Using contingent valuation to estimate the willingness of tourists to pay for urban forests: A study in Savannah, Georgia

This study estimated the monetary value of urban forests’ non-priced benefits to tourists. Data collected by a face-to-face self-administered survey of urban tourists in Savannah, Georgia, USA were used to estimate tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP) for urban forests by the contingent valuation method. Individual WTP was found higher among tourists with graduate school education. Results suggested that WTP for urban forests also increased significantly with income and destination loyalty of the tourists. Estimated mean and median WTP values were $11.25 (95% confidence interval: $7.34, $15.16) and $2.10 (95% confidence interval: $1.38, $2.82), respectively. Based on the estimated mean WTP, annual value of urban forests to tourists in Savanna in 2009 ranged from a minimum of $81 million to a maximum of $167 million with a 95% confidence interval. The annual value was $11.55 million (95% confidence interval: $7.59 million, $15.51 million) based on the estimated median WTP and assuming at least 50% of the tourists in Savannah would pay the median amount. As the mean was greatly influenced by extreme WTP values in the data, the annual value based on the median value was a more conservative estimate.     

Storage and high conversion frequency of encapsulated protocorm-like bodies of Cymbidium devonianum (orchid)

Summary

A method for the storage and high frequency conversion of Cymbidium devonianum protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) is reported. To study the effect of nutrient level on storage, PLBs were encapsulated in calcium alginate beads supplemented with 1.0×, 0.5×, 0.25×, or 0.125× Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium containing 0.3% (w/v) sucrose, without agar in the encapsulating matrix, and stored at room temperature (25º ± 2ºC) in the dark. Beads containing 0.25× MS were also kept at different temperatures (0ºC, 4ºC, 8ºC, or room temperature) in the dark to ascertain the optimal temperature for storage. One set of controls (i.e., non-encapsulated PLBs) was maintained for each treatment. The survival and subsequent percentage conversion values of PLBs were assessed at 30 d storage intervals after culturing on MS regeneration medium. Compared to the controls, all encapsulated PLBs showed improved storage at room temperature. In all treatments, non-encapsulated PLBs did not survive, but turned brown and died. Encapsulated PLBs in 0.25× MS medium could be stored for 90 d at room temperature without any significant loss in viability. However, a significant decrease in the survival percentage was recorded after longer storage times. Encapsulated PLBs containing 0.25× medium could be stored at 4ºC and 8ºC for 120 d and 180 d, respectively, without loss of viability. As storage times increased beyond 180 d, the survival percentage of encapsulated PLBs decreased. The conversion of encapsulated PLBs led to the emergence of regenerated plantlets. Initially, small green globular outgrowths from the PLBs were observed on the surface of the beads. These outgrowths multiplied to form clusters of PLBs which then regenerated into plantlets. In both studies, more prolonged storage of encapsulated PLBs increased the time interval for germination and plantlet regeneration on MS regeneration medium. Similarly, decreases in both basal MS strength in the matrix, and in storage temperature, resulted in an increase in the time required for germination and plantlet regeneration. Plantlets that regenerated from stored, encapsulated PLBs were hardened-off, and a high survival percentage (90%) was obtained in a glasshouse.     

Role of bioinoculants in development of salt-resistant saplings of Morus alba (var. sujanpuri) in vivo

Pot experiments were conducted for the development of salt-resistant saplings of Morus alba (var. sujanpuri) involving bioinoculants, namely arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Azotobacter and indole butyric acid (IBA). The IBA and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations were optimized prior to the experiments. By using both low and high concentrations, 15 ppm IBA and 0.05% NaCl (w/v) were found to be optimum in acting synergistically with AM fungi and Azotobacter and also for increasing all the growth parameters and microbial count in the rhizosphere. For in vivo development of salt-resistant saplings, the optimal concentration of IBA, along with AM fungi and Azotobacter in different combinations, was applied. The saplings were irrigated regularly with 0.05% NaCl water. Although growth parameters such as AM infection percentage, AM spores per 100 g soil and Azotobacter cells/g soil were affected by NaCl watering, the inoculation of both bioinoculants significantly enhanced survival percentage of saplings from 25 to 50% under salt stress. Maximum survival (55%) of saplings was found with IBA (15 ppm)+AM fungi+Azotobacter.     

Acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus collected from selected districts of Madhya Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states of India

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The isolates of Rhipicephalus microplus collected from Madhya Pradesh (MP), Punjab (PJB) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) states of India were characterized using...     

Effect of micronutrient supplementation around calving on the plasma cortisol levels of Murrah buffaloes and Sahiwal and Karan Fries cows

Micronutrients when fed around peripartum may reduce the stress induced by cortisol. With this objective, 24 Sahiwal (SW) and 24 Karan Fries (KF) cows and 24 Murrah (Mu) buffaloes were taken and divided into four groups of six each. Vitamin E (VE), zinc (Zn) and copper were supplemented from 30 days pre- to 30 days postcalving in groups 1, 2 and 3. Animals without supplementation served as control. Blood sampling was done on days 30, 15, 7 and 3 precalving; at calving; and on days 3, 7, 15 and 30 postcalving. Plasma cortisol levels were measured by ELISA. Supplementation of VE and Zn significantly (P?<?0.05) reduced plasma cortisol levels at calving and at 30 days postcalving. KF cows exhibited best results with VE, whereas SW cows and Mu buffaloes responded best to Zn. Copper increased the peripartum cortisol levels. Reduction in cortisol levels may help in keeping the animal healthy and stronger to fight immuno-suppression generally observed around the period of peripartum.     

Low levels of genetic diversity detected by RAPD analysis in geographically distinct accessions of Bacopa monnieri

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is atraditional Indian medicinal plant known for its natural nootropicaction of saponins present in large amount in its shoots. Acollection of 24 B.monnieri accessions from differentagro-climatic zones of India and an introduction from Malaysiamaintained in the field genebank at CIMAP was analysed for RAPDvariation. Among the 40 random primers tested, 29 primers generatedone or more polymorphic bands. The number of polymorphic bandsgenerated was primer dependent, ranging from 2 to maximum of 8.Similarity matrices were generated from the RAPD data on the basis ofNei's estimates of similarity indices and dendrograms wereconstructed based on UPGMA clustering. All the accessions were foundto be in the range of 0.8–1.0 of similarity, which isindicative of a narrow genetic base among the various accessions witha medium level of polymorphism. It was possible to differentiateindividual accessions, showing differences in morphological andgrowth properties at DNA level. The observed low levels of geneticvariation were attributed to interplay of sexual and vegetative modesof reproduction and similarity of local environments in habitats ofB. monnieri.     

Degradative Oxidation of 2,4,6 Trichlorophenol Using Advanced Oxidation Processes – A Comparative Study

In the present study, a comparative assessment of 2,4,6-T (2,4,6-Trichlorophenol) degradation by different AOPs (Advanced Oxidation Processes – UV, UV/ H₂O₂, Fenton, UV/Fenton and UV/TiO₂) in the laboratory scale is performed. The effects of different reactant concentrations and pH are assessed. 2,4,6-T removal, Total Organic Carbon mineralization (TOC) and dechlorination are monitored. Of all the AOPs, UV/Fenton process is more effective in degrading 2,4,6-T. The optimum conditions obtained for the best degradation with UV/Fenton are: pH?=?3, Fe⁺² concentration of about 5 ppm, and peroxide concentration of 100 ppm for an initial 100 ppm of 2,4,6 T concentration at room temperature. In these conditions, a pseudo first-order rate constant is evaluated. The degradation rate of 2,4,6 T followed the order: $$ {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{Feton}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{Feton}}}} > {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{TiO}}_{\text{2}} > {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{TiO}}_{\text{2}} > {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}}} > {\text{UV}} $$      

Natural compounds enhancing growth and survival of rhizobial inoculants in vermicompost-based formulations

The present study demonstrates the usefulness of natural microbial growth-promoting compounds for improving the stability and life of vermicompost-based (both granular and its aqueous extract) bioformulations. Granular vermicompost maintained the number of cells of Rhizobium meliloti Rmd 201 up to 5.9 × 10⁸ after 180 days at 28°C compared with 2.1 × 10⁸ in charcoal (powdered), while aqueous extract of the vermicompost supported the 5.6 × 10⁷ rhizobia numbers even after 270 days. The addition of 25 μL/mL cow urine and 0.01 mM calliterpinone, a natural plant growth promoter, increased the rhizobia number significantly in granular vermicompost and its aqueous extract, respectively.     

Sublethal Toxicity of the Herbicide Butachlor on the Earthworm Perionyx sansibaricus and its Histological Changes (5 pp)

Goal, Scope and Background   With the advent of the Green Revolution, there has been a quantum leap in the use of synthetic herbicides and pesticides throughout the world to sustain high-yielding crop varieties. Continuous use of these synthetic chemicals leads to loss of soil fertility and soil organisms. Histopathological studies may signal a damaging effect of organisms resulting from prior or ongoing exposure to toxic agents. A large number of studies have reported general histological changes in earthworms. A fewer studies have reported more specific types of histopathological studies in Eisenia foetida, Dendrodrilus rubidus, Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus rubellus and Octolasium transpandanum. However, no reports are available on Perionyx sansibaricus. The aim of the present study is (i) to determine the sublethal effects of the herbicide Butachlor on Perionyx sansibaricus on growth and cocoon production, (ii) to evaluate the histological changes in the exposed worms.Methods   The test substrate, namely powdered, dried cow dung, was contaminated with 0.0657, 0.1315 and 0.1973 mg kg–1 of Butachlor, and a control was maintained. Four groups of each 10-test species of Perionyx sansibaricus were used per concentration level (control, 0.0657, 0.1315 and 0.1973 mg kg–1). Various life history parameters such as biomass, cocoon production and histological changes were measured.Results   Worm growth was observed at various exposures over 60 days. While exposing the earthworm to the herbicide, no mortality was observed, not even at a higher dose. At the end of the experiment, the control group had a mean biomass of 0.0831±0.00 mg and, in the exposed group, at herbicide concentrations of 0.1973, 0.1315 and 0.0657 mg kg–1, the mean biomass was found to be 0.0497±0.00 mg, 0.0628±0.00 mg and 0.0781±0.00 mg, respectively. The mean earthworm biomass was found to be decreased with increasing herbicide concentration. Similarly, cocoon production was also reduced by the increasing herbicide concentration. All earthworms in the exposed group were found to have glandular cell enlargement and to be vacuolated. Conclusion   The results clearly indicate that Butachlor can retard the growth and cocoon production in Perionyx sansibaricus. The effect of the herbicide Butachlor can be assessed by the histological observation of the intestinal region, as evidenced by glandular cell enlargement at all the exposed concentrations, which may massively affect food intake and which in turn may indirectly inhibit the earthworm reproductive capacity.Recommendation and Outlook   Risk assessment is normally aimed at the protection of human health and the ecosystem, and the interrelationship of these two areas of protection is easy to perceive. The use of earthworms in risk assessment is to obtain more information on environmental quality and ensure environmental safety. There is an urgent need to test the chemicals causing toxicity to earthworms, because earthworms play a major role in soil fertility as well as acting as a transferring route from the soil to the terrestrial ecosystem.