African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-011, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Article

Ecological Strategies for Woody Plant Management in North Cameroon’s Indigenous Land Use Systems

Ndenecho Emmanuel Neba

Department of Geography, University of Yaounde I, E.N.S. Annex Bambili, P.O. Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 16 January, 2025

The dry savannahs of Africa are fragile environments at the ante-room of desertification. The stability of this ecosystem depends on ephemeral herbs and grasses and several tress and shrubs which play a variety of roles in traditional land use systems. Despite a wealth of indigenous knowledge on their uses demographic pressure and commodification of rural products are imposing biological stress on these vital resources. The study investigates the role of trees and shrubs in the traditional land use systems of this ecosystem, the ethnobotanical uses and the indigenous knowledge base on their management for livelihoods. It uses a combination of primary and secondary data sources to establish the various indigenous uses of woody species for livelihood systems, soil and water management and indigenous agro-silvopastoral practices and concludes that there is a wealth of indigenous knowledge on the uses and functions of these resources which can be tapped and developed with experimentation. This should serve as a starting point for innovating the traditional land use systems and ensuring the sustainability of woody resources, ecosystem stability and fighting desertification. Finally, it identifies the scope for the sustainable management of vegetal resources in dry lands.

Key words: Trees, shrubs, dry savannahs, uses and functions, degradation, management, land use systems, sustainability.
 

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Variation in Germination and Early Growth of Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra: A Provenance and Family Study

Cliff S. Dlamini

Department of Forest and Wood Science, Faculty of Agrisciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +268 76766612. Fax: +268 4041125.

Accepted 20 October, 2024

Marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra) forms an integral part of the diet, tradition and culture of rural communities in Swaziland. In addition contributes to economic, social and environmental stability. This study was an analysis of the variation between and within provenances of Sclerocarya birrea sub-species caffra (Marula) in germination and survival of seedlings, and height and root collar diameter increment within the first five and eight months in a randomized complete design. In germination percentage there were significant differences between provenances (p=0.0001) and between individual families (irrespective of provenances) (p=0.004) across provenances, yet no significant differences existed between families within provenances. Survival of seedlings was 100% for all families except one which had 80%. Significant differences occurred in height (p=0.01 and p=0.006) and root collar diameter (p=0.03 and p=0.006) at five and eight months. It was concluded that there was a strong positive relationship between height and root collar diameter.

Key words: Correlation, traits, increment, height, root collar diameter.
 

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Unlocking the Potential of Underutilized Greens: Value-Added Products from Dehydrated Leaf Powders

Pallavi Joshi* and Beena Mathur

Department of Home Science, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.

Accepted 20 January, 2025

In India various types of under utilized foods are available seasonally but are not utilized to the extent they should be in spite of their higher nutritive value. Looking into the prevalence of high level of micronutrient malnutrition among the vulnerable sections, utilization of under utilized foods can be explored to overcome nutritional disorders. Through this study an attempt was made to analyze the nutritional potential and acceptability of leaf mixtures (LM) prepared from the less utilized leaves of beet root (Beta vulgaris), carrot (Daucus carota), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) and turnip (Brassica rapa) which are usually discarded or are used as animal fodder. The leaf mixture was prepared by mixing the powders of above mentioned greens in a definite ratio (1:2:1:1). The LM was analyzed for the proximate composition, mineral composition (Ca, P, Fe, Cu, Zn Mn and Mg) and antinutritional composition (oxalate and phenols). Twenty different recipes with different levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of LM incorporation were prepared and were assessed for quality on the basis of sensory attributes. The products were well accepted to the level of 10%. Protein, iron and calcium content were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the LM incorporated recipes and the increase was directly proportional to the level of leaf mixture incorporated.

Key words: Green leafy vegetables, underutilized, dehydrated.
 

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Preserving Nigeria's Horticultural Heritage: Genetic Resource Management and Biotech Solutions

J. U. Ogbu1, 3, 5*, B. A. Essien2, J. B. Essien4 and M. U. Anaele4

1Horticulture and Landscape Technology Programme, Federal College of Agriculture [FCA], Ishiagu 491105, Nigeria.
2Crop Production Technology Programme, FCA, Ishiagu, Nigeria.
3National Root Crops Research Institute, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Umudike, P. M. B. 7006 Umuahia 440001,
Nigeria.
4Basic Sciences Programme, FCA, Ishiagu, Nigeria.
5Umuahia 440003, Abia State, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 January, 2025

Plant genetic resources (PGR) are basic requirements in crop improvement programme and their importance have increased in recent years with the changing scenario of ownership and legal regimes in relation to biodiversity. Horticultural genetic resources (HGR) are subset of agro -biodiversity that is related to garden crop species or their wild genepool, having genetic material of actual or potential value. Horticultural crops comprise diverse economic species ranging from the fruits/nuts, vegetables, spices and condiments, ornamental plants, aromatic and medicinal plants. Besides the tangible materials, HGR also encompass the indigenous knowledge accumulated over ages among gardeners, and which surround the use of such biological resources. The exploration, collection, characterization, evaluation and utilization of HGR are enormous tasks in a country like Nigeria with wide diversity of these vital groups of plants. Yet relatively little effort hitherto has been made to harness these natural resources of great potential values for food and agriculture, health care, national economy, industrial development and environmental protection. This paper therefore, examined the present status of HGR in Nigeria, the scientific management aspects of the HGR including their diversity, conservation and sustainable use. It also addressed crucial concerns regarding conservation biotechnology in Nigeria vis-à-vis management of the HGR.

Key words: Biodiversity, conservation biotechnology, horticultural genetic resources (HGR), Nigeria.
 

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-018, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Spain's First Cultivar Database: A Milestone in Agricultural Research

Daniel Guillot Ortiz

Fundación Oroibérico, C/. Great 6,44113 Noguera de Albarracín (Teruel). E-mail: [email protected].
Tel/Fax: 978706003.

Accepted 23 January, 2025

During the 2009 - 2010 periods, the “herbarium and horticultural variety database” project has been carried out in the town of Noguera (Teruel, Spain), the first project to dedicate its efforts to the creation of a database of cultivars marketed and/or cultivated in Spain, including 2124 cultivars.

Key words: Cultivar, database, herbarium, Spain.
 

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological and Economic Significance of Vegetation at the Proposed Airport Site in Delta State, Nigeria

O. M. Agbogidi

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2347038679939, +2348056306219.

Accepted 19 October, 2024

This study assessed the economically valued forest trees and shrubs at the proposed site for an airport in Asaba, Delta State with a view to noting them before the commencement of work in the area. 2520 × 20 m quadrants were laid randomly along the five 1 km line transect and assessed accordingly. Thirty tree species producing various economically valued products were assessed and 10 out of the 33 were observed to be rare while 23 were abundant. Fifteen species of shrubs were assessed out of which, 8 were identified as abundant and rare (3). Products collected from these plants have varying use categories as leafy vegetables, edible and medicinal fruits, leaves, seeds, barks, fodder, poles, timber, stakes and chewing sticks. The study established that over exploitation, exploration and conversion of forest ecosystems in the area has brought about decimation of biodiversity as well as extinction of many valuable plant and animal species. It is strongly recommended that domestication of indigenous tree and shrub species should be encouraged and supported. Conservation efforts, through the establishment of nature reserves, botanical gardens, sacred grooves, sanctuaries, rare breed centers, game banks and on-site gene banks should be supported to enhance sustainability.

Key words: Forest trees, shrubs, proposed site, airport, Asaba, Delta State.