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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd Dec 2012

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic problems of our time. Desertification describes circumstances of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from the climatic variation and human activities. The fundamental goal of this thesis was to assess the effects of desertification in Yobe State, Nigeria. The present threat of desertification in the sahel has reached an alarming stage where crops cultivation and animal rearing/grazing are no more productive, soil has lost its nutrient/fertility, various infrastructure had given way because of windstorm from the neighbouring Niger Republic and sand dunes had taken over. The …


Buried Clay Pipe Irrigation, David A. Bainbridge Dec 2012

Buried Clay Pipe Irrigation, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

The buried clay pipe method of irrigation is one of the most efficient systems known and is ideal for gardeners and small farmers. Buried clay pipe irrigation uses a buried, unglazed clay pipe filled with water to provide controlled irrigation to plants as the water seeps out through the clay wall at a rate that is influenced by the plant's water use. It has been used for more than one hundred years.This auto-regulation leads to very high efficiency--considerably better than drip irrigation and many times better than conventional surface irrigation. This also reduces weeds, increases yields, and can speed maturity …


Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa Dec 2012

Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This research work looked in the used of Remote Sensing to improve Agricultural production in Kutigi, Niger State. The aim of the study is to use remote sensing to improve rice farming activities in Kutigi, Niger State. It is very important to identify such methods to improve Agricultural production because experts are always interested in new researches and findings to better the standard of living in any environment. In view of this, Remotely-sensed data could be used or employed to elevate most of these agricultural problems in Kutigi through the following objectives: Using Landsat imagery to assess the present landuse …


Effect Of Potassium Fertilizer And Different Fertilization Methods On The Growth Of Tuberose, A Mohammadi Torkashvand, Yaser Shariati, R Onsinejad Dec 2012

Effect Of Potassium Fertilizer And Different Fertilization Methods On The Growth Of Tuberose, A Mohammadi Torkashvand, Yaser Shariati, R Onsinejad

y shariati

An appropriate fertilization method is an important topic in nutrition of ornamental plants for obtaining suitable quality and quantity yield. This study was conducted in Farvardin greenhouse of Mashhad Township, Khorasan province, Iran, in summer and autumn 2011 to find appropriate fertilization method on the growth of tuberose as the test plant. The experiment was performed by 21 treatments and 3 replications in a randomized completely design. Different methods of fertilization by different fertilizers in three levels of basic potassium were evaluated. The treatment containing 100 kg potassium as base + one-third N and P as base and two-third N …


Constraints In Adoption Of Moongbean Production Technology In Sundarban, West Bengal, Ganesh Chandra Dec 2012

Constraints In Adoption Of Moongbean Production Technology In Sundarban, West Bengal, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

The new agricultural technologies are considered to be the prime mover to the process of agricultural development in India. Understanding farmers’ perceptions of a given technology is crucial in the generation and diffusion of new technologies and farm household information dissemination. Pulses in India have long been considered as the poor man’s only source of protein. Moongbean (green gram) is one of the important pulse crop in India, plays a major role in augmenting the income of small and marginal farmers of Sundarban. Constraints are the circumstances or causes, which prohibit farmer to adopt improved farm technology. This constraint study …


Do We Really Need New Policies? A Study On Soil Sealing In Egypt, Ahmed Harb Rabia Oct 2012

Do We Really Need New Policies? A Study On Soil Sealing In Egypt, Ahmed Harb Rabia

Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Egypt has the lowest area of agricultural land per individual in Africa. The agricultural land stands for a total of approximately 3.5 million ha which characterized about 3.5% of the total area of Egypt in 2007. The urban encroachment over arable productive agricultural land in Egypt is common and is called (urban desertification). Therefore, the annual loss of arable land to urbanization is 1.2%. This indicates a serious situation to the agricultural area. the Academy of Scientific Research & Technology (1994) has reported that during the period from 1978 to 1984, the annual expansion rates of the dwelling area ranged …


Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh Oct 2012

Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Agricultural production in Nigeria like in other developing countries is highly vulnerable to variations in climatic parameters which may have inverse or direct effect on the performance of food crops. This paper examines the patterns and trends of the variations in the climatic parameters and the implications of such variations on efficient yield rates of some food crops in Benue State using data on climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, sunshine) and the yield of some crops per hectare for 25 years (1986-2010). Data on the climatic variables were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, AirForce Base, Makurdi while the data on …


What's In Your Nitrogen Budget?, Robert Mikkelsen Aug 2012

What's In Your Nitrogen Budget?, Robert Mikkelsen

Robert Mikkelsen

No abstract provided.


Environmental Impacts Of Stover Removal In The Corn Belt, Alicia English, Wallace E. Tyner, Juan Sesmero, Phillip Owens, David J. Muth Jr. Aug 2012

Environmental Impacts Of Stover Removal In The Corn Belt, Alicia English, Wallace E. Tyner, Juan Sesmero, Phillip Owens, David J. Muth Jr.

David J. Muth

When considering the market for biomass from corn stover resources erosion and soil quality issues are important to consider. Removal of stover can be beneficial in some areas, especially when coordinated with other conservation practices, such as vegetative barrier strips and cover crops. However, benefits are highly dependent on several factors, namely if farmers see costs and benefits associated with erosion and the tradeoffs with the removal of biomass. This paper uses results from an integrated RUSLE2/WEPS model to incorporate six different regime choices, covering management, harvest and conservation, into a simple profit maximization model to show these tradeoffs.


Mapping Soil Erosion Risk Using Rusle, Gis And Remote Sensing Techniques, Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia Jul 2012

Mapping Soil Erosion Risk Using Rusle, Gis And Remote Sensing Techniques, Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation in arid and semi-arid areas like Ethiopia, including Tigray Highlands, which is highly affected by the risk of desertification. Tackling on-site effects of soil erosion requires understanding of the rates of soil loss as well as identification of the major controlling factors that accelerate or slow down these processes. The study aims to quantify the soil loss by erosion process and to specify the main factor affecting the Erosion development in the study area. The Study area was Kilte Awulaelo District which is situated in the eastern part of …


Dynamics Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes And Its Implication On Food Security In Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria, Tokula E. Arome, Sunday P. Ejaro (Phd) May 2012

Dynamics Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes And Its Implication On Food Security In Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria, Tokula E. Arome, Sunday P. Ejaro (Phd)

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study assessed land use/land cover changes and its effect on Agricultural land in Anyigba. The objectives were to identify and delineate different land use / land cover categories, assess the rate of change that occurred and examine the impact of land use/land cover change on food security using satellite remote sensing data collected at three different years (1987 Land sat TM, 2001 Land Sat TM and 2011 Land Sat ETM). The study utilized GIS software such as Idrisi Andes academic and ArcGIS 9.3. The study area covers approximately 31.8km2, and four major land use/cover classes were utilized (built up, …


Modeling Of Soil Sealing By Urban Sprawl In Wukro, Ethiopia Using Remote Sensing And Gis Techniques, Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia May 2012

Modeling Of Soil Sealing By Urban Sprawl In Wukro, Ethiopia Using Remote Sensing And Gis Techniques, Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Soil sealing is the covering of the soil surface with materials like concrete and stone, as a result of new buildings, roads, parking places but also other public and private space. Soil sealing by urban sprawl continues to increase all over the world where the area of urbanized land is increasing even more rapidly than the population. The degree of sealing is associated to the land use type and the density of population. Techniques of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) have been used widely to measure urban sprawl and to analyze the spatial features and unique mechanism of …


Gis Spatial Modeling For Land Degradation Assessment In Tigray, Ethiopia., Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia May 2012

Gis Spatial Modeling For Land Degradation Assessment In Tigray, Ethiopia., Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Land degradation can be described as reduction in the present and prospective land quality and production, due to natural or anthropogenic dynamics. This phenomenon is one of the most important problems facing farmers and decision makers in several countries. This study aims to use GIS spatial modeling to quantify land (physically and chemically) degradation in the study area based on remotely sensed and field survey’s data. A GIS spatial model has been developed based on the LADA- FAO methodology to apply a land degradation assessment in the study area. Final land degradation map has been produced by combining the outputs …


Socio-Economic Effects Of Demolishing Squatter Settlements And Illegal Structures In Abuja Metropolis, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Ishaku Iy Mallo Phd, Victor G. Obasanya Jan 2012

Socio-Economic Effects Of Demolishing Squatter Settlements And Illegal Structures In Abuja Metropolis, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Ishaku Iy Mallo Phd, Victor G. Obasanya

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Abuja the Federal Capital Territory and study area is located between latitudes 8o25’ and 9o25’ North of the Equator and longitudes 6o45’ and 7o45’ East of the Greenwich Meridian. The study was carried out in Abuja Phase 1, and it is aimed at highlighting various socioeconomic effects of demolition of illegal structures and informal or squatter settlements on the people within the study area. Data was collected through reconnaissance survey, personal interviews with respondents, and a well laid out questionnaire. The results indicate that the demolition exercise embarked upon by the authorities in the Federal Capital Territory was a response …


Rainfall Variability And Crop Zones Classification For The Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Shaibu M. Hassan Phd Jan 2012

Rainfall Variability And Crop Zones Classification For The Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Shaibu M. Hassan Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study aims at analyzing agro-climatological parameters and establishing a link between some selected agro-climatological indices and sustainability of agricultural production in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Two sets of data, climatic and crop yield data were collected and subjected to various agro-climatological analyses. Agro-climatological analyses include the derivation of Onset, Cessation and Length of Rainy Season (LRS), Seasonality Index, Drought Index and Precipitation Periodicity Index. The statistical analyses include monthly and annual means, deviation from the mean, trend line. The result of moisture index in line with crops optimum moisture requirement was used to classify the Territory into agro-climatic …


Impact Of Biofield Treatment On Growth And Yieldof Lettuce And Tomato, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi Jan 2012

Impact Of Biofield Treatment On Growth And Yieldof Lettuce And Tomato, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Recent studies report the effect of biofield treatment on changes in structural characteristics of organic and inorganic matter, on cancer cells in vitro and on overall plant development. This study tested the impact of the same treatment applied to lettuce and tomato seeds and transplants (Lactuca sativa var. capitata and Lycopersiconesculentum var. Roma) in commercial plantings with and without fertilizers and pesticides, in relation to yield, quality, and pest inhibition. Treated lettuce plants with fertilizer and pesticide applications were more vigorous, exhibited less incidence of soil-borne fungal wilt, and subsequent yield was statistically greater 43% compared to untreated plants. Treated …


Impact Of Biofield Treatment On Growth And Anatomical Characteristics Of Pogostemoncablin (Benth.), Mahendra Kumar Trivedi Jan 2012

Impact Of Biofield Treatment On Growth And Anatomical Characteristics Of Pogostemoncablin (Benth.), Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Pogostemoncablin is a known aromatic plant which is cultivated for its essential oil widely applicated in perfumery and cosmetic industries. In the present study, the effect of biofield treatment was studied on the growth of P. cablin. For this study an in-vitro culture system was set up in two groups, viz., control and treatment, each of which was derived from three different explant sources, namely leaf, node and petiole. Further these in-vitro plantlets were hardened and transferred to external environment. The stomatal cells and epidermal hair growth were also studied at various morphogenetic stages. The study revealed that a single …


Effects Of Co2 And Temperature On Biomass Of Parasitic Plants, Ji-Huan He Jan 2012

Effects Of Co2 And Temperature On Biomass Of Parasitic Plants, Ji-Huan He

Ji-Huan He

A general model, based on consistence of metabolic rates of a parasitic plant and its host, is suggested in the paper, that characterizes the effect of atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature on parasite biomass. The model reveals that the increase of global mean surface temperature and CO2 might lead to an unexpected threat from parasite plants to Cryptomeria fortunei which are more than a millennium year old in Mount Tian-Mu, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China. The threat triggers serious disease and death in a very short time. The paper also suggests a reasonable approach to the control of biomass …


Super Efficient Irrigation With Buried Clay Pots, David A. Bainbridge Jan 2012

Super Efficient Irrigation With Buried Clay Pots, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

Buried clay pot irrigation was first described in an agricultural extension bulletin in China more than 2000 years ago. The clay pot provides demand responsive irrigation at very high efficiency. Clay pot irrigation can be 5-10 times more efficient than conventional irrigation. It is being used more widely in Asia, Africa, Latin American and the US.


Mites (Arachnida: Acari) Collected On Rubber Trees Hevea Brasiliensis (Willd. Ex A.Juss.) Müll.Arg. In Santana, Amapá State, Brazil, Rodrigo Souza Santos Rss Jan 2012

Mites (Arachnida: Acari) Collected On Rubber Trees Hevea Brasiliensis (Willd. Ex A.Juss.) Müll.Arg. In Santana, Amapá State, Brazil, Rodrigo Souza Santos Rss

Rodrigo Souza Santos RSS

The purpose of this study was to elaborate a preliminary list of the mite species associated with rubber trees in the municipality of Santana, in the state of Amapá, Brazil. Two collections of rubber tree leaves were conducted on May 2nd and June 5th , 2010. Twenty-five plants were sampled at random. Three leaves were collected per plant, from the lower third of the crown. The samples were placed in paper bags, packed in an isothermal box chilled gel-based pulp plant (Gelo-X®), and transported to the Entomology Laboratory at Embrapa Amapá, in Macapá. The leaflets were examined under a stereomicroscope, …


In Vitro Plant Regeneration, Antioxidant And Antibacterial Studies On Broccoli, Brassica Oleracea Var. Italica, Rosna Binti Mat Taha Jan 2012

In Vitro Plant Regeneration, Antioxidant And Antibacterial Studies On Broccoli, Brassica Oleracea Var. Italica, Rosna Binti Mat Taha

Rosna Binti Mat Taha

Leaf and shoot tip explant of Brassica oleracea var. italica were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of (BAP) and (IBA), alone and in combinations to achieve plant regeneration. Subsequently, antioxidant and antibacterial activities were determined from In vitro and In vivo plant parts. The highest mean numbers of shoot was observed on combinations of 1 mg l(-1) and 1.5 mg l(-1) of BAP and IBA, 9.49 and 8.69, respectively. The highest number of shoot produced (11.55) per shoot tip explant was recorded on 2.5 mg l(-1) BAP. In addition, highest percentage of roots …


Regression Analysis On Ionic Liquid Pretreatment Of Sugarcane Bagasse And Assessment Of Structural Changes, Li Wan Yoon, Teck Nam Ang Dr., Gek Cheng Ngoh Dr, Adeline Seak May Chua Dr Jan 2012

Regression Analysis On Ionic Liquid Pretreatment Of Sugarcane Bagasse And Assessment Of Structural Changes, Li Wan Yoon, Teck Nam Ang Dr., Gek Cheng Ngoh Dr, Adeline Seak May Chua Dr

Teck Nam Ang Dr.

This study aims to perform a regression analysis which leads to the optimization on the operating conditions of ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]oAc) pretreatment on sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The structural changes on SCB during pretreatment were also examined. The effects of temperature, time and solid loading on reducing sugar (RS) yield obtained from enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated SCB were investigated by applying Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Results from CCD were modeled into a second order polynomial equation and the model shows a good correlation between predicted and experimental values. The optimized condition for [EMIM]oAc …


Elucidation Of The Effect Of Ionic Liquid Pretreatment On Rice Husk Via Structural Analyses, Teck Nam Ang Dr., Gek Cheng Ngoh Dr, Adeline Seak May Chua Dr, Min Gyu Lee Prof Jan 2012

Elucidation Of The Effect Of Ionic Liquid Pretreatment On Rice Husk Via Structural Analyses, Teck Nam Ang Dr., Gek Cheng Ngoh Dr, Adeline Seak May Chua Dr, Min Gyu Lee Prof

Teck Nam Ang Dr.

Background: In the present study, three ionic liquids, namely 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]OAc), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethyl phosphate ([EMIM]DEP), were used to partially dissolve rice husk, after which the cellulose were regenerated by the addition of water. The aim of the investigation is to examine the implications of the ionic liquid pretreatments on rice husk composition and structure. Results: From the attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform-infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results, the regenerated cellulose were more amorphous, less crystalline, and possessed higher structural disruption compared with untreated rice husk. The major component …


Instantaneous Evaluation Of Nitrate, Ammonium, Phosphorus And Potassium Pools In Greenhouse Soils In Antalya Province Of Turkey, Ali Coskan, Atılgan Atilgan, Hasan Oz, Erdinc Isler Jan 2012

Instantaneous Evaluation Of Nitrate, Ammonium, Phosphorus And Potassium Pools In Greenhouse Soils In Antalya Province Of Turkey, Ali Coskan, Atılgan Atilgan, Hasan Oz, Erdinc Isler

Hasan OZ

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the main components determining yield and quality of intensive agricultural production particularly at undercover production, however; excessive fertilization has some environmental and economical consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate surplus amount of fertilizers at the harvest stage of the greenhouse soils in Antalya Province. Therefore, soil samples were collected from 57 representative greenhouses to determine their mineral nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium along with organic matter contents. The results revealed that soil from 30% of greenhouses had nitrate values of 30 to 35 kg da-1. Ammonium values were considerably low compared to …


Landscape Management For Sustainable Supplies Of Bioenergy Feedstock And Enhanced Soil Quality, Douglas L. Karlen, David J. Muth Jr. Jan 2012

Landscape Management For Sustainable Supplies Of Bioenergy Feedstock And Enhanced Soil Quality, Douglas L. Karlen, David J. Muth Jr.

David J. Muth

Agriculture can simultaneously address global food, feed, fi ber, and energy challenges provided our soil, water, and air resources are not compromised in doing so. As we embark on the 19th Triennial Conference of the International Soil and Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO), I am pleased to proclaim that our members are well poised to lead these endeavors because of our comprehensive understanding of soil, water, agricultural and bio-systems engineering processes. The concept of landscape management, as an approach for integrating multiple bioenergy feedstock sources, including biomass residuals, into current crop production systems, is used as the focal point to show …


Improving Biomass Logistics Cost Within Agronomic Sustainability Constratints And Biomass Quality Targets, Kevin L. Kenney, J. Richard Hess, William A. Smith, David J. Muth Jr. Jan 2012

Improving Biomass Logistics Cost Within Agronomic Sustainability Constratints And Biomass Quality Targets, Kevin L. Kenney, J. Richard Hess, William A. Smith, David J. Muth Jr.

David J. Muth

Equipment manufacturers have made rapid improvements in biomass harvesting and handling equipment. These improvements have increased transportation and handling efficiencies due to higher biomass densities and reduced losses. Improvements in grinder efficiencies and capacity have reduced biomass grinding costs. Biomass collection efficiencies (the ratio of biomass collected to the amount available in the field) as high as 75% for crop residues and greater than 90% for perennial energy crops have also been demonstrated. However, as collection rates increase, the fraction of entrained soil in the biomass increases, and high biomass residue removal rates can violate agronomic sustainability limits. Advancements in …


Economics Of Residue Harvest: Regional Partnership Evaluation, David W. Archer, David J. Muth Jr., Jacob J. Jacobson, Douglas L. Karlen Jan 2012

Economics Of Residue Harvest: Regional Partnership Evaluation, David W. Archer, David J. Muth Jr., Jacob J. Jacobson, Douglas L. Karlen

David J. Muth

Economic analyses on the viability of corn (Zea mays, L.) stover harvest for bioenergy production have largely been based on simulation modeling. While some studies have utilized field research data, most field-based analyses have included a limited number of sites and a narrow geographic distribution. An Iowa case study is developed illustrating the use of data extracted from a database of geographically distributed field studies for a region-specific economic analysis. The analysis utilizes grain and residue yield and associated management information from two Iowa field research sites that are Sun Grant Regional Partnership locations associated with the Corn Stover Regional …