Flora, Structure and Carbon Sequestration of Vegetation in the Southeast of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Togo Amidst Environmental Challenges

In most Sub-Saharan African countries such as Togo, people’s heavy dependence on ecosystem services is a major factor in accelerating the degradation of natural resources, which are already suffering as a result of climatic factors. This study was initiated to contribute to the sustainable and rational management of forest resources in the south-east of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Togo. It specifically aims to identify and characterize the flora of the residual forest ecosystems within the reserve through their specific diversity, demographic structure, and carbon sequestration potential. The study was carried out in the forest ecosystems of Avévé. The methodology used was based on the analysis of phytosociological, forestry, ecological, and regeneration inventory data. Overall, the study revealed that the RBMT still has floristically viable habitats, despite the anthropogenic pressures it is subject to revealed a floristic diversity of 160 plant species divided into 52 families and 135 genera. The most represented families are Rubiaceae (29.09%), followed by Fabaceae (27.94%). The most represented species are Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) Kuntze (24.38%), Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch. Ex Benth (X) and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) Kunth (10.93%). The high presence of Mitragyna inermis observed in all the ecological groups identified makes it the characteristic species of the flooded marshy areas of southeast Togo and contributes to the resilience of the ecosystems and populations in the study area. The Shannon index for the formation groups varies between (3.03 and 5.16) bits. Pielou’s equitability varies between (0.43 and 0.63) bits. The overall average density is estimated at 210 stems/ha, with an average diameter of 25.57 ± 21.77 m and an average height of 7.93 ± 3.83 m. The adjustment of the diameter classes of the plant groups to the Weibull distribution gave an “inverted J” shape with coefficient values of less than 1 overall, reflecting the existence of multispecific or uneven-aged stands. Assessment of the horizontal and vertical structure shows a predominance of the shrub layer in all the groups identified. The carbon sequestration potential is 41.89 T/Ha. Despite ongoing anthropogenic pressures, the Mono Biosphere Reserve abounds in a relatively rich diversity of flora, the preservation of which is essential for the survival of biodiversity and even for the riparian population. The data provided by this study would form the basis for sustainable management planning of the forest islands in the biosphere reserve.

Performance of Four Rice Cultivars Transplanted Monthly over Full Year under Irrigated Conditions in Tanzania

In Tanzania, the phenology and seasonal variations of the yields of different rice cultivars have rarely been studied, especially under fully-irrigated conditions. A trial was conducted to identify the most suitable calendar for rice production in Tanzania under fully-irrigated conditions. Four popular rice cultivars, NERICA1, Wahiwahi, IR64 and TXD306, were transplanted monthly from January to December 2011. The four cultivars recorded similarly higher or lower yields than the annual means when transplanted in July （0.50-0.57 kg/m2） and April （0.07-0.31 kg/m2）. A yield-ranking analysis showed that plants transplanted in July was the most productive while those transplanted in April was the least productive, and also revealed a yield-seasonality for irrigated rice in Tanzania, a low-yield season （April-May）, a high-yield season （June-August）, and an unstable-yield season （September-March）. These yield seasons would appear to be closely linked to seasonal temperature variations. When transplanted in April-May, plants were exposed to very low temperatures between panicle initiation and flowering, apparently reducing yield through cold-induced sterility. Those transplanted in June-August prolonged their growth under relatively low temperatures and increased yield through increasing biomass production. In September- March, yield levels varied greatly due to the shortened phenological growth durations at higher temperatures. We conclude that under fully-irrigated conditions in Tanzania, rice should be transplanted in July to ensure the maximum production and yield stability. The yield-seasonality suggests that implementing measures to protect plants from low and high temperature stress at critical phenological stages may allow year-round rice production under fully-irrigated conditions in Tanzania.

Blossoming Characteristics in Black Cumin Genotypes in Relation Seed Yield Influenced by Sowing Time

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.;Family-Ranunculaceae) is an important spice crop. Mature seeds are consumed for edible and medical purposes and also used as a food additive and flavour. Seed of black cumin has great potentiality as spice crop due to nutritive and medicinal values. The experiments were carried out at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during 2011 to 2012 to determine optimum planting time for seed production of black cumin. The experiment was two factorials. Factor A: 4 genotypes were V1: Exotic, Iran;V2: BARI kalozira-1;V3: Local, Faridpur and V4: Local, Natore. Factor B: sowing date: D1: 16 October;D2: 1 November;D3: 16 November and D4: 1 December. Therefore, treatment combinations were 16 in total. So, in 3 replications total plot was 48. Result revealed that significantly the highest 2.37 t/ha in V1, followed by V2 (1.96 t/ha). V2 and V3 (1.97 t/ha) were statistically similar and maximum yield was obtained from D2 (2.65 t/ha). In combined effect, maximum yield 3.00 t/ha was obtained in V1D2.. Investigation on time of sowing revealed that performance of black cumin was better in earlier sowings (16 October, 1 November) than later ones. The highest yield (4g plant-1;2.65 tha-1) was obtained when the crop was sown on 1 November. Among the genotypes, the exotic one with sowing in 1 November gave the highest seed yield (4.54 g·plant-1;3.00 t·ha-1).

Fruit Setting Behaviour of Passion Fruit

Passion fruit has great prospective to fascinate fruit consumer for its taste and delicious fruit juice and improvement of the economic condition of the fruit grower in the developing countries. The self-incompatibility in the passion fruits is an imperative reason to be considered regarding fruit production. Pollination is an essential for self-sterile crops as passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims.). The experiment was conducted in the field and laboratories of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur, Bangladesh to investigate the fruit setting behavior of passion fruits at during five flashes. We estimated to study fruit setting behavior of passion fruit at different flashes and determine effective pollination method and suitable flashes among five flashes. Result revealed that percent of fruit set of passion fruit was recorded highest;Seeds per plant were recorded highest in third flash when flowers were pollinated by hand compared with self-, and natural pollinations. Length-breadth ratios of fruits in third flashes were recorded higher when pollinates by hand. Individual fruit weight was also recorded higher at third flash. Plants required minimum days from flower anthesis to full maturity during third flash. On the other hand, fruit growth behavior of hand pollinated flowers was recorded higher during third flash of passion fruit. Results indicated that all studied characteristics of fruit and seed of passion fruit of third flash performed best.