African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of sowing date and planting density on quantity and quality features in valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.)

Elham Morteza¹, Gholam Ali Akbari¹, Sayed Ali Mohammad Modares Sanavi² and Hossein Aliabadi Farahani³*

¹Agronomy and plant breeding Department, Abureyhan Campus University of Tehran, Iran.

²Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

³Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Iran.

Accepted 15 March, 2019

Abstract

This study was conducted as split plot field experiment in a randomized complete block design with four replications for one year planting. The main factors were the sowing dates (10 August, 1 and 20 September) and sub factors were the planting densities (4, 8 and 12 plants/m ²). Our results showed that sowing date (SD) and planting density (PD) significantly affected grain yield, essential oil yield, essential oil percentage, root length, root diameter, flowering stem number and root yield. The highest grain and root yield were achieved under the 8 plants/m² planting density and 10 August sowing date; the highest root length and flowering stem number were achieved under 12 plants/m² planting density and 10 August sowing date; the highest root diameter was achieved under 4 plants/m² planting density and 10 August sowing date; the highest essential oil yield was achieved under 8 plants/m² planting density and 20 September sowing date and the highest essential oil percentage was achieved under 4 plants/m ² planting density and 20 September sowing date. It was thus concluded that sowing date and planting density are the main factors influencing the quantity and quality features in valerian. Our findings may give applicable advice to commercial farmers and agricultural researchers for management of planting density strategy and for estimate of sowing date carefully for increase of quantity and quality features in medicinal and aromatic plants farming. And is better that such studies be further validated by conducting them for two or more years.

Key words: Sowing date, planting density, essential oil, valerian.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Rsearch Paper

The contents of zooplankton of the Tungabhadra river, near Harihar, Karanataka and the saprobiological analysis of water quality

B. Suresh¹*, S. Manjappa¹ and E. T. Puttaiah²

¹Chemistry and Environmental Science and Technology Study Centre, Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology, Davangere-577004. Karnataka, India.

²Department of PG Studies and Research in Environmental Science, Kuvempu University, Shankarghatta-577 451, Karnataka, India.

Accepted 10 February, 2019

Abstract

The plankton constitutes the basic food source of any aquatic ecosystems, which supports fish and other aquatic animals. Zooplanktons are microscopic animals that eat other plankton. The zooplankton community analysis and saprobiological characteristics of the Tungabhadra River using diversity index during December 2004 to November 2005. The present investigation can enrich knowledge on bio-indicators in understanding the point and non point sources of pollution and also its stress on the aquatic life. The study indicates lower diversity values in the study area. Nearly sixty four different zooplankton species were recorded in the lotic ecosystem. Zooplankton population composed of four species of protozoans, sixteen species of rotifers, fourteen species of crustaceans and three groups meroplankton organisms mainly nymph/larval forms. It is found that among zooplankton community rotifers (43.24%) were dominated group followed by crustaceans (37.84%) protozoan (10.81%) and meroplankton (8.11%). By saprobiological analysis of zooplankton, it has been concluded that the greatest number of indicator organisms belongs to rotifers and crustaceans community. In the present study variations were noticed in the distribution of zooplankton at different selected stations. The zooplankton population dynamics is found to have an influence by sand mining and other human activities.

Key words: Zooplankton, diversity index, richness, dominance, Tungabhadra river.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Environment in Jeopardy: Consequences of climate change in Egypt

Mohamed Saber

Emeritus Professor, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, Chair IGBP and SCOPE Egyptian National Committee, Egypt. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 16 February, 2019

Abstract

Egypt is at risk to the possessions of global warming and potentially facing "catastrophic" consequences in sea level rise (SLR), water scarcity, agriculture and food insufficiency, loss of biodiversity and habitats and new pressures on human health and national economy. To confront these adverse impacts, the Prime Minister re-established in 2007 a National Climate Change Committee consists of scientists and experts from different ministries and relevant bodies responsible to manage climate in Egypt and to set a strategy to adapt to potential global changes.

Key words: Environment, sea level rise, water scarcity, agriculture and food insufficiency, biodiversity and human health.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phytosociology of roadside communities to identify ecological potentials of tolerant species

J. G. Ray¹* and Jojo George²

¹Environment Science Research Laboratory, Postgraduate Department of Botany, St. Berchmans’ College, Changanacherry, Kerala, India - 686101.

²Department of Botany, St Domininc's College, Parathodu PO, Kanjirapally, Kerala, India.

Accepted 02 February, 2019

Abstract

Roadside vegetations are open to contaminations of diverse heavy metals and other gaseous pollutants, and to physical disturbances of being trampled by pedestrians and crushed by vehicles continuously. Being a biodiversity-rich region of the world, roadsides of Southwest India, are expected to be rich in unique pollution-tolerant species. Tolerant plants in heavy metal polluted roadsides may be excluders or accumulators or hyper-accumulators of the metals. Phytosociology of communities on roadsides is significant in the identification of the degree of tolerance of species, because the method in general, is considered efficient and appropriate to assess the ecological potentials of plants in natural communities. Floristic survey and phytosociological analysis of 110 km of busy roadsides of a biodiversity-rich tropical zone, Kottayam District of Kerala, South India, showed 85 species belonging to 27 families differently tolerant to the stressful environment, which included exotics as well as medicinal plants. Botanical details and ecological potentials of the tolerant species found on these roadsides are discussed. Phytosociological investigations on roadsides enable identification of the hyper-tolerant; also provide information regarding patterns of introduction of exotics into natural vegetations. Hyper- tolerance is useful clue to the preliminary screening of the hyper-accumulation potentials of plants.

Key words: Phytosociology, frequency, density, relative abundance, hyper-tolerance phytosociology of roadside communities to identify ecological potentials of tolerant species.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of calcium presence on the absorption of cadmium by the rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata from Persian Gulf (Ostreidae; Bivalvia) in laboratory conditions

Arash Javanshir¹*, Maryam Shapoori², Hamed Azarbad¹, Ali-Reza Mir-Vaghefi¹ and Afshin Daneh-Kar¹

¹University of Tehran, Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Karaj, Iran.

²Savadkooh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran

Accepted 16 January, 2019

Abstract

Bioaccumulation of Cadmium as a function of its concentration and exposure time in Saccostrea cucullata (Ostreidae; Bivalvia) has been studied in filtered sea water and in laboratory. Results showed that the accumulation of Cd by gills was greater than other organs such as visceral mass. At 150 µg /l saturation as a function of time appeared in uptake of Cadmium by gills, all binding sites for Cd may be occupied; Cadmium may then be redistributed to the other organs. Also total Calcium concentration in the gills of control animals Ca was decreased by Ca 20% By Verapamil. Comparisons (t -tests) between animals pre-exposed and not pre-exposed (after 48 h and after 85 h) were significant at p < 0.05. The fact that verapamil decreased total calcium concentration in gills of S. cucullata may imply that calcium channels are present in this organ. The only significant effect was that of Cadmium concentration in the medium (p < 0.05) on Calcium content of gills. ANOVA, performed on Calcium concentrations after 85 h of Cd exposure, showed a significant effect of Cadmium on Calcium concentration in gills (p < 0.05). Results concerning gills after 48 h Cd exposure were demonstrated a decrease in Calcium concentration was observed at 150 µg Cd/l (referred to -VP) compared to controls (t-test significant at p < 0.01). No significant effect was noted when animals were pre-exposed with Verapamil (referred to as +VP).

Key words: Bioaccumulation, cadmium, verapamil, Saccostrea cucullata, metal uptake.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Physiological studies of some weeds grown under heavy metal and industrial effluent discharge zone of fertilizer factory

Hemen Sarma¹*, Aniruddha Sarma² and C. M. Sarma³

¹Department of Botany, Ecosystem Research Laboratory, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong -793022, India.

²Department of Biotechnology, Pandu College, Guwahati, Assam, India.

³Departments of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-14, Assam, India.

Accepted 12 January, 2019

Abstract

The present study deals with the characterization of effluent released from Brahmaputra valley Fertilizer complex, Namrup, Assam, India and distribution of heavy metals in water near to effluent discharge channel. The extent of damage caused by the effluents on physiological and biochemical properties of plants was investigated. Chlorophyll pigment, foliar protein and sugar concentration were measured in Amaranthus spinosus L., Cassia obtusifolia L. Croton bonplandianum Baill. Leonurus sibiricus L. during the growing season and compared with control. Results indicated that effluents contained toxic elements and the observed weeds were found to be susceptible while C. bonplandianum shows tolerance to some extent. Present study suggests that although weeds are often tolerant to extreme hostile environment but some time contaminated soil threatens their normal metabolisms. This leads to some new dimensions towards further research.

Key words: Chlorophyll, effluent, heavy metal, protein, sugar, weed.