Role of small-scale trees plantation and farmers' attitude and skill toward propagation of indigenous and exotic trees: The case of Sidama, Ethiopia

The tree land cover in Ethiopia is declining due to deforestation, agricultural land expansion, overgrazing, firewood use and construction. Farm tree plantation has a potential to improve tree cover and the country's vision towards reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) emission by 2030. This study was conducted in Sidama of Ethiopia to assess the role of small-scale tree plantations, and the attitudes and skills of farmers in propagating and conserving indigenous trees as compared to exotic ones, and to identify major impediments for exotic and indigenous tree plantation. By using stratified random sampling, 149 household heads were selected and interviewed, and the tree plantation practices of 46 randomly selected farmers were observed. Advice and support given to farmers concerning tree plantation and nursery care were collected from 16 Woreda Rural Development Experts. During the study a total of 46 tree species were identified, and 92% of the trees on the farmland were exotic. The percentage composition of the five most dominant tree species were Eucalyptus spp. (79.6%), Cupressus spp (8.5%), Cordia africana (4.8%), Grevillea robusta (3.3%), and Millettia ferruginea (1.8%). The trees provide several direct and indirect socio-economic and ecological importance (construction, fuel, income, medicinal value, fencing, asset for present and next generation, fodder for livestock, garden shade, aesthetic, recreation, spiritual value, improve soil fertility and environmental impact remediation). The majority of farmers prefer exotic trees due to their fast growth, ease of nursery preparation and fast establishment, and higher income generation in shorter period. Though farmers like to plant indigenous trees for their ecological services such as improving soil fertility, producing durable household utensils, shading and other ecological values; land shortage and lack of knowledge on plant biology, nursery preparation and propagation method constrained its plantation. Therefore, introduction of appropriate technologies to the existing farming system is required for sustainable indigenous tree plantation in the study area.

Evaluation of in- vitro Anti-inflammatory Potential of Grevillea robusta A. Cunn, EX R.BR. Leaves

Synthetic Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NASAIDs) are the choice of drug for inflammation. NASAIDs caused severe side effects like hyperacidity, gastric ulcer and so on. To avoid the side effects of NASAIDs, there is an urgent need for searching new molecule from natural origin. Present study is therefore aimed to explore Grevillea robusta A. Cunn, ex R.Br. Family proteaceae leaves for anti-inflammatory activity. Microscopic measurement (fibre length and width), Ash values and extractive values of Grevillea robusta leaves were determined to set the pharmacognostic standards. Chemical constituents were evaluated through chemical tests. The Ethanol extract of Grevillea robusta leaves (GRLE)) were subjected to evaluate in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity through HRBC method and Heat induced haemolytic method. The leaves of Grevillea robusta showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. The Ethanol extract (GRLE) showed significant anti-inflammatory activities. GRLE was found to contain polyphenols as chemical constituents which was the basis of anti-inflammatory activity. On the basis of result we can conclude that Ethanol extract of leaves of Grevillea robusta has good anti-inflammatory activity. GRLE could be used for treatment of inflammation.

New records in vascular plants alien to Tenerife (Spain, Canary Islands)

Recent fieldwork by the author in Tenerife, mostly between 2014 and 2019, yielded new records of alien vascular plants. Fifteen taxa (Acacia decurrens, A. mearnsii, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Ensete ventricosum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. arida, E. cladocalyx, Euryops chrysanthemoides, Ficus elastica, Lippia alba, Pavonia sepioides, Pittosporum tobira, Populus × canadensis, Pyrostegia venusta, Ruellia dipteracanthus and Wigandia kunthii) are reported for the first time from the Canary Islands. All were initially introduced on purpose, mostly as ornamentals, and recently started to escape from cultivation. Most of them are ephemerals or only locally established, but nearly all have the potential to naturalise in the future. Thirteen additional species are reported for the first time from Tenerife: Atriplex nummularia, Bellis perennis, Chenopodium probstii, Coccoloba uvifera, Commelina benghalensis, Cuphea hyssopifolia, Eragrostis virescens, Lemna minuta, Malvastrum corchorifolium, Plerandra elegantissima, Psidium guajava, Thunbergia alata and Urochloa subquadripara. Finally, some miscellaneous notes are provided on the presence of Balanites aegyptiaca, Callistemon viminalis, Grevillea robusta and Passiflora caerulea in Tenerife.

Grevillea robusta (silky oak).

G. robusta has gained widespread popularity in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical highland regions of many countries, originally as a shade tree for tea and coffee and now as an agroforestry tree for small farms (Harwood, 1989). It provides economically valuable products including timber, poles, firewood and leaf mulch; it is easy to propagate and establish and is relatively free of pests and diseases; its proteoid roots help it grow in low-fertility soils; it does not compete strongly with adjacent crops; and it tolerates heavy pruning of its roots and branches. With its fern-like pinnate leaves and prominent attractive, orange flowers, it is also popular as an ornamental. As a consequence of its colonizing abilities, G. robusta may become a noxious weed in favourable conditions.

New records in vascular plants alien to Tenerife (Spain, Canary Islands)

Recent fieldwork by the author in Tenerife, mostly between 2014 and 2019, yielded new records of alien vascular plants. Seventeen taxa (Acacia decurrens, A. mearnsii, Brachychiton diversifolius, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Ensete ventricosum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. arida, E. cladocalyx, Euryops chrysanthemoides, Ficus elastica, Lippia alba, Pavonia sepioides, Pittosporum tobira, Populus ×canadensis, Pyrostegia venusta, Ruellia dipteracanthus, Soleirolia soleirolii and Wigandia kunthii) are reported for the first time from the Canary Islands. All were initially introduced on purpose, mostly as ornamentals, and recently started to escape from cultivation. Most of them are ephemerals or only locally established but nearly all have the potential to naturalize in the future. Thirteen additional species are reported for the first time from Tenerife: Atriplex nummularia, Bellis perennis, Chenopodium probstii, Coccoloba uvifera, Commelina benghalensis, Cuphea hyssopifolia, Eragrostis virescens, Lemna minuta, Malvastrum corchorifolium, Plerandra elegantissima, Psidium guajava, Thunbergia alata and Urochloa subquadripara. Finally, some miscellaneous notes are provided on the presence of Balanites aegyptiaca, Callistemon viminalis, Grevillea robusta and Passiflora caerulea in Tenerife.

Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Some Tree Species of Pashupati and Budhanilkantha Area, Kathmandu

The present study aims to assess the air pollution tolerant trees from the roadside of Pashupati area of Kathmandu exposed to vehicular air pollution. This area with heavy traffic density was considered as the polluted site and Budhanilkantha, lying at the outskirt of Kathmandu with very less traffic density was considered as the less-polluted site and was selected as the control site of the study. Commonly available 21 roadside same tree species from both polluted and control sites were chosen. Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) values of the trees were calculated considering the biochemical parameters - relative water content, total leaf chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and leaf extract pH by using standard method. Significantly higher APTI values (P ≤ 0.05) were obtained in Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus elastica, F. religiosa, F. benghalensis and Grevillea robusta indicating that they are tolerant tree species. Phyllanthus emblica and Schima wallichii were found to be sensitive tree species.