International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 9 (10), pp. 001-011, October, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity of macrofungi at the University of Dar es Salaam Mlimani main campus in Tanzania

Donatha Damian Tibuhwa

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 35179, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 12 September, 2021

Abstract

Macrofungi play important roles in nutrient cycling, forestry, pharmacology industry, production of cultivated fungi in the food industry, as well as their vital role in biodegradation and biodeterioration. Information about the diversity, community organization, and variations in time and space of macrofungi community belonging to the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Mlimani main campus in Tanzania is totally non-existent. This study was conducted on three major habitats based on types of land use namely: natural trees, planted trees and the gardens which included cleared grounds at the UDSM. The method based on fruit body recording and analysis to provide a set of biodiversity quality indices which included fungi taxonomic field work and inventory of collections made to document the macrofungi species present. It also included quantitatively comparisons in terms of species diversity and richness across the three major habitats studied using diversity species indices. Results showed that there were 18 families, 29 genera and more than 61 species out of more than 676 fruit bodies collected. The Agaricaceae family in the Agaric morpho group were the best represented taxa (71%) with the least represented (2%) belonging to Hydnaceae of the ‘tooth fungi’ morpho-group. Shannon Wiener diversity species indices showed that the species composition varied among habitats with the natural tree leading (3.8882) followed by planted trees (3.1358) and the gardens recorded the least (2.8647). On the other hand, the Reyni diversity of species ordering showed a tremendous decrease of species diversity in the disturbed habitat. These results show that there is high species diversity and abundance in the ‘natural trees’ which are relatively protected compared to ‘planted trees’ and ‘gardens’ as well as a tremendous decrease of species diversity in the disturbed habitats. These findings suggest that disturbances and soil compaction affects the macro fungi distribution. The results thus recall for the need for conservation and further research in this area, particularly at the community and species level which is essential to monitor the effectiveness of, or the need for conservation, and also to follow the effects of natural or artificial disturbance.

Key words: Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, communities, macrofungi, morpho-group.

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 9 (9), pp. 001-004, September, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-016, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Tree and shrub diversity, composition and stand structure of Tropical Deciduous Sal Forests of Bangladesh

M. A. Mondol^1*, M. A. Wadud¹ and G. M. M. Rahman¹

¹Department of Agro-forestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

Accepted 17, August, 2021

 Abstract

Moist deciduous Sal (Shorea robusta) forests are one of the most ecological and economically important forest types in Bangladesh. Therefore, the study was conducted to analyze the tree and shrub species diversity, vegetation covers and structural composition of the major Sal forests of the Madhupur and Bhawal region in Bangladesh. The Quadrat method was used to investigate the biodiversity patterns. Madhupur National Park (MNP) possessed an important diversity of 69 plant species belongs to 26 families and 55 genera. Contrary, Bhawal National Park (BNP) consisted of 28 plant species belongs to 16 families and 22 genera. However, 27 plant species were similar between these two forests and considering the important value index (IVI), Dipterocarpaceae family was the most dominant family in both MNP and BNP. In both forests, Sal was the most dominant species followed by Fulkhori. On the contrary, in both forests have considerable number of species having IVI value of less than 1, indicating these species needs immediate conservation strategy. However, these threaten ecosystems still have important numbers of plant diversity which creates attention to the policymakers as well as the forest department of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Madhupur Sal, Bhawal Sal, National Park, Vegetation cover.

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Row spacing effect on leaf area development, light interception, crop growth and grain yield of summer soybean crops in Northern China

X. B. Zhou^1,2*, Y. H. Chen¹ and Z. Ouyang²

¹State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China.

²Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.

Accepted 12 April, 2021

Abstract

We investigated the effect of row spacing on the structure and radiation utilization efficiency of summer soybean crops in Northern China during the 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. The experiment consisted of 5 planting patterns resulting in the same plant population density (3.09 × 10⁵ plant/ha), where row spacing was 18, 27, 36, 45 and 54 cm. We observed a significant negative correlation between DM weight and row spacing in both years. Dry matter was mainly allocated to the middle-lower strata of the canopy. The LAI of all treatments decreased with row spacing increments. At podding stage, PAR interception ratio showed a minimum at 12:00 and decreased with row spacing between 11:00 to 13:00. The RUE of row spacing 18 and 27 cm was significantly higher than those of other treatments. There was a significant positive correlation between seed number and plant growth rate. The yield of row spacing 18 and 27 cm were significantly higher than those of row spacing 45 and 54 cm. The results indicate that summer soybean population of relatively uniform distribution could improve population structure, increases the PAR interception and RUE under rainfed agriculture in Northern China.

Key words: Glycine max, dry matter, radiation utilization efficiency, growth, development.

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-011, June, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparison of fertilizer amendments on pine growth and forage production in a west gulf coast loblolly pine-bahiagrass silvopasture

H.A. Evans¹, K.W. Farrish¹, B.P. Oswald^1*, and T.R. Clason²

¹Division of Environmental Science, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX USA.

²Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA, retired.

Accepted 02 June, 2021 

Abstract

Silvopasture land-use management practices have been evaluated in the southeastern United States, providing information on integrating commercial trees, forage, and livestock within an agroforestry system.  If managed properly, this concept can form a network of mutually beneficial interactions that create profitable land-use options for various landowner types.  Additional data is needed regarding site productivity, timber, and forage species in combination with fertilization regimes to further validate the benefits of a silvopasture system. A study was implemented at the Hill Farm Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Experiment Station near Homer, Louisiana, with the overall goal to quantify the effect of poultry litter and commercial fertilizer on timber and forage production within a silvopasture system.  Forage yield was measured at five production intervals in a growing season, and significant yield differences were detected among fertilization treatments compared to control treatment, with high rate poultry litter being significantly greater than other treatments.  No timber production differences were detected after two-years of fertilization treatments. Poultry litter appears to be a potentially cost-effective alternative to commercial fertilizers in silvopasture systems in this region of the United States.

Key words: Poultry litter, Pinus taeda, nutrients, Fertilization, Silvopasture.

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Types of values and valuation methods for environmental resources: Highlights of key aspects, concepts and approaches in the economic valuation of forest goods and services

Cliff S. Dlamini

Swaziland Institute for Research in Traditional Medicine, Medicinal and Indigenous Food Plants,

University of Swaziland, Swaziland. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 October, 2020

Abstract

It is essential to understand and recognize the role that environmental resources such as forest goods and services play in the provision of income to peoples’ livelihoods (especially the poor and marginalized communities). The purpose of this paper is to give a concise account and scientific basis of the importance of the phenomenon of valuation of environmental goods and services which is manifested in two ways. Firstly, it helps policymakers in designing and implementing effective sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction strategies. Secondly, the size and nature of environmental values have implications for issues of conservation and sustainable resource use. This paper outlines the contemporary models and approaches of valuing the direct use benefits, indirect use benefits and intermediate use services of the forest as an ecosystem and not a mechanical body to produce goods and services for income generation, overlooking the fundamental principles of sustainable forest management and sustainable development. Shortcomings and remedial measures of valuation methods are also summarized. Through appreciating the total value of the forest resources, national governments and local communities would be able to promote sustainable forest resource use across all strata of society and incorporate the value of natural forests and woodlands in their System of National Accounts to avoid unnecessary conversion of forests into other development projects.

Key words: Forest goods and services, natural woodland, sustainable, economic valuation, user surveys, non-use values.