Results in Journal Plants and Environment: 29

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Published: 30 June 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 30-36; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.jun.30

Abstract:
The honey production capacity of bee flora is used to estimate the optimum colony carrying capacity of given area that helps to harvest the best honey yield. The research was conducted to quantify the nectar secretion pattern, the effect of temperature and humidity on dynamics of nectar secretion, and honey production capacity of Callistemon citrinus. One day before nectar collection, five inflorescences were enclosed with mesh bags on different branches of the tree. From these, twenty flowers were randomly selected per tree for the measurement of nectar volume. Additionally, nectar volume and concentration, temperature, and air humidity were measured with an interval of one hour. One way ANOVA and linear regression were used for data analysis. The average amount of nectar and its concentration were different significantly within the time of the day. Nectar amount was correlated positively with humidity while concentration was negatively correlated with temperature. The average nectar volume (µl) per flower in 24 hours, sugar amount per tree (kg), honey yield per individual tree (kg) and honey production capacity of Callistemon citrinus per hectare were 10.9+0.4, 0.65, 0.79, and 1264 kg (46-3808 kg), respectively. The real expected honey yield was 632 kg ha-1. Total financial return was estimated to be $4424 based on a value of$7 kg-1 of Callistemon citrinus honey. Therefore, the multiplication and plantation of this plant are suggested for honey production.
M. Bulama-Modu, T. K. Muftaudeen, A. E. Ayodele,
Published: 30 June 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 37-46; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.jun.37

Abstract:
Comparative wood anatomical studies was carried out on ten species in the family Sapindaceae. The species were relatively uniform in the features of their vessels, in which diffuse porous was observed with solitary vessels to pore multiples in transverse section and ray cells were predominantly heterogeneous in radial section. Fibres were long and extensive. The longest fibre was observed in Blighia sapida (1025±28.5 µm), while the shortest fibre was observed in Cardiospermum halicacabum (139±6.5 µm). The longest vessel was observed in Deinbolia pinnata (509±34.9 µm) and the shortest vessel was observed in Cardiospermum halicacabum (85.36±4.9 µm). The implication of these features in the taxonomy of the family was discussed. The Dendrogram based on the quantitative wood characters confirmed Allophylus africanus and Allophylus spicatus belong to the same genus as classified, likewise Blighia unijugata, Blighia sapida but Cardiospermum halicacabum is closely related to Paullinia pinnata while others exhibited distinct generic characters.
, F. C. Ambrose, S. A. Odewo, K. Nwanchor
Published: 30 June 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 47-51; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.jun.47

Abstract:
Taxonomic studies of Sphenostylis stenocarpa and Centrosema pubescens based macro-morphology and foliar epidermises were carried out to determine their similarities and differences. The taxa are of high economic values as they are used as food and medicine in Nigeria. Standard methods were used to carry out the studies as qualitative and quantitative macromorphological characters of the taxa were obtained by visual observation and measuring with metre rule while foliar epidermal study followed standard methods previously used by other researchers. The taxa studied have trifoliate leaf type with leaf and leaflet arrangement alternate and opposite respectively. From the foliar epidermises, Sphenostylis stenocarpa possesses paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface and anisocytic stomata on the adaxial. The abaxial surface of Centrosema pubescens possesses anomocytic and paracytic stomata and anomocytic stomata on the adaxial surface. Cell shapes of the foliar epidermal surfaces are irregular with undulate anticlinal wall patterns except on the adaxial surface of Sphenostylis stenocarpa with pentagonal cell shape and straight anticlinal wall. The two taxa are similar in their leaf type and arrangement but differ greatly in their stomatal types.
, Carlos Rivera
Published: 30 June 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 52-61; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.jun.52

Abstract:
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is important in the carbon cycle and studies in the field are gaining relevance because of its relation to global climate change. In this paper, we report a study of SOC stock (0-200 cm) from a 50 years old secondary forest and a pasture under inceptisols in a floodplain in the tropical humid Caribbean coast of Honduras. Samples were collected at the depths 0-20, 20-40, 40-80, 80-120, 120-160, and 160-200 cm. Total SOC stocks were 89.2±10.9 Mg ha−1, and 72.5±10.0 Mg ha−1 for the secondary forest and pasture respectively. The estimated annual increase of SOC stock in the forest is 0.34 Mg C ha-1 year-1. SOC stock values were 50.3% and 47.9% of the total (0-200 cm) in the 0-20 cm layer for forest and pasture respectively. SOC distribution at a depth of 0-20 cm were 21.26 g kg-1 and 12.09 g kg-1 for forest and pasture respectively. Soil texture at the 0-20 cm depth were clay loam, and sandy clay loam, in the forest and pasture respectively. SOC stock in these ecosystems would be reduced if they were converted back to conventional agriculture, particularly in the forest. The forest had higher SOC values because of higher litter input as compared to the pasture, particularly in the upper soil layers, at deeper layers there are no significant differences (p <0.05) and SOC values are low. Compared to most other studies in tropical regions, SOC stock in our study were lower in both ecosystems, this may be due to high precipitation (ca. 3200 mm year-1) and high temperatures, rate of decomposition of litter input, general low clay content, and possibly priming effects which we have not addressed. More studies on the SOC stock in Central America with a similar climate are needed to improve our understanding of SOC dynamics and help reducing uncertainty in SOC models.
, Chirasree Gangopadhyay, Indrani Dana, Santosh Kumar Roy, Palash Mondal
Published: 31 March 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 23-29; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.mar.23

Abstract:
Rice plant is attacked by many insect-pests of which yellow stem borer (dead heart at vegetative stage and white ear head at reproductive stage) and leaf folder are considered as prime devastator, responsible for major economic loss. To combat this problem, resistant varieties of rice are required for better production as well as better productivity. Host plant resistance is very much effective in integrated pest management (IPM) system, where negligible pesticidal hazard is present as well as environmental safety, low cost farming by without or minimum pesticide application and proper identification of resistant varieties for selection as parent in crossing programme to develop resistant varieties in future. The 78 rice varieties were screened out against Scirpophaga incertulas (yellow stem borer) and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (rice leaf folder) of rice during Kharif, 2010-2012 at Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, Hooghly, under Government of West Bengal. The experiment was carried out to determine the level of resistance in early, mid-early, medium and late duration rice varieties, and shallow and semi-deep rice varieties. The pest infestation level was determined by counting dead heart, white ear head and damaged/folded leaves. The experimental results revealed that the early duration variety viz. Narendra 97 and IR 50, the mid-early duration variety i.e. IR 64 and IET 17904 proved resistant against both yellow stem borer (dead heart) and leaf folder. The medium duration variety, Ranjit was highly resistant against both yellow stem borer (dead heart) and leaf folder, and the variety, Pratiksha showed a fair degree of resistance against both yellow stem borer and leaf folder; while Jarava, the late duration variety exhibited high degree resistance against yellow stem borer (dead heart and white ear head). Besides, the varieties, Sashi and Giri recorded very low level of infestation of both lepidopteran pests while shallow and semi-deep variety such as Sashi was also considered resistant against the noxious pests.
Mohammed Nasreldein, , Yahia Fadl Tahir
Published: 31 March 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 8-13; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.mar.8

Abstract:
In arid zones vegetation mounds are natural indicators for land degradation. Studying plants and animals remains in different strata of these mounds provide information about the past land use in which parts of the natural environment were modified into arable fields and pastures. They are suitable sites for preserving animal coprolites. In this study, two samples of different animal coprolites were collected from vertical trenches in vegetation mounds of Um Hilal and El-Hamra areas of El-Ga’ab depression in northern Sudan. Pollen grain analysis was conducted and eleven species that belong to eight families were identified. Five species recorded for El Hamra area and nine species were identified for Um Hilal area. Most of the pollen grains were identified as Suaeda monoica and Salsola imbricata which are halophytes indicates habitats of high soil salinity in El-Ga’ab depression. These species are still dominant in other law elevated areas of less dry sand dunes. Polygonum sp. Pollens were recorded in Um Hilal area indicating a moist habitat. Record of the comparatively large number of tree pollen grain of Acacia ehrenbergiana indicates no change in the dominant tree species. Presence of the pollen grains of Triticum sp. (wheat) and Heliotropium parciflorum is an evidence for past agricultural activities. This study recommended further intensive investigations of the old dry vegetation mounds distributed in the desert of northern Sudan to reconstruct its palaeoenvironment.
S. L. Adebisi, M. Yahqub, G. M. Akande
Published: 31 March 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 1-7; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.mar.1

Abstract:
Field experiment was conducted to study the effects of crop residues in combination with NPK fertilizer (NPKF) on soil chemical properties and growth performance of white seed melon at Ile-Oluji, Ondo State Nigeria. The experiment involved applications of cocoa bean husk (CBH), cocoa pod husk (CPH), cocoa pod waste (CPW), kola pod husk (KPH), Tithonia diversifolia (weed much (WM) in combination with NPK 15:15:15 Fertilizer to produce twelve treatments at 4 t ha-1 CBH + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CBH + 100 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CPH + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CPH + 100 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CPW + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CPW + 100 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 KPH + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 KPH + 100 kg ha-1 NPKF, 2 t ha-1 WM + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 2 t ha-1 WM + 100 kg ha-1 NPKF, 300 kg ha-1 NPKF and control, all the amendments tested significantly improved soil chemical properties and growth performance of white seed melon relative to control. Three cocoa plants residues in combination with NPKF at reduced rates 4 t ha CBH + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CPW + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF and 4 t ha-1 CPH + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF respectively significantly (p < 0.05) improved soil pH, organic matter (OM), available P, exchangeable k, Ca and Mg, Na, Fe, Al and ECEC among the amendments tested. All treatments increased number of leaf, branches and vine length of white seed melon compared to control. 4 t ha-1 CBH + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CPW + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, 4 t ha-1 CPH + 200 kg ha-1 NPKF, had highest value of crop branches.
L. N. Sambe, , P. N. Ver, M. O. Ikape
Published: 31 March 2021
Plants and Environment, Volume 3, pp 14-22; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2021.mar.14

Abstract:
, Yana Wenceslas, Asafor Henry Chotangui, Mouyiche Mbouemboue Ange Nathanaël, Tamesse Joseph Lebel
Published: 31 December 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 119-125; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.dec.119

Abstract:
An inventory of pest insect of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) was carried out in 2018 in five localities of Foumbot production area to find out the effects of using synthetic insecticides on the worrying insects. The quantity applied and frequency of application was equally assessed and compared to those prescribed by the producers. Caiman B, Cypercal, Parastar, Cybemex and Plusfort are used. The insects were captured weekly during March and February during fruits formation and when they are getting ripe. The results showed that the doses and the frequencies of applications are different from a producer to the other. A total of 6485 insect pests belonging to the order Diptera, Hemiptera and Lepidoptera were captured. The greatest number of insect pests was captured in the locality of Mangoum 1 (19.75%). Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was the most abundant species (62.94%). The damages bring a setback in quantity and quality of the harvest, fruits are not good any more for consumption. The usage of these pesticides without respecting the norms has not reduced the population of the insect pests of tomato at Foumbot, showing that the insects became resistant. We suggest a strict respect of the doses and frequencies and the use of bio-pesticides and essential oils, respectful of the environment.
Published: 31 December 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 138-148; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.dec.138

Abstract:
Tropical Afromontane forest has the potential for honey production. The main objective of the study was to identify major bee floras and its diversity in different vegetation communities of Gesha-Sayilem forest. Bee flora data were collected systematically from 90 plots with subplots for shrubs and herbaceous species. In addition, pollen traps having 16% pollen trapping efficiency were fitted at the entrance of beehives for pollen load collection. Shannon-Wiener diversity index; species richness and Shannon’s evenness were employed to determine diversity of bee flora. The result showed that 93 bee plant species belongings to 43 families were identified of which Asteraceae the most abundant family was followed by Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Acanthaceae and Rubiaceae. The analysis of bee forage diversity using Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) found in 5 different plant communities showed that plant communities one, two, and three have the highest bee flora diversity 3.2, 3.2, and 3.5, respectively. The dominant bee plants in community one were (Ilex mitis and Syzygium guineens), community two (Pouteria adolfi-friederici and Schefflera abyssinica), Community three (Millettia ferruginea and Sapium ellipticum), community four (Hagenia abyssinica and Dombeya torrida), community five (Schefflera-volkensi and Maesa lanceolata). Sorensen similarity coefficient showed that communities 1, 2, 3, and 5 are more similar to each other while community four is less similar. On the other hand, the beta diversity for communities 1, 2, 3, and 5 were 0.25, 0.27, 0.39, and 0.28 respectively while community four has a higher beta diversity index (0.71) indicating low similarity with the rest of the plant communities. In conclusion community 1, 2 and 3 has a high diversity of bee flora and therefore, integration of these communities with beekeeping is recommended.
Published: 31 December 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 126-137; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.dec.126

Abstract:
The impact of climate change on human and plant nutrition and health is felt worldwide. Rising atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, temperature extremes, changes in precipitation, increases in the frequency and density of weather events, and rising sea levels confer severe direct and indirect impacts on human health. The rapid flooding, intensive drought, unpredictable heat-waves including rapid wildfire outbreak has been on the increase exacerbating various chronic diseases and intensifying global cardiovascular heat-stress. Indirect health impacts of climate change may be long-term and might progressively lead to behavioural changes. The field survey was carried out in Calabar and Obubra, where anthropometric measurement of children under five (5) years were carried out. Soil-pant visual assessment for soil-plant nutrition and health was carried out in both Obubra and Calabar. Correlation statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze field data. Result of the field survey indicated that climate change can statistically (P˃0.05) damage plant-human health and nutrition. Result analysis output indicated that there exist a relationship between human-soil health/nutrition and climate change. A climatic percentage analysis relationship indicated that human nutrition/health has a (% Relationship = 77.59), plant-soil health interaction (% Relationship = 63.34) which indicated that the climatic system has a strong influence on human-plant-soil survival and sustainability. Findings of the study revealed variation in climatic element of rainfall, temperature and relative humidity of Obubra and Calabar. The study encourages mineral fertilizer application including application of organic amendment, as a targeted strategy for soil improvement to reduce malnutrition. Further aggressive implementation of scientific and traditional strategy and approaches that will enable CO2 and other greenhouse gas emission reduction have been advice for human-soil-crop health and nutrition sustainability.
C. N. Basweti, S. Otor, S. Manohar
Published: 31 December 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 149-156; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.dec.149

Abstract:
Land-use and land-cover changes are the main cause of soil degradation and associated human and environmental problems. The study was conducted in Mai Mahiu ecosystem, Kenya whose aim was to assess long-term (1985 to 2015) impacts of land-use and land-cover changes on soil health with disturbance-induced vegetation distribution. Landsat archive was utilized to detect land-use change for 30 years at an interval of 15 years and analysed based on supervised image classification. Four land-use practices (undisturbed forest, disturbed forest, cropland and grassland) were selected and soil sampled to 15 cm depth for soil analyses. In this period, cropland increased by 135% at the expense of natural forest while built-up areas increased by three times. Soil bulk density increased significantly (p
, Vivian Ojoma Aidoko, Veronica Eyakamo Abu
Published: 30 September 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 101-107; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.sep.101

Abstract:
This study evaluated the fibre morphology of Musa balbisiana leaf, stalk and stem portions for pulp and paper production. Samples of Musa balbisiana portions were prepared and macerated in equal volume of glacial acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in ratio 1:1. Twenty cellulose fibres from each portion were randomly selected using Reichert visopan microscope to determine the physical fibre morphology while the derived fibre indices were calculated. Data collected were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Follow up tests carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results showed that means of fibre length, fibre diameter, cell wall thickness and lumen width ranged between 1.35 and 2.46 mm, 16.46 and 33.34 µm, 7.58 and 24.99 µm, and 3.54 and 3.56 µm, respectively. The mean values of fibre length of Musa balbisiana leaf and stalk were not significant but were significantly different from the mean values of the stem at p
Published: 30 September 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 94-100; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.sep.94

Abstract:
Kimboza forest reserve is recognized as an IUCN category IV-habitat and species management area, but the information on population structure, harvesting rate and regeneration status of four commercial woody species, namely; Khaya anthotheca, Milicia excelsa, Pterocarpus angolensis and Dalbergia melanoxylon in the forest are lacking. This study, therefore, aims to fill this gap. A total of five transects were established in the forest whereby within each transect, five nested quadrats of 20 m × 20 m were placed at 200 m distance for sampling stems with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm and stumps of the target species. Stems with DBH
Published: 30 September 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 113-118; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.sep.113

Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the growth parameters and plant biomass of tomato (Solanum lycopesicum) evaluated under different levels of boric acid, major source of boron. The treatments were; Normal nutrient solution (control, boric acid conc. = 0.000308 g l-1); nutrient solution in which the concentration of boric acid increased by the factor of 5 (boric acid x5, boric acid conc. = 0.00154 g l-1); and nutrient solution in which the concentration of boric acid was increased by the factor of 10 (boric acidx10, boric acid conc. = 0.00308 g l-1). Morphological attributes determined were shoot height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot, leaf and root fresh and dry weight, and growth indices. Shoot height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot, leaf and root fresh and dry weight, and growth indices in the seedlings treated with boric acid increased by factor of 10 (boric acid x10)were greater than other treatments. It can be concluded that nutrient solution of boric acid increased by a factor of ten improve the growth parameters and plant biomass of tomato.
Published: 30 September 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 108-112; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.sep.108

Abstract:
Decision Support Systems (DSS) are essential tools for forest management practitioners to help take account of the many environmental, economic, administrative, legal and social aspects in forest management. This paper is concerned with the technique to develop DSS for forest management system to evaluate models and methods considering all the important factors to categorize the problem. The problem is based on temporal and spatial parameters, number of objectives, decision makers and goods and services. Some of these problem dimensions are inter-related, and we also found a significant relationship between various methods and problem dimensions, all of which have been analysed using contingency tables. The results showed that 63% of forest DSS use simulation modeling methods and these are particularly related to the spatial context and spatial scale and the number of people involved in taking a decision. The analysis showed how closely Multiple Criteria Decision Making is linked to problem types involving the consideration of the number of objectives, also with the goods and services. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between optimization and statistical methods and problem dimensions, although they have been applied to approximately 60% and 16% of problems solved by DSS for forest management, respectively. Metaheuristics and spatial statistical methods are promising new approaches to deal with certain problem formulations and data sources. Nine out of ten DSS used an associated information system, but the availability and quality of data continue to be an important constraining issue, and one that could cause considerable difficulty in implementing DSS in practice. Very often DSS is used largely based to study market economy. The results suggest a strong need to improve the capabilities of DSS in this regard, developing and applying MCDM models and incorporating them in the design of DSS for forest management in coming years.
E. T. Adedeji, K. Jayeola, , M. S. Tolorunju
Published: 30 June 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 74-79; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.74

S. A. Odewo, , I. M. Adeniyi, E. C. Odozie
Published: 30 June 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 54-58; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.54

, Dinesh Kumar, Satya Prakash
Published: 30 June 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 90-93; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.90

P. Prabakaran, K. Kumaran
Published: 30 June 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 69-73; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.69

Published: 30 June 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 59-62; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.59

Published: 30 June 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 80-89; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.80

, Victoria Alfa, Emmanuel Tersugwue Tembe
Published: 30 June 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 63-68; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.63

Published: 31 March 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 1-5; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.mar.1

Nahandoo Ichoron, Michael Nor, Ngutor Stephen Tsenongo, Ngozichukwuka Peace Igoli, Terrumun Amom Tor-Anyiin, John Ogbaji Igoli
Published: 31 March 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 6-12; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.mar.6

Published: 31 March 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 34-39; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.mar.34

, Dinesh Kumar
Published: 31 March 2020
Plants and Environment, Volume 2, pp 31-33; https://doi.org/10.22271/2582-3744.2020.mar.31