Users’ Reactions to the Primer on Tree Registration Policies: Lessons for Designing Extension Materials and Improving Information Flow

In the Philippines, only a few farmers and plantation owners register their tree farms with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the office in charge of tree registration. One of the major reasons is their lack of knowledge of government policy on tree registration. To help improve the flow of information and understanding of tree registration policies among smallholder tree farmers and other stakeholders, a Primer on Tree Registration, Harvesting, Transport and Marketing Policies on Private Land was developed. Produced through the participation of stakeholders, including tree farmers, the DENR, and local government officers, police, and timber dealers, the Primer is highly visual and has been released in English as well as Waray–Waray and Cebuano dialects. This paper reports findings of focus group discussions conducted to gauge user reactions to the Primer. The Primer was considered as a valuable source of information about tree registration policies. Aside from being comprehensible, FGD participants found it attractive, perceived it to be intended for them and free from content that confused them. However, farmers suggested that illustrations need to be improved by making the persons portrayed more presentable and reflective of their actual tree farm operations. Participants said that aside from the Primer, the flow of information on tree registration policies could be improved through the use of multi-media including posters, radio broadcasts, and presentation in seminars for farmers.     

Path analysis for selection of drought tolerant sugarcane genotypes through physiological components

Water deficit is among the main environmental factors limiting agricultural productivity of sugarcane in Northeast Brazil by affecting virtually every aspect of plant growth, with consequent reduction of the agro-industrial productivity of this crop. This study aimed to use path analysis to evaluate the physiological components of sugarcane under two water conditions, with photosynthesis as the basic variable, in order to obtain subsidies that can help the genetic breeding of this crop by selection of superior clones with drought tolerance. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with a completely randomized experimental design, 4 × 2 factorial arrangements (four sugarcane genotypes × two soil moisture regimes: control, with 80-100% available water and stressed, with 0-20% water available) and with four replications. Each plot consisted of one pot with 12 kg of substrate containing one plant. Treatments were maintained at a humidity close to field capacity with daily replacement of the evapotranspired water with a water supply for 66 days of cultivation for treatments under stress. Evaluations were conducted on the fourth day after severe water stress at 70 days of cultivation. Data from nine physiological variables were considered, with six of these being used in the model after exclusion of those that were contributing to multicollinearity. Variables used in path analysis were enough to explain the variation found in photosynthesis under both water conditions. Stomatal conductance, transpiration and the SPAD index should be considered as a priority in breeding programs for sugarcane aiming to get more productive and tolerant genotypes to water stress, and selection indexes should be used with due consideration of these variables to promote gains in photosynthesis.     

Temperature and storage period over spermatic parameters of jundiá, Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the spermatic parameters of jundia, Rhamdia quelen, semen stored for short periods under different temperatures. Fifteen males were used in a time factorial experimental design (13 × 3 × 3 × 3). The sperm was stored at: 15; 25 and 35°C and activated in water at: 15; 25 and 35°C each, respectively, within storage periods of: 0; 2; 4; 6; 8; 10; 12; 16; 20; 24; 32; 40 and 48 h after collection. The treatments were performed in triplicates and in sequential protocols every 50 h. The motility parameters were evaluated using Pearson's correlation analysis and the significant parameters (P < 0.05) were summarized using principal component analysis forming two predicted groups. Group 01 composed the following parameters: curvilinear velocity, wobble and linearity; group 02 comprised average path velocity, straight line velocity, beating cross frequency and motility rate. Effects (P < 0.05) of treatments were observed only in group 02, with interaction between time and temperature of exposure and between exposure time and water temperature. Superior results of spermatic parameters of group 02 were observed right after collection. However, the exposure and spermatic activation at 15°C assured significant results 48 h after collection when compared with 25 and 35°C.     

Physical and Sensory Properties of Regular and Reduced‐Fat Pound Cakes with Added Amaranth Flour

The sum of wheat flour and corn starch was replaced by 10, 20, or 30% whole amaranth flour in both conventional (C) and reduced fat (RF) pound cakes, and the effects on physical and sensory properties of the cakes were investigated. RF presented 33% fat reduction. The increasing amaranth levels darkened crust and crumb of cakes, which decreased color acceptability. Fresh amaranth‐containing cakes had similar texture characteristics to the controls, evaluated both instrumentally and sensorially. Sensory evaluation revealed that replacement by 30% amaranth flour decreased C cakes overall acceptability scores, due to its lower specific volume and darker color. Amaranth flour levels had no significant effect on overall acceptability of RF cakes. Hence, the sum of wheat flour and corn starch could be successfully replaced by up to 20% amaranth flour in C and up to 30% in RF pound cakes without negatively affecting sensory quality in fresh cakes. Moisture losses for all the cakes were similar, ≈1% per day during storage. After six days of storage, both C and RF amaranth‐containing cakes had higher hardness and chewiness values than control cakes. Further experiments involving sensory evaluation during storage are necessary to determine the exact limit of amaranth flour replacement.     

Using Limestone to Improve Soil Fertility and Growth of Mango (Mangifera Indica L.)

Soil acidity is one of the most important factors limiting crop production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of limestone application on the soil chemical properties, nutrition and yield of mango plants in an orchard under implementation. The design was randomized blocks, with five limestone doses (0; 2; 4; 6 and 8 t ha^?1) and four replications. Soil chemical analyses were performed (at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after the experiment implementation) in the layers 0–20; 20–40 and 40–60 cm deep. Nutrition status and yield were assessed during the first and second crop seasons. The highest fruit yield was associated with the application of 3.9 and 3.8 t ha^?1 of limestone in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons, respectively, that is, the dose recommended by the literature for raising base saturation to 80%, as a function of the fertility conditions of the soil initially obtained.     

Infection process of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocercospora musae</Emphasis> on banana leaf

Yellow Sigatoka that is caused by Pseudocercospora musae is an important banana disease. The aim of this study was to elucidate the infection process of P. musae in banana leaves by scanning electron microscopy. Leaf samples were inoculated on the abaxial surface with P. musae and then analysed at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h post inoculation (hpi) and at 36 and 50 days post inoculation (dpi). The conidia were found to be germinated between 24 and 36 hpi and penetrated through the stomata between 96 and 120 hpi, or more generally from 144 hpi. P. musae colonized the spongy parenchyma at 36 dpi and the palisade parenchyma at 50 dpi. Sporulation occurred at 50 dpi on the adaxial surface of leaves through the emergence of conidia on conidiophores through the stomata. Considering the importance of yellow Sigatoka in banana production, our results provide a better understanding of the life cycle of the fungus for treatment processes.     

Sheep fed with banana leaf hay reduce ruminal protozoa population

A ciliate protozoa suppression can reduce methane production increasing the energy efficiency utilization by ruminants. The physicochemical characteristics of rumen fluid and the profile of the rumen protozoa populations were evaluated for sheep fed banana leaf hay in replacement of the Cynodon dactylon cv. vaqueiro hay. A total of 30 male sheep were raised in intensive system during 15 days of adaptation and 63 days of experimental period. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design that included six replicates of five treatments with replacement levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) of the grass vaquero for the banana leaf hay. Samples of fluid were collected directly from the rumen with sterile catheters. Color, odor, viscosity, and the methylene blue reduction potential (MBRP) were evaluated and pH estimated using a digital potentiometer. After decimal dilutions, counts of genus protozoa were performed in Sedgewick Rafter chambers. The averages of pH, MBRP, color, odor, and viscosity were not influenced by the inclusion of the banana leaf hay. However, the total number of protozoa and Entodinium spp. population significantly decreased at 75 and 100% inclusions of banana leaf hay as roughage.     

Short-term effects of overstory reduction and slash mulching on ground vegetation in a Mediterranean Aleppo pine woodland

The short-term effects of forest overstory reduction and slash mulching on ground vegetation were analysed in a Mediterranean Aleppo pine reforested woodland on degraded agricultural land in south-east Spain. This sort of practice is becoming common in the Mediterranean basin to guard against forest fires, but very few attempts have been made to analyse its effect upon biodiversity. The data concerning floristic richness and above-ground biomass of species were measured as dependent variables in 0.5 × 0.5 m quadrats in an overstory reduction versus control area (treatment factor) during the spring of 2006. The data were analysed by ANCOVA, in which slash-mulch weight was introduced as covariate. Relationships between dependent variables and slash-mulch weight were examined using linear regression, and variations in floristic composition were ascertained by means of principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 32 ruderal herbaceous species were recorded, none of which was exotic. In spite of some methodological constraints (i.e. low number of samples and data from a non-replicated case study), the results of our study point to the conclusion that most of these species were found more frequently in the overstory-reduction treatment compared to the control area, and that only a few species clearly preferred the control treatment. In general, overstory reduction led to a significant increase both in floristic richness and above-ground biomass. Slash mulching, on the other hand, encouraged the appearance of a greater quantity of above-ground biomass (in different ways depending upon treatment), although species richness did not improve, even to the extent of declining in the control area. On the basis of our findings, overstory reduction seems to increase species richness and productivity in dense Mediterranean afforestations on degraded agricultural land, at least in the short-term. Large quantities of mulch accompanied by high tree density would seem not to favour species richness.     

A novel application of the ecological field theory to the definition of physiographic and climatic potential areas of forest species

A new approach to the definition of physiographic and climatic potential areas for forest species, based on the ecological field theory, is outlined in this paper. The proposed formulation is tested on the Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera L.), using data from 883 permanent and temporary plots throughout its distribution area in the Spanish autonomous region of Castilla y León. The suitability of the territory for the species is assessed by previously studying its habitat, which in turn is analyzed through physiographic and climatic parameters. This new method is rooted in an additive index that depends on the Mahalanobis distance in the parametric space that evaluates the ecological resemblance between the studied site and each of the points defining the parametric habitat. Thereby the ecological potential of any site within the territory can be established, integrated in a geographical information systems and accordingly charted. The results are compared with those obtained with the methodology traditionally used by Spanish foresters (factorial index), showing that the overall potential area is similar in size but quite different in its distribution.     

Cutaneous pythiosis in a dog from Brazil

This report describes a case of cutaneous pythiosis in a 6‐year‐old female mixed breed dog, from the central west region of São Paulo State, Brazil. The cytological and histopathological analyses showed an intense inflammatory infiltrate with presence of numerous hyphal elements, suggesting infection due to Pythium insidiosum. The diagnosis was confirmed by nested‐PCR, which was carried out with specific primers derived from the ribosomal DNA region. The pathogen occurs in Brazil and veterinarians should be aware of the importance of correctly diagnosing this disease and differentiating it from other fungal diseases.