Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry
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Diversity of Tree Species in Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
No full textThis study was carried out to examine the distribution of plant species in Rivers State University campus at different locations at the Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Port Harcourt Nigeria. The general objective of this study was to examine the Ecological distribution of plant species in Rivers State University campus at different locations. The specific objective was to determine the species abundance of various plants in the study area and also to examine the ecological diversity of tree species in the various groups. The study area was divided into three groups (stations) with the various plants species identified and recorded. Data gotten from the field was analyzed using descriptive statistic and some ecological indices such as Margalef, Mehinick, Shannon diversity, Shannon Wiener, Evenness/Equitability and Simpson dominance. A total of one thousand Sixty-nine (1069) individual plant were identified with 16, 17 and 12 species in stations 1-3 respectively. The highest individual plants (561) were observed in station 1 while the least (87) were observed in station 3. The mean values of stations 1 and 2 were significantly and statistically different from site 3 at p<0.05. The results obtained showed some dominant species to include Elaeis guincensis, Polyaithia longifolia, Pinus spp, Gmelina arborea, Wodyetia bifareata, Citrus sinensis, Cocos nuciferia while others were the least dominant species found in the study area. The Margalef, Mehinicks and Shannon Wiener values were consistently highest in station 2 but lowest in station 3. Human disturbances had negative impact on tree species abundance especially in site 3. It is therefore recommended that management interventions are necessary in other to stop indiscriminate felling of the various trees species that made up the different groups
Photosynthesis, Growth and Dry Biomass Production in Euglena gracilis Klebs as Affected by Three Growth Irradiance Levels
No full textAims: The research aimed to investigate the shade response of E. gracilis Klebs while making the irradiance a crucial factor for photosynthesis based physiological activities and its applicability for industrial level culture conditions.
Study Design: Euglena was cultured at three different light intensities of 30, 90, and 210 mol m-2s-1 photoautotrophically and axenically in modified Cramer-Meyer medium at 25 ˚C as batch cultures.
Methodology: The photosynthesis O2 evaluation of Euglena cultures was measured under exponential (EP), transitional (TP), and stationary phases (SP). The light compensation point (LCP), light saturation point (LSP), and dark respiration rate (DRR) were obtained. Cell volume and cell number in each culture were measured simultaneously. Cells were collected and obtained dry mass (DM) after drying aliquots at 80˚C. Specific growth rate (SGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were calculated. Tests for homogeneity of variance were performed on all parameters and LSDs were used for the mean separation.
Results: In the TP, the lowest LCP was achieved in the higher light culture. The values of both the DRR and the LSP were the same as in EP. The DRR, LCP and LSP are lower in lower PFD cultures and decreased with increasing cell titers. The cellular growth levels were lower in lower light culture and decreased as each culture grew. Cellular DM was maintained constant in the EP, where SGR almost equaled RGR. In the EP, SGR was maintained constant in each culture, SGR displayed a saturation phenomenon. In the later TP, SGR became equal to RGR and all the cultures revealed constant DM.
Conclusion: Euglena photoautotrophic cultures can tolerate low light intensities. With the SGR and RGR behavior under the shade conditions, they can maintain the constant photosynthesis rate and constant dry matter level
Alleviation of Salt-Induced Adverse Effects on Gas Exchange, Photosynthetic Pigments Content and Chloroplast Ultrastructure in Gerbera Jamesonii L. by Exogenous Salicylic Acid Application
No full textAims: The effects of exogenously applied salicylic acid (SA) on gas exchange characteristics, photosynthetic pigments and chloroplast ultrastructure were investigated in gerbera at their reproductive stage under salt-stressed conditions.
Methodology: A pot experiment was conducted under glasshouse conditions at the Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, (30° N/120° E) between February 2008 and March 2009.Plants, pretreated with foliar applications of 0, 0.5, and 1.0 mmoldm-3 SA at the onset of flower initiation were irrigated with 100 mmoldm-3NaCl(aq) for two weeks, starting after three days from the SA pretreatment. Control did not receive either NaCl or SA.Photosynthetic rate, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments content and chloroplast ultrastructure were investigated against treatments. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Generalized Linear Model (GLM) using SAS statistical software. Pearson’s correlation test was carried out to study the relationships among the parameters. The means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). For all the tests, P< .05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Salt stress adversely affected the gas exchange characteristics, photosynthetic pigment contents and chloroplast ultrastructure. SA application significantly increased the net photosynthesis, stomatal conductivity, intra-cellular CO2 content and transpiration rate but decreased the stomatal limitation, compared to those of untreated salt-stressed plants. Further, the enhanced photosynthetic pigment contents and notably undamaged chloroplast ultrastructure were evident of the ameliorative effects of SA on photosynthetic system under salt stress. Of the two concentrations tested, 0.5 mmoldm-3 SA concentration seemed to have greater effect throughout the experiment showing no significant variation from control in some attributes (chlorophyll contents and chloroplast ultrastructure).
Conclusion: Responses of plants pretreated with SA spraying and significant correlation among them plausibly suggest SA-induced enhancement of photosynthetic system as another target for conferring salt tolerance in crop plants
Financial Analysis of the State Forestry Organizations: Example of Turkey
No full textIn countries where the state is the main owner of the forest resources, forestry activities are carried out with allocated shares from government budget resources. In order to ensure effective and efficient use of financial resources and determine whether forestry goals and targets are achieved, it is necessary to perform financial analysis of public forestry institutions. In Turkey, where the state owns majority of forests, the General Directorate of Forestry (GDF) is the main responsible institution for the management of the forestry sector. This study aimed to make financial statement analysis of working capital budget of the GDF, by applying horizontal analysis, vertical analysis, trend analysis and ratio analysis. In this context, balance sheet and income statement of GDF for the period of 2015-2019 are analyzed. It is determined that in the given period, due to increase in “trade receivables”, “other receivables” and “inventories” accounts, total current assets have shown a positive trend. Also there is a steady increase in the equity, which can be considered as a positive development for the GDF. Gross sales and net sales amount doubled in the given period and, by keeping cost of sales and operating expenses under control, net profit of the GDF showed significant increase especially in last three years. Moreover, ratio analysis results revealed that GDF has capacity to satisfy its current and long-term liabilities and increased its profitability in the mentioned period
Tree Species Composition, Richness and Diversity in the Northern Guinea-Savanna Taraba State, Nigeria
No full textThe study investigated tree species composition, diversity and abundance in the Guinea savanna ecosystem, Taraba State, Nigeria. Three transects with a distance of 500 m apart were used for the study. Four sample plots of 25 m x 25 m size were laid in alternate positions along each transect at 250 m intervals. Identification of trees/shrubs was carried out in the forest reserves. Biodiversity indices such as; Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Species evenness, Simpson’s diversity index, Margalef’s richness index and Menhinick’s diversity index, were estimated at the end of the study. The result of floristic diversity assessment showed that the two forest reserves were able to conserve trees/shrubs species diversity. This was reflected by the value obtained for diversity indices for the two land use types: Shannon- Weinner (3.29, 3.08), species evenness (0.47, 0.49), Simpson (0.95, 0.93), Margalef (6.83, 6.49), Minhinck’s index (2.09, 1.79) for Sonkpa and Jabwanje forest reserves respectively. The density of fruit trees/shrubs encountered in the two forest reserves were (279, 414) which accounted for (47% and 56%) of the total woody population in Sonkpa and Jabwanje forest reserves respectively. Among the prominent fruit trees/shrubs encountered were Nauclea latifolia, Gardenia aqualla, Annona senegalensis, Prosopis africana, Vitellaria paradoxa, Vitex doniana, Strychnos innocua. However, the absence of Irvingia gabonensis and lower density of Afzelia africana was an indication that some important species are already going to extinction while others are endangered. Hence, the State government should, intensify the management of savanna forest by controlling the intensity of tree harvesting, stop illegal felling and encourage enrichment planting. Genetic improvement through germplasm collection and propagation studies should be carried out on the under exploited edible fruit species for genetically improved cultivars production
Awareness and Contribution of African Indigenous Leafy Vegetables to Household Wellbeing: A Case of Smallholder Farmers in Kisii County, Kenya
No full textThis study investigated the contribution of African Indigenous Leafy Vegetables (AILVs) to the welfare of smallholder farmers in Kisii County. AILVs have recently been attracting research attention not only in terms of their inherent nutrition quality and healing properties but also for their economic potential that is brought about by increased consumer demand of these vegetables. Despite having multiple benefits and positive promise towards contributing to household food dietary quality and income, utilization of African indigenous Leafy Vegetables (AILVs) by farming households is still low as indicated by a constant deficit in supply. Based on the claimed benefits in the face of low volumes in terms of utilization, this study sought to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of AILVs smallholders and factors that influence production of these vegetables in Bomachoge Borabu Sub-County, Kisii County Kenya. A Multistage sampling method was used to obtain a sample of 150 AILV farmers. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the socio-economic characteristics while Tobit model was utilized in analyzing the factors that influence production of AILVs. The Tobit regression results indicated that age, gender, education, value awareness, occupation and household income significantly influenced AILV production. The study concluded that engagement in AILVs utilization brings along unmatched benefits. The study recommends a long term campaign majorly targeting the young and the non-growing communities in creation of value awareness to improve on the utilization of the vegetables. The study also recommends a similar study in regions of the Country that record low levels of utilization
Socio-Economic Benefit of Fuel-Wood Marketing on the Host Communities of Onigambari Forest Reserve, Nigeria
No full textFuel wood extraction and marketing is one of the off farm activities for rural dwellers around the forest reserve of Oyo State, Nigeria. The assessment of fuel wood extraction on the rural dwellers’ livelihoods was carried out using multi-stage sampling techniques. Purposive sampling was used to select Onigambari Forest Reserve where fuel wood extraction is one of the major off-farm businesses by the rural dwellers. Random sampling was also used to select 50% of the registered fuel wood marketers by Oyo State department of forestry. Structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews waere used to generate data. Data collected were analysed through tables of percentage. Results showed that fuel wood marketing is a profitable business with an average of 54,000 gains per month by the respondents. Fuel wood business has helped the respondents to possess properties such as houses, land for building, farmland and vehicles. Farming activities in the study area have also improved drastically as many of the respondents had farming as their primary occupation and their gains from fuel wood business were re-invested into farmland and haulage vehicles
Characterization of Diameter Distribution and Prediction of Weibull Parameters Equation for Plantation-grown Eucalyptus Species
No full textAim: To characterization of the diameter distribution and prediction of Weibull parameters of a plantation-grown Eucalyptus species.
Study design: Stratified sampling method was adopted, in which the plantation was stratified into four age series.
Place and duration of study: Afaka Forest Reserve, one month.
Methodology: Fifty (50) sample plots of 20 x 20 m were laid across the age series. In each of the plot, all the trees were counted and data of variable of interest was collected and processed. A separate Weibull distribution is fitted to the diameter at breast height (dbh) frequency data from each of the plot for the estimation of Weibull parameters (location, scale and shape). The data set obtained from the Weibull parameter estimate was then used to develop regression equations with the stand variables. Coefficient of Determination (R2) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was used as goodness of fit test.
Results: The result on the stand characteristics revealed that, the mean diameter at breast height (dbh) ranges between 13.4 – 18.2 cm across the four stands. This indicates that the species are still of pole sizes. The average site productivity of the species ranges between 24.0 m to 37 m at an index of 25 years. The mean Basal area varies between 14.13 to 26.85 m2 per ha, while the average tree total height ranges between 24.6 to 28.2 m across the four species. The result on diameter class distribution shows that most of the species fell within dbh class of 11 -20 cm class except E. cloeziana in which the highest frequency fell into 16 – 20cm dbh class. Best equation were selected for each of the Weibull parameters (α, β, ) per species based on fit statistics. The formation of straight line pattern from the plotted normal probability plots indicates the adequacy of the selected models for predicting Weibull parameters. A fluctuation pattern exists between the Weibull parameters and the stand characteristics. this may be due to variation in climatic factor, most especially fluctuations in rainfall pattern in the area at that particular period.
Conclusion: The ease of fit and high value of coefficient of determination of the models in this study has re-affirmed the use of Weibull parameter in prediction of stand characteristics as been suggested by many authors in the literature
Effect of Clonal Variation on Oil Content and Oil Properties of Calophyllum inophyllum L: A Multi Purpose Tree
No full textCalophyllum inophyllum is a potential source of non-edible seed oil. Calophyllum oil is used as a biofuel and also for medicinal purposes. At the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore carried out a study in 2019, on five different clones of C. inophyllum to investigate the effect of clonal variabilty on oil yield and oil physico-chemical properties for use as a biofuel. Oil yield significantly varied among the five clones and ranged from 48.6% to 55.8%. Among the physical properties, except Kinematic Viscosity, Specific Gravity and Refractive Index, the properties such as Flash point, Fire point, Pour point and Cloud point did not vary significantly. However, all the chemical properties studied, such as Acid value, Saponification value, Iodine value and Peroxide value showed apparent variation. From the study it could be derived that clone 15 is more suitable as tree crop for biofuel purpose and the variations among the clones indicate prevalence of scope for tree improvement of C. inophyllum for specific use
Geospatial Application in Forest Reserves Distribution and Sawmills Proximity as a Major Sources of Timber Product in Ibadan and Ibarapa Divisions, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria
No full textThe proximity to forest reserves has been considered one of the major factors affecting the spatial distribution of timber based industries. This study assesses the spatial distribution of forest reserves and sawmills in Ibadan and Ibarapa divisions, Oyo State, Nigeria. Existing map of forest reserves of Oyo State and Oyo State shape file was used. The primary data included the geographical coordinates of locations of all existing and functioning sawmills in Ibadan and Ibarapa divisions and this was acquired with Handheld Global Positioning System (eTrex Garmin 30x). The base maps were georeferenced in ArcGIS 10.2 using the coordinates of the base map and the area covered by each forest reserve was digitized. The distance from each sawmill to the nearest forest was determined to ascertain their proximity. The results shows that the forest reserves in Ibadan division covered a total of 47,874.691 hectares of land while a total of 59,011.146 hectares were accounted for the Ibarapa division. From Ibadan division, Ijaiye forest reserve has the highest area of land of 25,544.856 ha (53.36%) and Eleyele forest reserve has the least 526.092 ha (1.10%). Igangan with highest forest reserve of 40,643.885 ha (68.87%) from Ibarapa division, and Eruwa forest reserve has the least 7,488.207 ha (12.69%). Generally from the study area, twenty-one (21) sawmills were visited and recorded in all the forestry zones. Four (4) forest reserves are in Ibadan and three (3) in Ibarapa divisions. The travel distance from sawmills to the nearest forest reserve in Ibadan; Gambari, Osho and Eleyele forest reserves was within 5-15km while other are far. It can be concluded that, more sawmills is needed in the study area like Ijaiye, Lanlate as the travel distance of sawmills to the forest reserves is far and this may cause high price in the price of timbers and other forest products