Life Sciences Commons^™

Detecting Changes In Landuse/Cover Of Umuahia, South-Eastern Nigeria Using Remote Sensing And Gis Techniques, Fanan Ujoh, Olarewaju Oluseyi Ifatimehin, Adams Ndalai Baba

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

Since 1991 when it became the capital city of Abia State, Umuahia has undergone tremendous transformation in its land use and land cover due to rapid urbanization. The main materials employed for this study are a land use map (1991) and Landsat ETM+satellite image (2007) of the study area. These, combined with field survey/checks, were brought into a GIS environment using ILWIS 3.2 Academic image classification software to map the land use/land cover and to estimate the rate of urban expansion and loss of rural land at the peri-urban fringes of Umuahia between 1991 and 2007. The study revealed significant …

Gender Participation In The Management Of Tricycle Transport For Youth Empowerment And Sustainable Development In Kano State, Nigeria, Nuratu Muhammed

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

The research examined gender participation in the management of tricycle for youth empowerment and sustainable development in Kano state, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select samples of drivers(150), passengers (150) and owners/managers the female tricycle owners fell under this category and they numbered(65).All together a total of 365 samples were selected for the study. Data obtained from the primary data was analyzed using simple statistical techniques and chi square test to ascertain whether there was any significant differences in some of the variables tested. The results of the analysis revealed that the main difference was found in …

Magnesium: An Overlooked Nutrient?, Robert Mikkelsen

Robert Mikkelsen

Magnesium nutrition of plants is frequently overlooked and shortages can adversely impact plant growth. Many essential functions require adequate Mg supplies... the most visible being its role in chlorophyll and photosynthesis... but less visible reactions are also dependent on an adequate supply of Mg. When needed, a variety of soluble and slowly soluble Mg sources are available to meet crop demands.

Environmental Problems Of Industrialization And Sustainable Development In Nigeria - A Review, Adejoh Iyaji

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

The main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of the quest for industrialization on the environment in Nigeria; others include, the identification of the objectives of sustainable development as well as making recommendations that will lead to the much needed sustainable environment both for the present generation and generations yet unborn. The researcher relied principally on secondary sources of data for this paper which is theoretical in approach. Findings revealed the emergence of a host of environmental problems such as air pollution, deforestation, desertification, solid and hazardous waste problems in the wake of the quest for industrialization. …

The Analysis Of Agricultural Landscape Change Using Gis Techniques. Case Study: Podoleni, Romania, Dan A. Chelaru, Adrian Ursu, Florin C. Mihai

Florin C MIHAI

The increasingly tensions rising between society’s need for resources and space on the one hand, and the capacity of the land to support these needs on the other hand lead to unprecedented changes in landscape configuration, and hence, to the environment. This paper analyzes changes in the agricultural landscape of Podoleni, Neamt County, Romania, in spatio - temporal terms, as a result of the modernization of the ground processing techniques, types of crops, and the degree of fragmentation of land parcels. The study was conducted using Geographical Information Systems techniques, the main materials used in the analysis are topographic maps …

Buried Clay Pot Irrigation, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

Buried clay pot irrigation was first described in Chinese texts from more than 2000 years ago. It uses a porous clay pot to provide demand responsive irrigation. Efficiency is often 3-10 times conventional surface irrigation.

Total Phenolic Contents, Antioxidant And Antimicrobial Activities Of Bruguiera Gymnorrhiza, Rosna Binti Mat Taha

Rosna Binti Mat Taha

In the present work, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of methanolic, ethanolic and chloroform crude extract of leaves and barks of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza were investigated. The antioxidant activity of the crude extracts were evaluated using the enzymatic and non enzymatic methods namely superoxide dismutase determination, reducing power assay and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil free radical scavenging assays. Folin-ciocalteu reagent method was used to estimate the amount of total phenolic compounds of the extracts. Ethanol extract of barks showed the best result in all antioxidant assays which was positively co-related with the total phenolic contents. There was no significant difference between the IC(50) …

Effect Of Picloram, Additives And Plant Growth Regulators On Somatic Embryogenesis Of Phyla Nodiflora (L.) Greene, Rosna Binti Mat Taha

Rosna Binti Mat Taha

The present study describes the plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in suspension culture derived from the leaf and stem explants of Phyla nodiflora. The medium type, plant growth regulators, complex extract (coconut milk and malt extract) and anti-oxidant (activated charcoal, ascorbic acid, Polyvinylpyrrolidone and citric acid) markedly influenced the embryo regeneration of P. nodiflora. MS with 2,4-D and activated charcoal (10 mg/L) gave the highest stimulation of embryogenic callus growth. Optimized callus was transfered into suspension culture, which showed the globular, heart shaped embryos in MS with 2,4-D + BA + picloram (0.1 mg/L), coconut milk (10 ml/L), citric acid …

A Quantitative Method For Fungal Ligninolytic Enzyme, Teck Nam Ang Dr., Gek Cheng Ngoh Dr, Adeline Seak May Chua Dr

Teck Nam Ang Dr.

Screening is conducted to select a fungus with desired characteristics intended for various applications, e.g. bioremediation and enzyme production. A qualitative method was used in this study for screening of fungal ligninolytic enzymes activities. The fungal ligninolytic activity was correlated with its growth from the screenings to identify a suitable fungus for solid substrate fermentation. Four strains of fungi, namely Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Phlebia radiata and Pleurotus sajor-caju, were screened for their ligninolytic enzymes activities using guaiacol and Remazol Brilliant Blue-R (RBB-R) as screening reagents. The screenings were conducted at both the optimal growth temperature of each fungus and …

Effects Of Different Irrigation Programs On Yield And Quality Parameters Of Eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.) Under Greenhouse Conditions, Ulas Senyigit, Abdullah Kadayifci, Özge Uysal, Hasan Oz, Atılgan Atilgan

Hasan OZ

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different irrigation programs on yield and quality parameters of eggplant under greenhouse conditions, using Class A pan evaporation calculations and different plant-pan coefficients. Irrigation water was applied through drip irrigation method twice a week during the growing period. Irrigation treatments consisted of five plant-pan coefficients (S1: kcp = nonirrigation, S2: kcp = 0.50, S3: kcp = 0.75, S4: kcp = 1.00 and S5: kcp = 1.25). The amount of irrigation water ranged between 95.2 and 238.7 mm among the treatments. Evapotranspiration (ET) values varied from 93.1 to 466.3 mm for …

Creating A Soil Data Base In A Reconnaissance Soil Fertility Ssstudy Of An Encroached Forest Reserve In Northern Nigeria For A Reforestation Programme, F O. Adekayode, Dr. Dipo Theophilus Akomolafe Mbcs, Mncs, Mcpn,

Dr. Dipo Theophilus Akomolafe MBCS, MNCS, MCPN,

The reconnaissance soil fertility study of 10,000 ha partly encroached forest reserve located between latitude 11°47’N and 11°56’N and longitude 4°22’E and 4°32’E in Northern Nigeria was conducted in 2009 to generate a soil fertility data base of the reserve. The tracking of the forest reserve boundary was done using a Garmin 72 model global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The geographic coordinates were input into the computer to generate a digital map of the forest reserve. The entire forest reserve was divided into grids to guide in the location for soil sampling using the GPS/Geographic Information System (GIS) geospatial technique. …

Adaptive Responses To Flooding Incidents In Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Habiba I. Jimoh, Kayode A. Iroye

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

Incidents of floods which are mainly caused by changes in landuse is fast becoming a city life experience in Ilorin as in most urban centres in Nigeria causing untold hardships and sometimes loss of lives. This extreme hydro-meteorological event is also being exacerbated by climate change which thus calls for adaptive response by residents towards reducing its risks, hence this study. Data used were generated from direct field measurements and questionnaire administration. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were used in analyzing the data. Results obtained indicate that most respondents use a wide range of non-structural adaptive response to flood. The …

An Assessment Of Socio-Economic Impact Of Waste Scavenging As A Means Of Poverty Alleviation In Gwagwalada, Abuja., John Yakubu Magaji, Samuel Panse Dakyes

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

Waste scavengers are usually perceived as being among the poor, and scavenging is considered a marginal activity. They tend to have low incomes, but can obtained decent earning when they are not exploited by middlemen. This study was conducted in Gwagwalada town with the aim of assessing the socio-economic impact of scavenging on the people. A structured questionnaire was constructed to capture the demographic characteristics of the scavengers, their experiences, types of items scavenged, the economic gains and the challenges being faced. The target pollution is waste scavengers and a random sampling technique was adopted in selecting the respondents for …

Balancing Limiting Factors & Economic Drivers For Sustainable Midwestern Us Agricultural Residue Feedstock Supplies, Wally W. Wilhelm, J. Richard Hess, Douglas L. Karlen, Jane M. F. Johnson, David J. Muth Jr., John M. Baker, Hero T. Gollany, Jeff M. Novak, Diane E. Scott, Gary E. Varvel

David J. Muth

Advanced biofuels will be developed using cellulosic feedstock rather than grain or oilseed crops that can also be used for food and feed. To be sustainable, these new agronomic production systems must be economically viable without degrading the soil and other natural resources. This review examines six agronomic factors that collectively define many of the limits and opportunities for harvesting crop residue for biofuel feedstock in the midwestern United States. The limiting factors include soil organic carbon, wind and water erosion, plant nutrient balance, soil water and temperature dynamics, soil compaction, and off-site environmental impacts. These are discussed in relationship …

Spring-Fed Stream Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities As Early Biological Indicators Of Groundwater Tipping Points., Rosemary A. Burk, Jan Kallberg, James H. Kennedy

Rosemary A. Burk

In 2007, a 20-county area encompassing the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex was designated by the State as a Priority Groundwater Management Area (PGMA) in need of implementing strategies for groundwater conservation. The newly created PGMA’s population is expected to increase from 5.5 million in 2000 to 9.5 million by 2030 with projected water needs rising from 1,677 million m3 in 2000 to 3,034 million m3 by 2030 according to a study by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The Trinity Aquifer supplied 73% of the area’s groundwater in 2000, with the aquifer outcrop zone being highly susceptible to anthropogenic sources of …

Need Of Open Access Repositories For Nars In India, Aneeja Guttikonda

aneeja guttikonda

No abstract provided.

Participatory Rural Appraisal, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

Participation, empowerment and inclusion have become the new development buzzword. There has been a range of interpretations of the meaning of participation in development. Participatory development starts from the premise that it is important to identify and build upon strengths already present in communities. Perhaps the most widespread appearance of participation in mainstream development has been seen in the form of participatory methodologies of research, intended to gather a wide range of information from local people at their livelihoods, needs, and strengths, at the same time as 'empowering' them through a process of collaborative analysis and learning. PRA is a …

Dissemination Of Communication And Information In Inland Fisheries, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

Flow of communication and information from the research station to the end user is sine qua non for the sustainable production as well as productivity enhancement in inland fisheries and the development of fishers as a whole. The resource poor who are often more in need than others of information on sustainable and low external input technologies is least likely to gain access to the information required. This has been seen particularly in the fisheries sector where the channels of information accessible to the resource poor delivered information on new practices and recommendations as well as the new culture technologies, …

Alternative "More Efficient" Irrigation Systems, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

Many traditional irrigation systems work well for ecological restoration projects. These demand responsive systems are very water efficient and robust and have proved themselves in the most extreme desert conditions.

Evaluation Of Frontline Demonstration Of Greengram (Vigna Radiata L.) In Sundarbans, West Bengal, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

Green gram (mungbean) is one of the important pulse crop in India, which plays a major role in augmenting the income of small and marginal farmers of Sundarban. The prevalent farming situation in Sundarban areas being characterised by kharif season with paddy cultivation in rain-fed condition and water requirement for growing rabi and summer crops are met only through residual soil moisture and/or stored rain-water. The low production of traditional varieties of greengram was a cause of concern for the farmers at large. To overcome this problem of low yield, Krishi Vigyan Kendra of CIFRI has conducted frontline demonstration field …

Effects Of Vermicomposting Duration To Macronutrient Elements And Heavy Metals Concentrations In Vermicompost, Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin, Noor Zalina Mahmood

Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin

Vermicomposting using Lumbricus rubellus was conducted in two different durations, 10 and 30 weeks in the same plots. Three different of treatments combination were prepared with eight replicates for each treatment namely cow dung : kitchen waste in 30:70 ratio (T1), cow dung : coffee grounds in 30:70 ratio (T2), and cow dung : kitchen waste : coffee grounds in 30:35:35 ratio (T3). Macronutrients elements in the vermicompost from each treatment were measured in the tenth and thirtieth week. Comparatively longer duration of vermicomposting by using Lumbricus rubellus enhanced the quality of vermicompost by the increase of the macronutrient elements …

Effect Of Superconsciousness External Energy On The Atomic, Crystalline And Powder Characterisitics Of “Carbon Allotrope Powders”, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Scientists are searching for eluding link between spirituality and science. Some believe fundamental essences of universe to be energy and information. As per current understanding energy and matter always co- existed and is considered one and the same. Energy is consideredas ‘matter-inperpetual-motion’and matter as ‘stationary-energy’.Inter conversion between matter and energy has been defined by Einstein’s famous energy-mass equation (E=mc2) which has been provedby nuclear physicists using complex nuclear reactions involving high energy particles. However, many spiritual masters have claimed to realize this energy-matter inter conversion using their spiritual powers/energy but scientifically unknown and unverified. It is the first time that …

Fisher Management Regimes And Fisheries Governance In Floodplain Wetland Of Assam, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

Assam is endowed with copious aquatic wealth in the form of beels, swamps, ponds and rivers. The floodplain wetlands (beels) extending over one lakh hectare, constitute the most important fishery resource of the state. The beels are considered as one of the most productive ecosystems owing to their characteristic interactions between land and water system. These wetlands are the common property resource and under different management regimes. Livelihood of fishers’ family from time immemorial is dependent upon fishing in floodplain wetlands. Fishers include the actual fishermen belonging to the Schedule castes and the Maimal community of the district of Cachar. …

Impact Of An External Energy On Enterococcus Faecalis [Atcc – 51299] In Relation To Antibiotic Susceptibility And Biochemical Reactions – An Experimental Study, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Background:

While spiritual and mental energies are known to man, their impact has never been scientifically measurable in the material world and they remain outside the domain of science. The present experiments on Enterococcus faecalis [ATCC –51299], report the effects of such energy transmitted through a person, Mahendra Trivedi, which has produced an impact measurable in scientifically rigorous manner.

Methods:

Enterococcus faecalis strains in revived and lyophilized state were subjected to spiritual energy transmitted through thought intervention and/or physical touch of Mr. Trivedi to the sealed tubes containing strain, the process taking about 3 minutes and were analyzed within 10 …

New Models Of Emergence Traps For Endophytic Egg Parasitoids Capture, Rodrigo Souza Santos Rss

Rodrigo Souza Santos RSS

For strain selection studies of natural enemies from the field, studies of behavior or even of taxonomy, capture of alive insects are of great importance. One alternative for obtaining adult parasitoids (Hymenoptera) is the use of emergency traps. Therefore, the objective of this work was to propose two models of emergency traps (traps like “box” and “bottle”), for obtaining alive endophytic egg parasitoids. The two models proposed were efficient in the capture of alive parasitoids, however a larger capture of specimens was observed in the “box” trap in relation to the e “bottle”, due to larger folioles storage inside the …

Diversity And Spatial Distribution Of Ground Arthropods In Agroecosystems, Rodrigo Souza Santos Rss

Rodrigo Souza Santos RSS

The knowledge of the diversity and distribution of ground arthropods contributes for the development of sustainable agricultural systems. This work was carried out at the Paulista State University, Jaboticabal campus, State of São Paulo, Brazil, during the period from February to April 2004. The objective was to analyse the community of Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Formicidae e Araneae through faunistic indexes, to determine the spatial distribution and interespecific interactions of predominant species in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), corn (Zea mays L.) and rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.). The arthropods were sampled by pitfall traps distributed each 10 m in two …

First Report Of Sweet Wormwood Leaf Blight Disease In India, Kunal Mandal

Kunal Mandal

Artemisia annua is an important drug plant yielding antimalarial compounds. It was found to be infected by Alternaria alternata in India. The pathogen reduces active leaf area and is also known to produce mycotoxins. Hence, the disease demands serious attention to ensure the availability of a safe drug.

Potential Of Spent Mushroom Substrate In Vermicomposting, Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin, Noor Zalina Mahmood

Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin

The potential of spent mushroom substrate from saw dust in vermicomposting were found out through the growth and reproduction of earthworms including the nutrient elements of vermicompost produced at the end of vermicomposting. Five treatments in different ratio of cow dung : spent mushroom substrate were prepared as feed materials with four replicates for each treatment namely; 80:20 (T1), 60:40 (T2), 50:50 (T3), 40:60 (T4) and 20:80 (T5). After 3 weeks of pre-composting followed by 7 weeks of vermicomposting, T4 showed the highest percentage of growth and reproduction where mean of earthworms’ numbers increases (M = 295.00, SD = 17.32, …

Waste Recycling: Utilization Of Coffee Grounds And Kitchen Waste In Vermicomposting., Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin, Noor Zalina Mahmood

Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin

Vermicomposting using Lumbricus rubellus for 49 days was conducted after 21 days of pre-composting. Three different combination of treatments were prepared with eight replicates for each treatment namely cow dung : kitchen waste in 30:70 ratio (T1), cow dung : coffee grounds in 30:70 ratio (T2), and cow dung : kitchen waste : coffee grounds in 30:35:35 ratio (T3). The multiplication of earthworms in terms of numbers and weight were measured at the end of vermicomposting. Consequently, only T2 showed significant increase (from it initial stage) compared to other treatments. The presence of coffee grounds in T2 and T3 showed …

Behavioral Explanations Underlying The Lack Of Trap Effectiveness For Small-Scale Management Of Japanese Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Paul V. Switzer, Patrick C. Enstrom, Carissa A. Schoenick

Paul V. Switzer

Traps containing a combination floral and synthetic pheromone lure are used to monitor and manage Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). One key factor limiting trap effectiveness for beetle control is the "trap spillover" phenomenon, in which the trap attracts beetles without capturing them, resulting in increased damage to surrounding host plants. We investigated the mechanisms underlying trap spillover by conducting two studies in a soybean field in east central Illinois. In the first study, we set up trap stations for 1 d and compared the sex, size, and egg load (for females) of beetles caught in the traps …