African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 4 (2), pp.231-237, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals 

Full length Research Paper 

Termite resistivity of the stem and branch woods of Aningeria robusta (A. Chev) and Terminalia ivorensis (A. Chev) 

Sitsofe, Apreko-Pilly¹ and Charles Antwi-Boasiako² 

Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 15 January, 2015; Accepted 22 February, 2016

Abstract

Adequate information on stem wood and branch wood termite resistivity would enhance their efficient utilization, especially branch wood, whose use could widen the raw material base of the timber industry. Termite resistivity using field test method was determined for sapwoods and heartwoods along the stem and branch of Terminalia ivorensis and Aningeria robusta. Ceiba pentandra was the control. With slight attack and very durable wood, T. ivorensis heartwood at stem base was most resistant. Heartwood at middle of stem was durable and moderately attacked. T. ivorensis stem base sapwood, stem crown heartwood, branch base, middle and top heartwoods were comparable, having moderate durability (17 ± 1.9 - 24.5 ± 1.5% mass loss) or moderate attack. T. ivorensis sapwoods were less resistant to termite attack (mass loss: 19.2 ± 1.0 - 48.7 ± 2.5%) than their corresponding heartwoods (which lost between 4.3 ± 0.8 – 24.5 ± 1.5 %), but were more resistant than C. pentandra, the heartwoods and sapwoods along A. robusta stem and branch, were completely consumed (100% mass loss). With similar termite resistivity, A. robusta branch wood could suitably supplement its stem wood. T. ivorensis stem wood and branch wood termite resistivity also confirms that their branch wood could supplement the supply of wood from this timber.

Keywords: Axial stem position, bio-degrader, branch wood, heartwood, mass loss, natural durability, severe attack, visual durability rating.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 211-218, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment of the influence of tree tenure as it affects the rate of adoption of agroforestry practices in Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania

Yustino Magufuli¹, Makinda Nkwande² and Ndugai Makongoro³

¹Tumaini University College, P. O. Box 200, Iringa Tanzania.

²*Department of Crop Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3005, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro Tanzania.

³Development Studies Institute, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3024, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro Tanzania.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]
 

Accepted 22 November, 2015

Abstract

On-farm tree retention formed the basis for the present day agroforestry systems in many traditions. In the present study, we assessed the influence of tree tenure on the adoption of agroforestry practices in Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. Results showed that most of the farmers (92%) were involved in activities related to tree planting and/or tree retaining with the number of trees planted in existing farmlands ranging between 150 to more than 300. Young respondents planted more trees compared to middle and old age groups. Household labour unit level had an influence on the number and species of plant trees planted. The study revealed that men were significantly more involved in tree planting than women. It was also found by this study that most of the respondents (82.2%) were planting trees in their farms mainly for economic gains through timber production, while 13.3% and only 4.5% of the respondents were planting trees for soil conservation and for moisture conservation respectively. Therefore, more efforts need to be directed to planting tree species that have economic benefits to farmers in order to speed up the rate of agroforestry adoption. Perceived benefits of agroforestry practices in the study areas were for its easiness in the management of trees with other crops (59%), conservation of moisture (28%) and (13%) of the respondents said see no benefit of agroforestry system.

Keywords: Adoption, trees, agroforestry, Uluguru Mountains.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 170-177, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the deforestation in Komto Forest in East Wollega Zone, Western Oromia, Ethiopia

¹Tadese Khan, ²Lemma Yared and ³Getaneh Woldeab Abiyot

¹Department of Wood Science and Agroforestry, Gambella University.

²Department of Horticulture and Forestry, Adama Science and Technology University.

³Department of Natural Resource Management, Gambella University.

Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 March, 2015

Abstract

Deforestation and poverty are challenging problems in Ethiopia. The deforestation-poverty nexus is complicated by the institutional failures related to management of natural resources. This study was conducted to analyse the determinants of deforestation in Ethiopia, Western Oromia, the case of Komto Forest in East Wollega Zone, employing primary cross-sectional data on sampled households. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 150 household head respondents. Volume of woody biomass consumed and sold in cubic meter (M³) was used to measure deforestation. The Heckman maximum likelihood model estimates showed that large landholding size explain lower level of deforestation. It was also found that forest product sale, and corruption behaviour of households and staff of institution aggravates deforestation. Probability of forest product use is negatively related to kerosene use and positively to road access, purpose of use, and corruption perception. The study showed that poverty and institutional failure related to the forest management are key factors determining deforestation and forest degradation in the study area. Thus solving poverty and institutional failures would help solve deforestation problem of the study area.

Key words: Deforestation, poverty, institutional failure, Heckman selection model.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 149-154, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the effects of climatic conditions on patterns of flowering and fruiting of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.)

*Boni S.O, Lionel Pascal and Dilma Souza

Department of Forestry, The Faculty Agricultural Science (FSA), University of Abomey-Calavi, BP 14, Dassa, Benin.

Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 03 April, 2015

Abstract

This study examined effects of climatic conditions on patterns of flowering and fruiting of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.). Data were recorded over a period of 26 months in two contrasting climatic zones. The monitoring revealed that irrespective of climatic zones, flowering starts by the end of the dry season when hygrometry begins to rise and lasts two to three months. Fruiting begins around the peak of the rainy season and reaches the ripening stage six to eight months later during the dry season. Flowering and fruiting abilities weakly varied with climatic conditions. Flowering durations and active phases seemed to be significantly longer (p < 0.001) under wetter climatic conditions (Sudan-Guinea zone) while fruiting parameters showed the opposite trend. Flowering length was found to be weakly correlated to climatic conditions while the latter variable was positively correlated to fruiting length. A negative correlation was observed between fruiting length and trees diameter; suggesting that the younger the tree, the longer the fruiting phase. These results provide insights into the patterns of phenological events of tamarind that could help in managing its populations and anticipating its flowering and fruiting shifting response to climate changes. Thorough research should however focus on modeling the combined effect of climate, soil, land use regimes and age of trees on the inter-annual variation of flowering and fruiting patterns and productivity.

Key words: Indigenous fruit trees, phenology, climate, Benin, West Africa.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 191-197, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the field capacity of some sacred forest soils of the West Region of Cameroon

¹Sadou A.  Djone, ¹Nlend Eteki, ²Yang Inoni and ³Boubakary Nzo Njoya

¹Department of Forestry, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. ²Department of Horticulture, the University of Bamenda, P. O. Box 39- Cameroon.

³Department of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon.

Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 24 August, 2015

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the field capacity of three sacred forest soils of the West Region of Cameroon and their effect on the germination potential and early plant growth characteristics of fresh and dried seeds of Aframomum melegueta. Sample soils were collected from Bamendjo (BO), Bamendjinda (BA), and Mbing Mekoup (MB) sacred forest areas. Each area was divided into three location sites 1, 2 and 3 and each of the sites was made up of 3 collection points (P1, P2, and P3). The field capacity (FC) of each site was determined before the planting of the seeds. For each collection site, the soil of a collection point was randomly chosen to form two groups with five replicates each. In each pot, 10 fresh seeds and 10 dried seeds were planted respectively and monitored for germination. Measurements for seedling growth were spread over 14 weeks. Results showed that the field capacity (FC) of BO (71.18%) and of BA (68.64%) were significantly different from those of MB (51.66%). The germinating percentages of the seeds were very high in the soils of BO (76. 67%) and BA (61. 33%) as compared to those of MB (48%). The latent period of the seeds was longer in the soils of MB (12 days) and shorter in the soil of BO (7 days). The average height of the plants in the soils of BO (6. 75 cm) and BA (6. 05 cm) were greater than those of the plants in the soils of MB (4.61 cm). The number of leaves of the plants of BO (4), BA (4) and MB (4) were not significantly different. The leaf surface area was higher in BO (10.43 cm²) and BA (8, 30 cm²) as compared to that of MB (5. 37 cm²). This study has shown that the FC of the soils of the sacred forests of BO and BA positively affected the germination percentage and the latent period of the fresh seeds; the leaf surface area and the heights of young plants. Meanwhile, the germination rates of the fresh seeds and A. melegueta dried seeds were not affected by the FC of the soils.

Key words: Field capacity, Bamendjo, Bamendjinda, Mbing Mekoup, sacred forests, germination, growth, Aframomum melegueta.