Enhancing pedotransfer functions with environmental data for estimating bulk density and effective cation exchange capacity in a data‐sparse situation

Soil bulk density (BD) and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) are among the most important soil properties required for crop growth and environmental management. This study aimed to explore the combination of soil and environmental data in developing pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for BD and ECEC. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and random forest model (RFM) were employed in developing PTFs using three different data sets: soil data (PTF‐1), environmental data (PTF‐2) and the combination of soil and environmental data (PTF‐3). In developing the PTFs, three depth increments were also considered: all depth, topsoil (<0.40 m) and subsoil (>0.40 m). Results showed that PTF‐3 (R²; 0.29–0.69) outperformed both PTF‐1 (R²; 0.11–0.18) and PTF‐2 (R²; 0.22–0.59) in BD estimation. However, for ECEC estimation, PTF‐3 (R²; 0.61–0.86) performed comparably as PTF‐1 (R²; 0.58–0.76) with both PTFs out‐performing PTF‐2 (R²; 0.30–0.71). Also, grouping of data into different soil depth increments improves the estimation of BD with PTFs (especially PTF‐2 and PTF‐3) performing better at subsoils than topsoils. Generally, the most important predictors of BD are sand, silt, elevation, rainfall, temperature for estimation at topsoil while EVI, elevation, temperature and clay are the most important BD predictors in the subsoil. Also, clay, sand, pH, rainfall and SOC are the most important predictors of ECEC in the topsoil while pH, sand, clay, temperature and rainfall are the most important predictors of ECEC in the subsoil. Findings are important for overcoming the challenges of building national soil databases for large‐scale modelling in most data‐sparse countries, especially in the sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA).     

Response of soil properties and yam yield to Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) mulches

Plant materials differ in their chemical composition, rate of decomposition and suitability as mulch materials. Experiments were conducted during 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 cropping seasons for early yam cultivation at Owo in the forest–savanna transition zone of southwest Nigeria to study the effect of Chromolaena odorata and Tithonia diversifolia mulches applied at 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 t ha^?1 on soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient composition, growth and tuber yield of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir). Both C. odorata and T. diversifolia mulches reduced soil bulk density and temperature; increased concentrations of soil organic matter (SOM), total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca and Mg, leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg; enhanced growth and yield of yam compared with control. The values of SOM, total N and available P and leaf N and P concentrations increased with increasing mulch rate. C. odorata mulch and T. diversifolia mulch applied at 10.0 and 7.5 t ha^?1, respectively, was found to be suitable for yam production. T. diversifolia mulch compared with C. odorata mulch produced higher values of soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient concentrations, growth and yield of yam. T. diversifolia mulch produced 19% and 18% higher tuber yield compared with C. odorata mulch during 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 cropping seasons, respectively.     

Identification and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia parasites in domestic dogs in Nigeria

The present study examined the presence of Babesia parasites in 104 domestic dogs in Nigeria. Sequentially, Babesia parasites infecting domestic dogs underwent genetic and phylogenetic analyses. The results of nested PCR based on the Piroplasmida 18S rRNA gene illustrated that 13.5% (14/104) of the samples were positive. The obtained positive samples determined the nucleotide sequences of the 18S rRNA genes. In the genetic and phylogenetic analyses, four of five nucleotide sequences were similar to Babesia canis rossi, and one sample exhibited a close similarity to a Babesia sp. isolated from a raccoon in Hokkaido, Japan. The present study revealed the widespread presence of B. canis rossi among domestic dogs in Nigeria.     

Preliminary evaluation of pineapple mixed-cropping systems for protecting reclaimed gulleys in the tropics: An experiment in Southeast Nigeria

This paper reports on research into the effectiveness of pineapple monocropping or intercropping systems (with cowpeas or egusi-melon) for reestablishing vegetative cover to check soil erosion on a reclaimed gulley in the tropical rainforest of southeastern Nigeria. High-density pineapple planting, intercropped with egusi-melon, was found to promote rapid vegetative cover, checked soil loss, improved soil structural stability and produced a high crop yield. Soil loss was moderate in pineapple plots intercropped with cowpeas and least in pineapple plots intercropped with egusi-melon. Increasing pineapple density enhanced the field establishment of cowpea and egusi-melon respectively.     

年际气象差异对西南丘陵区玉米物质积累与产量的影响

基于2011-2016年大田试验和气象数据资料,研究了年际气象差异对西南丘陵区玉米物质积累与产量的影响,以期为西南丘陵区玉米生产的高产稳产提供理论支持。结果表明：西南丘陵地区雨热资源丰富,但气象因素存在明显的年际波动,降水量波动最大,积温波动最小,且玉米各生育阶段降水、积温和光照配置也有所不同。积温是该区玉米生育前期形态建成的主要限制因子,花前积温、花后日照和降水共同调控玉米的干物质积累与转运,而后期产量形成是各气象因子综合作用的结果。花后日照直接影响玉米穗部性状（穗长、穗粗）和产量构成（穗粒数、千粒重）,从而调控玉米的产量;花后积温和降水则通过影响玉米的穗粒数和千粒重对最终产量产生影响。因此,西南丘陵地区玉米在生产过程中可以通过调整播期,适当提高生育前期积温,促进植株生长发育,提高源器官的形态建成,为花后光合生产奠定良好的基础;减少花后降水量,提高花后日照时数,改善籽粒灌浆,提高籽粒充实度,从而实现高产。     

Variations in Soil Physical Properties in a Cleared Forestland Continuously Cultivated for Seven Years in Eastern Nsukka,Nigeria

In this study, soil physical properties were evaluated in the top 40 cm of cleared forestland that had been subjected to continuous cultivation for 7 years to ascertain selected crop or crop combinations that influenced the soil physical properties the most. There was no significant effect of crop treatment on particle‐size distributions over 6 years of cultivation. In year 7, clay values were significantly (p = 0.05) greater in plots grown with solely cassava (SC) and solely maize (SM) than in the plots grown with solely pigeon pea (SP). The soil depth effects over the 7 years were significant on the clay content. The mean values of bulk density, pore‐size distribution, and hydraulic conductivity obtained from each plot fluctuated over the years. The bulk density values in 1998 ranged from 1.29 to 1.43 g cm³, but from 1999 to 2004, the range was from 1.12 to 1.40 g cm³. Thus, bulk density generally decreased when compared with their respective values in 1998. The greatest decrease of ≈ 22% was in 2000. More than 70% of the macroporosity values were significantly less than their respective values in 1998. The greatest decease of 72% was obtained from SM plots in 2001. All the microporosity were significantly more than the 1998 values. All the increases were >100% of the original values. These increases were reflected in the variations of total and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) values. However, in 2004, Ks values decreased in the plots grown to C + P, SP, and SM. Generally, the C + M + P mixture appeared to be the most consistent in improving micro‐ and total porosities and Ks among the crop treatments.     

Information and Training Needs of Non-Timber Forest Products' Operators in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the training needs of non-timber forest products' (NTFP) operators in Southern Nigeria. One hundred-fifty forest operators in Ondo State, Nigeria were sampled using structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using percentages, mean, Chi-square test, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The results revealed that majority of the forest operators in Southern Nigeria are middle-aged women with low level of education. The need for training is high and significant (P < 0.05), and there is a positive relationship between training/ information received and the operators's productivity.     

湖南省西南部蝶类资源研究

用采集和饲养相结合的方法收集到湘西南蝴蝶标本293种和亚种，分属11科148属。首次发现湖南新记录143种。一批世界精品蝶，中国珍蝶和在湘西南有分布而全世界仅有1－5种的属。次次列出我省珍稀蝶39种。对湘西南蝶类分布区系及特点进行了详尽分析，同时提出了保护，利用蝶类资源的建议。     

Vegetation and its relation to soil nutrient and salinity in the Calabar mangrove swamp,Nigeria

The study examines vegetation – environment relationships. Vegetation measurements included species frequency, density, diameter and tree height, while environmental measurements were soil particle size distribution, acid properties (pH, Al, SO₄), nutrient cations (Ca, Na, Mg, K), organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and chloride content. Nypa fruticans was the dominant species in the A stratum (> 3 m tall) while Rhizophora mangle was dominant in the B stratum (1–3 m tall). The C stratum (< 1 m tall) was dominated by mangrove, Nypa and Raphia saplings. Silt was dominant and the most variable particle size fraction. A principal components analysis of the soil data indicated the first three dominant components influencing the vegetation were salinity, nutrient and soil texture. Tree height and density correlated highly with the salinity and soil texture gradients (P < 0.01), while basal area correlated with salinity and nutrient gradients (P < 0.01). While Avicannia africana in the A stratum was influenced largely by the salinity and soil texture gradients. Nypa fruticans in the B stratum was influenced by salinity and nutrients.     

西南地区9种乡土杨树的秋季光合特性比较

季节是影响植物光合特性的重要因素之一,而树木秋季光合作用为次年生长储备营养物质,也是林木育种的重要指标。为了解西南地区9种乡土杨树在秋季生长期对光能的利用效率,以收集于西南地区不同海拔的滇杨、大叶杨、藏川杨、德钦杨、昌都杨、康定杨、乡城杨、西南杨和三脉青杨为研究对象,在10月初采用LI-6400便携式光合测定仪对其光合参数进行测定。结果表明:1）滇杨和藏川杨的生长量优于其他树种。2）乡城杨净光合速率（P_n）日变化呈现为不对称的双峰曲线,其他8种杨树均为单峰曲线,但峰值出现的时间不同;而9种杨树的蒸腾速率（T_r）日变化均为单峰曲线,大叶杨Tr峰值出现在12:00,其他8种杨树均在14:00;9种杨树的气孔导度（G_s）、胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）和水分利用率（WUE）日均值均存在极显著差异,昌都杨G_s日均值最大（0.37 mmol·m^-2·s^-1）,康定杨C_i日均值最小（284.222 4 μmol·mol^-1）,且水分利用率（WUE）最高（4.996 6 μmol·mmol^-1）。3）综合4个光合参数,西南杨和康定杨具有较大的后续生长潜力,且康定杨耐旱性较强,而昌都杨和大叶杨耐旱能力较弱。因此,在今后推广应用及经营管理中,需要考虑不同树种对水分需求的差异。