Fast-Track Forestry: Mass Propagation of Paulownia Using Stem and Root Cuttings | InformativeBD

Anthony Antwi-Wiredu,  Patience Mansa Gakpetor, Reginald Tang Guuroh, Ebenezer Ofori and Daniel Aninagyei Ofori, from the institute of Ghana. wrote a Research article about, Fast-Track Forestry: Mass Propagation of Paulownia Using Stem and Root Cuttings. Entitled, Vegetative propagation technologies using stem and root cuttings of Paulownia (P. fortunei and P. elongata) tree species for mass production. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Paulownia is a multipurpose tree with high-quality wood features including machining qualities, rot resistance, fast growth, a good tree form, high yield, light wood weight and good potential for plantation and agroforestry. In 2012, Paulownia was introduced into Ghana under the FC/Industry plantations project for field trials at Asenanyo and Pra-Anum Forest Reserves. Recent field assessment depicted their inability to produce viable seeds for propagation. Thus, vegetative propagation techniques were investigated to possibly produce high-quality planting materials for large scale Paulownia (P. elongata and P. fortunei) plantations. Root and stem plant materials were collected from Pra-Anum Forest Reserve. They were treated with 0.0% (control), 0.1%, and 0.3% Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) levels and planted in polyethylene bags filled with loamy soils and kept under shade. Root cuttings were planted horizontally in a 2×3 factorial design with 10 cuttings per treatment replicated 4 times. Stem (bi-nodal leafless hardwood) cuttings were vertically planted in 2×4 factorial design, 10 cuttings per treatment at 3 replications. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used. The root cuttings of both species survived irrespective of IBA levels. A significant variation (P≤0.05) was observed in the survival rate (over 75%), sprouting and rooting abilities. The stem cuttings were not successful, though, they developed shoots and leaves at the initial stages. In conclusion, vegetative propagation of Paulownia particularly, root cutting is possible for the multiplication of planting materials for plantation establishment. It is ill-advised to use lignified brown stem/ hardwood cuttings for the propagation of Paulownia.

Read more : Frog Survival Under Pressure: Reproduction of Phrynobatrachus latifrons in Degraded Habitats |InformativeBD

Introduction 

Paulownia tree belongs to the monogenetic family Paulowniaceae of the Scrophulariaceae family. It is a deciduous tree that originated from East Asia. Its wood has a high economic premium due to the timber export value of billions of dollars. Paulownia tree is grown to serve numerous purposes ranging from reforestation and aesthetic purposes to the environmental protection due to its fast growth ability and beautiful large leaves, mauve flowers and aroma. The ability of the tree to grow rapidly makes it a favorable economic choice to harness large quantities of biomass (60-80ton/ha) within a short frame of time (Danciu et al., 2016). Also, the tree can be planted for soil reclamation, green manuring, fodder, herbal medicine and as a windbreak (Johnson, 2000). The tree is propagated by both sexual and asexual means. There are many merits associated with vegetative propagation of Paulownia making it the most effective means over seedling production. Seeds of Paulownia exhibit slow germination growth and slower growth of seedlings which is not the case of planting materials raised from root or shoot cuttings or rooted shoots from tissue culture (Bergmann and Moon, 1997). Paulownia trees have multiple uses including its application in a short-rotation woody crop plant, afforestation, mine site reclamation, managed plantations and intercropping systems (Bergmann and Moon, 1997, Wang and Shogren, 1992, Zhu et al., 1986, Carpenter, 1977). The leaves of Paulownia are also good for fertilizer and animal feeds, and their flowers used in honey production and wood for solid wood products (Zhu et al., 1986). Paulownia, can be used for the production of energy, wooden building materials, and paper pulp (Bergmann and Moon, 1997).

As an introduced tree species into Ghana planted at Asenanyo and Pra-Anum Forest Reserves, there was a need to increase the production level to cover a large area of land to reap the tremendous environmental and economic benefits it presents. The premier trial when the tree species was introduced into Ghana was carried out through sexual propagation. Therefore, there was a need to find the best alternative propagation methods to increase the number of planting materials and subsequently be used in the expansion of the area of cultivation. On that note, this purpose could only be realised through the use of vegetative propagation techniques. The experiment was to use stem and root cutting propagation technologies to ensure success in the rooting and sprouting potentials of Paulownia tree (P. elongata and P. fortunei) species in Ghana. The number of Paulownia planting materials would be increased for possible large-scale production in Ghana. Also, Paulownia clones of similar and high genetic traits would be maintained coupled with early maturity rate. An alternative mass macropropagation protocol for the tree species in Ghana was accomplished. The main objective was to determine the effective propagation of the two P. elongata and P. fortunei species through root cuttings and stem (bi-nodal leafless hardwood) cuttings. The specific objectives included determining the survival, sprouting and rooting abilities of root cuttings between the two Paulownia species as influenced by IBA levels; and the survivability, sprouting and rooting potentials of stem cuttings between the two Paulownia species as influenced by IBA combinations.

Reference

Antwi-Wiredu A, Amiteye S, Diawuoh RG, Klu GYP. 2018. Ex Vitro propagation of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) using stem cuttings, International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB) 3(3), 846.

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Article source : Vegetative propagation technologies using stem and root cuttings of Paulownia (P. fortunei and P.elongata) tree species for mass production  

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Frog Survival Under Pressure: Reproduction of Phrynobatrachus latifrons in Degraded Habitats | InformativeBD

Tohe Blayda,  Alla Namingonan, and Assemian N’guessan Emmanuel,  from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. wrote a Research article about, Frog Survival Under Pressure: Reproduction of Phrynobatrachus latifrons in Degraded Habitats. Entitled, Reproduction parameters in Phrynobatrachus latifrons Ahl 1924, a frog in degraded areas of Banco National Park (Ivory Coast). This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The study of the reproductive ecology of Phrynobatrachus latifrons at the fish farm of the Banco National Park showed that the smallest mature individual measures 12.5mm in males and 17mm in females. All individuals greater than 18.9mm in males and 24.26mm in females are mature. The size of first sexual maturity (L50) calculated is 15.37mm for males against 20.20mm for females. The sex ratio, with the exception of the small rainy season is in favor of the females. Absolute fertilitymuzzle-anus length and absolute fecundity/body weight ratios showed a low correlation. The breeding activities of P. latifrons occur in the dry season as well as in the rainy season.

Read more : Plant-Based Protection: Rhizome Extract Pesticides for Healthier Glutinous Corn | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Amphibian ecology has been little studied in Africa (Channing, 2001). Nevertheless, nowadays, they are ranked the vertebrate ones the most threatened of extinction in the tropical forests (Rodrigues et al., 2004; Ernest et al., 2007). In Ivory Coast particularly, animal species such as elephants, bush pigs, buffaloes and panthers have disappeared (BELIGNE, 1994) due to deforestation, rapid population pressure and movements of human populations within most parks and nature reserves (Bakarr et al., 2001; Branch and Rödel, 2003).

Among the 11 parks and reserves in the country, the Banco National Park presents a remarkable characteristic because of its geographical position in full heart of Abidjan, the country's economic capital. This ecosystem is disrupted by logging, plantation creation and pollution (Lauginie, 2007).

These disturbances threaten the life of plant and animal communities, including amphibians, recognized among vertebrates, as being the most vulnerable to habitat destruction (Lips 1998, 1999; Raxworthy and Nussbaum, 2000; Sala et al., 2000; Lips et al., 2003).

Phrynobatrachus latifrons is a very abundant frog species on the fish farm in this park (Assemien et al. 2006). The data associated with this species we have is related to the determinism of his croaking rhythm (Blayda et al., 2008) and his diet (Blayda et al., 2015). Also, knowledge of the parameters of its reproduction would allow us to better understand the biology of this species, which is a bio-indicator of the state of health of the environment.

Reference

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Blayda T, N’Goran GK, N’Guessan EA, Germain G. 2015. The puddle frog Phrynobatrachus latifrons ahl 1924 diet in the fish farm of the banco national park (Ivory Coast). Asian Journal of Biological and Medical Sciences 1(2), 14-22.

Blayda T, N’Guessan EA, N’Goran GK, Germain G, Rödel M-O. 2008. Déterminisme des Coassements des Anoures de la ferme piscicole du Parc National du Banco (Côte d’Ivoire). Sciences & Nature 5(1), 71-79.

Branch RW, Rödel M-O. 2003. Herpetological survey of the Haute Dodo and cavally forests, western Ivory Coast, part II: trapping results and reptiles. Salamandra 39, 21-38.

Channing A. 2001. Amphibian of Central and Southern Africa. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York p. 415.

Ernest R, Linsenmair KE, Thomas R, Rödel M-O. 2007. Amphibian communities in disturbed forest: lessons from the Neo-and Afro tropics: in Tscharntke T., Leuschner C., Zeller M., Guhardja E and Bidin A. (Eds): The stability of tropical rainforest margins linking ecological, economic and social constraints of land use and conservation. Springer Verlag, Berlin 5, 61-87.

Laugine F. 2007. The Banco National Park, The Universe of humid dense forest on the outskirts of the Abidjan agglomeration. In: Editions CEDA / NEI and Africa Nature p. 668.

Lips RK, Reeve JD, Witters LR. 2003. Ecological traits predicting amphibian population declines in Central America. Conservation Biology 17, 1078-1088.

Lips RK. 1998. Decline of a Tropical Montane Amphibian Fauna. Conservation Biology 12, 107-117.

Lips RK. 1999. Mass mortality and population declines of anurans at an upland site in western Panama. Conservation Biology 13, 117-125.

N’guessan EA, N’goran GK, Blayda T, Germain G, Rödel M-O. 2006. The anurans of the Banco National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, a threatened West African rainforest. Salamandra. 42(1), 41-51.

Raxworthy CJ, Nussbaum RA. 2000. Extinction and vulnerability of amphibians and reptiles in Madagascar. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 2, 15-23.

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Tohe B, Assemian NE, Kouame N, Gourene G, Rödel M-O. 2015. Diet of Two Sympatric Rocket Frogs (Amphibia, Anura, Ptychadenidae: Ptychadena) in the disturbed parts of West African Rainforest. International Journal of Innovative Engineering & Technology 2(10), 444-459.

Tohé B, Assemian NE, Kouamé NG. 2016. Reproduction of African Tigrine Frog Hoplobatrachus occipitalis in Banco National Park (Ivory Coast). International Journal of Science and Research. ID: NOV152680, 2319-7064.

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Yao KC, Tohe B, Dietoa YM, Gourene G. 2017. Variations of reproduction in Mascarene Grass Frog in Banco National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 5(1), 411-416.

Article source : Reproduction parameters in Phrynobatrachus latifrons Ahl 1924, a frog in degraded areas of Banco National Park (Ivory Coast)  

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Plant-Based Protection: Rhizome Extract Pesticides for Healthier Glutinous Corn | InformativeBD

Enrique E. Biñas Jr.,  from the institute of Philippines. wrote a Research article about, Plant-Based Protection: Rhizome Extract Pesticides for Healthier Glutinous Corn. Entitled, Efficacy of rhizome crude extracts organic pesticide against insect-pests and its impact on glutinous corn (Zea mays L. var. ceratina) Production. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The intractable increasing cost of synthetic pesticides is certainly intense in the coming production years. Looking into this viewpoint the farmers have to look for alternative actions to withstand their farming business profitability. Rhizome crude extracts can be an alternative for synthetic pesticides. This study was conducted to assess the effect of rhizome crude extracts against glutinous corn seedling maggots, corn earworm, corn borer, armyworm, and aphids; evaluate the effect of rhizome crude extracts on the growth and yield of glutinous corn, and determine the profitability of glutinous corn production using rhizome plants as a source of organic pesticide. The treatments were as follows: T0 – No pesticide applied; T1 – Potable water alone; T2 – Ginger crude extracts; T3 – Turmeric crude extracts; T4 – Galangal crude extracts; and T5 – Shampoo ginger crude extracts. Results revealed that insect-pests and their damage on glutinous corn crop were significantly lessened by the application of rhizome crude extracts regardless of sources. This contributed to the significant stover yield and harvest index performance of treated plants with rhizome crude extracts thus obtained a profitable yield compared to those plants without any pesticide applied.

Read more : Breaking Barriers: How Seed Coat Removal Boosts Terminalia superba Germination | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Corn is one of the most important cereal grains in the world (Arnarson, 2019). It is considered a versatile crop because it is not only consumed by humans and animals but also used as raw materials for industrial and agricultural purposes (Duong, 2020).

Glutinous corn is one of the types of corn. It is considered as one of the main sources of income of the farmers (Cabrido, 2018). However, glutinous corn is prone to common corn insect-pests. It might be the reason why glutinous corn decreased its production thus led the farmers to have a problem raising this crop (FAO 2019; Estes, 2016).

Insect-pest is one of the major biotic factors affecting the growth and yield of crops (Liliane and Charles, 2020). A severe incidence of pests can lead the crop to decrease its yield (Cerda et al., 2017). The trending insect-pest in corn nowadays is the fall armyworm. This pest brought serious damage to the corn crop (Chemwita et al., 2020). Other insect-pests such as corn seedling maggots, corn earworm, corn borer, etc. also contributed to the reduction of corn production (Kumar et al., 2018). There are many recommended synthetic pesticides for corn (Bessin and Jhonson, 2017), however, it is expensive and there is a tendency to pollute the environment and may be dangerous to human health.

Proper crop protection is important to attain better yields while eliminating the negative effects on the environment and human health. Many articles revealed that there are a lot of organic pesticides as an alternative for synthetic pesticides, one of which is botanical crude extracts from plants that have pesticidal properties. Rhizome plants are discovered to be the best sources of botanical pesticides (Khan et al., 2014; Hossain et al., 2008). Pandi et al. 1993, studied the insecticidal constituents of rhizome plants. He found that there are compounds that have contact toxicity against larvae of the polyphagous insect-pest Spodoptera littoralis. Nine compounds including the most active sesquiterpenoids xanthorrhizol and furanodienone showed pronounced toxicity against neonate larvae of S. littoralis in a contact residue bioassay. It means to say that rhizome plants have strong pesticidal properties and has been proven that could control insect-pests (Chaubey et al., 2011; Singh et al., 2012; de Souza Tavares et al., 2016). This can be proof that rhizome crude extracts can be used as an organic pesticide for crops.

The intractable increasing cost of synthetic pesticides is certainly intense in the coming production years. Looking into this viewpoint the farmers have to look for alternative actions to withstand their farming business profitability. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order 481 on the Promotion and Development of Organic Agriculture in the Philippines on December 27, 2005. Then, Former Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban signed Administrative Order No. 9 series of 2006 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of EO 481 (Gov.Ph 2005).

The Department of Agriculture has come up with programs and projects in support of EO 481. Thus, the application of bio-organic inputs such as botanical pesticides on crops is highly encouraged in response to the program.

Since there are limited studies on rhizome crude extracts as an alternative organic pesticide, hence this study was conducted to (1) assess the effect of rhizome crude extracts against glutinous corn seedling maggots, corn earworm, corn borer, armyworm, and aphids; (2) evaluate the effect of rhizome crude extracts on the growth and yield of glutinous corn, and (3) determine the profitability of glutinous corn production using rhizome plants as a source of organic pesticide.

Reference

Aryani DS, Auamcharoen W. 2016. Repellency and contact toxicity of crude extracts from three Thai plants (Zingiberaceae) against maize grain weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschlusky)(Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Biopesticides 9(1), p.52.

Assefa BT, Chamberlin J, Reidsma P, Silva JV, van Ittersum MK. 2020. Unravelling the variability and causes of smallholder maize yield gaps in Ethiopia. Food Security 12(1), pp.83-103.

Bessin and Johnson. 2007.  Insecticide Recommendations for Corn. UK Cooperative Extension Service. University of Kentucky-College of Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.uky.edu/ Ag/PAT/recs/crop/pdf/ENT-16_Field_Corn.pdf

Cabrido A. 2018. Planting Glutinous Corn. Retrieved from https://businessdiary.com.ph/ 2483/ planting-glutinous-corn/

Cerda R, Avelino J, Gary C, Tixier P, Lechevallier E, Allinne C. 2017. Primary and secondary yield losses caused by pests and diseases: Assessment and modeling in coffee.; PloS one 12(1), e0169133.

Chaubey MK. 2011. Insecticidal properties of Zingiber officinale and Piper cubeba essential oils against Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Journal of Biologically Active Products from Nature 1(5-6), pp.306-313.

Chimweta M, Nyakudya IW, Jimu L, Bray Mashingaidze A. 2020. Fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith)] damage in maize: management options for flood-recession cropping smallholder farmers. International Journal of Pest Management 66(2), pp.142-154.

de Souza Tavares W, Akhtar Y, Gonçalves GLP, Zanuncio JC, Isman MB, 2016. Turmeric powder and its derivatives from Curcuma longa rhizomes: insecticidal effects on cabbage looper and the role of synergists. Scientific reports 6, p.34093.

Donatelli M, Magarey RD, Bregaglio S, Willocquet L, Whish JP, Savary S. 2017. Modelling the impacts of pests and diseases on agricultural systems. Agricultural systems 155, pp.213-224.

Duong, A. 2020. The Versatility of Corn. Retrieved from https://www.southeastiowaunion.com/subject/ news/the-versatility-of-corn-20200110,accessed 202

Estes K. 2016. Corn Earworm, European Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, or Western Bean Cutworm: Which One Is Causing the Injury I’m Finding on My Corn Ears? Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved from https://farmdoc.illinois.edu/field-crop-

Food and Agriculture Organization. 2009. Corn farmers in Ilocos Norte [Philippines] received very low income from corn due to low yield and high production costs. Journal Article. Volume p. 160-161.

Hikal WM, Baeshen RS, Said-Al Ahl HA. 2017. Botanical insecticide as simple extractives for pest control. Cogent Biology 3(1), p.1404274.

Hossain MS, Zaman S, Haque ABMH, Bhuiyan MP, Khondkar P, Islam MR. 2008. Chemical and pesticidal studies on Acorus calamus rhizomes. Journal of Applied Sciences Research 4(10), pp.1261-1266.

Khan A, Islam MH, Islam ME, Al-Bari MAA, Parvin MS, Sayeed MA, Islam MN, Haque ME. 2014. Pesticidal and pest repellency activities of rhizomes of Drynaria quercifolia (J. Smith) against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Biological research 47(1), p.51.

Kumar P, Singh R, Suby SB, Kaur J, Sekhar JC, Soujanya PL. 2018. An overview of crop loss assessment in maize.

Liliane TN, Charles MS. 2020 Factors Affecting Yield of Crops. Agronomy-CCFS 9.

Pandji C, Grimm C, Wray V, Witte L, Proksch P. 1993. Insecticidal constituents from four species of the Zingiberaceae. Phytochemistry 34(2), pp.415-419.

Rahman S, Biswas SK, Barman NC, Ferdous T. 2016. Plant extract as selective pesticide for integrated pest management. Biotechnological Research 2(1), pp.6-10.

Singh KM, Singh MP, Sureja AK, Bhardwaj R. 2012. Insecticidal activity of certain plants of Zingiberaceae and Araceae against Spodoptera litura F. and Plutella xylostella, Saunders in cabbage. Indian Journal of Entomology 74(1), pp.62-68.

Sulong Y, Mohamed S, Sajili MH, Ngah N. 2019. Survey on Pest and Disease of Corn (Zea mays Linn) grown at BRIS Soil Area. Journal Of Agrobiotechnology 10(1S), pp.75-87.

Tembo Y, Mkindi AG, Mkenda PA, Mpumi N, Mwanauta R, Stevenson PC, Ndakidemi PA, Belmain SR. 2018. Pesticidal plant extracts improve yield and reduce insect pests on legume crops without harming beneficial arthropods. Frontiers in plant Science 9, p.1425. 

Article source :  Efficacy of rhizome crude extracts organic pesticide against insect-pests and its impact on glutinous corn (Zea mays L. var. ceratina) Production 

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Breaking Barriers: How Seed Coat Removal Boosts Terminalia superba Germination | InformativeBD

Joseph M Asomaning, from the institute of Ghana. Padmore B Ansah, from the institute of Ghana and Naomi A Fosu, from the institute of Ghana. wrote a Research article about, Breaking Barriers: How Seed Coat Removal Boosts Terminalia superba Germination. Entitled, The effect of seed coat removal on seed germination of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels. This research paper published by the Journalof Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The influence of four constant temperatures: 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C and three germination media: 1% water agar, heat sterilized river sand and seed testing paper (STP) on the germination of decoated seeds of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels. were investigated. The germination media were placed in 90 mm diameter plastic Petri dishes with seventy five decoated seeds in 3 replicates of 25 seeds. The statistical design used in the investigation was a completely randomized design in a 3 x 4 factorial (germination media × incubation temperatures). Decoated seeds of T. superba germinated at all the four temperatures investigated. The optimum temperatures were determined as 25°C, 30°C and 35°C. All the three media can be considered ideal for the reason that these temperatures interacted with the germination media to record germination percentages ranging from 73 to 89% in the study. Mean germination time (MGT) was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter when agar was used as germination media compared to when germination was carried out on STP and soil. The shapes of germination curves describing the cumulative germination of decoated seeds of T. superba at all temperatures and on all the germination media investigated are S-shaped.

Read more :  Hidden Parasites:Trematode Larvae Diversity in Freshwater Snails of Burkina Faso | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Seed germination is controlled by several environmental factors, such as seed moisture content, temperature, and light. Seed condition also affects germination; for example, the seed coat may be water impermeable, or the mature seed may contain an underdeveloped embryo that only grows to full size after imbibition (Geneve, 2003). The seed coat represents a first line of defense against adverse external factors (helps protect the embryo from mechanical injury and from drying out) and also acts as channel for transmitting environmental cues to the interior of the seed (Radchuk and Borisjuk, 2014). Integrity of seed coat surface is extremely important for seed quality and fitness during seed storage or germination, and diverse technologies are available for preserving and enhancing of seed surface (Black and Halmer, 2006; Brooker et al., 2007).

That notwithstanding, an impermeable seed or fruit coat may impose physical dormancy which must be broken before water and air can reach the embryo and initiate germination (Baskin and Baskin, 2014). Most species have a seed coat which is impervious to water. This causes seed dormancy so that germination may extend over months or years. Example are the acacias and hence for their efficient germination at the nursery, it is necessary to apply some form of presowing treatment to ensure not only a high final germination percentage but rapid and uniform germination (Doran et al., 1983). The seeds of Prunus yedoensis also have slow and poor germination when intact. Decoating their seeds shortens the mean germination time (MGT) and improves seed germination percentage significantly. (Hyun Kim, 2019). Decoated seeds of Syzygium cumini germinated faster than coated seeds under nursery conditions, with high significant germination percentages, dry matter production rates and vigor indices (Sivasubramaniam and Selvarani, 2012).

Saeed and Thanos (2006) found seed coat to be inhibitory to the germination of Pinus gerardiana as removal of seed coat promoted both rate and final germination. Chika et al., 2020 reported that decoating seeds of Mansonia altissima improved their germination and resulted in the highest germination percentage. Bedada et al. (2018) also reported that de-coating improved germination and early nursery performance of Olea europaea.

Terminalia superba is one of the most heavily exploited African timber species, and locally, supplies have dwindled, with reports of declining populations in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Congo (FAO,1984; N’Sosso, 1990). In Ghana, T. superba was one of the priority species earmarked for planting during the National Forest Plantation Development Programme launched in the year 2002. It is also on the list of priority species being planted under the on-going Ghana Forest Investment Programme. These developments have resulted in the need for sufficient quantities of good quality seeds to meet planting targets.

Cobbinah et al. (2001) and NTSC (2008) have reported days to first germination as 16 and 23 days respectively for seeds of T. superba sown intact. Unlike T. ivorensis, no serious dormancy problem has been reported about T. superba. However, pretreatment methods such as nicking or soaking in water have been recommended for faster and even germination (TTSA, 2010).

This study investigated the response of decoated seeds (seed with testa or seed coat removed) of T. superba to different temperatures and various germination media.

Reference

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Asomaning JM. 2009. Seed desiccation tolerance and germination of seven important forest tree species in Ghana. PhD thesis. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. 1-187.

Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). 1992. Rules for Testing Seeds. Journal of Seed Technology 6, 1-125.

Bahuguna VK, Rawat MMS, Joshi SR, Maithani GP. 1987. Studies on the viability, germination and longevity of Terminalia myriocarpa seed. Journal of Tropical Forestry 3(4), 318-323.

Baskin CC, Baskin JM. 2014. Seeds: In Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination (second ed.), Academic Press, San Diego.

Bedada AB, Amsalu T, Ayele B. 2018. Effect of different seed treatments, provenance and size on germination and early establishment of Olea europaea. African Journal of Agricultural Research 13(40), 2163-2172.

Black MH, Halmer P. 2006. The Encyclopedia of Seeds: Science, Technology and Uses. Wallingford: CABI

Brooker NL, Lagalle CD, Zlatani A, Javni I, Petrovic Z. 2007. Soypolyol formulations as novel seed treatments for the management of soil-borne diseases of soybean. Communication. Agric. Appl. Biol. Sci 72, 35-43.

Chika PJ, Sakpere AM, Akinropo MS. 2020. Effect of pretreatments on germination of seeds of the timber plant, Terminalia ivorensis and Mansonia altissima (A. Chev.). Notulae Scientia Biologicae 12(2), 334-340

Cobbinah JR, Siaw DEKA, Gyimah A. 2001. Guide to tree planting in Ghana. Forestry Research Institute of Ghana 1-33.

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Doran JC, Turnbull JW, Boland DJ, Gunn BV. 1983. Handbook on seeds of dry-zone acacias: A guide for collecting, extracting, cleaning, and storing the seed and for treatment to promote germination of dry-zone acacias. Division of Forest Research, CSIRO, Canberra, AUSTRALIA.

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Saeed M, Thanos CA. 2006. The effect of seed coat removal on seed germination of Pinus gerardiana Wallich ex D. Don. Chilgoza pine. Journal of Applied & Emerging Sciences 1(3), 174-177.

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Article source : The effect of seed coat removal on seed germination of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels  

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Hidden Parasites: Trematode Larvae Diversity in Freshwater Snails of Burkina Faso | InformativeBD

Yamba Sinaré,  Boureima Kafando,  Magloire Boungou,  Patricia Soubeiga, Noel Gabiliga Thiombianol , Idrissa Ouédraogo, and Awa Gnémé, from the institute of Burkina Faso. wrote a Research article about, Hidden Parasites: Trematode Larvae Diversity in Freshwater Snails of Burkina Faso. Entitled, Diversity and prevalence of digenean trematode larvae in five freshwater Prosobranch snails from Burkina Faso. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Many trematode parasites use molluscs as intermediate host to ensure their life cycle. In Burkina Faso, few studies have been carried out on diversity of trematode larvae on snails. For that reason, the present study aims to determine the diversity and the prevalence of trematodes larvae in snails in the reservoir of Loumbila for better safeguarding of biodiversity and effective control of parasitosis transmitted by snails. This study was conducted between September 2019 and March 2020. During this period, 479 gastropods were collected using three complementary methods; a kick net was used to collect molluscs in the littoral and pelagic areas, a grab Eckman for deep benthic areas and hand picking for shoreline molluscs. The cercariae larvae stage of trematode were investigated using the shedding crushing method (by using cercarial emergence and crushing snails). The infection rate was found to be 3.55%, i.e. 17 animals infected in a total of 479. Twelve digeneans species cercariae were recorded from five species of Prosobranch snail, Cleopatra bulimoides, Cleopatra sp, Lanistes lybicus, Lanistes ovum, Bellamya unicolor. These cercariae were divided into four major groups including Cercariaeum cercariae (Two species), Xiphidiocercariae (Three species), Furcocercariae (Six species) and cercaria type 2. Cleopatra sp showed the highest diversity of trematode with nine groups of larvae among the gastropod species collected. The genus Cleopatra was the most parasitized host with the highest prevalence and Lecithodendrium sp was the most abundant parasite species during this study.

Read more : Hidden Herps of Lake Mainit: A First Look at Amphibians and Reptiles | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Gastropods are intermediate hosts of several species of Trematodes. Many species of Trematodes of biomedical and veterinary importance such as schistosomes and flukes also use these freshwater gastropods to ensure their life cycle (Martin and Cabrera, 2018). The freshwater snails are involved in the transmission of trematode species belonging to the superfamilies Schistosomatoidea, Fascioloidea, Clinostomoidea, Paramphistomoidea, Ehinostomatoidea, Diplostomoidea and Pronocephaloidea (Islam et al., 2013), which cause disease when transmitted to humans and animals. Larval Trematodes which frequently parasitize freshwater gastropods constitute a biotic stress factor which reduces the physical condition of their host (Esch and Fernandez, 1994); increases mortality and reduces animal health in multiple ways; may also reduce resistance or tolerance to other infections (Morley, 2010).

Studies of gastropods parasitic fauna have multiplied in recent years in certain regions of Africa. Indeed, the work of Mohammed et al. (2016) had shown cases of Xiphidiocercariae trematodes infection in Cleopatra bulimoides and Biomphalaria pfeifferi in Sudan in the East Nile locality. Parasitological studies conducted by Yousif et al. (2010) and Lotfy et al. (2017) in Egypt had also reported the presence of eleven groups of morphologically different Trematodes in Melanoides tuberculata.

In the West African sub-region, some cases of gastropod parasitic infections have been observed, particularly in Nigeria, with the studies of Luka and Mbaya (2015) who reported the presence of Schistosoma haematobium and Fasciola sp in Bulinus globosus and Lymnea natalensis. Seven morphologically different Trematode species in Melanoides tuberculata, Cleopatra bulimoides, Bellamya unicolor and Lanites Varicus were discovered by Abdulkadir et al. (2018).

Despite their abundance, freshwater molluscs are rarely studied in Burkina Faso. Local studies have been limited to their biogeographical distribution, biodiversity, inventory (Ouedraogo et al., 2018), and the gastropods responsible for the transmission of schistosomiasis such as Bulinus spp, Melanoides tuberculata, Cleopatra bulimoides, Bellamya unicolor and Biomphalaria spp (Poda et al., 2006; Zongo et al., 2012; Bagayan et al., 2016, Kpoda et al., 2022). According to Morley and Lewis (2006) infection by Trematode larvae influenced the physiology of gastropods and leaded host castration (Sorensen and Minchella, 2017). Moreover, trematodes are indicators of ecological changes such as the decrease in free life, biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems over time (Morley and Lewis, 2006).

This study aims to discover the diversity and the prevalence of trematode larvae into the prosobranch snails.

Reference

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Article source : Diversity and prevalence of digenean trematode larvae in five freshwater Prosobranch snails from Burkina Faso 

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Hidden Herps of Lake Mainit: A First Look at Amphibians and Reptiles | InformativeBD

Meconcepcion Ngilangil- Lansang,  Richie P. Lador, and Romell A. Seronay, from the institute of Philippines. wrote a Research article about, Hidden Herps of Lake Mainit: A First Look at Amphibians and Reptiles. entitled, Preliminary report on the amphibians and reptiles of Lake Mainit watershed, Northeastern Mindanao, Philippines. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Lake Mainit is honored with plentiful assets in both upland and lake ecosystems and is one of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) in the Philippines. A field survey of amphibians and reptiles was conducted in the four municipalities comprising Agusan del Norte portion of Lake Mainit Watershed to determine the species richness, endemicity and conservation status. The methods used were a combination of field observation, reconnaissance survey, pitfall trap method and opportunistic collection. The study found out that 17 species belonging to 13 families, with a total of 69 individuals in the four sampling areas. Polypedates leucomystax recorded the most common species and highest number of individuals followed by Platymantis corrugatus. Highest species diversity index was recorded from Santiago with H’= 1.5. Philippine endemic species were H. pustulatus, P. corrugatus, N. samarensi, M. stejnegeri, H. granducola, P. mindanensis, and S. fasciatus while the two recorded vulnerable species were H. pustulatus and M. Stejnegeri, along these lines, the event of these two species qualifies the area to be protected. In this manner, the low species richness in Lake Mainit watershed could probably go to be archived if the place is completely assessed. Conservation action is still essential to protect and conserve biodiversity in the entire areas.

Read more :  Feeding for Strength: How Natural Diets Boost Mud Crab Growth and Protein | InformativeBD

Introduction

The Philippine Archipelago is one in all the eighteen megadiversity countries that, along is ten times richer in diversity than the Galapagos Island in South American country, with over twenty thousand species of plants and animals endemic to the biological richness of the country (Heaney & Regalado, 1998; Ong et al, 2002; Diesmos & Brown, 2009; Bucol et al, 2011). It houses a spectacular and numerous assemblage of amphibians and reptiles placed at the interface between the faunal zones of the Orient and Australia, has currently jointly recognized as one of the most vital centers of herpetofaunal diversity in South East Asia, creating it so much richer, the amount of endemicity are a lot of higher and therefore the biological process history is much a lot of complicated than are assumed (Diesmos et al, 2002; Ngilangil et al, 2015).

The Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex (Mindanao PAIC) is one giant biogeographically vital sub- province inside the Philippine terra firma (Taylor, 1928; Inger, 1954; Heaney, 1985, 1986; Voris, 2000; Brown & Diesmos, 2009; Sanguila et al, 2016). Mindanao was formed by the accretion of the islandarc associated with the east- central block and also the western continental peninsula block, separated by the Sindangan- Cotabato- Daguma lineament (Yumul et al, 2003; Sanguila et al, 2016). The central part Mindanao has giant isolated mountains that are separated from one another by substantial stretches of low- lying areas that were formed as a result conjointly of collision and geologic process events over the past ten millions years (Hall, 1996, 1998; Yumul et al, 2003, 2009; Sanguila et al, 2016).

This extremely dynamic geologic history suggests the chance of faunal limits to spreading inside early paleoislands, a mechanism which may presumably have contributed to the diversification of the primary amphibian and reptile lineages that inhabited Mindanao (Brown & Alcala, 1970; Brown & Guttman 2002; Evans et al, 2003; Sanguila et al, 2011; 2016; Brown et al, 2013; Barley et al, 2013).

Amphibians and reptiles, cold- full- blooded animals, are regarding one- fourth of all well- known vertebrate species distributed worldwide (Zug et al, 2001; Ali & Bukhari, 2018). They are good biological indicators as a result of they are more sensitive to the environment than other wildlife (Hopkins, 2007; Coritico et al, 2018) and a very important part of healthy scheme as they play a vital role in the food pyramid by maintaining the balance of food cycle thus, they provide an excellent starting point for inventorying and monitoring biodiversity. Moreover, they recycle nutrients between aquatic to terrestrial environments, and removal of those species from any scheme can cause to disturbances in predator- prey dynamics, invertebrate populations, alga communities, leaf litter decompositions, and nutrient cycling, however their population is depleting day by day because of several anthropogenic activities like intensive grazing, forest cutting and burning, mining areas restorations (McLeod & Gates, 1998; Ngilangil et al, 2015) fragmentation, and changes in microclimatic variables through a disturbed gradient within the home ground structure (Ward, 2006; Ngilangil et al, 2015).

Lake Mainit is recognized as the deepest (219.35 meters), fourth biggest (17, 060 ha), one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines, flanked by mountain ranges at the north, east and west, with a broad aluvial plain at the south and is circumscribed by eight municipalities that comprise the Lake Mainit Watershed (LMDA, 2005; SFM Program, 2009; LMHGC- ESIA, 2013 and Padilla et al, 2015. Subsequently, Lake Mainit is honored with plentiful assets in both upland and lake ecosystems as appeared in researches and studies conducted by various institutions (Gracia, 1981; Demetillo et al, 2015). However, the forest cover of Lake Mainit has been fragmented and degraded into vast open grassland habitats, while some areas are converted into agricultural lands. Remaining forest cover in the watershed is currently threatened by various unregulated anthropogenic activities such as rural development, cryptic small-scale mining, and illegal logging of the remaining tree stands (LMDA-EMP, 2014 and Padilla et al, 2015).

Be that as it may, the information was generated quite a long while prior, which right now needs assessment and validation. Thus, this study aims to determine species distribution, abundance, endemism and conservation status of amphibians and reptiles within the sampling sites of the Lake Mainit watershed area.

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Article source : Preliminary report on the amphibians and reptiles of Lake Mainit watershed, Northeastern Mindanao,Philippines  

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