Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of Stand Structure and Diameter Distribution in Northern Iran's Beech Forests

Ali Reza Eslami1*, Bahman Karimi2, Hamid Payam3 and Ome Kolsoom Derakhshan4

1    Department of Forestry, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran. 2Forests and Rangelands Organization, Iran.
3Department of Forestry, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
4Young Researchers Club, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.

Accepted 12 January, 2025

The study of natural stands structures and investigation of the utilization facility from probable theories can be a suitable instrument for future natural stands planning. Anyway, the present study was conducted at beech stands of uneven-aged from the southern aspect of Dorfak at a height of 1200 m of sea level in number 21 of the watershed basin, Guilan province. Four sample plots with 1 ha of dimensions’ 100*100 were chosen in four aspects of the region (northern, southern, western and eastern). Inventory of trees was taken with an upper diameter of 7.5 cm as 100%. Then necessary measurements were done by drawing the horizontal and vertical profile on the tape with dimensions’ 100*100 in the eastern north side of each plot. Based on analysis of the obtained data, the estimated frequencies calculated from the result of different statistical distributions were considered by CHI-Square test. The results showed that between different statistical models, the calculated Beta model created good fitting with the frequency diagram for three (southern, western and eastern aspects) of the four studied aspects. As such, the fact that today Meyer Model is used as a pattern to guide the stand by the selection system method, which in most cases does not accommodate the study’s forest sites, should be taken into consideration. In the site of the study (the southern aspect stands), the Beta model can be used to guide and manage the natural stands.

Key words: Guilan beech, south aspect, statistical distributions, beta model.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-011, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Time Efficiency and Productivity of Chainsaw-Attached Debarking in Southern Pine Stands of Turkey 

Mehmet Eker1*, H. Oğuz Çoban1 and H. Hulusi Acar2

1Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Forestry, 32260, Isparta, Turkey.
2Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Forestry, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey.

Accepted 8 November, 2024

In timber harvesting process, the debarking activity time covers more than 50% of the total production time especially for coniferous trees. The debarking operations are usually carried out by forest villagers with an axe because of the abundance of labor force and subvention applied for forest villagers. Recently, in the face of labor shortage, in order to shorten harvesting time and to accelerate the operations, chainsaw mounted log debarking attachments has also been used. The aim of the study was to obtain information about time consumption and productivity of debarking with log debarker. Debarking time with log debarker belonging to Brutian pine logs was found to be 11.71 min/m3 and the work productivity was 5.12 m3/h. It was determined that the use of log debarker could be achieved; the time saving by 80% compared with conventional debarking method (with axe) and increased the work productivity up to 5 times. It can provide various advantages in terms of prevention of bark beetles damages, fast and fresh product supply, reduce dependence on the number of human resources and improvement the production rate.

Key words: Debarking, log debarker, productivity, time study, chainsaw attachments, log wizard.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of Different Substrates on the Germination and Growth of Aloe turkanensis and Aloe secundflora

K. W. Mukonyi*, V. O. Oeba, R. Chiteva, J. Lelon and M. W. Gathara

Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P. O. Box 20412, Nairobi- 00200 Kenya.

Accepted 31 January, 2025

Income generated from indigenous Aloe sap taping has been a source of livelihoods to most communities in drylands of Kenya. Most of the Aloe leaf harvesting takes place in the wild, threatening the natural Aloe populations. This calls for establishment of Aloe plantations as alternative source of sustainable sap tapping. Currently there is lack of information on propagation methods of commercial indigenous Aloes in Kenya. Investigation undertaken to establish Aloe propagation methods showed that different factors determine Aloe germination and growth which need to be considered in Aloe propagation. Findings showed that Aloe seed germination under greenhouse began on the 9th day and maximum germination took place between 2nd and 3rd week of sowing. Addition of vermiculite and sawdust to soil from natural Aloe growing zones improved germination. Aloe turkanensis showed better germination percentage as compared to Aloe secundflora in most of the growing substrate. Forest humus soil blended with sawdust, showed the highest germination of 28%, after 21 days for Aloe turkanensis followed by substrate containing soils from natural habitat blended with vermiculite, then loam soil at 18 and 11% blended with sawdust and vermiculite, respectively. The vermiculite and sawdust blended media showed poor growth performance as revealed after 5 months of germination. Substrate from natural habitat enriched with manure showed good growth performance, while those enriched with sawdust had poor growth performance. Results indicate that different substrate may be used for germination and potting. Those that show high germination are not good for Aloe growth, but those enhancing growth did not show better germination.

Key words: Livelihoods, sustainability, Aloe propagation, substrate.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-014, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

REVIEW

The Socioeconomic Burden of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa: Effects on Labor Markets and Productivity 

Franklin Simtowe1* , Kazi Maruful Islam2 and Kinkingninhoun-Medagbe F. M.3

1International Crops Research Institute for the semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, United Nations Avenue, World Agroforestry Centre, Gigiri. P. O. Box 39063-00623, Nairobi, Kenya.
2Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
3WARDA-The Africa Rice Center, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

Accepted 8 February, 2025

Global estimates of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic as of 2007 shows that about 33 million people are living with HIV, the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The international labor organization (ILO) estimates that at least 23 million workers in the prime labor force (aged15 to 49 years) are infected with HIV. More than 70% of the world’s HIV/AIDS infected population lives in Africa. Within the Africa region, the Southern Africa region has the largest HIV prevalence rate. It is estimated that more than 30% of total world HIV population lives in Southern Africa. In this paper, we analyze the extent to which the HIV/AIDS pandemic impacts the labor markets, productivity and welfare in Southern Africa. We hypothesize that the pandemic can reduce the labor force and productivity, consequently leading to the deterioration in welfare and stagnation of the economy. The analysis finds out that a significant proportion of the labor force has been lost to HIV. In addition to the loss of workers due to AIDS, the cost of caring for AIDS patients is enormous and has resulted into the erosion of productivity and profitability in both the formal and informal sectors. Due to the disproportionate HIV/AIDS prevalence rate between age groups and sex, the pandemic is changing the age and sex distribution of the labor force. The average age of the labor is declining due to the early entry by young and inexperienced people into the labor force. HIV is exerting negative impact on household welfare through the loss of income initially earned by a household member that is a victim of HIV/AIDS, and that through increased medical expenses by the household on the AIDS victim, most of the household income is spent on medication other than other household needs. Some economies in the region are already facing a reduction in economic growth due to the HIV pandemic and it is observed that if efforts to prevent its spread are not intensified, such economies would face stagnation at some point.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), labor markets, productivity, welfare.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on the Structural Integrity of Yeast Cell Walls

Debabrata Das and Giasuddin Ahmed*

Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Jalukbari, Guwahati – 781014, Assam, India.

Accepted 21 November, 2024

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles are increasingly finding applications in health care and consumer products. Although the bactericidal properties of silver nanoparticles are well documented, there is scant data available on their effect on eukaryotic cells. We report results from experiments concerning the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A novel method of nanoparticle synthesis in yeast malt media was achieved. Characterization of particles by electron microscopy and XRD revealed a mean particle size of 8.6 nm. Micrographs of cells treated with nanoparticles revealed deposition on and extensive damage to cell wall/membranes. Observations on membrane damage were confirmed by an in vitro cell permeability assay.

Keywords: Silver nanoparticle, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Transmission electron microscopy.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Developing High-Resolution Horizontal Native PAGE for Proteins: Implications for Analytical Applications in Biotechnology

Kona Madhavinadha Prasad and Vishal Trivedi¹*

¹Malaria Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati, Guwahati-781039, Assam, India

Accepted 26 October, 2024

Abstract

Horizontal PAGE is used to analyze negatively and positively charged proteins in a single gel. In the current study, we have developed a simple, user friendly and versatile horizontal PAGE apparatus to run native polyacrylamide gel. We have rigorously tested the ability of the gel system to resolve positively and negatively charged proteins or complex biological samples. The native PAGE resolves proteins based on their charge/mass ratio and a linear relationship was observed between migration (Rf) and the mass / charge ratio of different standard test proteins. Analysis of Bacterial lysate on horizontal native PAGE in 1st dimension and vertical SDS-PAGE in 2nd dimension gives discrete spot pattern on gel. In this current form, the 2-D pattern is not complementary to usual 2-D gel (IEF followed by SDS-PAGE) but it is useful to standardize many factors to observe proteome differences. Besides these analytical applications, designed apparatus can be used to purify native proteins in bulk for biochemical characterization, antibody development, activity assay for pilot studies.

Keywords: Protein, Horizontal apparatus, Polyacrylamide gel, Charge, Mass, Electrophoresis.