Constituents of Leachate Generation and Migration in Ministry of Agriculture Forest Nursery Open Dumpsite in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria

The constituents of leachate generation and migration in ministry of agriculture nursery open dumpsite in Jos Plateau were determined. Leachate extraction from solid waste (SW) was carried out. Test dumpsite soil with different elevations. Elevations were with uniform density. Representative solid waste dumpsite soil sample were collected from one dumpsite. The collected SW soil subjected to column experimental test, results showed physicochemical parameters (pH, TSS,TDS and EC) range of descriptive value in terms of histogram values of 5.66 – 8.23(1.0m to 1.5m depth) pH, 90.65 – 1125.96mg/l (0.5 to 2.0m depth) TSS, 17.78 – 156mg/l (1.5 to 0.5m depth) TDS, 9.02 – 80.01 us/cm and principal component summary analysis. The histogram and principal component summary values increase. Alkalinity has highest concentration, followed by hardness which has least, BOD5 has lower values, followed by COD which has higher value, Cl−increasing, S04 2-, N03 values increases, P04 in waste decreases with increase time and depth. The Na+, increasing K+ second to Na+, increases, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in MSW increases as time and depth proceed. The results of Cu, Fe, Cd and Pb in histogram had moderate to high values. All were examined for physicochemical, alkalinity and hardness, BOD5, COD, anions, cations and heavy metals to study the seasonal variation of significant parameters. The results from the leachate analysis were used as a tool to identify the processes and mechanisms affecting the soil and water chemistry from the study area.

Effect of Different Combinations of NPK Fertilizer and Seed Quantities on The Yields of Green and Dry Fodder for Egyptian Clover (Meskawi)

A field experiment was carried out at Abu Al-Fadl Forest Nursery affiliated to Al-Diwaniyah Agriculture Directorate (2 km away from the city center), during the winter season (2020-2021). In order to determine the best combination of NPK fertilizer under influence of different seeding rates to shorten the life of cutting the first To increase cutting number during the growing season and to improvment the quantity and quality of green and dry fodder and seed yield, The experiment includes six combinations of NPK fertilizer are (0-0-0), (20-15-10), (40-30-20), (60-45-30), (80-60-40) and (100-75-50) kg ha−1, and four of seeding rates are (20, 40, 60, 80) kg ha−1, The experiment was applied according to the arrangement of the split plots and using R.C.B. Design with three replications. The combination of NPK fertilizer were placed in the main-plot and the quantities of seeds in the sub-plot. The results showed that NPK5 fertilizer level excelled the yields of green and dry forage for the fourth cutting (20.98, 2.28) ton ha−1 respectively, and The total green and dry fodder yields (60.87, 6.48) ton ha−1 respectively, While the fertilizer level NPK4 exceeded The ratio of leaves to stems for the fourth cutting (37.61%). As for the of seeding rates, the results showed that (80 kg h−1) excelled for the ratio of leaves to stems for third cutting (34.67%) yields of green and dry fodder for the first cutting (9.92, 1.03) ton ha−1 respectively, and the total green fodder yield (59.40 t.h-1), While the 60 kg h−1 excelled the yields of green fodder for the second, third and fourth cutting (13.04, 19.50 and 17.64) ton ha−1, dry forage yield of the second, third and fourth cutting (1.47, 1.94, and 1.90) ton ha−1sequentially. and the total dry fodder yield (6.25) ton ha−1.

The results of the use of gridless technology for the selection and sowing in a forest nursery of 1000 pieces equalized by weight and size (thickness) of Scotch pine seed fractions

The aim of our research is to analyze the quantitative composition of standard and non-standard Scots pine seedlings grown with all sowing options: calibrated small and large seeds, as well as uncalibrated seeds. As the material for the study, we used a batch of Scots pine seeds, which were divided by weight into two equal parts. Subsequently, one part was calibrated on a sieve-free separator in thickness into small and large fractions, and the second was not calibrated. The size gap in the calibrated fractions was determined experimentally based on the minimum and maximum size of the seed thickness. All the seeds obtained were sown separately from each other in the nursery areas. At the end of the second growing season, using the field method of accounting for the grown planting material, a sample of standard and non-standard seedlings was carried out. As a result, it was found that in crops with calibrated seeds of non-standard seedlings is 25 … 30% less than in crops with non-calibrated seeds. Thus, sowing with Scots pine seeds calibrated in thickness makes it possible to significantly increase the productivity of forest nursery areas in comparison with sowing with uncalibrated seeds.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NATURAL GROWTH STIMULANTS IN THE CULTIVATION OF SEEDLINGS OF PICEA OBOVATA LEDEB.

Picea obovata Ledeb. is a slow-growing in the early stages of growth type of coniferous trees. The use of growth stimulants in the cultivation of spruce seedlings can accelerate the production of standard planting material. The paper presents the results of research of plant growth regulators influence on spruce seedlings within three years of cultivation in forest nursery conditions. Before sowing seeds of spruce soak in solutions of biological-active preparations Verva and Verva-spruce, obtaining from Abies and Picea wood greenery extracts. The plants growth regulator Verva from Abies needles (operating substance – triterpenic acids) is applied in plant growing at cultivation agricultural and commercial crops. Operating substance of a preparation Verva-spruce used for protection of agricultural plants from diseases, are phenolic compounds of Picea wood greenery possessing fungicidal and insecticidal activity. It is established that spruce seedlings processed before sowing by bio-preparation had higher parameters of growth (seedling height, diameter of seedling tree at root neck) in comparison with control plants within three years of cultivation in conditions of forest nursery. Three-year spruce seedlings which have been grown up with use of growth stimulators Verva and Verva-spruce exceeded control on 20–30% on height and on 19–20% on seedling tree thickness. Bio-preparations Verva and Verva-spruce can be recommended for application in forest nurseries as effective growth stimulators at cultivation of Siberian spruce landing material.

Species introductions through coconut fibre

Based on plant material collected in the forest nursery of the Balearic Island Forestry Center (CEFOR) for autochthonous plant production and the University of the Balearic Islands experimental facilities, two new plant records are presented for the Mediterranean island of Mallorca. Dactyloctenium aegyptium, an invasive grass previously recorded in other areas of the Mediterranean basin, and Glinus oppositifolius, a new record for the European flora. In both cases the species are presumed to have arrived through contaminated batches of the coconut fibre substrate used in both facilities.

Combustibility of fuel material for forest species

The work aimed to characterize the flammability of different forest species. The combustible materials were collected in two places with different phytophysiognomies, both in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. The plant materials used were: Poincianella bracteosa, Aspidosperma pyrifolium, Luetzelburgia auriculata, Croton sonderianus and Pinus sp. acicles and branches were used as a control. The burns were carried out in an open area located in the forest nursery, where approximately 0.5 kg of material was weighed on a precision scale. After the organization of the plots, the thickness of each pile was measured with the aid of a ruler graduated in centimeters. To determine the speed of fire propagation, the average time spent by the fire front (m s-1) to travel pre-established distances during the fires was measured. It is observed that among the studied materials, Pinus was the one that presented the lowest weight after burning the material and was the species that presented the highest temperature after burning, followed by C. sonderianus and A. pyrifolium. Before burning, all species showed behaviors, ranging from 30 to 33 °C. It is extremely important to replicate this type of study in forest areas, since the variations found can influence the results. The effect of burning combustible materials on soil temperature was greater in treatments with Pinus and C. sonderianus.

Granular Calcite: A New Cultural Practice to Improve the Physicochemistry of the Peat Substrate, Growth and Morphophysiological Quality of White Spruce Seedlings in Forest Nurseries

Growing Picea glauca seedlings poses many challenges for forest nursery managers, including reaching the target height at the end of the first growing season (1 + 0) and the homogeneity and uniformity of seedling growth. To increase growth and morphophysiological quality of white spruce seedlings (1 + 0), emphasis was placed on improving the physicochemistry of the acidic peat substrate by replacing silica with granular calcite as a covering material. The objective of our study is to compare the effects of silica and calcite on the physicochemistry of the peat substrate, as well as on growth and mineral nutrition of white spruce seedlings (1 + 0) under forest nursery conditions. Three treatments were used to cover the cavities of large white spruce seedlings produced in containers: silica (29 g/cavity; control treatment), calcite (24 g/cavity) and calcite + (31 g/cavity). At the end of the first growing season, the two calcite treatments significantly increased the total dry mass (28%), roots (27%) and shoot (29%) dry masses and height (24%) compared to silica treatments. Average calcium concentration and content of calcite treatments were significantly higher than that of silica treatment.

Selected Elements in the Soils Covering Mass Graves from World Wars I and II in Southeastern Poland

This study evaluates the reasons for the different content of eight selected elements, Cu, Pb, Zn, S, K, Na, Ca and P, in the upper sections of soil profiles covering mass graves in southeastern Poland. The burial sites include 18 mass graves from World Wars I and II, an active parish cemetery, an old kirkut (Jewish cemetery) and, as a comparative site, a forest nursery. Chemical analyses were carried out using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Among the elements were P and Ca, which dominate in the soils covering the burial sites from World War II. Higher amounts of the elements analysed were found at sites where many people were buried in a small area. The burial sites dug in pure sand revealed a lower content of the elements analysed, particularly Ca and P. In places where human ashes were scattered, Ca and P prevailed. The comparative site, a wet forest margin, is characterized by low levels of S and relatively higher amounts of Ca and P. In the soils covering World War I graves P, in particular, prevails over Zn, Pb and Cu. Differences in the concentrations of the elements studied depend on the type and age of the burial site, the type of soil, the slope gradient and water content prevailing at the site and the proximity to mass graves and cemeteries found close to each other.

Infestation of Norway spruce seedlings by Cryphalus asperatus: New threat for planting of forests?

Cryphalus asperatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is described as an exceptional but important secondary pest of Norway spruce seedlings. Of the 10 000 seedlings transported to one location in the Ore Mountains, Central Europe in 2020, in total 1 500 seedlings were killed by C. asperatus. The infestation and death of seedlings probably resulted in part from the substantial local increase in the local abundance of C. asperatus after the sanitation felling of many Ips typographus-infested and otherwise damaged trees; the felled trees provided many branches suitable for C. asperatus feeding. In addition, the seedlings were probably stressed by the multi-hour transportation (probably drought) from the forest nursery.