International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Soil seed bank dynamics in relation to land management and soil types in the semi-arid savannas of Swaziland

Solomon Tefera B

University of Fort Hare, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Department of Livestock and Pasture, P/Bag x1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +27764109417.

Accepted 22 January, 2014

Abstract

In the semi-arid savannas of Swaziland, communal grazing, commercial ranches and game reserves are the main land management systems for animal production. These land uses can have different ecological effects on the rangelands. This study was conducted to investigate the differences in soil seed bank characteristics between three land management systems having high (communal land), low (government ranch) and medium (game reserve) stocking rates, and soil types (lithosol and vertisol or raw mineral). Two grazing areas (Bigbend and Simunye) each with the three land management systems and soil types were selected for this study. A total of 40 plant species were identified in the seed bank of both grazing areas. Panicum maximum dominated both grazing areas. Cencrhus ciliaris was dominant in Bigbend area, while Digitaria eriantha was dominant in Simunye area. Seedling density varied (P<0.05) among the land management systems and soil types. The difference in past and recent grazing pressure may be the primary cause of the observed differences. In all study sites, the soil seed bank was a poor reflection of the aboveground vegetation as revealed by weak similarity. In Bigbend, P. maximum and Urochloa mosambicensis were well represented in the seed bank. In Simunye, however, these two species were comparatively under-represented. Whereas the regeneration of the aforementioned two species from the seed bank may be high and have a profound effect in restoration of rangelands after disturbance, this may be affected by spatial differences in terms of rainfall and soil. Valuable species under-represented in the seed bank can be prone to extinction under heavy utilization and therefore, in situ conservation within certain localities should receive high priority.

Key words: Grazing pressure, greenhouse, herbaceous layer, rangeland, seedling.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 3 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of planting date and seedling age on yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.)  varieties in North of Iran

Reza Faghani¹*, Hamid Reza Mobasser², Abbas Ali Dehpor³ and Shima Tavakkoli Kochaksarai²

¹Young Researcher Clubs, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran.

²Department of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr Branch, Iran.

³Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr Branch, Iran.

Accepted 04 January, 2014

Abstract

In order to study the effects of seedling age and planting date on yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa), a field experiment was carried out in the field of Qaemshahr Azad University. Experimental design was arranged in split split plot in basis of Randomized Completely Block design with four replications. Planting date in three levels (23 May and 12 June) were allocated in the main plots and seedling age in two levels (25,35 day) were allocated in sub-plots and two rice cultivars (Mahali Tarom, Hashemi Tarom) were allocated in the sub-sub plots. Some agronomical traits such as total tiller number, fertile tiller number, panicle number per m², total spikelet per panicle, total sterile spikelet per panicle, 1000 grains weight, plant height, biologic yield, grain yield and harvest index were measured. Results showed that the effect of planting date on plant height, total sterile spikelet per panicle, 1000 grains weight, total tiller number, panicle number per m2, grain yield and harvest index was significant at 0.01 probability level. Also planting date had a significant effect on fertile tiller number at 0.05 probability levels. Seedling had a significant effect on fertile tiller at 0.05 probability level. When date of planting is delayed grain yield decreases because the 1000 grains weight decreases and total strile spikelet per panicle increases. In the Mahali Tarom total spikelet per panicle and total sterile spikelet per panicle are more than Hashemi Tarom.

Key words: Oryza sativa, planting date, seedling age, grain yield and yield components.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 3 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Indigenous soil knowledge relevant to crop production of smallholder farmers at Rambuda irrigation scheme, Vhembe District South Africa

L. O. Nethononda^1,2* and J. J. O. Odhiambo¹

¹University of Venda for Science and Technology, Department of Soil Science, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.

²Madzivhandila College of Agriculture, Private Bag X5024, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.

Accepted 04 January, 2014

Abstract 

Rambuda Irrigation Scheme is found in the Mutale Local Municipality in Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province. There is no information on soils or basis for crop choices. Farmers have been growing crops on a trial and error basis and consequently no increase in yields. Situation analysis was conducted followed by field surveys that included person-to-person interview and participatory soil mapping. Verification of participatory soil map was achieved through soil profile description and classification. In general, famers knew the different types of soil found in the irrigation scheme according to local soil classification system. Farmers identified and described four soil types namely, Tshilogo, Dzwabo, Sengetavha and Tshitavha using local nomenclature. They identified soil compaction, water logging, crusting and quick drying as limiting factors to crop production. Indigenous soil classification system is based on surface soil physical properties related to the use of the soils. Indigenous soil classification system classifies soil according to their properties and is consistent with other systems used elsewhere around the world. The results showed that indigenous soil knowledge and participatory mapping provide reliable information and can be used together with modern soil classification system to develop intermediate soil classification system for South Africa.

Key words: Indigenous knowledge, soil classification, physical properties.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 3 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic relationships among Jatropha curcas L. clones from Panzhihua, China as revealed by RAPD and ISSR

Ke Chen^1,2, Peng Ren², Chunyin Ying²*, Qi Jiang³ and Xiuqing Jia¹

¹School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, Peoples Republic of China.

²Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. O. Box 416, Chengdu 610041, Peoples Republic of China.

³Panzhihua of Sichuan Provincial Academy of Agroforestry Sciences, Panzhihua 617061, Peoples Republic of China.

Accepted 11 May, 2013

Abstract

Although Jatropha curcas L. is known as a source of oil-rich seeds as economically viable substitute of diesel, little is currently known about the genetic resource of J. curcas in China. In this study, RAPD and ISSR data were utilized to determine the genetic relationships among J. curcas clones from Panzhihua, China. Five RAPD and twelve ISSR primers generated reproducible amplification banding pattern of 43 polymorphic bands out of 126 scored accounting, for 34% polymorphism across the clones. The UPGMA cluster analysis indicated two broad groups, one comprising all the clones except the clones from YuanMou, which formed the smaller second group. Congruously, the samples belonging to the same origin grouped into their distinct origin lineages. The overall grouping pattern of clustering was irrelevant to the seeds oil content of these clones. This study provides valid guidelines for collection, conservation and characterization of J. curcas genetic resources from Panzhihua and also for further breeding program towards biodiesel production.

Key words: Jatropha curcas L., genetic relationship, molecular marker.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 3 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Limnology wetland change trends and perspectives in arid Yinchuan plain, China

Zhang Rongqun*, Yuan Hui and Fan Wenyu

Institute of Agricultural Remote Sensing and GIS, College of Information and Electrical Engineering, China Agricultural University, Tsinghua East Road No.17, Beijing, 100083,China.

Accepted 19 October, 2013

Abstract

In this paper, the distribution area of limnology wetland in Yinchuan plain at different times was obtained through literature analysis and remote sensing techniques. This study analyzed the evolution process of limnology wetland in Yinchuan plain under environmental change and human socio-economic activities interference. In its long geological period, limnology wetland in Yinchuan plain has experienced the process of area reduction from lake to lake. In the history of mankind and as a result of poor irrigation and drainage water with formation of low-lying land, limnology wetland area has increased in a period of time. In the last 60 years, limnology wetland shrunk rapidly because of excessive exploration of agriculture and extraction of groundwater for industrial development. The results show that the temperature and precipitation changes in environmental factors play a decisive impact on the evolution of limnology wetland in Yinchuan plain. Human activities have accelerated the trend of limnology wetland area reduction. Currently, wetland ecosystems and wetland landscape pattern still develop in a deteriorate way, but the pace of deterioration is obviously slowing down.

Key words: Yinchuan plain, limnology wetland, change trends, impact analysis, arid environment.