Peak Of Dry Season Research Articles

Incidence and Severity of Vine Rot and Wilt Disease of Telfairia occidentalis Caused by Athelia rolfii in Southern, Nigeria

Telfairia occidentalis is an important vegetable crop that is intensively grown in Southern Nigeria for its utilization in home dishes and commercialization. However, its production is being limited by vine rot infection caused by Athelia rolfsii. Information on the epidemiology in growing regions is important for the disease management. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the incidence and severity of vine rot disease of Telfairia occidentalis in commercial fields across Abak, Akwa Ibom State. A total of nine established T. occidentalis fields in three locations, including the Cross River Basin Development Authority, Abak-Irrigation Project, were visited during the peak of dry season (November – December), 2021 and raining season (June - August), 2022 respectively. The fields were scored for vine rot disease incidence and severity using a well described scale. Random samples from symptomatic plants were collected and taken to the laboratory for fungi isolation and identification. Koch postulate was carried out to confirm the causal agents on one susceptible genotype of T. occidentalis in the study area. Overall number of plants showing varying levels of symptoms reaches 84% and total values for mean incidences’ rate (3.31 ± 0.06 and 3.19 ± 0.06) were recorded for both sampling period respectively. The result of this study revealed that the prevalent fungal pathogen that is responsible for vine rot and wilt disease of T. occidentalis in the study is A. rolfsii and presented information on the level and severity of infection that is indicative of the need to implement appropriate control measures for A. rolfsii disease in the study area.

Flowing Through Change: Investigating the Impacts of Human Activities on Urban River Water Quality in the Kumba River, South West Region of Cameroon

This study seeks to examine the relationship between the different urban land use activities in the Kumba metropolis and the related implications on the Kumba river water quality. This involved collection of water samples from the Kumba river as well as performing laboratory tests to determine variations in the river's Physical, chemical and bacteriological properties. The parameters analyzed were temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, Electrical Conductivity, odour, colour, turbidity, nitrite, nitrate, pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia, phosphorus, chlorine, nitrates, nitrites and some heavy metals like copper, phosphate, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and Faecal Coliform. Water samples were collected from five sampling points in the month of February 2023(peak dry season) and in the month of April 2023(for the rainy season). The data from the analysis of the water samples were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, on both Microsoft Excel and SPSS. The study found that the p values were less than 0.05 at a confidence level of 95%, which suggests that the Kumba River is polluted due to the effects of different urban land use activities in the city. The water quality parameters of the collected samples showed that areas with high dependence on the river for urban activities registered significantly poor water quality, compared to samples with limited dependence on the river for urban land uses. Based on these findings, it is recommended that anthropogenic activities within the area be closely monitored as urbanization continues to rapidly occur and its effects continue to pollute the river, making it harmful not only to ecosystems but also rendering it unfit for river channel crop cultivation. Additionally, the study concluded that changes in Land Use Land Cover (LULC) between 2007 and 2023 have statistically significant effects on the physicochemical and microbial water quality of the Kumba River. Therefore, it is vital to address the rate at which forests are being converted to agricultural lands and the intense use of agrochemicals on these farms and plantations.

The morphodynamics and sedimentology of a seasonally controlled microtidal tidal inlet: the Nariva River tidal inlet, Cocos Bay, Trinidad

Abstract The geomorphology and sedimentology of the Nariva River tidal-inlet complex, a microtidal fluvially influenced tidal-inlet complex, was analyzed. The complex comprises a recurved spit, an ebb-tidal channel, and an ebb-tidal delta. Morphological trends in the spatio-temporal evolution of the inlet complex were observed and recorded from Google Earth™ timelapse satellite images taken from 2003 to 2019. The two-dimensional internal architecture of the inlet complex and the sedimentary succession of the recurved spit, an ebb spit, the swash platform (of the ebb-tidal delta), a mouth bar (associated with the wet-season river-dominated inlet complex erosion), the ebb-tidal channel, and the adjacent foreshore were observed and documented from six shallow sedimentary cores. The Nariva River inlet width ranges from 17 to 40 m through its seasonal evolution, has a tidal prism of ∼ 2.17 × 105 m3, a cross-sectional area of 29.52 m2, and a depth ∼ 1.4 m (calculated at peak dry season near the inlet throat). The inlet complex undergoes an annual geomorphological evolution linked to the seasonally induced migration of the fluvial-to-marine transition zone (FMTZ). Increased fluvial discharge during the wet and hurricane seasons results in the basinward migration of the FMTZ rendering the inlet river dominated and resulting in the erosion of the inlet complex. During the dry season, low fluvial discharge, tidal dominance, and fair-weather conditions promote sedimentation in the inlet and the redevelopment of the inlet complex. The inlet has a complex (CX) internal architecture (fill pattern) defined by the laterally migrating recurved spit and ebb spit on their updrift margin, and conformable, mounded elements on their downdrift (e.g., mouth bar, swash platform, and foreshore). Two sedimentary successions were developed for ebb-tidal-delta deposits: off-axis of the ebb-tidal channel and on-axis. The off-axis succession is considerably similar to the adjacent foreshore-to-shoreface succession which can pose a challenge when attempting to identify these deposits in the rock record. The on-axis succession, however, despite thickness variability, showed a positive correlation to studied mesotidal tide-dominated inlet successions.

Influence of Water Table and Peat Thickness on Dissolved Organic Carbon of Tropical Peat Soil with Sulfidic Substratum from Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Peatlands are important due to their high carbon storage, their role in suppressing climate change processes, and their importance for local and global communities’ livelihood. Large amounts of organic carbon pools in peatlands can be released into the environment as gaseous emitted carbon and lost through waterways (fluvial). The carbon released through the water stream consists of organic and inorganic forms and is partly in the form of CO2 and CH4 gases. The organic form consists of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon, where DOC is the most dominant organic carbon in water sourced from peatlands. This research's objectives were to study the DOC concentration of peat water resulting from the hydrological condition's difference and the peat thickness overlaying the sulfidic substratum. The study was carried out in the Pangkoh area of Pulang Pisau district of Central Kalimantan. Peat water is taken on PVC pipes installed on each plot representing different peat thicknesses (deep, moderate, and shallow peat) at a depth of 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 cm from the soil surface. The water sampling was conducted on the peak wet season, during the transition from wet season to dry season and during the peak dry season. The results showed that DOC was influenced by peat thickness, depth of sulfidic material, and groundwater level. The release of DOC is higher from the deep peat than from the thin and moderate peat. The difference in DOC concentration between peat thickness is also related to the electrical conductivity of the peat water. The results showed a negative correlation between electrical conductivity and DOC concentration. The negative correlation was significant in the observation of the rainy and dry seasons, while in the transitional season, it was not significant.

Evaluation of the evapotranspiration rate of lacustrine wetland macrophytes in Lake Tana, Ethiopia

This study quantified the total evapotranspiration (ET) flux of three major types of macrophytes that cover lacustrine fringe wetlands in Lake Tana, Ethiopia during the dry season, April and May, 2022. This study was conducted to understand lacustrine wetland macrophytes' ET rates and provide an important guideline for designing their conservation and restoration plans. To assess ET rates during the peak dry season, three macrophytes of lacustrine wetlands in Lake Tana were chosen: Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), Cyperus papyrus, and Echinochloa stagnina. Three replicate lysimeters for each of the three treatment types (macrophytes) and one control type (open water) were applied to measure ET. To calculate reference evapotranspiration (ETo), FAO's ETo Calculator Version 3.2 was applied. All statistical analyses were carried out using R software. The results of ET rates from wetland macrophytes (9.05mm/day) were considered to be significantly higher than open water evaporation (5.90mm/day). There was a significant difference in mean ET among the macrophytes [F (3, 488) = 194.6, p < 2e-16 ***]. In this study, crop coefficient (Kc1) (1.99 ± 0.65) referenced to FAO Penman–Monteith ETo is greater than Kc2 (1.58 ± 0.59) referenced to open water evaporation (Eow). In terms of wetland macrophyte type, E. crassipes had the maximum mean Kc values (Kc1 = 2.51±0.70 and Kc2 = 2.02±0.67). E. stagnina had the minimum mean Kc values (Kc1 = 1.52±0.32 and Kc2 = 1.19±0.24). Except for open water which strongly correlated with sunshine hours (r = 0.61) and solar radiation (r = 0.60), the correlation among daily ET values and meteorological variables was found to be weak. The result of our research indicated that the presence of floating macrophytes of E. crassipes will increase the ET flux during the dry season more than emergent macrophytes and open water surfaces. Our findings could provide an important guideline for designing conservation and restoration plans for C. papyrus and E. stagnina to reverse the spread of E. crassipes and maintaining lacustrine fringe wetlands for fish breeding ground and sediment control.

Spatiotemporal trends in floral visitation and interaction networks reveal shifting niches for bats in a Neotropical savanna.

Flower-vising bats are important components of tropical pollinator communities, yet little is known about the structure of their pollination networks and how resource availability through time (seasons) and space (habitat heterogeneity) affects the extent to which bats interact with plants within a community-wide context. This information is key for the conservation of threatened nectarivore species, such as the Cerrado-endemic Lonchophylla dekeyseri, for which data on its specialization on floral-resources is scarce. Within a seasonal and heterogeneous savanna in the central Brazilian Cerrado, we performed a year-round assessment of an inclusive assemblage of flower-visiting bats (both nectarivores and other guilds that can also feed on nectar) within a savanna-edge-forest gradient, the phenological trends and spatial distribution of bat and their resource plants, and the resultant temporal and spatial interaction networks between bats and plants in order to associate network structure to resource availability. Clear spatiotemporal trends emerged in the community. Nectarivores dominated the flower-visiting niche outside forests and were prolific floral visitors, resulting in networks with lower specialization and modularity. These bats diverged into savanna foragers active during the wet season and the wet-dry transition, and edge foragers active mostly during the dry season. The latter group encompassed L. dekeyseri, which visited mostly Bauhinia species. Frugivores took over as main floral visitors within forests, as well as during peak dry season, when fewer fruits were available, resulting in more specialized and modular networks. Our work shows that the turnover of floral resources across seasons and vegetation types has a defining role in bat-plant interactions and relates to network structure, as bat trophic guilds interact with plants in distinct habitats and times of the year. Frugivores dominate the flower-visiting niche in certain temporal and spatial subsets of the network, which calls for the inclusion of this guild in future studies. Moreover, the high visitation to Bauhinia species by L. dekeyseri during the dry season might reduce competition with other nectarivores and is relevant to the management of the species, although more data is needed on its resource consumption on a larger time frame and across its geographic range.

Spatial-Temporal Variations in Parasitological Prevalence and Host-Related Risk Factors of Camel Trypanosomiasis and Its Vectors in North Eastern Kenya: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

Camel trypanosomiasis (Surra) is endemic in the Horn of Africa. Understanding the spatiotemporal variations in Surra prevalence, vector dynamics, and host-related risk factors is important in developing effective control strategies. A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the Surra parasitological prevalence, livestock reservoirs, vector density/diversity, and host-related risk factors in Kenya. Random samples of 847, 1079, and 824 camels were screened at the start of the dry season, peak dry season, and during the rainy season, respectively. Blood samples were examined using the dark ground/phase contrast buffy-coat technique, and Trypanosoma species were identified based on their movement and morphology in wet and stained thin smears. Reservoir status for Trypanosoma evansi was assessed in 406 cattle and 372 goats. A rainy and dry seasons entomological surveys were conducted to determine the Surra vector abundance/diversity and spatiotemporal density changes. Surra prevalence was 7.1%, 3.4%, and 4.1% at the start of the dry season, peak dry season, and rainy season, respectively. Camel co-infections by Trypanozoon (T. evansi or Trypanosoma brucei brucei) and Trypanosoma vivax were recorded. Spatial variations in Surra prevalence were recorded at the beginning of dry (X (7, N = 846) 2 = 110.9, p ≤ 0.001), peak dry (X (7, N = 1079) 2 = 42.2, p ≤ 0.001), and rainy (X (7, N = 824) 2 = 29.1, p ≤ 0.001) seasons. The screened cattle and goats tested negative for Trypanozoon (T. evansi or T. b. brucei), while two cattle tested positive for Trypanosoma congolense. Biting fly catches were composed of a single species from Tabanus, Atylotus, Philoliche, Chrysops, and Stomoxys genera. The total catches for Philoliche, Chrysops, and Stomoxys were higher in the rainy than dry season consistent with the prevalence results. Surra remains an important camel disease in the region with its prevalence varying in space and time. Camel co-infections by Trypanozoon (T. evansi or T. b. brucei) and T. vivax necessitate proper diagnosis of suspected cases and targeted therapy.

HYDRO-GEOCHEMICAL AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER FROM SEDIMENTARY FORMATION IN THE MIDDLE BENUE TROUGH, NIGERIA

Nasarawa State in Nigeria, is host to several mineral deposits. The groundwater resources in the State plays an important role in the socio-economic life of the people in terms of domestic, industrial and agricultural water supply. The effect of climate change, on the surface and groundwater resources, couple with the anthropogenic and geogenic activities on the quality of the various groundwater sources remained uncertain. Two hundred (200) water samples were collected randomly from boreholes and hand-dug wells from five locations (20 each) in Nasarawa South: Keana, Obi, Lafia and Awe Local Government Areas of the State, referred to as Middle Benue trough. 100 samples were collected during peak of dry season and another 100 during peak of rainy season. Cations, anions and heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS); with aim of determining their concentrations in relation to suitability within the tolerance limit. The results revealed that heavy metals such as lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), Magnesium (Mg) and arsenic (As) have concentrations above World Health Organization (WHO 2017) and SON (2015) standards. The high concentrations are mostly associated with the Baryte and Lead-zinc mineralization present in Keana / Awgu formations in the Middle Benue Trough. Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and iron (Fe2+) have their concentrations within World Health Organization (WHO 2017) drinking water permissible limits. The cations and anions present in the groundwater in the study areas had varying levels in terms of physico-chemical and bacteriological quality. In some areas bacteriological contamination rendered water sources unfit for human consumption, but suitable for agricultural purposes. Therefore, regular monitoring of the water sources in the affected areas are highly recommended.

Importance of environmental flow on feeding and distribution of juvenile Labeobarbus species in the Gumara River, Lake Tana Sub-basin, Ethiopia

The tributary rivers of Lake Tana are important nursery grounds for larvae and juveniles of the migratory endemic Labeobarbus species, but very little is known about their functional habitat and feeding preferences. This study investigated nursery grounds, habitat shifts, and potential energy sources for juvenile Labeobarbus species. Electrofishing point abundance sampling for juvenile sampling and stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were applied to trace potential energy sources. Habitat use shifting was observed among labeobarbus size classes from weak or no flow pool to fast-flowing riffle mesohabitats. The young-of-the-year (YOY) were mainly found in microhabitats with a weak to moderate water velocity (i.e., < 0.3 m s−1), while 1+ juveniles (>7 cm FL) adapted to velocities of > 0.3 m s−1. Juveniles suffered from limited access to run and riffle habitats during the peak dry season (March-April). They were subsequently exposed to resource competition and predation risk which led to lower catches. Juveniles of different size classes used different food sources. C1 (<3 cm) and C3 (5.1–7 cm) size classes mainly relied on algal sources, while C2 (3 – 5 cm) and C4 (>7 cm) on zooplankton. Insect larvae were a relatively important source for larger juveniles. Maintaining appropriate flow that permits juveniles to access preferred foraging and nursery habitat in the Gumara River is crucial for the sustainable management and conservation of the Labeobarbus population in Lake Tana.

KUALITAS SUNGAI SELAGAN BENGKULU BERDASARKAN FISIKA-KIMIA PERAIRAN DAN KERAGAMAN MAKROINVERTEBRATA

This research aims to determine the quality of Selagan River, Bengkulu based on its water physico-chemical parameters and macroinvertebrate diversity. Data were collected at three stations, Lubuk Bangko (upstream), Lubuk Sahung (middle) and Tanah Rekah (downstream) in April 2019 represents the peak of rainy season, and September 2019 represents the peak of dry season. Macroinvertebrate sampling was carried out on three minutes sampling method, and the obtained samples were identified at least to the family level. The result indicated the physico-chemical of Selagan River are generally in a normal range, except for a bit higher temperature at Lubuk Sahung and Tanah Rekah during April sampling (31 and 32oC respectively). This research also found 508 of individual macroinvertebrates that were divided into 19 species (19 families; 4 class and 4 phyla). The Shannon wienner diversity index (H’) of macroinvertebrates from the upstream to downstream are 1.54; 2.20 and 0.84, while the Berger-Parker’s dominance index (BP) are ranging from 0.30 into 0.92. The number of EPT individual in each station from up- to downstream is 129; 40; and 0, with FBI index is 4.11; 5.23; and “infinity” consecutively. The combination of those several indices indicated that the upstream of Selagan river is still in a very good condition, the middle area is starting to degraded, while the downstream had been degraded and polluted by organic substances.

CLAY CONTENT, BULK DENSITY AND CARBON STORAGE RELATIONSHIPS IN MANGROVE AND RAINFOREST SOILS DURING DRY AND WET SEASONS

Evaluation of carbon stock in soil is an essential step in estimating the carbon storage potential of an ecosystem. A field study was carried out on a humid tropical Rainforest and Mangrove soils at the Forestry Unit of the Rivers State University Teaching and Research Farm and the Eagle Island quantify the effects of vegetation and seasons on soil organic carbon, organic carbon stock and other physical to attributes of the soils. Results revealed that seasons and vegetation did no change the soil texture, but influenced other properties of the soils. Bulk density was significantly low (p&lt;0.05) at 0.64 g cm-3 in Mangrove soils in the peak of dry season. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was moderately rapid (20.88 cm h-1) in Rainforest soil, and moderately slow (15.59 cm h-1) in the Mangrove soils. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly higher (p&lt;0-05) in mangrove soils at 53 g kg-1 during the rains, and 16 g kg-1 in Rainforest soils during the same season. Soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) was significantly higher at 65.4 kg m-2 in Rainforest soils (p&lt;0.05), compared to 8.4 kg m-2 in Mangrove soils during the same season. SOCS correlated positively bulk density (BD) (r = 0.679, p&lt;0.05) and clay content (r = 0.892, p&lt;0.01). The model: Y = 0.165+4.068x can be used to predict SOCS and bulk density, also the model Y = -0.246+0.361x can be used to predict the effects of clay content on SOCS in the two soils during the seasons. The Rainforest was found to have the potentials to store carbon in the soil than the Mangrove.

Bud structure and development in trees of a neotropical savanna differing by leaf persistence

AbstractThe climatic seasonality affects markedly plant organs' development in the neotropical savannas. Essential understandings about bud structure and its development in deciduous, semi‐deciduous and evergreen trees are unknown in Cerrado vegetation, the largest neotropical savanna. We aimed to determine the bud development, structure and the relationship between budburst and dry and wet seasons for 15 tree species distributed in leaf phenological groups. We labelled five buds in each of the five adult individuals in tree species of each phenological group at the dry season's peak in July 2016. The labelled buds were monitored every week since their opening up to branch development and leaf production in April 2017. Another group of buds was collected at the dry–wet season transition to determine the bud structure. Deciduous tree species showed preformed leaves in buds, the evergreen trees had neoformed leaves, and semi‐deciduous trees had buds with preformed and neoformed leaves. Cataphylls were protecting the buds in all deciduous trees and the semi‐deciduous species Eriotheca gracilipes. Budburst in the deciduous species and semi‐deciduous except for Guapira noxia and Xylopia aromatica occurred at the dry season's peak. In the evergreen trees, buds developed only after the wet season start. While deciduous and evergreen tree species presented different bud structures and development, the semi‐deciduous trees shared the bud traits with phenological groups. We captured distinct growth strategies in groups of trees according to leaf persistence and bud structural and developmental traits.

Physicochemical evaluation of groundwater near Ikot Effanga dumpsite, Calabar, South eastern Nigeria

The Ikot Effanga area of Calabar, Southeastern Nigeria, is located close to a municipal waste dump. The area is defined by latitudes 050001N and 050251N and longitudes 0080201 E and 0080251 E. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the waste dump on the groundwater resources of the area. Groundwater samples were obtained from 10 boreholes located around the dump site. The samples were collected during the peak dry season and peak rainy season for comparison. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Static water level and surface elevation of the boreholes were used to determine the groundwater flow direction. Results obtained were compared with the NSDWQ and WHO standards. From the result, it was observed that groundwater in the area is acidic as the mean pH values were 4.03 and 3.57 for dry and wet season respectively. Other physicochemical parameters analyzed showed that there were no significant variations between the dry and wet season. Also, groundwater from the area was classified as fresh and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. The general flow direction of groundwater in the study area is NW-SE. While the present study showed that the dumpsite does not have significant impact on the groundwater resources either due to geology or natural attenuation

Seasonal Variety on Bacteriological Evaluation of Borehole Waters in Orumba South Local Government Area in Anambra State

Aims: This study was carried out to determine the seasonal variety on physico-chemical and bacteriological evaluation of Borehole waters.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: 10 selected borehole tanks in 5 different towns were collected from five towns from (ORS) Orumba South L. G. A; (Umunze, Onneh, Nawfija, Isulo and Ezira) in Anambra State, with one hundred and twenty samples each in both dry season (December, January, February) as January (peak of dry season) and rainy season (May, June, July) as June (peak of rainy season) within 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of one hundred and twenty water samples were analyzed. (1) ml of water sample was added to 10 ml single strength of the Lactose fermentation broth and serially diluted. The isolated bacterial isolates were identified using their morphological characteristics, biochemical tests, microscopical and molecular characteristics. The DNA was extracted from the identified isolates and analyzed by 16S rRNA. The bacteria isolated from the studied water samples were identified to be Bacillus subtilis (BTC), Escherichia coli (RSS), klebsiella aerogenes (TSS) and staphylococcus aureus (GY), PC – Providencia stuartii, BCD – Bacillus toyonensis, FY- Bacillus spp and ANT – Proteus spp. Frequency rate of occurrence in percentage for the isolates in dry and rainy seasons in ORS L. G. A were determined and for removal of all the isolates were within the WHO limit of 0.08ct (mg.min L-1) by the use of chlorine solution. Confirmatory profile on bacteriological in chlorine treated borehole water samples was determined.&#x0D; Results: The highest TCC was recorded for sample 10 which was 27 MPN/100ml estimated during rainy season against (TCC) recorded for samples 10 which was 22 MPN/100ml during dry season. Out of eight isolates, Escherichia coli had the highest rate frequency of occurrence of 70% in rainy season against dry season. All the isolates 1 to 8 range from (0.01ct) (mg.min L-1) to (0.06ct (mg.min L-1) all the values were within the WHO recommended limit for water purity. The confirmatory test on sample locations form ORS 1 to ORS 10 for total coliform count in chlorine treated borehole water samples by most probable number estimation revealed that all the samples were within the WHO permissible limit of 0.00MPN/100ml.&#x0D; Conclusions: Chlorine solution may have proven to be the cheaper and better solution for achieving water purity in boreholes water.

Growth performance ofWest African Dwarf goats fed boiled dried Gmelina arborea and sun dried Moringa oleifera leaves

Sixteen West African dwarf (WAD) goats weighing 5.5kg to 10.7kg were used to determine the growth performance ofWADgoats fed boiled driedGmelina arborea leaves and sundried Moringa oleifera leaves. The goats were allotted randomly into four treatments groups of four animals each having two replicates each in a completely randomized design. Goats in T1 were fed concentrate and Panicum maximum (control diet), in T2 were fed concentrate and boiled dried Gmelina arborea leaves, goats in T3 were fed concentrate and sundried moringa oleifera leaveswhile goats in T4were fed concentrate andmixture of freshGmelina arborea and freshMoringa oleifera leaves. The experiment lasted for 10 weeks. The animals were weighed on weekly basis throughout the 56 days (8 weeks) of the experiment. Feed intake and weight changes were monitored. Data collected were analyzed using the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) while the mean were separated using the Duncan multiple range test. The result from this study shows that animals in T4 fed concentratewithmixture of fresh Gmelina arborea leaves and freshMoringa oleifera leaves performed better in respect to feed intake having a record of 2.88 0.008 followed by T1 2.86 0.012 while experimental animals in T2 and T3 had the lowest value 2.69 0.011 and 2.60 0.008 respectively, animals in T4 gained weight while those in T1, T2 and T3 lost weight. The study suggest the use of fresh Gmelina arborea leaves and fresh Moringa oleifera leaves in feeding goats due to the fact that they are efficiently utilized by the animals and their availability even at the peak of dry season.

Characterising groundwater-surface water connectivity in the lower Gandak catchment, a barrage regulated biodiversity hotspot in the mid-Gangetic basin

The alluvial aquifer system of the Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB) is one of the world’s most important freshwater resources, sustaining humans and river ecosystems. Understanding groundwater recharge processes and connections to meteoric and surface water is necessary for effective water resource management for human and wider ecological requirements. Parts of the mid-Gangetic Basin, across eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, are characterised by stable long-term groundwater levels, high annual rainfall, and limited historical groundwater use compared to parts of Northwest India for example. In this paper we use a combination of environmental tracers and hydrograph observations to characterise sources of recharge and groundwater-surface water interaction using a transect approach across the catchment of the River Gandak, a major barrage-regulated tributary of the River Ganga. Stable isotope results show that the dominant source of groundwater recharge, in the shallow (0–40 m bgl) Holocene and underlying Pleistocene aquifer system (>40 m bgl), is local rainfall. The shallow Holocene aquifer is also supplemented by local recharge from river and canal seepage and irrigation return flow in the upper and mid parts of the catchment. These observations are corroborated by evidence from detailed groundwater hydrographs and salinity observations, indicating localised canal, river and lake connectivity to groundwater. In the middle and lower catchment, river discharge is dominated by groundwater baseflow during the peak dry season when barrage gates are closed, which contributes to ecological flows for endangered river dolphins and gharial crocodiles. Groundwater residence time tracers indicate active modern recharge in the shallow alluvial aquifer system across the catchment. In the shallow Holocene aquifer elevated arsenic (As), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) exceeded WHO drinking water guidelines in a minority of sites, and uranium (U) and fluoride (F) concentrations approach but do not exceed the WHO guideline values. These observations varied across the catchment with higher As, Fe and Mn in the upper and mid catchments and higher U in the lower catchment. Groundwater salinity was typically between 500 and 1000 μS/cm, and isolated higher salinity was due to recharge from flood-plain wetlands and lakes impacted by evaporation. At present, the Gandak catchment has relatively high rainfall and low abstraction, which maintains stable groundwater levels and thus baseflow to the river in the dry season. Potential future threats to groundwater resources, and therefore river ecology due to the sensitivity to changes in baseflow in the catchment, would likely be driven by reductions in local monsoon rainfall, changes in water management practices and increased groundwater use.

Histology, ultrastructure, and seasonal variations in the bulbourethral gland of the African straw-colored fruit bat Eidolon helvum.

We studied the morphological characteristics and seasonal changes of the bulbourethral gland of Eidolon helvum in a typical African tropical environment. Forty-eight bulbourethral glands were examined using gross anatomical, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural techniques during the early rainy, late rainy, and peak dry seasons. The pear-shaped bilateral bulbourethral glands were located extra-abdominally in the inguinal region. Trabeculae from the capsule divided the parenchyma into numerous lobules of tubuloalveolar glandular acini. The mucosa was covered by a simple columnar epithelium consisting up of principal secretory cells, columnar dense cells and basal cells, which were progressively pronounced during the dry season. The principal cells contained eosinophilic granules, which were PAS positive while the dense cells did not show affinity for the stains. The mean gross weights, acini diameters, and epithelial heights were greater during the rainy season than the dry season. Ultrastructural evaluation showed that the cytoplasm of the principal cells contained well-developed Golgi complexes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and secretory vesicles of varying electron densities and sizes. The secretory vesicles were numerous during the early rainy season, decreased during the late rainy season and were scanty during the peak dry season. The simple columnar epithelium observed during the rainy season was replaced by an undefined stratified epithelium during the dry season, and this was associated with cellular degenerations and regenerations. In conclusion, E. helvum has a typical mammalian bulbourethral gland, with a unique cell type, the dense cell whose functions are not well-understood. The gland exhibits cyclical seasonal variation in structure and secretory activity; being active during the early rainy season (breeding season), and showing the lowest activity during the dry season (non-breeding season). Glandular epithelial cell renewal occurs during the dry season in preparation for the next breeding season.

Aplikasi Metode Pemisahan Aliran Dasar Berbasis Grafis Digital: Studi Pendahuluan Di Wilayah DAS Brantas

The estimation of baseflow is a crucial task for water resources management. This research aimed to calibrate, validate, and evaluate the performance of the digital graphical method to separate baseflow. Two outlets of Brantas watersheds located at Kertosono (±6414,2 km2) and Ploso (± 8844,2 km2) were used for this study. This study used three digital graphics filters known as a local-minimum, fixed-interval and sliding-interval. The methodology consists of (1) data inventory, (2) data processing, (3) calibration, (4) validation, and (5) evaluating of models performance. Daily discharge data were separated into two periods, from 1996 to 2005 for the calibration and from 2006 to 2015 for the validation. Firstly, each method was tested annually by entering parameter values through trial and error. The period from July to September is considered as the peak of dry seasons and used to calibrate. The optimal values of parameters for calibration obtained by Averaging yearly values. Secondly, the optimal values from calibration are then used to test the model during the validation. Furthermore, statistical analysis was used to compare model performance during calibration and validation. Results show that the three methods could be used and perform well; however, the best performance is a local-minimum method.Keywords: Baseflow, separation, graphical-method, digital-filter, Brantas

Climate-based crop pattern determination using Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Oldeman classification in Sangiran Site

Sangiran Site is dominated by rainfed field. Climate parameters, especially rain intensity affects crop patterns. Farmers strongly depend on rain intensity to support productivity thus they need climate-based crop patterns. Sangiran Site is prone to drought hazard since the region has a limited access to groundwater, which is henced by deep well in the region. Drought becomes the main threat to agriculture within Sangiran. This study aims to analyse meteorological drought and crop pattern determination using the SPI and the Oldeman classification respectively. Rainfall data is derived from multi temporal CHIRPS data. A monthly time series with thirty consecutive years (1988–2017) was used to calculate the annual SPI. The annual SPI help to determine crop patterns which is suitable for the region. The results of the study show that angiran Site has monsoonal rainfall with one peak of dry season, and one peak of wet season. Rainfed field is at the highest risk when drought lasts for above four months. Climate based crop patterns with the Oldeman classification indicate that Sangiran Site is classified into type C2 which is adequate for two times palawija crops and one time paddy crops.

Seasonal changes in sperm parameters, testicular histology and circulating levels of reproductive hormones in the male African straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum)

Objective: To investigate seasonal changes in some reproductive characteristics of the male African straw-colored fruit bat [Eidolon (E.) helvum] in a tropical rain forest area of South-East Nigeria. Methods: Spermatozoal characteristics in the testes and cauda epididymides, testicular histology, and the circulating levels of the reproductive hormones, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were evaluated in male bats captured in late January (peak dry season), late May (early rainy season) and late September (late rainy season) of 2019. The bats were captured in Obiagu community in Enugu State, South-East Nigeria. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance. Results: There were high serum concentrations of testosterone in early and late rainy season and of luteinizing hormone in early rainy season, but the concentrations of both hormones were low during peak dry season. These hormonal changes corresponded with the testicular seminiferous and spermatogenic activities and testicular and epididymal sperm concentrations, which were also maximal during early and late rainy season but minimal during peak dry season. Epididymal sperm motility and vitality were also high in early and late rainy season but low in peak dry season, while sperm morphological abnormalities were low in early and late rainy season but elevated in peak dry season. There was histological evidence that spermatogenesis did not cease completely during testis regression, but continued at a reduced rate during the dry season. Conclusions: The findings do not support concurrent epididymal sperm storage with testis regression in E. helvum. Altogether, these indicate that seasonal changes significantly alter sperm characteristics, testicular histology and circulating levels of reproductive hormones in E. helvum within the study area.