International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-009, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The value of environmental management and green product design within sustainable development and competitive strategies of the companies: An examination of the energy industry

Asli Küçükaslan Ekmekçi

Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +90 216 3365273.

Accepted 12 March, 2019

Abstract

In this study, the conceptual background of environmental management and green product design was examined and based on this, the relative importance of these aspects within the competitiveness and sustainable development of the companies in the energy industry was investigated. The analysis of the value and competitive advantages of the green product design and environmental management issues were provided. Finally, based on the examination of the role of environmental management and sustainable development, a strategic development for the relevant green product design and recommendations were provided. With this respect, the study intended to identify the key success factors in the environmental management and green product design for achieving sustainable development and competitiveness within the energy industry.

Key words: Environmental management, green product, sustainability, competitive strategy, competitiveness, energy industry, renewable resources.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Poultry manure enhances grass establishment at a quarry rehabilitation site in subtropical South Africa

Bheki G. Maliba^1,2*, Alpheus M. Zobolo² and Stefan J. Siebert¹

¹School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Private Bag X 6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.

²Department of Botany, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.

Accepted 14 January, 2019

Abstract

The rehabilitation of a quarry was conducted with selected grass species in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The seed cocktail applied contained Chloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, Panicum maximum and Paspalum distichum. Three treatments used were: No soil enhancement (control), poultry manure application, and commercial fertilizer application. Four months after sowing, the percentage grass cover per 1 m² of treatment was 33% for the control, 65% where manure was applied and 76% with fertilizer application. Both fertilizer and manure applications promoted the colonization of grass species. Fertilizer application significantly increased biomass of grass (P 0.05). Poultry manure resulted in higher biomass of approximately 5 g per m² more than the control; however the mean was not significantly different from the control (P 0.05). These results suggest that fertilizer application prior to seed sowing in a rehabilitated quarry provide the highest biomass after four months. The application of poultry manure proved to be a cheaper option to increase aboveground plant cover in a rehabilitated area, but it is less effective than fertilizer in terms of biomass production.

Key words: Quarry, vegetation, restoration, biomass, grassland.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Growth and morphological responses to water level variations in two Carex species from Sanjiang Plain, China

Yan LU

School of Urban and Environmental Science, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai an, Jiangsu Province, P. R. China.

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huai an, Jiangsu Province, P. R. China.

Northeast Institute of Geography and Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jinlin Province, P. R. China. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 02 January, 2019

Abstract

Sanjiang Plain is the largest freshwater marsh wetland in China. Carex lasiocarpa and Carex limosa are two dominant species in the area. The niche of C. limosa is similar with C. lasiocarpa and both species always distribute in the same region. However, the distribution area of C. limosa is far smaller than that of C. lasiocarpa. The aim of the study is to determine whether C. lasiocarpa had superiority in plant growth than C. limosa in the condition of submergence. To this end, plant growth and root morphologies were investigated in two Carex species. Experimental treatments included three water levels (0, 10 and 20 cm) . Relative growth rates in C. lasiocarpa (0.038 g g ^-1 d^-1) were much higher than that in C. limosa (0.030 g^-1 d^-1) under 20 cm water level. There existed more severe effects in biomass accumulations in C. limosa (dropped 77%) than that in C. lasiocarpa (dropped 52%) when comparing 20 cm water level to 0 cm water level. Enhanced water level could enhance root porosity (C. lasiocarpa 20.4% and C. limosa 21.5%) in both species but form shorter roots in C. limosa. Higher relative shoot growth rate could be found in C. lasiocarpa under deep water conditions. These data could explain why the two species had the same niche but different distribution areas in Sanjiang plain.

Key words: Flooding, morphological, responses, growth, root porosity.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-009, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An application of different biotic and diversity indices for assessing water quality: A case study in the Rivers Çukurca and Isparta (Turkey)

Hasan Kalyoncu* and Melek Zeybek

Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology 32260 Isparta/Turkey.

Accepted 16 February, 2019

Abstract

A number of biotic indices (Biological Monitoring Working Party-BMWP, Average Score Per Taxa- ASPT, Belgian Biotic Index-BBI, Family Biotic Index-FBI, Saproby Index-SI, Extended Biotic Index-EBI, Biotic Index for Pampean Rivers and Streams-IBPAMP), diversity indices (Margalef-MDI, Simpson-SDI and Shannon and Weaver-SWDI Diversity indices) and EPT% (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera), EPT/Chironomus%, based on benthic macroinvertebrates in relation to physicochemical parameters, have been applied in assessing the water quality of the Rivers Cukurca and Isparta (Mediterranean Region, Turkey). According to the results, the water quality in both rivers varied from weak to excellent. From the indices, SWDI index of the diversity indices and BBI index of the biotic indices seem to be the most reliable. All indices, except EBI were found applicable for Mediterranean Region in Turkey. More researches must be carried out, to get exact decisions about the applicability of EBI in Turkey’s rivers.

Key words: Biotic index, diversity index, macro-zoobenthos, water quality, Turkey.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-012, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Farmer’s perception on landslide occurrences in Bududa District, Eastern Uganda

M. G. Kitutu¹* A. Muwanga² J. Poesen³ and J. A. Deckers⁴

¹National Environment Management Authority, P. O. Box 22255, Kampala, Uganda.

²Department of Geology, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

³Department of Geography and Geology, Geo-institute, Celestijnenlaan 200e B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.

⁴Department of Land Management and Economics, Celestijnenlaan 200e B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.

Accepted 08 February, 2019

Abstract

This study assesses the farmer’s understanding and perception of the causes and impacts of landslides in Bududa district in Eastern Uganda. Open-ended questions were designed to guide farmers in providing their experiences, understanding and observations in relation to the scientific findings. Steep slopes, areas with concavities and those with flow of water from underground were identified as areas prone to landslides. The soil characteristics for areas prone to landslides are stoniness, sandy and high water infiltration. Low lands and areas with sticky and strong soils were identified as stable. Rainfall was listed as the main triggering factor and most landslide occurrences are in rainfall events of low intensity but prolonged for days. Terraces are not popular in some of the areas because they promote water infiltration and trigger landslides. Loss of income from farms was mentioned as the main impact from these landslides. However, the damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges was not identified as a problem to the farmers. Farmers in areas without landslides are less knowledgeable about the cause-effect issues related to landslides.

Key words: Farmers’ perceptions, landslides, Bududa District.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of sustainable water resources management (SWRM) in agriculture in Khuzestan Province, Iran

Ahmad Reza Ommani

Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar Branch, Shoushtar, Iran. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 08 February, 2019

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the supportive policies and dimensions of sustainable water resources management (SWRM) in agriculture of Khuzestan Province of Iran. The research method was a quantitative research. Total population of experts in the study included all agricultural extension experts (n = 96) of agricultural-Jihad organization of Khuzestan Province, Iran. Based on frequency of respondents about important rate of supportive policies regarding SWRM in agriculture, 70.8% of respondents stated that encouraging farmers to use sustainable methods had very high importance. In reference to the frequency of respondents about extension system roles on realization of SWRM dimensions in agriculture, 52.8% of respondents stated that conservation of water resources had very high importance for supporting SWRM in agriculture.

Key words: Sustainable water resources management (SWRM), extension experts, farmers.