonlinear least square regression (NLLSR), considering hetroscadasticity of variance. Model performance were evaluated using three fit statistics such as root mean squared error (RMSE), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Logistic 3-parameters H-D function as the best fit based on the model’s evaluation statistics and its predictive ability with values of RMSE, AIC and BIC as 2.8925, 1974 and 1990, respectively. Gompertz, Weibull, Chapman-Richards and Michaelis-Menten models also provided good fit results comparable to the observed height-diameter relationship. Logistic function with 3-parameters has been confirmed to provide a secure estimate of total tree height for Tectona grandis in Oluwa Forest Reserve