Areas Of Central Highlands Research Articles

Local perceptions of the benefits versus negative impacts of weedy grasses in central Madagascar, with a focus on the genus Digitaria

Societal Impact StatementPlants and agricultural practices are an integral part of human food systems and well‐being. Here, an example of an ethnobotanical research approach is provided to increase our understanding of the relationship between plants and human activities in Madagascar, where the agricultural sector is the local economy basis. This research examines weeds of the Poaceae family, assessing their recognition and societal impacts, and quantifying farmers' perception of the Poaceae weed's status in cropping systems. A better understanding of farmers' weed knowledge will strengthen our ability to inclusively support rural highland Malagasy food systems, incorporating science with traditional knowledge.Summary Research on the perceptions and knowledge of Poaceae weeds was conducted in three areas of Madagascar's central highlands: Itremo massif, Ambohidray village and Vakinankaratra region. This work aims to identify the best‐known species and understand their roles in crop and livestock systems. Additionally, it presents detailed data on Digitaria species. The approach was based on field surveys and farmer's interviews, with plant voucher specimens and photographs to facilitate identification. Relative frequency of citations, confidence interval, and use values indexes were calculated to assess cultural significance. We carried out 111 interviews, where 87 taxa were mentioned, of which 51 are Poaceae, including 11 Digitaria species. Farmers classify the Poaceae weeds in three ways: their impacts on agricultural activities, use category and vegetative growth patterns, the latter especially significant for Digitaria. Locally common grasses are perceived as weeds when they are abundant and cause yield loss. The most damaging species is Digitaria humbertii, confirmed by half of the interviews. More than 40% of the farmers use Poaceae weeds in composting, more than 20% as fodder, and more than 8% as medicine. Overall, 67% of the species mentioned are judged useful. The diversity of useful species and the associated indigenous knowledge is important to the local communities, but, weeds are still perceived as negative generally. The Poaceae are overall neglected in Malagasy ethnobotany, and an in‐depth analysis of farmer knowledge is needed. The data obtained will be useful for future studies and the conservation of agrobiodiversity, especially endemic species that are not widely known.

Potato-Barley Double Cropping in Bimodal Rainfall Areas of Central Highlands of Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, barley and potato are the most important food security crop. Despite their importance, the production and productivity of these crop are low due to several reasons. Potatoes and barley are growing alternatively in the study area year after year, and the area has the potential for bimodal rainfall distribution both in the short and main seasons. The short-season rain is suitable for potatoes, and the main season is for barley production. An evaluation of double cropping was tested to grow those crops in a double cropping system in Belge and in the main season in 2014. Based on the result of the evaluation and farmers' interest in the activities, the pre-scaling up of the barley-potato double cropping system was done in 2015, and 6-tone potato and 0.75-tone malt barely seed were used on three hectares of farmers land. Sample data were taken from both double and comparable farmer's fields of single cropping systems to show the yield advantage of double cropping compared with a single production system. An average of 46.4 t/ha of potato and 3.6 t/ha of malt barley yield from double cropping and 3.2t/ha of malt barely from single cropping were obtained during the main season. The net benefits of double cropping in monetary value were found to be 197,244.36 Ethiopian Birr. To sustain and strengthen the seed production and marketing of potato and barely double cropping technologies, training, experience sharing, and supply of early-generation seed for cooperatives are recommended as intervention options for sustainable production.

Health risk assessment of arsenic in drinking groundwater: A case study in a central high land area of Vietnam

Arsenic contaminated groundwaters is a global environmental issue which cause serious problems for human health risks. 188 groundwater samples were collected in private wells of Lam Dong Province, a central highland area, Vietnam to investigate the health risks to the local people by using arsenic contaminated groundwater for drinking purpose. The result showed that the arsenic concentration is average of 14 μg/L and maximum of 500 μg/L. About 12% out of the total groundwater samples have arsenic concentration exceeded that value of 10 μg/L recommended for drinking water by World Health Organization (WHO, 2019). The health risk assessment showed that hazard quotient (HQ) value for adults was up to 60.6 with an average of 1.7 and about 14% of total samples show the HQ values greater than 1. The HQ value for children is average of 4.7 (maximum of 166.7) and about 23% of total groundwater samples show HQ > 1 for children. Cancer risk (CR) values were up to 27x10-4 (average of 8x10-4) for adults and 75x10-4 (average of 21x10-4) for children. About 26% and 29% of out of the total samples show CR value for adult and children greater than the CR (1×10-4) proposed by the USEPA. The result also indicated that the consumption of arsenic contaminated groundwater may seriously damage the human health. Therefore, groundwater in the area needs to be treated for arsenic removal before drinking to minimize the adverse effect on local communities’ health.

Multivariate classification of provinces of Vietnam according to the level of sustainable development

Abstract The research aims to classify the level of sustainability of 63 provinces in Vietnam upon 24 indicators reflecting three main dimensions of sustainable development by using multivariate classification method for the year 2014–2016. First of all, the principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to group quantitative variables that reflect important aspects of each component of sustainable development of localities in Vietnam into a number of limited dimensions (factors). The results of PCA illustrate 8 principal components in which 3 main components of economic and social pillar, and 2 main components for environmental pillar. After that, the second method was applied by using the hierarchical methods of cluster analysis for the set of 8 principal components conducted by PCA. With the candidate solution divided all of the provinces into 6 clusters, the analysis shows that the higher level of sustainable development belongs to South East, Red River Delta, and North Central, in which 4 provinces of South East (Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau) form a group with the highest level of sustainability. The regions such as South Central Coastal, Highland area, and Mekong River Delta have the medium level; the North midland and mountain areas are regions at the low level of sustainability.

Distribution of Major Tef Diseases in Central Highland Area of Ethiopia

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter), is the major Ethiopian cereal crop which feed peoples The prevalence and damage inflicted by diseases and insect pests varies from region to region and shows large seasonal variation, the current status of diseases is generally little known. Information on the prevalence and status of diseases would be essential to devise sound management options. So, our objective is to assess the status of major tef foliar diseases in central highland area of Ethiopia. Assessment was carried in the major tef producing districts of West Shewa, South-west and North shewa zones of Ethiopia. The assessment done in 2019/2020 main cropping season along the main roads and accessible routes in each survey district, and stops made at every 5-10 km intervals based on vehicles odometers as per tef fields available. We have assessed 35 fields which have the potential to produce tef from three zones. From our assessment the major tef foliar diseases recorded were leaf rust, head smudge and spot blotch. The highest tef leaf rust severity (90S) recorded in north shewa zone Mendida district where as the lowest (0%) recorded in Awaro, Asgori, woliso and Dendi districts from South west shewa zone. The highest head smudge severity recorded in west shewa zone liben jawe district where as the lowest head smudge severity recorded in woliso, wolimera and tokekutaye district. There is no head smudge disease recorded in north shewa zone. From our assessment, we have concluded that tef leaf rust and head smudge are the most economically important diseases. Therefore, it is very crucial to develop management option to mitigate those diseases.

Резерви підвищення лісистості та продуктивності культур сосни у Центрально-придніпровській височинній області

Досліджено, що Центрально-Придніпровська височинна область відзначається надзвичайно низьким відсотком лісистості та майже суцільною розораністю. Встановлено, що за раціонального ведення лісового господарства у регіоні досліджень, резервом для підвищення лісистості є прирічкові землі, землі, непридатні для подальшого сільськогосподарського використання і землі покинутих людьми сіл, які були збудовані у басейнах водозборів великих і малих річок. Виявлено, що ліси водозбору представлені лісовими масивами, полезахисними, протиерозійними, придорожніми смугами, трапляються невеликими фрагментами на схилах долини, зрідка виходять на плакор, а серед зональної рослинності збереглися дубово-ясенево-грабові ліси. У чагарниковому ярусі має перевагу ліщина звичайна, рідше – клен татарський, бруслина бородавчаста та європейська. Водночас уздовж русла, особливо у пониззі, формуються заплавні вербово-тополеві ліси, а у верхів'ях водозабору – заплавні вільшняки. З'ясовано, що для підвищення продуктивності соснових насаджень Чигиринського бору у випадках, коли догляд своєчасно не здійснювався і лісостан формувався в умовах високої повноти, інтенсивність рубань для середньовікових і пристигаючих насаджень доцільно підвищити на 1015 %. Наступні прийоми доглядових рубань необхідно проводити традиційними селекційними методами через 4 роки, оскільки простежується зміна глобальної температури за останні 175 років у бік потепління. Висвітлено наслідки введення робінії псевдоакації як міжквартального бар'єру за залісення Чигиринських пісків. Пропонуємо як систему протипожежних заслонів проти поширення вогню у соснових культурах у ролі міжквартальних бар'єрів використовувати насадження берези повислої, а не робінії псевдоакації. Земельні наділи покинутих людьми сіл пропонуємо заліснювати деревостанами на типологічній основі з урахуванням головних лісотвірних порід місцевості.

Weed Population Assessment in Wheat at Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Study was conducted on Weed Population Assessment in Wheat at Adea, Gimbichu, Minjar shenkora, Akaki, Boro and Lume Districts in Central Highlands of Ethiopia during, 2014/15 main cropping season to determine the distribution of weed species in wheat growing areas of central highlands of Ethiopia and to record the weed infestation level on wheat crop production. Depending on the area coverage of Wheat in each Districts seven to three kebeles, again in each kebele six to four from Wheat fields samples were taken using 0.5 x 0.5m quderate and GPS instrument. The frequency, abundance and dominance regarding different aspects of weeds were calculated. The result revealed that 45 weed species belonging to 33 families as weeds of wheat for each species was calculated. The 5 major families based on number of taxa were: Poaceae (14), Asteraceae (7), three species each under Polygonaceae and Solanaceae, and Papilionaceae (2), totally they contain 66% of the total weed flora. The most frequent, abundant and dominant weed species were found to be setaria pumila, Plantago lanceolata, Bromus pecpectinatus, Cyperus rotudus, Xanthium strumarium L. and Snowdenia polystachya. Greater than 60% similarity index of weed communities was registered across all locations sampled.

Modeling Climate Change Impacts on Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Production in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

In countries like Ethiopia where vulnerability is high and adaptive capacity is low, studying impacts of climate change and adaptation measures at local scale is critical. In view of this, this study was conducted in Arsi Robe, Asasa, Debre Zeit and Kulumsa areas of central highlands of Ethiopia to model impacts of the changing climate on wheat production by 2050s under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Historical climate data (1981-2015), future climate data downscaled using the ensemble of seventeen climate models, crop and soil data were analyzed using crop simulation model to assess impacts of climate change on wheat yield. The crop model simulation indicated a negative impact on wheat yield in all study sites under both RCPs. There will be high yield reduction under RCP 4.5 than under RCP 8.5 at Arsi Robe and Asasa while the reverse is true at Debre Zeit and Kulumsa sites for Dandaa and Kakaba cultivars. Comparing the two cultivars, Kakaba showed high yield potential than Dandaa in all study sites. Besides, the yield of both cultivars showed declined median from the baseline yield under both RCPs and the yield variability is higher under the baseline conditions than for the future climate conditions.

Combining different diagnostic studies of lymphatic filariasis for risk mapping in Papua New Guinea: a predictive model from microfilaraemia and antigenaemia prevalence surveys

BackgroundThe Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis has encouraged countries to follow a set of guidelines to help them assess the need for mass drug administration and evaluate its progress. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the highest priority countries in the Western Pacific for lymphatic filariasis and the site of extensive research on lymphatic filariasis and surveys of its prevalence. However, different diagnostic tests have been used and thresholds for each test are unclear.MethodsWe reviewed the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis reported in 295 surveys conducted in PNG between 1990 and 2014, of which 65 used more than one test. Results from different diagnostics were standardised using a set of criteria that included a model to predict antigen prevalence from microfilariae prevalence. We mapped the point location of each of these surveys and categorised their standardised prevalence estimates.ResultsSeveral predictive models were produced and investigated, including the effect of any mass drug administration and number of rounds prior to the surveys. One model was chosen based on goodness of fit parameters and used to predict antigen prevalence for surveys that tested only for microfilariae. Standardised prevalence values show that 72% of all surveys reported a prevalence above 0.05. High prevalence was situated on the coastal north, south and island regions, while the central highland area of Papua New Guinea shows low levels of prevalence.ConclusionsOur study is the first to provide an explicit predictive relationship between the prevalence values based on empirical results from antigen and microfilaria tests, taking into account the occurrence of mass drug administration. This is a crucial step to combine studies to develop risk maps of lymphatic filariasis for programme planning and evaluation, as shown in the case of Papua New Guinea.

Past vicariance promoting deep genetic divergence in an endemic frog species of the Espinhaço Range in Brazil: The historical biogeography of Bokermannohyla saxicola (Hylidae).

The highland endemic frog Bokermannohyla saxicola occurs within the Espinhaço Range, the most extensive and continuous orogenic belt of the Brazilian territory, located in southeastern Brazil. We used mitochondrial DNA markers to test for spatial structure, to investigate the likely influence of past vicariant events, to evaluate demographic dynamics along the species range, and to understand the role of habitat discontinuities in promoting connectivity and diversity along the range. We found four major monophyletic lineages, each one associated with distinct mountain tops. The divergence time found between the four main clades clearly pre-dated the Pleistocene, except for the most recent separation. We observed no signs of population expansion for most of the sampling sites along the range, and a higher genetic diversity in the most continuous and central highland plateau, compared to smaller marginal regions. The Espinhaço Range harbors four deeply divergent lineages of B. saxicola within areas restricted by barriers for millions of years. These relatively isolated populations were kept apart by discontinuities represented by lowland habitats between mountain tops. Most of the lineage divergences occurred earlier than the Pleistocene, thus they cannot be solely explained by climatic oscillations of this epoch. However, within-lineage divergence times were all dated from the Pleistocene, suggesting an important effect in population dynamics. We also suggest that some marginal populations like those from Serra Negra and Serra de Itacambira can be the result of recent colonization events. Finally, in the southern Espinhaço region, the most continuous central highland area shows greater genetic diversity than the marginal discontinuous areas, where we have also observed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Bokermannohyla saxicola is a good model to study the biogeography of the Espinhaço Range because its high genetic structure reflects ancient as well as recent geological/climatic events, with important implications for conservation.

Evidence of Insecticide Resistance to Pyrethroids and Bendiocarb in Anopheles funestus from Tsararano, Marovoay District, Madagascar.

Introduction In Madagascar, malaria control relies on the countrywide use of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets (LLINs) and on indoor residual spraying (IRS) in the central highland area as well as a small area on the eastern coast. We tested insecticide resistance mechanisms of Anopheles funestus from Tsararano, a malaria endemic village in the coastal health district of Marovoay. Methods Insecticide susceptibility bioassays were done in July 2017 on first-generation Anopheles funestus (F1) to assess (i) the susceptibility to permethrin (0.05%), deltamethrin (0.05%), DDT (4%), malathion (5%), fenitrothion (1%), and bendiocarb (0.1%); (ii) the effect of preexposure to the piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist; and (iii) the enzymatic activities of cytochrome P450, esterases, and glutathione S-transferases (GST). Results Our results demonstrated that An. funestus was phenotypically resistant to pyrethroids and bendiocarb, with a mortality rate (MR) of 33.6% (95%CI: 24.5-43.7%) and 86% (95%CI: 77.6-92.1%), respectively. In contrast, An. funestus were 100% susceptible to DDT and organophosphates (malathion and fenitrothion). Preexposure of An. funestus to PBO synergist significantly restored the susceptibility to bendiocarb (MR=100%) and increased the MR in the pyrethroid group, from 96% (95%CI: 90.0-98.9%) to 100% for deltamethrin and permethrin, respectively (χ2 = 43, df = 3, P< 0.0001). Enzymatic activities of cytochrome P450 and α-esterases were significantly elevated among An. funestus compared with the IPM reference strain (Mann-Whitney U= 30, P<0.0001; U = 145.5, P <0.0001, respectively). No significant differences of β-esterases activities compared to the IPM reference strain were observed (Mann-Whitney U = 392.5, P = 0.08). Conclusion In Tsararano, despite the absence of an IRS programme, there is evidence of high levels of insecticide resistance to pyrethroids and bendiocarb in An.

Spatial and seasonal variation in physicochemical parameters and heavy metals in Awash River, Ethiopia

Awash River, one of the major rivers in Ethiopia which originate from the central highland area, crosses different extended agricultural farms as well as various industries which receives large effluents from different sources. Nineteen physicochemical parameters, as well as heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni), were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy in eight different sampling stations of Awash River. There was a significant spatial variation (p < 0.05) in average NO3-N, NH4-N, TN, BOD and COD values in Awash River. There is a strong and positive correlation between (pH and EC, r = 0.805), (WT and BOD, r = 0.774), (NO3-N and NO2-N, r = 0.901), (NO3-N and TN, r = 0.906), (NO3-N and TP, 0.830), (NH4-N and TN, r = 0.876), (NH4-N and COD, r = 0.848), (TN and TP, r = 0.819), (TN and COD, r = 0.941) during dry season and also between (WT and BOD, r = 0.704), (turbidity and NO3-N, r = 0.749), (turbidity and NO2-N, r = 0.722), (NO3-N and NO2-N, r = 0.921), (TP and COD, r = 0.789) during wet season. The results showed that the mean concentrations of metals ranked (high to low) Fe > Cr > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cd > Ni during dry season, whereas the concentration of heavy metals during wet season was in the following order of decreasing magnitude Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cd > Ni. Buffer zones should be protected in order to control soil and agricultural nutrients from entering to Awash River. Moreover, industries at the upper stream area should be properly and adequately treat the wastewater before discharging to the Modjo as well as Awash River.

The current prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema related symptoms in school-aged children in Costa Rica

ABSTRACTObjective: Asthma prevalence in Costa Rica is among the highest worldwide. We aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma among school-age children in the Central Highland Area of Costa Rica. Methods: Cross-sectional study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was performed. Parents or guardians of children aged 6–13 years completed written questionnaires. Results: Total of 2817 school-aged children returned these questionnaires (74.1% return rate). The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema was 21.9%, 42.6%, and 19.2%, respectively. The co-existence of the 3 diseases was seen in 22.6% of children with asthma. Boys had a slightly higher prevalence of these conditions, and younger children had higher prevalence of asthma and eczema, but lower prevalence of rhinitis than older children. The use of acetaminophen and antibiotics in the first 12 months of life showed a significant association with the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Wheezing with exercise, dry cough at night, and ever rhinitis was highly associated with asthma symptoms in the last 12 months. In contrast, no association was found between children exposed to smoking at home. Frequent traffic next to the house was reported more frequently by the parents of children with asthma, although no significant association was found. Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma showed a significant decrease compared to previous studies. However, there was an unexpected high prevalence of rhinitis. Exposure to acetaminophen and antibiotic during the first year of life was highly associated with asthma symptoms.

Ensemble Climate Projection for Hydro-Meteorological Drought over a river basin in Central Highland, Vietnam

This study focuses on the Hydro-Meteorological Drought assessments by Ensemble Climate Projections from a regional climate model (Weather Research and Forecasting, WRF) that downscaled 3 Global Climate Models under a baseline period (1961–1990) and under a future scenario A2 for 2071–2100. The Meteorological Drought is assessed using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) while the Hydrological Drought is analyzed by using both the semi-distributed hydrology model SWAT and Standardized Runoff Index (SRI). The catchment under study is a small river basin lying on the Central Highland area of Vietnam. This area is the source for perennial plantation which produces most of the coffee for Vietnam making it the world’s second most exporter of coffee next to Brazil. Additionally, this region is also one of the important sources for hydropower of Vietnam and one of the main tributaries for the Mekong river at the downstream. This region has been known prone to drought, especially during dry seasons of March and April. Therefore, simulating drought for this area is significant to study the water supply and water balance for the region for future planning and adaptation.

Studies on Hantavirus Infection in Small Mammals Captured in Southern and Central Highland Area of Vietnam

To investigate the distribution of hantaviruses among animals in Southern and Central Highland area of Vietnam, a total of 1311 serum samples were obtained from rats and Asian house shrews (Suncus murinus) captured at 11 locations between 2006 and 2009. A total of 1066 serum samples from rats were examined for IgG antibodies against Hantaan virus, and there were 30 antibody-positive serum samples from rats that had been captured mainly in a port area and urban area in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) (2.8%). All of the antibody-positive rats were Rattus norvegicus, and they had Seoul virus (SEOV) genome in their lungs. SEOV sequences detected from rats captured in Southern Vietnam belonged to the same lineage as those from rats captured at Haiphong Port and a market area in Hanoi City. SEOV strain CSG5 was isolated from a rat captured at Saigon Harbor. Strain CSG5 showed a cross-neutralization pattern almost the same as that of a representative strain of SEOV. A total of 245 Asian house shrews were captured in the Central Highland area and near HCMC. Sera were examined for IgG antibodies against Thottapalayam virus (TPMV), and 32 (13.1%) of the antibody-positive shrews were mainly from the Central Highland area and showed a neutralizing antibody against TPMV. These results indicated that SEOV is distributed among R. norvegicus inhabiting harbor and urban areas of Southern Vietnam and that TPMV or an antigenically related virus is distributed among Asian house shrews in Central Highland area.

Effect of different agricultural management systems on chemical fertility in cultivated tepetates of the Mexican transvolcanic belt

Volcanic soils in their natural state often require some amelioration to accommodate their use for agriculture. Tepetates are defined as hardened volcanic tuffs derived from geo-pedological processes; they have been partially altered by weathering. Tepetates occupy extensive areas of Mexico's Central Highlands and some of them have been adapted for agricultural use after the mechanical breaking up of this hard material. In their native condition tepetates contain only traces of C, N and available P. So, after their incorporation into agriculture production, the addition of fertilisers becomes necessary to improve soil fertility. In the present work changes in certain chemical and physico-chemical soil properties of cultivated tepetates were studied in the short-term (2002–2005) and medium-term (1986–2005) scales. Experimental plots situated in Tlalpan (State of Tlaxcala) were subjected to the following agricultural management systems: Traditional (Tt), Improved (Ti) and Organic (To). In the short term (4 years), the To management system, in which organic residues and manures were added, led to a decrease in the acidification tendency after cultivation, a recovery of initial exchangeable K + levels, and an increase in soil organic C (SOC), total nitrogen (Nt) and available P (Pa) contents in the Ap horizon. The Ti management, in which crop residues and more chemical fertilisers were added, was especially efficient in increasing the concentration of available P. After 20 years of traditional cultivation, the tepetates showed a decrease in soil pH and exchangeable Mg 2+ and K + values, leading to a decline of the base saturation. These results point to the fragility and low buffer capacity of these systems. In contrast, a tendency of SOC, Nt and Pa accumulation was observed after 20 years of cultivation, influenced by the agricultural management system applied. Tepetates adapted for agricultural use evolved into more fertile substrates over the years of cultivation.

Mineralogical studies of some soils in the central highland of vietnam

Abstract Southern Vietnam, covering an area of 17,000,000 hectares, can be devided into the Annam Coast area, Central Highland and Mekong delta area. The Central Highland is situated on the western side of the Annam Mountains and consists of Kontum and Darlac Highlands. The area is 4,554,200 hectares, extending 200 kilometers from south to north and 100 kilometers from east to west. The elevation of this area is 500 to 600 meters above mean sea level. On the western sicle of the Highland is the border line between VietNam and Cambodia. A jungle stretches from here to the westward to the Mekong.