African Journal of Tropical Agriculture

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 5 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorous on Farm Plantations in various agroecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan

Syed Muhammad Akmal Rahim¹*, Shahida Hasnain² and Jabeen Farkhanda³

¹Punjab Forest Department, Pakistan.

²Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Punjab, Pakistan.

³Department of Botany, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan.

Accepted 15 September, 2016

Abstract

Against a world average of 25% area under forests, Pakistan has around 5% and Punjab has only 2% area under manageable and productive forests. The present deteriorating condition of the forests in Punjab has bleak prospects of improvement and expansion in near future due to ever increasing demand for agriculture produce. In view of the present situation the best possible solution seems to be offered by Farm forestry/agroforestry that models planting trees and agricultural crops together, which unfortunately, has not been utilized to its full potential. Based on physiographic, climate and ecology, Pakistan is divided into nine major ecological or vegetative zones, which are further sub-divided into 18 habitat types – an arrangement for the development of protected areas system in terms of representative ecotypes. During the survey of farm plantations about 400 soil samples were collected and their physical and chemical analysis was conducted for the comparison of the four Agro ecological zones of the Punjab Province of Pakistan with regards to agroforestry. A comparison of the characteristics of soils taken from various farm plantations necessitated a prior evaluation of nitrogen and phosphorous as well as their composition in order to ascertain whether the soils were texturally similar or not. In case of Agroforestry, the type of soil is one of the major factors for the classification of different suitable species of plants. The results of the soil analysis of various Agro ecological zones and the consequent recommendation of the associated suitable species, aids the agrofarmers to pick out the best possible option.

Key words: Soil analysis, agro-ecological zones, agroforestry, nitrogen and phosphorous.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 5 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Spatial and temporal distribution of North Atlantic tropical cyclones

Moctar Camara¹, Arona Diedhiou²* and Amadou T. Gaye³

¹Université de Ziguinchor, BP 523, Ziguinchor, Senegal.

²Institute for Research and Development (IRD), LTHE/INGP, BP 53, 38041, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.

³Laboratoire de Physique de l'Atmosphère et de l'Océan , ESP-UCAD, BP 5085, Dakar-Fann, Senegal.

Accepted 19 October, 2016

Abstract

The aim of this work is to provide a classification of tropical cyclones (TC) according to their location, month of genesis and their lifecycles and to study the role of African Easterly Waves (AEWs) in North Atlantic cyclogenesis. Between 1980 and 2004, 269 tropical cyclones (TCs) were formed over the North Atlantic, 77% of which occurred during the August- October period and 95% of major hurricanes (TCs in which the maximum sustained wind was greater or equal to 50 m/s) were generated in the same period. The high activity of the August-October period was due to the favourable thermodynamic and dynamic conditions that simultaneously exist over the main development region (MDR). A classification of TCs according to their months of genesis and lifecycles showed that TCs generated before August and after October have no preferential latitude and longitude of genesis. TCs generated at the East of 60°W and over the southern part of the MDR have long lifecycles. Major hurricanes have long lifecycles and are generally initiated over the southern part of the MDR and East of 60°W. The spatial representation of the cyclogenesis area shows that cyclones are generated along two main axes; one is situated around 12.5°N (southern axis) and the second around 27.5°N (northern axis). 56% (44%) of TCs are generated over the southern axis (northern axis). 92% of TCs initiated along the southern axis originate from African Easterly Waves. While 64% of those generated over the northern axis are linked to mid-latitude baroclinic systems and upper level cold lows. This study contributes to a better understanding of North Atlantic cyclogenesis characteristics as well as the role of AEWs.

Key words: North Atlantic tropical cyclones, major hurricanes, African easterly waves.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 5 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Target area identification using a GIS approach for the introduction of legume cover crops for soil productivity improvement: a case study eastern Uganda

Robert J. Delve^1*, Jeroen E. Huising² and Paul Bagenze³

¹Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (TSBF-CIAT), Uganda

²Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (TSBF-CIAT), Kenya.

³Makerere University Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, Uganda.

Accepted 23 August, 2016

Abstract

Amidst the economic backdrop of resource-poor farmers, combined research and extension efforts in developing countries have focused on developing and promoting potentially adaptable and economically acceptable agronomic technologies that suit farmers’ situations. Practices like improved fallows with woody and herbaceous legumes (e.g. Canavalia sp., Crotalaria sp., Mucuna sp., Lablab sp., and Tephrosia sp.) are considered an appropriate approach to improving soil fertility management and an alternative to expensive, and often not available, inorganic fertilizers. However the challenge remains of how to target such technologies to different socio-economic and biophysical niches at the farm level. Targeting of legume cover crops (LCC) to areas with actual and potential soil fertility management problems using a GIS approach was investigated. Using available datasets it was possible to define, identify, and map potential areas for targeting of LCC soil fertility improvement technologies by overlaying maps of soil fertility status, cropping systems, population density and climate for the eastern region of Uganda. We showed that a geographic information systems based decision support system could provide targeted dissemination output to aid decision making. Shortcomings in the use of available data are discussed, as are the practical applications of this approach in choosing appropriate legume species.

Key words: LCC (legume cover crops), GIS (geographic information systems), targeting, agro-technology transfer, improved decision-making, soil fertility improvement.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hydrologic properties of grazed perennial swards in semiarid southeastern Kenya

M. M. Nyangito^*, N. K. R. Musimba and D. M. Nyariki

Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 07 November, 2016

Abstract

Identification of plant resources that persist under grazing pressure, support desirable levels of production and at the same time protect the grazing environment is central to sustainable livestock production. This study assessed the infiltration capacity and soil loss associated with perennial swards subjected to different levels of utilization using simulated rainfall. The hypothesis was tested that grazed perennial swards have similar hydrologic properties and threshold removal levels below which runoff increases markedly. Infiltration capacity for the perennial swards increased with increasing stubble height before leveling off towards the highest stubble height. A 50% removal of current growth was the upper limit above which runoffs from the swards increased rapidly. Aggregate stability, organic carbon and percent ground plant cover were the most significant attributes that influenced infiltration capacity. Panicum maximum and Enteropogon macrostachyus were the most suitable perennial swards with favourable soil physical properties and infiltration capacities in the study area. The results support the existence of a threshold level of sward stubble height for minimizing runoff.

Key words: Perennial swards, water infiltration capacity, runoff thresholds.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 4 (12), pp. 001-006, December, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative study of mercury accumulation in some brackish water fishes in a tropical lagoon and its adjacent creek in south western Nigeria

Babatunde E. Emmanuel* and Olusegun B. Samuel

Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos, Nigeria

Accepted 13 June, 2016

Abstract

The Hg content of some brackish water fishes, water and sediment in Lagos lagoon and Abule - Agege creek were investigated from February to September, 2004. The pH of the lagoon was neutral however the creek was mildly acidic (6.75) in the dry season. The Hg content of the lagoon ranged from 0.27 - 0.40 mg/l for water and 0.46 - 0.56 µg/g dry wt for sediment lower than the creek range (0.41 - 0.42 mg/l and 0.71 - 0.72 µg/g) for the dry season. For the rainy season high Hg levels were recorded in lagoon water ranged from 0.41 - 0.48 mg/l more than the creek ranged from 0.42 - 0.44 mg/l. However, more mercury was recorded in the creek sediment 0.95 µg/g than that in lagoon sediment 0.71 - 0.81 µg/g. Surface water temperature for the creek was lower than the lagoon. Generally, higher mercury values were recorded in sediment than in the water in both the lagoon and the creek. For the fish species 0.72 ± 0.05 µg/g of Hg was detected in Sarotherodon melanotheron, more than in both Tilapia guineensis and Hemichromis fasciatus, this is related mainly to the mode of feeding. Hg content of the examined fish was below maximum permissible levels (0.5 - 1.5 µg/g) in the food chemical codex.

Key words: Biomagnifications, Hg, brackish water, fish, chemical codex.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 4 (12), pp. 001-013, December, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impacts of climate change, variability and adaptation strategies on agriculture in semi arid areas of Tanzania: The case of Manyoni District in Singida Region, Tanzania

Lema M. A¹ and Majule, A. E²*

¹University of Dares Salaam, P.O. Box 35097, Dares salaam, Tanzania.

²Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA), University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35097, Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Accepted 14 July, 2016

Abstract

A study was carried in two villages of Kamenyanga and Kintinku of Manyoni District, central Tanzania. The overall objective of this study was to understand local communities’ perceptions on climate and variability issues and establish its impacts and adaptation strategies within agricultural sector. Both secondary and primary were used. Primary data were obtained using different Participatory Research Approaches (PRA) including, focus group discussions and household questionnaires. In each village, a sample size of 10% of all households was interviewed. Findings showed that local people perceived changes in rainfall and temperature. The changes have affected crops and livestock in a number of ways resulting in reduced productivity. Empirical analysis of rainfall suggest decreasing rainfall trend between 1922 and 2007 whereas mean maximum and minimum temperature increased by 1.9 and 0.2°C respectively. The average annual temperature increase of 0.7°C between 1984 and 2004 was realized. There are different wealth groups namely the rich, the middle and the poor and these are differently vulnerable climate change. The study concluded that, the wealth of knowledge on coping and adaptation that farmer has should form a foundation for designing agricultural innovation systems to deal with impacts of climate change and variability. Further, development initiatives at community level in semi arid areas should put more emphasis on water harvesting to ensure water storage for crops and livestock.

Key words: Agriculture production, climate change, Kamenyanga village, Manyoni District, rainfall, Singida Region.