International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing awareness levels of reduced impact logging (RIL) among forest stakeholders in Nigeria and Cameroon

A. L. Kehinde, J. A. Akande and E. Ntabe

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, P. M. B. 284, Iwo Osun State, Nigeria.
²Department of Soil, Crop and Environmental Management, P. M. B. 284, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria.
³Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang Cameroon.

Accepted 1 September, 2023

Abstract

Damage associated with conventional logging practices is inconsistent with sustainable forest management. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) model code of forest harvest, otherwise described as Reduced Impact Logging has therefore been advanced to reduce negative impacts on residual vegetation, soils and other environmental attributes. This study investigated the awareness rating of forest stakeholders on reduced impact logging (RIL) in Nigeria and Cameroon. Structured questionnaire and interview schedules were used to obtain information from 134 and 117 randomly selected stakeholders in Nigeria and Cameroon respectively. In Nigeria, results showed that environmentalists and non-govermental organizations have high level awarenes of RIL; the Federal and State governments, also forestry institutions have medium level awareness; while logging contractors, fellers, local forest users, traditional rulers, youth, and security agents have low awareness of RIL. In Cameroon, only the rural dwellers or resident forest users have low awareness of RIL. The timber harvest crew have medium level awareness while all other identified stakeholders showed high wareness. In the two countries, all the stakeholders showed positive leaning towards accepting RIL for its advantageous social impact technological content, mode of standard enforcement and environmental impacts.

Key words: Forest stakeholders, reduced impact logging, environmental education.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative analysis of diet patterns in baboon groups in pine plantations vs. natural habitats in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands

C. A. T. Katsvanga¹*, L. Jimu¹, D. Zinner², J. F. Mupangwa³

¹Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
²Department of Cognitive Ethology, German Primate Center (DPZ), Kellnerweg 4, Gottingen D37077, Germany.

³Faculty of Agriculture, Umutara Polytechnic, P. Bag 57 Nyagatare, Rwanda.

Accepted 25 September, 2023

Abstract

Bark stripping of pine trees by chacma baboons in plantations of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe has been on the rise leading to the assumption that bark constitutes baboon food. The study investigated diet variation among habituated bark stripping and non-stripping, plantation and non-plantation ranging baboon groups primarily to determine the noteworthy of pine bark in baboon diet. Food resources contributing >0.1% of the observations as well as pine bark were noted by group and season. Feeding observations were done through hourly instantaneous scan sampling which lasted for 5 min. During the scan, data on food items where possibly identified on species level, and part eaten were noted. To determine feeding variation, one way analysis of variance was applied with feeding percentage observations as the dependent variable and baboon groups, seasons, consumed species as well as plant parts as independent. The percentages of feeding observations were compared across baboon groups, seasons, consumed species and plant parts through the generalised linear model using SPSS version 15 (2006). Differences between means were tested using Bonferroni post hoc tests with a 5% level of significance. Feeding observation percentages did not vary significantly (P > 0.05, F = 1.02; df = 2, N = 960) across groups and seasons (P > 0.05, F = 1.957; df = 2), food species and plant parts were however, consumed at significantly (P < 0.05, F = 2896.85, df = 24) varying percentages. Bark consumption was lowest with 0.03 ± 0.16%. Pine bark is therefore not a preferred baboon food item. The establishment of plantations provided high quality food in the form of seed for the baboons.

Key words: Baboon groups, bark consumption, consumed species, feeding observations, food items.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of plant antimicrobial peptide with exceptional inhibitory properties against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Atousa Aliahmadi^1,2, Rasoul Roghanian¹*, Giti Emtiazi¹, Fatemeh Mirzajani³ and Alireza Ghassempour³

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Isfahan, Hezarjarib, Isfahan, Iran.

²Department of Biology, Medicinal Plants and drug Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University.

³Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and drug Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran.

Accepted 20 January, 2023

Abstract

On the basis of a primary screening scheme by using plant seed methanol extract against a collection of human pathogenic bacteria, Medicago sativa L. seeds were chosen as the best potential resource against tested Gram positive bacteria. Then an agar-overlay method using fully separated proteins on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacryliamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels was used for initial determination and primary characterization of active putative defensins in the plant seeds. Clear and remarkable zones of inhibition in a region corresponding to peptides slightly larger than 6 kDa were recorded for Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) strains and yeast but a smaller inhibition zone with several colonies for tested Gram negative strain of Escherichia coli. Further characterization experiments using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and subsequent agar-overlay assay against both strains confirmed the peptide nature of the active substance. Also gel filtration separation using Sephadex G-25 superfine and subsequent antibacterial assays could confirm the presence of a low molecular weight anti-MRSA and anti-VRE peptide in the total water soluble proteins obtained from M. sativa L. seeds which also showed high level of thermo stability.

Key words: Medicago sativa L., methicillin resistant bacteria, vancomycin resistant bacteria, plant defensins.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Awareness of the reduced impact of logging among forest stakeholders in Nigeria and Cameroon

A. L. Kehinde, J. A. Akande and E. Ntabe

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, P. M. B. 284, Iwo Osun State, Nigeria.

²Department of Soil, Crop and Environmental Management, P. M. B. 284, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria.

³Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang Cameroon.

Accepted 21 January, 2023

Abstract

Damage associated with conventional logging practices is inconsistent with sustainable forest management. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) model code of forest harvest, otherwise described as Reduced Impact Logging has therefore been advanced to reduce negative impacts on residual vegetation, soils and other environmental attributes. This study investigated the awareness rating of forest stakeholders on reduced impact logging (RIL) in Nigeria and Cameroon. Structured questionnaire and interview schedules were used to obtain information from 134 and 117 randomly selected stakeholders in Nigeria and Cameroon respectively. In Nigeria, results showed that environmentalists and non-govermental organizations have high level awarenes of RIL; the Federal and State governments, also forestry institutions have medium level awareness; while logging contractors, fellers, local forest users, traditional rulers, youth, and security agents have low awareness of RIL. In Cameroon, only the rural dwellers or resident forest users have low awareness of RIL. The timber harvest crew have medium level awareness while all other identified stakeholders showed high wareness. In the two countries, all the stakeholders showed positive leaning towards accepting RIL for its advantageous social impact technological content, mode of standard enforcement and environmental impacts.

Key words: Forest stakeholders, reduced impact logging, environmental education.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 11 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A comparison of the diets of baboons (Papio ursinus) living in pine plantations versus free-ranging groups in Zimbabwe's eastern highlands based on the intake of bark

C. A. T. Katsvanga¹*, L. Jimu¹, D. Zinner², J. F. Mupangwa³

¹Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.

²Department of Cognitive Ethology, German Primate Center (DPZ), Kellnerweg 4, Gottingen D37077, Germany.

³Faculty of Agriculture, Umutara Polytechnic, P. Bag 57 Nyagatare, Rwanda.

Accepted 25 March, 2023

Abstract

Bark stripping of pine trees by chacma baboons in plantations of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe has been on the rise leading to the assumption that bark constitutes baboon food. The study investigated diet variation among habituated bark stripping and non-stripping, plantation and non-plantation ranging baboon groups primarily to determine the noteworthy of pine bark in baboon diet. Food resources contributing >0.1% of the observations as well as pine bark were noted by group and season. Feeding observations were done through hourly instantaneous scan sampling which lasted for 5 min. During the scan, data on food items where possibly identified on species level, and part eaten were noted. To determine feeding variation, one way analysis of variance was applied with feeding percentage observations as the dependent variable and baboon groups, seasons, consumed species as well as plant parts as independent. The percentages of feeding observations were compared across baboon groups, seasons, consumed species and plant parts through the generalised linear model using SPSS version 15 (2006). Differences between means were tested using Bonferroni post hoc tests with a 5% level of significance. Feeding observation percentages did not vary significantly (P > 0.05, F = 1.02; df = 2, N = 960) across groups and seasons (P > 0.05, F = 1.957; df = 2), food species and plant parts were however, consumed at significantly (P < 0.05, F = 2896.85, df = 24) varying percentages. Bark consumption was lowest with 0.03 ± 0.16%. Pine bark is therefore not a preferred baboon food item. The establishment of plantations provided high quality food in the form of seed for the baboons.

Key words: Baboon groups, bark consumption, consumed species, feeding observations, food items.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sambisa Game Reserve, Borno State, Nigeria: Stylosanthes guianensis germination, dry matter production and nutritional value

Y. P. Mbaya, A. Usman* and N. Yekini

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri P. M. B 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Accepted 7 September, 2022

Abstract

The study is on the introduction of perennial pasture crop Stylosanthes guianensis (Stylo) into the Sambisa Game Reserve in Borno State, Nigeria. Stylo is a tropical herbaceous legume primarily used as a pasture crop for humid tropical regions. The objectives were to observe the growth and establishment of stylo in the game reserve of Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria; examining the emergence rates using some pre germination treatments, determine the yield and the nutritive value of herbage. Viability of 65% was obtained although the emergence was highest when sulphuric acid was used as pre germination treatment. There was no significant difference between the treatments (P > 0.05). A yield of 308 kg DM/ha was obtained. The sample herbage for determination of yield and chemical composition were determined to be 93.0% DM; 5.95% CP; 3.0% EE; 38.0% CF and 5.0% ash. The cultivation of stylo is therefore, recommended in game reserves for increased forage quality and quantity to herbivorous game animals as a conservation strategy.

Key words: Sudan savanna, stylo, germination, dry matter yield and nutritive value.