African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Biofuel potential and FAO’s estimates of available land: The case of Tanzania

Hans Morten Haugen

Diakonhjemmet University College, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +47 22 45 17 97. Fax: + 47 22 45 19 50.

Accepted 11 January, 2019

Abstract

While there exists under-utilized lands in several countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the drive towards transforming huge areas of land to biofuel plantations must be reviewed critically. Both the facts that much of these lands are presently covered with forests or classified as wetlands, having a high carbon storage capacity and that these lands are used by local communities for their survival, must be acknowledged. The article analyzes the reasons why public authorities, academics and non- governmental organizations operate with very high estimates on available lands for agriculture in Tanzania, more specifically 550 km² or almost two thirds of its territory. A figure which does not take into account the competing uses of the land, such as livestock or harvesting from the forest, or the need to preserve forests and other fragile ecosystems and areas under conservation, must be considered as highly problematic. Both this figure and other, much lower figures, originate from FAO. Even if subsequent FAO reports reiterate that this high figure should be used with caution, the article builds an argument to call upon FAO to explicitly denounce the use of this high figure, as it is not appropriate to apply it as a basis for planning agricultural expansion in Tanzania.

Key words: Biofuels, land availability, food and agricultural organization (FAO), agro-ecological assessment.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Cytotoxic and topoisomerase I inhibitory activities from extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from mangrove plants in Zhuhai, China

Cai Xiaoling¹*, Liang Xiaoli¹, Zhou Shining², Gao Junping¹, Wu Shuiping¹, Lai Xiaoming³, She Zhigang¹ and Lin Yongcheng¹

¹School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

²School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

³Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

Accepted 21 January, 2019

Abstract

To isolate endophytic fungi from mangrove plants in Zhuhai, China and examine their DNA topoisomerase I inhibitory and antitumor activity. Endophytic fungi were isolated using surface-sterilization methods and were identified by morphological or molecular evidence. DNA topoisomerase I inhibitory activities were measured by topoisomerase I-mediated DNA plasmid relaxation assay. Antitumor activity in vitro was measured by MTT (3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide) method. A total of 209 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from surface sterilized leaves and branches of eight mangrove plants collected in Qi’ao island of Zhuhai, China. Crude ethyl acetate extracts of fermentation broths from 54 fungal cultures were tested for antitumor activities. Extracts of 19 isolates inhibited the activity of DNA topoisomerase I and extracts of 16 isolates displayed strong cytotoxicity against KB and KBv200 cells (IC₅₀ < 11 µg ml^-1). Among them, nine isolates of fungi showed both cytotoxic and topoisomerase I inhibitory activities, which are potential producers of antitumor compounds targeting at topoisomerase I. Endophytic fungal strains were successfully isolated and identified and nine strains showed both cytotoxic and topoisomerase I inhibitory activities. Endophytic fungal strains displaying both topoisomerase I inhibitory and antitumor activity together may indicate their potential ability of producing antitumor compounds targeting at topoisomerase I.

Key words: Mangrove endophytic fungi, antitumor activity, molecular characteristic.

Key words: Caspian Sea, pollution, oil, waste minimization.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-009, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Study of seasonal and spatial variation in surface water quality of Cauvery river stretch in Karnataka

K. Venkatesharaju, R. K. Somashekar and K. L. Prakash

Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056, India.

Accepted 13 January, 2019

Abstract

In this study, multivariate statistical techniques, such as discriminant, factor /principal component and cluster analyses were applied to water quality data set monitored in pre- and post- monsoon for twenty five locations during three years to investigate seasonal and spatial variations in river water quality. The variables were mainly divided into two categories viz., nonconservative – DO, BOD, COD, nitrates and phosphates and conservative parameters – TDS, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and sulfates. Trivial elevated values of all non conservative Characteristics in pre-monsoon and some conservative parameters (SO4, Cl) in post-monsoon period reflected contribution on temporal effect on surface water. Results of principal component analysis evinced that all the parameters equally and significantly contribute to water quality variations in the river basin for both the seasons. Factor 1 and factor 2 analysis revealed the inverse relation of DO, indicating the control of dissolved oxygen on organic load and nutrients in different seasons. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped twenty five stations into three clusters in pre-monsoon and six clusters in post- monsoon with similar water quality features. Third clustered group of former and sixth of latter consisted one station (St.25), exhibiting significant spatial variation in physico-chemical composition.

Key words: Multivariate analysis, cauvery, cluster, conservative parameters, temporal and spatial variations.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-003, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Biology of pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa Malloch on Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. in Manipur, India

S. Subharani* and T. K. Singh

¹Distributed Information Sub Centre (DISC), Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development’ Takyelpat, Imphal – 79500, India.

²Entomology Research Laboratory, Manipur University, Canchipur-795003, India.

Accepted 11 February, 2019

Abstract

The biology of Pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa Malloch (Diptera: Agromyzidae) was studied during 2004 - 2005 in the laboratory of Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University, Imphal (Altitude: 790 msl and Latitude: 23.83⁰N - 25.68⁰ N) at a temperature of 17.39 ± 0.23⁰C and 59.16 ± 0.39% relative humidity. The mean longevity of the adult pod fly was 6.59 ± 0.38 days. The incubation period varies from 2.5 to 3.5 days, the average being 2.99 ± 0.16 days. There were three larval instars which took 7.75 ± 0.53 days to enter into pupal stage. The pupal period lasted for about 9 to 13 days with an average of 11.38 ± 0.74 days. The life cycle of M. obtusa was completed in 41.74 ± 0.81 days.

Key words: Pigeon pea, pod borer, Manipur, metamorphosis, instar, life cycle.