African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Conservation Agriculture for smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: Recent developments and future prospects

F. S. Murungu

Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, P. O. Box 12363, Jacobs 4026, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +27 31 907 7673. Fax: +27 86 558 5673.

Accepted 17 April, 2021

Abstract

The current interest in Conservation Agriculture (CA) technologies is a result of the need to reduce excessive land degradation in most crop producing areas as well as, to enhance sustainable food production. Cover crops that are usually grown under CA to provide soil cover may offer secondary benefits depending on the farming system. The concept of growing cover crops is a relatively new phenomenon to smallholder farmers. Production of large biomass yields and weed suppression from cover crops were the major challenges affecting success and uptake of CA technologies by smallholder irrigation farmers. Coupled with this, low soil fertility limit maize productivity and reduce water use efficiency on smallholder irrigation schemes in what is largely a water strained agro-ecology in the Eastern Cape (EC) Province of South Africa (SA). While cover cropping can increase maize productivity, benefits of different types of mulch are not well understood, leading to challenges in selecting the most appropriate cover crop species to grow. With respect to any new technology, smallholder farmers are more interested in the economic benefits. This paper reviews recent research and extension efforts into CA and the future prospects of this technology in the EC.

Key words: Conservation agriculture, cover crops, nitrogen, phosphorus, smallholder farmers.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Population ecology of some medicinal plants of Malam Jabba, Swat, Pakistan

Hassan Sher¹* and Ali Aldosari²

¹Centre of Botany and Biodiversity Conservation, University of Swat, Pakistan.

²Department of Geography, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 12 June, 2021

Abstract

A study on the population ecology of three commercially important species namely: Persicaria amplexicaule, Valeriana, jatamansi and Viola serpens was conducted in various ecologically and economically important sites of Malam Jabba, Swat, Pakistan from 2002 to 2004. The altitude of these sites ranged from 1200 to 3200 m. The objectives of the present study were to identify the ecological range, abundance/distribution and phenological stages and population dynamics of each targeted species. Analysis of the population structure (different life stages) of targeted plants species showed that only few individuals of targeted species reached to maturity throughout the investigated area. The results revealed that the density of mature plants reduced 3 to 4-folds (after collection) than the overall density before collection. But only few plants of the targeted species set their fruits and seeds which were inappropriate for the establishment of their population within the existing vegetational community. The study generally observed that the total biomass in terms of dry weight of each targeted plant was higher at high altitude and most particular in protected sites. All the investigated parameters generally showed an increase of 2 to 4 times in protected sites as compared to the unprotected areas. The study concluded that the conservation of the remaining populations of targeted plants will be best achieved by proper time of sustainable harvesting. It is only possible with the participation of local communities.

Key words: Plants population, management practices, local people, collection period.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Population census of critically endangered Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo in Suru valley, (cold desert region, Jammu and Kashmir, India)

Tsewang Rinchen, Shreekar Pant* and Mohmad Anwar

Conservation Ecology Lab, Centre for Biodiversity Studies, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, BGSBU University, Rajouri-185 131, J and K, India.

Accepted 08 March, 2021

Abstract

Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don), Soo (Panja, Salam-panja or Hath-panja) is a critically endangered native and high value medicinal plant of the Himalayan Region. The several medicinal properties of the roots of this species have increased its risk of extinction due to pressures for utilization. It is also subjected to browse by cattle’s. The species also does not regenerate well in nature which is another risk factor. Therefore, an attempt has been made to investigate the population ecology of the species as a foundation for its conservation. Forty eight sites in the Suru valley, a part of the cold desert region were surveyed but only in sixteen sites was the target species present. The abundance of the species, impacts of over exploitation and its current status indicated that it may soon be extirpated from the Suru valley. So a plan for conserving the remaining number of the species is presented. It could provide a template for conservation in other locations where the species is at risk.

Key words: Angulakpa, cold desert, population ecology, hath-panja, wanglak.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Taxonomy and ecology of antibiotic producing actinomycetes

Mobolaji Felicia Adegboye* and Olubukola Oluranti Babalola

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, South Africa.

Accepted 12 October, 2020

Abstract

The taxonomic and ecological positions of antibiotic producing actinomycetes are an integral part in antimicrobial agents’ development program. Comprehensive understanding of the organisms give useful insight on the secondary metabolites been produced by them and other activities carried out by them in their habitat. Criteria for the identification of actinomycetes include morphological, physiological, ecological and molecular characterization. It is vital to identify the organism up to species level, since this will give an indication whether the antimicrobial agent being produced is novel or not. The suborder and habitat also act as pointers for possible secondary metabolites production and confer the need for further exploration.

Key words: Taxonomy, ecology, actinomycetes, antimicrobial agents, characterization.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-013, April, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity and antimicrobial activity of fungal endophyte communities associated with plants of Brazilian savanna ecosystems

Aline B. M. Vaz¹, Luciana R. Brandão¹, Mariana L. A. Vieira¹, Raphael S. Pimenta², Paula B. Morais², Marcos E. G. Sobral³, Luiz H. Rosa¹ and Carlos A. Rosa¹*

¹Departamento de Microbiologia, ICB, C. P. 486, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

²Laboratório de Microbiologia Ambiental e Biologia, Campus Universitário de Palmas, Fundação Universidade Federal

de Tocantins, Palmas, Tocantins, 77020-210, Brazil.

³Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, 36301-160, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Accepted 04 December, 2020

Abstract

Fungal endophyte communities associated with leaves of Myrciaria floribunda, Alchornea castaneifolia, and Eugenia aff. bimarginata were examined, collected from Brazilian Cerrado ecosystems, and studied for their ability to produce antimicrobial activity. A total of 93 isolates of endophytic fungi were obtained and identified by sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rRNA gene, which revealed the presence of 20 Ascomycota and three Basidiomycota taxa. The genus Colletotrichum is the most frequent endophyte associated with M. floribunda and A. castaneifolia. Mycosphaerella is the most frequent genus associated with E. aff. bimarginata. All fungal endophytic isolates were cultured and the crude extracts were screened to examine the antimicrobial activities against pathogenic microorganisms. Thirty-eight fungal extracts presented antimicrobial activity against at least one of the different target microorganisms tested. Emericellopsis donezkii and Colletotrichum gloesporioides showed the best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, which were lower or similar to MICs of known antibacterial and antifungal drugs. Our results suggest that the plants of Brazilian Cerrado shelter a diverse endophytic fungal community, which includes bioactive taxa capable of producing promising antimicrobial metabolites.

Key words: Antifungal and antibacterial activities, Cerrado ecosystem, endophytic fungi, fungal ecology.