Highland Zones Research Articles

Effects of storage methods, storage time and different agro-ecological zones on chemical components of stored sorghum grain in Hararghe, Ethiopia

Sorghum grain stored in traditional underground pits was sampled from seven districts of Hararghe, eastern Ethiopia, representing lowland, intermediate and highland zones, from February to August 2001, and was analysed at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) for changes in chemical composition over time. Samples were also taken from a replicated aboveground bin and pit storage experiment at Alemaya University campus at 2-month intervals from March 2000 to August 2001 and analysed in a similar manner. The effect of geographic location on chemical composition was significant, but there were differences in the sorghum varieties grown. The organic matter (OM) content of grain samples from pits in the lowlands was lower than those from the highlands. The crude protein (CP) and OM contents of samples from the seven districts did not change in 7–9 storage months. The OM content decreased and the CP slightly increased over time in samples from soil pits without any lining material on Alemaya University campus. The OM content decreased from 97.8 to 91.6%; and CP increased from 10.1 to 11.2% in these samples over a 17-month period. Soluble carbohydrate (SCHO) content significantly decreased over time in samples from the districts (from 2.4 to 1.2% by 7 months) and in samples from soil pits on campus (from 2.4 to 1.9% after 7 months and to 0.97% after 17 months). There was no significant change in the organic matter, CP and SCHO contents in samples taken from the cemented aboveground bin, cement- and dung-lined pits at the Alemaya campus, all of which were lined with polythene sheeting. From these data, we conclude that the combination of storage methods, storage period, geographic location and/or sorghum variety affected grain quality. Grain storage in traditional underground pits for long periods does lead to grain deterioration. The use of improved grain storage structures maintains the grain quality and nutritional value of sorghum for a reasonably long period.

An Agro-Bioclimatic Classification of Arid and Semiarid Lands in the Isoclimatic Mediterranean Zones

The author favors a quantitative bioclimatic approach to describe and discuss the concept of “Mediterraneity,” its various criteria and acceptations. According to the criteria elected, the Isoclimatic Mediterranean Zone represents some 15 million km2 (including Mediterranean deserts), almost 12% of the land mass of the planet. The Mediterranean biomes habor some 75,000 species of vascular plants, including about 54% endemics. That means 25% of the world's vascular flora are present on 12% of the land mass. This bioclimatic zone is concerned with parts or the whole of more than 50 countries. This huge area is not homogenous, as one could anticipate, although summers everywhere are dry and warm (or hot) and winters rainy and mild (or cold). There are many and large variations within the overall framework. A critical analysis of some 1,500 weather stations from more than 50 countries revealed the existence of a number of submodels within the Mediterranean bioclimatic entity, including in the Mediterranean Basin itself. Definitions of such submodels are based on various significant and discriminating quantified criteria. Rainfall seasonality, characterized by a Mediterraneitry Index, may be monomodal, bimodal or trimodal, with peaks in any season but summer. Drought may be of a short or long duration, early or late, mild or severe. Summer rain may be totally missing for up to 4–5 months in the rainier zones (as in the east Mediterranean Basin) or significantly high (up to 22–23% of the annual total) in truly Mediterranean countries, such as in the west Mediterranean highland zones, not necessarily continental, for instance.

Effect of intensification on feed management of dairy cows in the Central Highlands of Kenya

In sub-Saharan Africa mixed crop-livestock systems predominate in the semi-arid, sub-humid and cool highland zones. In these areas, systems intensify and crops and livestock become increasingly integrated as the human population increases and land becomes a more important constraint than labour (Boserup, 1965; McIntireet al., 1992). As intensification progresses, use of crop residues moves from open access to crop fields, following harvest, to labour intensive management of cereals as dual-purpose crops.

Occurrence of Beauveria bassiana on insect pests of stored maize in Kenya

Surveys for fungal pathogens of maize storage pests were conducted in Kenya between February and August 1997. A total of 124 farms in 12 districts located in Lower Highland, Upper Midland and Lower Midland agroecological zones (AEZs) were sampled. Sitophilus zeamais constituted at least 75% of the pests in the 3 AEZs. Prostephanus truncatus (Larger Grain Borer), introduced into Kenya in 1983 was found in stored maize only in Taita Taveta district. Insects infected with Beauveria spp were encountered rarely (in 12 of the 124 farms sampled) but had a wide distribution (in 8 of the 12 districts visited). The fungus occurred at a very low prevalence of between 0.08 and 0.94% of the total insects collected, mainly infecting S. zeamais but also found on Tribolium sp and Carpophilus spp.

Dates as Data: An Examination of the Peruvian Preceramic Radiocarbon Record

Radiocarbon dates can provide an effective overview of regional trends in non-complex societies when treated in a quantitative manner. In spite of intervening biases, numbers of radiocarbon dates should reflect the patterns of occupation across time. Using the date record of preceramic Peru, I illustrate very different radiocarbon trends for highland and coastal zones. These suggest exponential growth, equilibrium, and altitude shift for the occupations of coastal, puna, and highland valley regions. Biases caused by variation in temporal and geographic investigation, and the effects of sea-level rise are considered, but I argue that general occupational patterns overshadow distortions of the date record.

Amino-acids in plasma and aqueous humour in patients with pigmentary retinopathy

Sorghum grain stored in traditional underground pits was sampled from seven districts of Hararghe, eastern Ethiopia, representing lowland, intermediate and highland zones, from February to August 2001, and was analysed at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) for changes in chemical composition over time. Samples were also taken from a replicated aboveground bin and pit storage experiment at Alemaya University campus at 2-month intervals from March 2000 to August 2001 and analysed in a similar manner. The effect of geographic location on chemical composition was significant, but there were differences in the sorghum varieties grown. The organic matter (OM) content of grain samples from pits in the lowlands was lower than those from the highlands. The crude protein (CP) and OM contents of samples from the seven districts did not change in 7–9 storage months. The OM content decreased and the CP slightly increased over time in samples from soil pits without any lining material on Alemaya University campus. The OM content decreased from 97.8 to 91.6%; and CP increased from 10.1 to 11.2% in these samples over a 17-month period. Soluble carbohydrate (SCHO) content significantly decreased over time in samples from the districts (from 2.4 to 1.2% by 7 months) and in samples from soil pits on campus (from 2.4 to 1.9% after 7 months and to 0.97% after 17 months). There was no significant change in the organic matter, CP and SCHO contents in samples taken from the cemented aboveground bin, cement- and dung-lined pits at the Alemaya campus, all of which were lined with polythene sheeting. From these data, we conclude that the combination of storage methods, storage period, geographic location and/or sorghum variety affected grain quality. Grain storage in traditional underground pits for long periods does lead to grain deterioration. The use of improved grain storage structures maintains the grain quality and nutritional value of sorghum for a reasonably long period.

The transmural pressure of the uveal vasculature as determined via the ocular elasticity functions

Sorghum grain stored in traditional underground pits was sampled from seven districts of Hararghe, eastern Ethiopia, representing lowland, intermediate and highland zones, from February to August 2001, and was analysed at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) for changes in chemical composition over time. Samples were also taken from a replicated aboveground bin and pit storage experiment at Alemaya University campus at 2-month intervals from March 2000 to August 2001 and analysed in a similar manner. The effect of geographic location on chemical composition was significant, but there were differences in the sorghum varieties grown. The organic matter (OM) content of grain samples from pits in the lowlands was lower than those from the highlands. The crude protein (CP) and OM contents of samples from the seven districts did not change in 7–9 storage months. The OM content decreased and the CP slightly increased over time in samples from soil pits without any lining material on Alemaya University campus. The OM content decreased from 97.8 to 91.6%; and CP increased from 10.1 to 11.2% in these samples over a 17-month period. Soluble carbohydrate (SCHO) content significantly decreased over time in samples from the districts (from 2.4 to 1.2% by 7 months) and in samples from soil pits on campus (from 2.4 to 1.9% after 7 months and to 0.97% after 17 months). There was no significant change in the organic matter, CP and SCHO contents in samples taken from the cemented aboveground bin, cement- and dung-lined pits at the Alemaya campus, all of which were lined with polythene sheeting. From these data, we conclude that the combination of storage methods, storage period, geographic location and/or sorghum variety affected grain quality. Grain storage in traditional underground pits for long periods does lead to grain deterioration. The use of improved grain storage structures maintains the grain quality and nutritional value of sorghum for a reasonably long period.

The Iron Age in Northern Britain

Professor Stuart Piggott, who opened the conference, began by tracing the history of Iron Age studies in Scotland. He referred to the idea that there was something essentially peculiar about the Scottish Iron Age, and attributed its growth to an over-emphasis on the distinction between Highland and Lowland Zones. It was not inevitable (though it frequently happened) that Scotland should receive its cultural stimuli at second hand from lowland England, and certainly not that every development in the north should be retarded in time. On the other hand, there were differences, above all the shortage of pottery, and this gave especial value to the recent field studies of monuments, notably those made by the Royal Commission.