Socioeconomic Factors Influencing the Adoption of Cenchrus ciliaris among the Pastoralist Communities in South Baringo, Kenya

Land degradation poses significant threats to food and environmental security globally. In arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), livestock production is an important and significant livelihood. Unfortunately, overstocking and overgrazing have diminished pasture availability, and thus adversely impacting on the sector’s contribution to food security for many ASAL communities. The Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Program in its quest to combat soil erosion, deforestation, and Prosopis juliflora invasion in the Lake Bogoria Landscape, Baringo County, Kenya has supported the establishment of Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) since 2018. Despite its introduction and establishment, the socioeconomic factors influencing its adoption remain undocumented. This study evaluated these factors in three administrative wards, namely: Ilchamus, Mochongoi, and Marigat of Baringo South Sub-County. Data was collected from 103 households using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Our results revealed that Cenchrus ciliaris adoption has partially reduced soil erosion and deforestation, improved livelihoods and environmental conservation. Nearly 50% of the respondents have established 2 to 5 acres of buffel grass pasturelands on their farms. The level of education of the respondents for had a significant association with the participants’ knowledge regarding the advantages of pasture production for environmental conservation (χ2 = 16.93;p χ2 = 77.71;p χ2 = 18.3;p χ2 = 3.8;p Cenchrus ciliaris value chain are recommended as practical strategies of enhancing livestock production and environmental conservation in Kenya’s ASALs.

Clipping Effect on Growth and Plant Water Use Response to Diurnal Variation of Vapor Pressure Deficit in Cenchrus biflorus Roxb

Cenchrus biflorus called Karangiya in the Hausa language is an annual pastoral grass which is a valuable herbaceous fodder in dry land region in the context of climate change. However, little is known about the plant water use under the effects of cut in West Africa Sahel like Niger where the plant is a multipurpose grass species. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of grazing (simulated by shoot cuts) on biomass production. Cenchrus biflorus Roxb was grown on field plots and in pots and subjected to shoot cuts at different levels (3 cm and 5 cm from soil surface). The effect of shoot cuts on drought tolerance was evaluated by assessing the response of transpiration to the diurnal variation of vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Results showed that the biomass production varied in response to shoot cuts depending on the culture system, and the level or frequency of cuts. The mean biomass production increased significantly especially in field plots for 5 cm cuts compared to those at 3 cm and the control treatment. In addition, transpiration was highly increased in response to the VPD increase. Shoot cuts significantly reduced transpiration, whatever the level, largely because they reduced leaf surface. We concluded that moderate grazing (cuts to 5cm) can improve biomass production and allow better adaptation to water deficit as they significantly reduced water loss through transpiration. The study recommends the cropping of the Cenchrus biflorus as climate solution as it performs better under water deficit for improving grazing resilience in Niger.

The Influence of Induced Drought Stress on Germination of Cenchrus ciliaris L.and Cenchrus setigerus Vahl.:Implications for Rangeland Restoration in the Arid Desert Environment of Kuwait

Drought impacts in arid desert ecosystems can result in decreased ecosystem productivity and biodiversity.Imple­mentation of restoration projects in arid desert environments is largely dependent on water availability and soil mois­ture condition.This study investigated the influence of induced drought stress by using polyethylene glycol(PEG-6000)solution on germination viz.Cenchrus ciliaris and Cenchrus setigerus as the important rangeland species.The water stress potential treatments were 0(control),-0.5 MPa,-1.0 MPa,-1.5 MPa,and-2.0 MPa.The extent of seed germi­nation was severely affected by decreased water stress potential.As drought increased,the percentage of germination decreased in both Cenchrus’species.The water deficit at-0.5 MPa showed a significant(P<0.001)reduction in the final germination percentage in the case of C.setigerus and C.ciliaris by 65%and 42.5%,respectively.At-1.0 MPa to-1.5 MPa,changes in intermediate germination were observed in C.ciliaris(from 35%to 17.5%,respectively)and C.setigerus(from 22.5%to 11.25%respectively).Higher levels of water stress(-2.0 MPa)prevented the survival of both species.Understanding the germination strategies of native desert plant species associated with drought stress and identifying favorable conditions during the germination process can be useful for restoration practices and rangeland management actions to improve desert ecosystems and maintain biodiversity.

Study on the Allelopathic Effects of Alien Invasive Species Cenchrus echinatus on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Solanaceae Crops

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the potential ecological dam- ages of alien invasive species Cenchrus echinatus. [Method] By using seed germi- nation method, the effects of different concentrations of C. echinatus aqueous extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of three Solanaceae crops were investigated. [Result] After incubated for 5 d, no significant differences were observed in germination speed indices of Lycopersicum esculentum seeds between aqueous extract groups and control groups; germination speed indices of Solarium melongena seeds were significantly reduced with the increasing concentration of Cenchrus echinatus aqueous extracts; however, Capsicum frutescens seeds in various groups were not germinated. After incubated for 7 d, root lengths of Lycopersicum esculentum seedlings were inhibited with the increasing concentration of Cenchrus echinatus aqueous extracts, while stem lengths and comprehensive allelopathic effects were promoted; germination rates of Solanum melongena seeds in various groups were all significantly lower than control groups; root length, stem length and comprehen- sive allelopathic effects in higher concentration groups were inhibited; germination rates of Capsicum frutescens seeds were significantly inhibited, and those in the highest concentration group were not generated. After incubated for 14 d, all indica- tors of Solanum melongena were significantly inhibited; various indicators of Capsicum frutescens in the highest concentration group were significantly inhibited. [Conclusion] The sensitivity of three Solanaceae crops to Cenchrus echinatus aqueous extracts presented an overall order of Solanum melongena 〉 Capsicum frutescens 〉 Lycopersicum esculentum, suggesting that Cenchrus echinatus can to some extent inhibit the growth of several crops, which should be strictly prevented and controlled in agricultural production.

Comparison of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in Roots and Rhizosphere of Invasive Cenchrus incertus and Native Plant in Inner Mongolia,China

Plant invasions could significantly alter arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungal communities, but the effect may vary with plant species and local environments. Identifying changes in the AM fungal community due to plant invasion could improve our understanding of the invasion processes. Here, we examined the AM fungal community composition both in roots and rhizosphere soils of the invasive plant Cenchrus incertus and the dominant native plant Setaria viridis in a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia by using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses(T-RFLP). The results showed that AM fungal abundance in the rhizosphere soils of C. incertus was significantly lower than that of S. viridis. The AM fungal community composition in the rhizosphere soils of the two plant species also largely differed. In general, AM fungal community structures in roots corresponded very well to that in rhizosphere soils for both plant species. The dominant AM fungal type both in invasive and native plants was T-RFLP 524 bp, which represents Glomus sp.(Virtual taxa 109 and 287). Three specific T-RF types(280,190 and 141bp) were significantly more abundant in C. incertus, representing three clusters in Glomus which also named as VT(virtual taxa) 287, 64 and 214, Rhizophagus intraradices(VT 113) and Diversispora sp.(VT 60). While the specific T-RF types,189 and 279 bp, for S. viridis, only existed in Glomus cluster 1(VT 156), were significantly less abundant in C. incertus. These results indicated that AM fungi might play an important role in the invasion process of C. incertus, which still remains to be further investigated.

A near-complete genome assembly of the allotetrapolyploid Cenchrus fungigraminus(JUJUNCAO)provides insights into its evolution and C4 photosynthesis

JUJUNCAO(Cenchrus fungigraminus;2n=4x=28)is a Cenchrus grass with the highest biomass production among cultivated plants,and it can be used for mushroom cultivation,animal feed,and biofuel production.Here,we report a nearly complete genome assembly of JUJUNCAO and reveal that JUJUNCAO is an allopolyploid that originated2.7 million years ago(mya).Its genome consists of two subgenomes,and subgenome A shares high collinear synteny with pearl millet.We also investigated the genome evolution of JUJUNCAO and suggest that the ancestral karyotype of Cenchrus split into the A and B ancestral karyotypes of JUJUNCAO.Comparative transcriptome and DNA methylome analyses revealed functional divergence of homeologous gene pairs between the two subgenomes,which was a further indication of asymmetric DNA methylation.The three types of centromeric repeat in the JUJUNCAO genome(CEN137,CEN148,and CEN156)may have evolved independently within each subgenome,with some introgressions of CEN156 from the B to the A subgenome.We investigated the photosynthetic characteristics of JUJUNCAO,revealing its typical C4 Kranz anatomy and high photosynthetic efficiency.NADP-ME and PEPCK appear to cooperate in the major C4 decarboxylation reaction of JUJUNCAO,which is different from other C4 photosynthetic subtypes and may contribute to its high photosynthetic efficiency and biomass yield.Taken together,our results provide insights into the highly efficient photosynthetic mechanism of JUJUNCAO and provide a valuable reference genome for future genetic and evolutionary studies,as well as genetic improvement of Cenchrus grasses.

巨菌草代料栽培食药用菌研究进展及在甘孜州的应用前景

巨菌草(Cenchrus fungigraminus)是禾本科蒺藜草属一种适应性和抗逆性较强的多年生草本植物。通过查阅文献,综述了巨菌草代料栽培食药用菌的研究进展,栽培的食用菌包括平菇、杏鲍菇、秀珍菇、香菇、茶树菇等,药用菌包括灵芝、猴头菇、牛樟芝、灰树花、木耳等;巨菌草栽培平菇、猴头菇、灵芝的基质配方筛选。巨菌草栽培食药用菌的优越性有:提高食药用菌中的必需氨基酸含量;利用巨菌草不同添加量代料栽培食药用菌,可提高食药用菌的产量和质量;可降低食药用菌灰分和重金属含量。分析认为在四川省甘孜州发展巨菌草栽培食药用菌产业能够有效地处理“菌林矛盾”,增加林农收益,巩固甘孜州作为中国长江上游环境安全的绿色生态屏障。

基于外来入侵植物光梗蒺藜草的发生分布特点的潜在入侵生境分析

通过对光梗蒺藜草在固定沙地、流动沙地、半固定沙地、半流动沙地4种沙地类型中作用的分析,表明光梗蒺藜草为半固定沙地上的优势种,其相对盖度和重要值均高于其他3种样地类型,占主导地位;通过Shannon多样性指数分析表明光梗蒺藜草有导致半固定沙地物种多样性减弱的趋势。进一步的研究应更注重光梗蒺藜草在半固定沙地的入侵趋势。