African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

NPK fertilizer's impact on banana production and growth in Northern Oman

Khalid Al-Harthi¹ and Rashid Al-Yahyai²*

¹Directorate General of Agriculture and Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Sultanate of Oman.

²Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University. P. O. Box 34,

Al-Khoud 123, Oman, Sultanate of Oman.

Accepted 1 January, 2023

Abstract

Banana is the leading fruit crop in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It represents the second most important fruit crop after date palm in the Sultanate of Oman, a subtropical arid country in the Middle East. Banana is grown as an intercrop throughout Oman but it is commercially cultivated on a large scale in the Dhofar (southern) region of and in Al-Batinah (coastal) region in the North. A field experiment was carried out in the traditional banana growing district, Al-Suwaiq, in Al-Batinah Region, during 2005-2006. The objective of the study was to determine the proper rate of NPK fertilizers that would maximize the potential yield of commercially-grown banana ( Musa acuminata Colla, Cavendish cv. 'Williams'). Three levels of chemical fertilizers were applied, viz. N (300, 600 and 900 g/ mat/yr), P (50, 100 and150 g/mat/yr) and K (250, 500 and 750 g/mat/yr) in addition to non- fertilized control (no NPK applied) treatment. The results indicated that vegetative growth parameters (that is, leaf number, leaf area, stem height, and stem circumference) of non- fertilized control plants were neither significantly different nor produced better vegetative growth when compared to fertilized plants. The fertilizer treatment T3 consisting of N (600 g/mat /yr), P (100 g/mat /yr) and K (500 g/mat /yr) numerically influenced the yield and fruit characteristics like total bunch weight, middle-hand weight and number of fingers per middle-hand, of ‘Williams’ banana as compared to other treatments. Hence, this fertilizer dose of NPK was recommended for cultivation of ‘Williams’ banana in northern coastal region of Oman.

Key words: Bunch weight, fingers, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus,Musaspp. arid-region, Oman

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the ProFor model in South Africa's three main forestry regions using mathematical modelling in forestry

D. J. Kachamba^1*, A. Rozanov¹, P. A. Ackerman¹ and D. Matthies²

¹Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.

²Technical University Munich, Am Hochanger 13, 85354, Freising. Germany.

Accepted 28 February, 2023

Abstract

Timber harvesting operations in plantation forestry in South Africa are rapidly being mechanised. However, machine movement in forest plantations may negatively affect soil quality. The forestry industry is introducing mathematical models to enable it address, limit or at least predict soil damage. One of these mathematical models is the “ProFor” model. The study was conducted in four harvesting sites namely KwaZulu Natal; Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. The impact of mechanised harvesting equipment on soil quality was assessed by observing changes in soil bulk density and critical soil water content. The changes in soil physical properties were then compared with ProFor’s predictions. The results indicated that ProFor gave valid predictions for critical soil moisture content in most of the study sites. However, for observed increases in bulk density, ProFor predictions of soil damage were invalid (r² = - 0.1). The model can be adopted by the South African forestry industry for tactical planning of forest harvesting operations. Additionally, ProFor can be of even more use if a separate algorithm is developed to be used for the prediction of soil compaction which is a common hazard in South African forestry.

Key words: Bulk density, forest harvesting, ProFor, soil compaction.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-011, April, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Wild fruit harvesting possibilities for the Meghalayan Khasi tribes' traditional diet

S. Jeeva

Department of Botany, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam - 629 165, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 6 January, 2023

Abstract

Plants provide most of the food products consumed by indigenous people in tropical countries. A study of wild edible fruits in the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya was carried out to assess their horticultural importance. One hundred fifty-one species belonging to 49 families were encountered, which include folk name, habit and the season of availability. Among them 100 were trees, 34 shrubs, 12 climbers and 5 herbs. Some edible plants have great economic value and are highly linked with socio-economic development of tribal communities of the state. The importance of documenting the use of wild edible species in this hotspot region is especially important because of rapid loss of biodiversity due to anthropogenic disturbance. The outcome of the present study may be helpful to have an understanding and thus make a conservation strategy of the wild edible species.

Key words: Ethnobotany, indigenous community, Khasi tribe, Meghalaya, wild edibles.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Trees species diversity and above ground biomass in three tropical forest types in Azaguié area, Côte d'Ivoire

VROH Bi Tra Aimé^1*, ADOU YAO Constant Yves^1,2, KOUAME Djaha³, KPANGUI Kouassi Bruno¹, GONE BI Zoro Bertin^1,2, N’Guessan Kouakou Edouard¹

¹ufr Biosciences; Université of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire

²Département Recherche et Valorisation (DRV), Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS) ;

01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01

³Ufr Environnement, Université Of Jean Lorougnon Guède, Daloa, Cote D’ivoire

Accepted 27 August, 2022

Abstract

It is often assumed that diversity, floristic composition, and structural parameters vary according to forest management types. The current study was conducted in three tropical rain forests which are distinguished by their type of management in Azaguié area: Yapo protected forest, a Natural Voluntary Reserve and community forests. The main objective was to assess the aboveground biomass (AGB) and diversity of tree species in these forests. The data consisted of dbh measurement of all tree individuals with dbh ≥ 10 cm in plots of 500 m². Species richness, Shannon diversity index, Pielou evenness, stem density, basal area, and AGB were calculated for each forest type and compared using one-way ANOVA. A total of 2375 stems and 164 tree species with diameter ≥10 cm were recorded in these forests. The Shannon diversity index was significantly higher in Yapo protected forest (5.78) and natural voluntary reserve (5.06) than in community forests (4.64). Evenness did not differ between Yapo protected forest (0.81) and community forests (0.83) but it’s differed significantly in natural voluntary reserve (0.71). Mean AGB values were significantly higher in Yapo protected forest (347.17 ± 101.70 t.ha^-1) and natural voluntary reserve (245.09 ± 31.68 t.ha^-1) than in community forests (35.69 ± 17.12 t.ha^-1). For the three forests, structure described by diameter distribution was inverse J-shaped. This study showed that in Azaguié area, trees species in community forests were most equitable than protected area which have higher stems density and AGB. Further researches are needed to explain causes of these variations.

Keywords: Tropical forest; climate change, sustainable management, aboveground biomass, Côte d’Ivoire

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Density and growth performance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) understory saplings in logged forests of Tujiin Nars National Park in the Western Khentii Mountains, Case study from Northern Mongolia

¹Sukhbaatar Gerelbaatar, ¹Nachin Baatarbileg and ²Ganbaatar Batsaikhan

¹Department of Environmental Sciences and Chemical Engineering, National University of Mongolia

²Department of Forest Resources and Conservation, Institute of Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences

Accepted 20 January, 2022

Abstract

The paper presents the analysis of seven naturally regenerated stands in native Scots pine forests located in the Western Khentii of Northern Mongolia. The findings show natural regeneration of Scots pine in logged areas directly after felling with different intensities. The natural regeneration in the study areas were characterized by continuous age distribution, high understory density and growth variation among stands. Mean density of regenerated saplings in logged pine forests were varied among stands, while densities were lower in heavily logged areas (3700 individuals ha^-1) and higher in the forests logged with low intensity (21306 ind. ha^-1). The results indicate that the intensity of logging, abundance of parent trees and their sheltering effects are important determinants of differentiation for success of natural regeneration and growth performance of regenerated trees. Sapling growth rate was greater under light shelter and lower under dense cover. Furthermore, a regression model for understory sapling growth in the region was developed. The regeneration density clearly indicates the high potential for reproduction of Scots pine within 15 years, as saplings in the logged areas attained a mean height of 249.7 ± 67.3 cm by the age of 10.45 ± 1.32.

Keywords: natural regeneration, logging, stand density, growth rate.