Vol. 7 No. 1 (2017)

Cultivation of Schizophyllum commune mushroom on different wood substrates

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Cultivation of Schizophyllum commune mushroom on different wood substrates Dasanayaka, P.N.; Wijeyaratne, S.C. Schizophyllum commune is an edible mushroom grown on wood under natural conditions. Present study focused on cultivation of S.commune on different wood substrates since it is not commercially cultivated. A pure culture of S. commune was obtained by growing a tissue of the mushroom on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Spawns were produced by growing the mycelium on paddy grains. Mushroom was cultivated on sawdust of seven different wood substrates. The maximum yield was observed in sawdust of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) followed by sawdust of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) and country almond (Terminalia catappa). A significant difference was not observed when mango (Mangifera indica) elephant apple (Dillenia indica), tulip wood tree (Harpullia arborea) and thungfaa (Alstonia macrophylla) sawdust used as substrate. The lowest yield was observed in thungfaa (Alstonia macrophylla) sawdust. Effect of some additives on the yield was studied and significant difference in yield was observed when rice bran and used-tea leaves used as additives. Effect of rice bran on yield was studied using different ratios of sawdust to rice bran and the highest was observed in 2:1 ratio of sawdust to rice bran. The best incubating temperature for mycelial growth on the substrate was 350C. The composition of the mushroom on a dry weight basis was; 71.4% moisture, 23.35% crude protein and 6% ash. Tested wood species are promising substrates for cultivation of S.commune as cottage industry.

Decomposition and Nitrogen Release Patterns of Parkiabiglobosa and Albizialebbeck Leaves with Nitrogen Fertilizer for Maize Production in Sudan Savanna Alfisolof Nigeria

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Decomposition and Nitrogen Release Patterns of Parkiabiglobosa and Albizialebbeck Leaves with Nitrogen Fertilizer for Maize Production in Sudan Savanna Alfisolof Nigeria Oyebamiji, N. A.; Babalola, A. O.; Aduradola, A. M. Biomass transfer or cultivation of leguminous trees has higher eco-friendly profiles for soil nutrients restoration especially nitrogen. The research is conducted on decomposition and nitrogen release patterns of Parkia biglobosa and Albizia lebbeck leaves with nitrogen fertilizer for maize production in sudan savannah alfisol of Nigeria. Data were analysed using (ANOVA). 56 % of N in the litter bag was released the first two weeks of biomass incubation and progressively increases weeks after planting. Decomposition rate constant (KD) ranged from 9.18 to 15.07 week-1 and the rates of plant residues was higher in Albizia lebbeck than Parkia biglobosa in both seasons. Nitrogen release rate constant (KN), ranging from 7.82 to 10.81 week-1 followed a similar pattern as the rate of decomposition with Albizia lebbeck releasing the highest amount of N followed by Parkia lebbeck. The rate of decomposition increased as week increased. Incorporation of Albizia lebbeck had significantly higher effect (p < 0.05) on growth parameter and yield component compared to Parkia biglobosa. The study concluded that Albizia lebbeck decomposed and mineralized faster for crop uptake under sudan savanna conditions. The study suggests that incorporation of Albizia lebbeck and up to 40 kg N ha-1 is a better combination for soil quality improvement and maize productivity in Makera, a semi-arid environment of Nigeria.

Crown-Stump Diameter Model for Parkia biglobosa Benth. Species in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Crown-Stump Diameter Model for Parkia biglobosa Benth. Species in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria Chukwu, O.; Dau, J.H.; Ezenwenyi, J.U. The crown of tree is the centre of physiological activity which gives an indication of the potential photosynthetic capacity on a tree. Though, its measurement remains a challenge in forest inventory task. The ability to predict crown diameter from stump diameter provides an effective technique of obtaining its estimate. This helps in detecting the excessive tree felling than actual requirements and wildlife suitability.The main objective of this study was to develop and test crown diameter prediction models for silvicultural management of naturally grown Parkia biglobosa within the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Nine 100 m x 100 m temporary sample plots were established using simple random sampling method. Crown diameter and stump diameter were measured in all living P. biglobosa trees with stump diameter ≥10.0 cm. Least square method was used to convert the counted stumps into harvested crown dimension. Three linear and three non-linear models using stump diameter as the exploratory variable were developed and evaluated using the adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj.R2), standard error of estimate (SEE), prediction error sum of squares (PRESS) and Akaike information criterion (AIC). The crown-stump diameter relationship was best described by the double logarithmic function with .The result showed that Crown diameter estimation was feasible even when the only information available is stump diameter.The resulting equation was tested for validation with independent data obtained from additional plots and was found to be desirable for estimating the crown diameter for Parkia biglobosa in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Modeling Height-Diameter Relationship and Volume of Teak (Tectona grandis L. F.) in Central Lowlands of Nepal

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Modeling Height-Diameter Relationship and Volume of Teak (Tectona grandis L. F.) in Central Lowlands of Nepal Koirala, A.; Kizha, A.R.; Baral, S. Forests have played a vital role in the socio-economic development of Nepal with their productive, protective, and bio-esthetic functions. Stand height-diameter as well as volume estimation is very critical in forest management. This research modelled height-diameter relationship as well as tree volume for Teak (Tectona grandis), a well-known tropical hardwood species, in central lowland Nepal. Data was collected from a Teak plantation site in Sagarnath Forest Development Project (SFDP), Nepal. Forty-four trees representing different diameter classes were felled. The diameter at breast height (dbh) and height (H) of the trees ranged from 6.1 to 58.9 cm and 6.1 to 26.1 m, respectively. Several height-diameter models were fitted and evaluated for certain training and validating criteria. The height-diameter equation of , performed well and was selected to be the best model for H prediction from dbh. Also, the volume equation of was selected as best fitted equation, using dbh and height as independent variables. The height in this volume equation was to be calculated from selected height-diameter equation to predict height. The equations developed are the first of their kinds officially documented for Teak species in central lowlands of Nepal.