Revegetation of disturbed land, particularly in arid environment, is often hindered by low seedling establishment. Information on seed biology and germination cues of valuable species is lacking. We investigated seed ...Revegetation of disturbed land, particularly in arid environment, is often hindered by low seedling establishment. Information on seed biology and germination cues of valuable species is lacking. We investigated seed germination of two Acacia species （Acacia tortilis （Forsk.） Hayne and Acacia oerfota （Forssk） schwein/）, required for nitrogen fixation and rehabilitation of arid and semi-arid areas.（four pregermination seed treatments were applied in order to find the best treatment in germinating acacia species. The medium was L2 and three replicates were used. Seeds pretreated with sand paper and also with H2SO4 and then H2O2 had the highest germination percentage in both species. The lowest germination percentage resulted from soaking seeds in water for 48 h followed by soaking in H2SO4 for A. oerfota and from soaking in water for 24 h for A. tortilis. Because the use of sand paper is difficult and time consuming, we recommend pretreatment ofA. tortilis and A. oerfota seeds with H2SO4 and H2O2 before planting. Our study results are significant for conservation agencies with an interest in optimizing germination in arid zones for rehabilitation and reforestation.展开更多
An investigation was carried out in the semi- desert region of northern Sudan, during 2000, to study the influence of different micrometeorological parameters on growth and yield of sesame under alley cropping system....An investigation was carried out in the semi- desert region of northern Sudan, during 2000, to study the influence of different micrometeorological parameters on growth and yield of sesame under alley cropping system. Sesame, cv. Kenana-2, was grown in 6-m wide alleys formed by 3 year old Acacia ampliceps and Acacia stenophylla. Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar energy and shade behaviour were measured throughout the growing season. Irrigation was measured by water meter and soil moisture by gravimetric sampling at depths of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm, in alley cropping and control plots. Sesame was evaluated for growth and yield performance in southern, central and northern parts of each alley. The results showed substantial reduction in wind runs, solar radiation and air temperature, while relative humidity was increased under alley conditions. Soil moisture content, especially in the upper 045 cm soil depth, was much higher in alley cropped plots than in the control plots. A. stenophylla resulted in the highest saving of irrigation water and considerably increased （40%） sesame seed yield. In contrast, sesame seed yield was reduced by 46% under A. ampliceps-alley cropping. Competition for light and water were highly responsible for variation in sesame seed yield in the different zones of the alley. A. stenophylla tree is, therefore, recommended in an alley cropping system in the semi-desert region of northern Sudan for its superiority in optimizing radiation and saving of irrigation water.展开更多
文摘Revegetation of disturbed land, particularly in arid environment, is often hindered by low seedling establishment. Information on seed biology and germination cues of valuable species is lacking. We investigated seed germination of two Acacia species （Acacia tortilis （Forsk.） Hayne and Acacia oerfota （Forssk） schwein/）, required for nitrogen fixation and rehabilitation of arid and semi-arid areas.（four pregermination seed treatments were applied in order to find the best treatment in germinating acacia species. The medium was L2 and three replicates were used. Seeds pretreated with sand paper and also with H2SO4 and then H2O2 had the highest germination percentage in both species. The lowest germination percentage resulted from soaking seeds in water for 48 h followed by soaking in H2SO4 for A. oerfota and from soaking in water for 24 h for A. tortilis. Because the use of sand paper is difficult and time consuming, we recommend pretreatment ofA. tortilis and A. oerfota seeds with H2SO4 and H2O2 before planting. Our study results are significant for conservation agencies with an interest in optimizing germination in arid zones for rehabilitation and reforestation.
文摘An investigation was carried out in the semi- desert region of northern Sudan, during 2000, to study the influence of different micrometeorological parameters on growth and yield of sesame under alley cropping system. Sesame, cv. Kenana-2, was grown in 6-m wide alleys formed by 3 year old Acacia ampliceps and Acacia stenophylla. Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar energy and shade behaviour were measured throughout the growing season. Irrigation was measured by water meter and soil moisture by gravimetric sampling at depths of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm, in alley cropping and control plots. Sesame was evaluated for growth and yield performance in southern, central and northern parts of each alley. The results showed substantial reduction in wind runs, solar radiation and air temperature, while relative humidity was increased under alley conditions. Soil moisture content, especially in the upper 045 cm soil depth, was much higher in alley cropped plots than in the control plots. A. stenophylla resulted in the highest saving of irrigation water and considerably increased （40%） sesame seed yield. In contrast, sesame seed yield was reduced by 46% under A. ampliceps-alley cropping. Competition for light and water were highly responsible for variation in sesame seed yield in the different zones of the alley. A. stenophylla tree is, therefore, recommended in an alley cropping system in the semi-desert region of northern Sudan for its superiority in optimizing radiation and saving of irrigation water.
