Eucalyptus Amplifolia and Corymbia Torelliana in the Southeastern USA: Genetic Improvement and Potential Uses

Eucalyptus amplifolia and Corymbia torelliana genetic improvement has been conducted in the lower southeastern USA by UF and collaborators since 1980. The collective accomplishments in genetic resources and potential commercial uses are summarized. For example, fast-growing, freeze-resilient E. amplifolia seeds are provided by 1st and 2nd generation seedling seed orchards (SSO) and a 2nd generation clonal seed orchard (CSO), while C. torelliana seed are available from 1st and 2nd generation SSOs. Breeding values (BV) have been developed for guiding the deployment of improved genotypes. Collaborative genetic improvement of these species is ongoing, including testing E. amplifolia in 11 countries and development of hybrid clones. Short Rotation Woody Crop (SRWC) systems may increase productivity and extend uses beyond conventional mulchwood to products such as medium density fiberboard (MDF), biochar, and energywood, while other possible applications include honey production, windbreaks, dendroremediation, and carbon sequestration. C. torelliana may be paired with E. grandis in two-row windbreaks to maximum windbreak effectiveness and may sequester as much carbon as E. grandis.

EFFECT OF LOCAL HONEY PRODUCTION AREAS ON ITS CONTENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS

This study was conducted to estimate some heavy metals cadmium, lead, nickel and iron in 15 samples of Iraqi honey with 3 replicates for each sample which were collected from apiaries near potential contamination areas in five Iraqi governorates, including Baghdad, Karbala, Babylon, Diyala and Salah al-Din. The atomic absorption technique was used to estimate the concentrations of heavy metals, the results showed that there were significant differences at (P≤0.05) between the concentrations of these elements in the honey samples, the highest concentrations of cadmium 0.123 mg/kg were recorded in Baghdad, near the petrochemical production complex, lead 4.657 mg/kg and nickel 0.023 mg/kg in Babylon near the power plant, iron was 1.863 mg/kg in Karbala near the waste collection and incineration plant, and all the concentrations of cadmium and lead in the studied honey samples were higher than the acceptable limits set by the European Commission Regulation.

EFFECT OF LOCAL HONEY PRODUCTION AREAS ON ITS CONTENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to estimate some heavy metals cadmium, lead, nickel and iron in 15 samples of Iraqi honey with 3 replicates for each sample which were collected from apiaries near potential contamination areas in five Iraqi governorates, including Baghdad, Karbala, Babylon, Diyala and Salah al-Din. The atomic absorption technique was used to estimate the concentrations of heavy metals, the results showed that there were significant differences at (P≤0.05) between the concentrations of these elements in the honey samples, the highest concentrations of cadmium 0.123 mg/kg were recorded in Baghdad, near the petrochemical production complex, lead 4.657 mg/kg and nickel 0.023 mg/kg in Babylon near the power plant, iron was 1.863 mg/kg in Karbala near the waste collection and incineration plant, and all the concentrations of cadmium and lead in the studied honey samples were higher than the acceptable limits set by the European Commission Regulation.

Potential Existence of Heavy Metal Pollution and Pesticide in Honey-Based Products

Over the centuries, honey is known for its superior usage in culinary, and for its rich nutrition and therapeutic values which are scientifically proven in the medical field. The chemical composition of honey varies depending on its botanical sources and environment. Therefore, the nutrition content in honey is highly likely to be affected by contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides. To ensure the quality of honey, parameters such as the heavy metal content should be within the safe range of total standard mineral and trace elements as defined by the International Food Standard (Codex Alimentarius), and pesticides should not be present at all. The high concentration of heavy metal and pesticides not only deteriorates the quality and quantity of honey, but also causes harm to the bee colony itself. In the agriculture sector, the excessive usage of pesticides and fertilizer negatively impacts the overall honey production process. Bees, a pollinating agent, bring the polluted nectar back to their beehives, eventually contaminating the honey and depreciating its value. Hence, this article will comprehensively review the activities that contribute to heavy metal and pesticide contamination, the interactions of bees as a pollinating agent, the impact of the pollutant to the colonies, and subsequently to the honey production.

Trade-offs between environmental and economic factors in conversion from exotic pine production to natural regeneration on erosion prone land

Background: Some of New Zealand’s exotic pine (Pinus radiata D.Don) forests were planted for erosion mitigation but cultural, legislative, environmental, and profitability limitations in some parts of the landscape have led to reassessment of their suitability. There is limited information to support landowner decisions on the viability of natural regeneration of native forest post-pine-harvest. Methods: We evaluated scenarios of post-harvest natural regeneration, compared to remaining in pine production, using erosion susceptibility determined from historical occurrence of landslides, gullies and earthflows, biophysical growth modelling of mānuka–kānuka (Leptospermum scoparium-Kunzea ericoides (A.Rich) Joy Thomps.) shrubland using the process-based CenW model, and cost-benefit analyses using NZFARM with two land use change scenarios, at two levels of erosion mitigation ± honey profits. Results: In our study area, the Gisborne Region (North Island of New Zealand), ~27% of the land has moderate–very high susceptibility to landslides, 14–22% a high probability of contributing material to waterways, and 19% moderate–very high gully erosion susceptibility. Pines grow 10 times faster than naturally regenerating mānuka–kānuka shrubland, but mānuka–kānuka is used for honey not wood production. Natural regeneration resulted in losses of $150–250 ha-1 yr-1 compared to the current profitability of pine production. Honey production offset some reduction in pine revenue, but not fully. Thus, the viability of shifting from pines to native forest is highly dependent on landowner impetus and value for non-market ecosystem services (such as cultural and biodiversity values) provided by native forest. Conclusions: A mosaic of land uses within a property may sufficiently offset income losses with other benefits, whereby highly erosion-prone land is shifted from rotational pine forest production to permanent native forest cover with honey production where possible. At the regional scale in Gisborne, the conversion of the most highly susceptible land under production forestry (315–556 ha) to natural regeneration has the potential for wider benefits for soil conservation reducing erosion by 1–2.5 t yr–1 of sediment facilitating achievement of cleaner water aspirations and habitat provision.

Testing the selectiveness of electric harps: a mitigation method for reducing Asian hornet impact at beehives.

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) has rapidly become a source of stress for the beekeeping sector. Several methods have been developed to control its impact and spread, though some of these impose a high risk for native insects. Among these methods are electric harps, which are physical barriers that electrocute hornets passing through two wires powered by a current generator. However, the risk to local fauna of electric harps has not previously been tested. Here we evaluated the selectiveness and risk of damage for local entomofauna of the electric harps in a study carried out over three years and four locations in Girona province (NE Catalonia, Spain). The electric harps showed a high selectiveness, with 82.9% of all insects trapped (3,902 individuals) catalogued as Asian hornets, although this greatly varied over years and locations with values ranging from 20.5% to 94.3%. The risk damage of electric harps for local entomofauna was very low in all surveyed areas and years. Native insects accounted for, as a mean, 1.7% of all insects trapped over the study period (range 0-4.5%). Accordingly, the electric harps imply a low risk for the native European hornet Vespa crabro, since only 0.1% of the captures belonged to that species. Our results suggest that electric harps might be a useful method to reduce predation pressure of the Asian hornet at beehives while imposing a low risk for local entomofauna. The employment of standardised techniques, such as the placement of electric harps, may be useful to assess inter-annual variations or site-specific differences on the predation pressure of the Asian hornet at beehives. Further research should evaluate whether the placement of electric harps improves bee colony survival or vigour parameters (i.e. honey production, amount of brood, pollen, etc.).

Effect of weather factors and nitrogen application on nectar secretion and honey production potential in sunflower

Sunflower is a highly important bee floral crop. The nectar secretion governs this parameter and is greatly influenced by cultivar, environmental factors and fertilizer application. Studies were conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on sunflower hybrids (PSH 996 and PSH 1962) sown on different dates (January 31, February 10, February 20 and March 2) with three levels of nitrogen (45, 60 and 75 kg ha-1). Delay in sowing from January 31 to March 2 caused significant reduction in nectar secretion (12.66%) and increase in its concentration (5.38%). The daily mean temperature had significant positive (R2 = 0.52 and 0.54) while mean relative humidity had negative (R2 = 0.55 and 0.37) correlation with nectar total soluble solids (TSS).Nectar secretion and its TSS increased significantly only at nitrogen dose of 60 kg ha-1 as compared to 45 kg ha-1.Weather parameters have more pronounced effects on TSSat 45 kg ha-1.Delay in sowing by one month resulted in reduction in honey production potential by 1.5- 1.8 kg ha-1. In addition to this, the reduced nectar availability due to delay in sowing may negatively effect in attracting and sustaining pollinators’ populations and crop yield.

Native palms as an economically important non-timber forest product among rural communities in the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico

Objective. To analyze the valuation, use, and preservation of native palms as a non-timber forest product (NTFP) of high economic importance for rural communities in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: The available literature on palms and their use in the Yucatán Peninsula (YP) was examined using the snowball method. Subsequently, different online flora databases were consulted in order to examine the taxonomic identities of palm species present in the YP. The reported uses were classified. Results: The YP has 20 native species that belong to 13 genera and three subfamilies. All of them are economically exploited as NTFPs, especially in construction (85%) and honey production (70%), followed by food and medicinal use (35% each), craftwork (30%), ornamental use (25%), and fodder (10%). These data confirm that native palms are an important livelihood means for the inhabitants of Mayan communities in the region. Study limitations/implications: The research faced a limited database of encyclopedias, anthologies, directories, books, or articles that interpret works or research about this topic. Findings/Conclusions: The local and regional use of palms represents an additional income for the people who use this natural resource on different productive scales, both in rural communities and city centers. An alternative to ensure the sustainability of palms would be to establish governmental programs for their reproduction