Influence of rangeland protection and seasonal grazing on aboveground vegetation,forage quality and weight gain of small ruminants–a study in Thar Desert,Pakistan

The Thar Desert,Sindh,Pakistan is characterized by low productivity.Besides,economy is based on agriculture,livestock and mining,nevertheless,livestock graze freely on public and private land.The aim of this research was to determine biomass production and to evaluate the effects of continuous and seasonal grazing on protected and unprotected plots.A 45 ha protected rangeland area of Hurrabad in the Umerkot Thar desert was selected and divided into three blocks of 15 ha each.Blocks of the same size were also established in unprotected area.The data for vegetation biomass,canopy cover,forage nutrients and weight gain of animals in two seasons(spring and summer)was collected from both protected and unprotected sites.The results showed that biomass significantly increased in summer in both sites.However,the biomass values in protected sites were significantly higher.Similarly,the vegetation cover also seemed to increase in summer in both protected(90.7%±0.29%)and unprotected sites(39.2%±0.09%).The foliar concentrations of all nutrients varied significantly with season.The average final live-weight gain for does on the protected grazing sites during the 42-day period in spring and the 96 days after the monsoon was almost double that of does grazing on the unprotected site during 2016 and 2017(P<0.05).The study concludes that the protection of grazing lands during certain periods can lead to better production of vegetation and livestock and improve range conditions.

Impact of rangeland enclosure and seasonal grazing on protected and unprotected rangelands in Chakwal region, Pakistan

Scrub rangelands support livestock grazing and provide ecosystem services to their inhabitants. The present study was conducted in Chakwal, an important tract of the Pothwar Plateau,which sustains herds of small domestic and nomadic ruminants. Urbanization and uncontrolled grazing practices have reduced rangeland productivity and increased soil erosion and resulted in poor land conditions. This study assessed the influence of two years of rangeland protection on aboveground vegetation biomass and the chemical composition of plants and aimed to determine the influence of seasonal grazing on the live-weight gain of small ewes.Using the line intercept method, vegetation data from protected and unprotected plots in 2015 and 2016 were collected at two sites, Dhulli and Begal.Vegetation cover was assessed from images using VegMeasure. Results showed that protected study sites displayed higher vegetation biomass(834 and 690 kg ha^(-1)) compared to the unprotected study site(477 and 326 kg ha^(-1)) during April and August of both years. In the seasonal grazing trial, the experimental ewes that grazed on protected rangelands showed higher live-weight gain(33–63 g day^(-1)) compared to live weight of ewes(17–21 g day^(-1)) that grazed on unprotected rangelands during the experimental period of 127 days at both sites. The results suggest that the Chakwal rangeland has tremendous potential to improve vegetation productivity but modern livestock management and seasonal grazing practices are needed to improve carrying capacity and livestock productivity.

Erratum to:Impact of rangeland enclosure and seasonal grazing on protected and unprotected rangelands in Chakwal region,Pakistan

Erratum to:J.Mt.Sci.(2022)19(1):46-57 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-021-6761-z The article“Impact of rangeland enclosure and seasonal grazing on protected and unprotected rangelands in Chakwal region,Pakistan”,written by ISLAM Muhammad,RAZZAQ Abdul,ZUBAIR Muhammad,HASSAN Sawsan,AHMAD Sarfraz,GUL Shamim,RISCHKOWSKY Barbara and LOUHAICHI Mounir.

Impact of grazing on soil, vegetation and ewe production performances in a semi-arid rangeland

Controlled grazing is considered a good management strategy to maintain or increase the live weight of livestock and to reduce vegetation degradation of rangelands. The present study investigated soil characteristics, aboveground vegetation biomass dynamics and controlled grazinginduced changes in the live weight of local ewes in the semi-arid rangeland of Ahmadun, Ziarat, Balochistanprovince of Pakistan. An area of 115 ha was protected from livestock grazing in April 2014. In June 2015, soil characteristics within 0-30 cm depth i.e. soil organic matter(SOM), mineral nitrogen, p H and texture in controlled and uncontrolled grazing sites were assessed. Aboveground vegetation biomass measured in early(June) and late summer(August) in 2015 and 2016. The nutritional value i.e. crude protein, phosphorus(P), neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF), calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg) and potassium(K) of dominantplant species were assessed at the beginning of experiment in 2015. Vegetation cover of controlled and uncontrolled grazing sites was also measured during the two years of the study period using the Veg Measure software. From June to November in2015 and 2016, controlled and uncontrolled livestock grazing sites were grazed on a daily basis by local ewes with a stocking rate of 2 and 1 head ha^(-1) respectively. Results reveal that the organic matter contents of coarse-textured, slightly alkaline soil of the study site were in the range of 9.4-17.6 g kg^(-1) soil and showed a strong positive correlation with aboveground vegetation biomass. The biomass of plants was 56.5% and 33% greater at controlled than uncontrolled grazing site in 2015 and 2016 respectively and plant cover was also higher at controlled than uncontrolled grazing site in both years The nutrient contents were significantly(P<0.05)lower in grasses than shrubs. In both years, the controlled grazing increased the weight gain of ewes about two folds compared to the uncontrolled grazing.The results indicate that controlled grazing improved the vegetation biomass production and small ruminant productivity.

Optimizing Row Spacing to Ameliorate the Productivity of Spring Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

One of the main reasons behind reduced cane yield is pathetic method of planting. Planting method and row spacing are the most important yield contributing factors in sugarcane. A field experiment was carried out in order to determine quality and yield of sugarcane in various spatial arrangements. Treatments are 180 cm spaced trenches with triple row strips;180 cm spaced trenches with alternate row strips;120 cm spaced trenches with double row strips and 60 cm spaced furrow with single row. Perusal of data revealed that 3.6%, 13.4%, 15%, 15.3% more cane diameter (cm), cane length (cm), stripped cane yield (t·haˉ1), sugar yield (t·haˉ1) were obtained from 180 cm spaced trenches with triple row strips as compared to conventional planting method i.e. 60 cm spaced furrows. While the number of millable canes mˉ2, polarity %, cane juice purity %, cane juice %, commercial cane sugar % and cane sugar recovery % remained non-significant by different planting techniques.

Integrated Nutrient Management of Safflower (<i>Carthamus tinctorius</i>L.) under Rainfed Conditions

Optimistic and sustainable supply of soil available nutrients to crop plants enhances productivity. Integrated nutrient management (INM) approach can improve soil fertility on long term basis. The present study was conducted to determine effects of INM on quantitative and qualitative characters of two Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars “Thori-78 and Leed-00”. Five treatments using different composition of poultry litter, farm yard manure, nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers with recommended dose as a control measure were replicated thrice in randomized complete design. The results of field trial depicted maximum plant height (174.6 cm), number of heads plant-1 (42.67), number of seeds head-1 (59.0), thousand seed weight (42.26 g), biological yield (3089 Kg·ha-1) and seed yield (455.2 Kg·ha-1) recorded from combined application of FYM @ 2 t·ha-1and Half (N-P) (soil application) (T5) in Genotype “Leed-00” which was statistically different from all other treatments. Thori-78 also showed increase in yield and yield components under the same treatment (T5) i.e.2 t·ha-1 FYM and Half (N-P).No effect of INM was found on fatty acid composition of safflower cultivars. The correlation coefficients illustrated positive and significant association of seed yield with plant height (0.89), number of heads pod-1 (0.86) and number of seeds head-1 (0.83) as a result of application of selected treatment. These results demonstrated the significance of INM in safflower yield improvement under rainfed conditions.

Quantifying Effects of Photoperiod, Temperature and Humidity on Flowering Initiation in Basmati Rice Lines

The results suggested that all the pure Basmati lines or genotypes initiate flowering within a specific range of day length duration and temperature. Delaying the transplanting date did not significantly affect the flowering time of studied Basmati lines. Maximum threshold of daily minimum temperature (MT) was 24°C during both the years. Likewise, maximum threshold of daily day-length (DL) durations was 12 hours and 18 minutes during both the study years. Results showed that the flowering was maximum when the MT and DL values were optimum as depicted by peak of the trend lines, where maximum lines flowered. Maximum flowering initiations took place when DL was about 11 hours and 15 minutes indicating Basmati as short day plant which flowers maximum when day lengths are shorter and dark or night duration is longer. During 2013, 1st date trial showed strong relationship between flowering initiation with dates of flowering during the flowering period as depicted by higher regression (R2 = 0.837) values. In 2nd date trial during the same year, the value is lower (R2 = 0.513) depicting less relationship of flowering initiation with the dates of flowering. The same trend was observed in 2014 trial. In 1st date trial, strong relationship between flowering initiation with dates of flowering during the flowering period as depicted by higher regression (R2 = 0.864) values, was observed. In 2nd date trial during the same year, the value is lower (R2 = 0.1789) depicting very poor relationship of flowering initiation with the dates of flowering, and the same trend (R2 = 0.0544) in 3rd date of trial.

Litter decay in rangeland sites with varying history of human disturbance: a study with Hazargangi Chiltan mountain

Hazarganji Chiltan National Park in Balochistan, Pakistan was established in 1980 and the protected area was further extended in 1998. Large area of this mountain is still open for unmanaged human disturbances such as collection of wood for fuel purpose and livestock grazing. Removal of vegetation of rangelands has a significant negative impact on soil organic matter(SOM). This research evaluates litter decomposition in three sites of Hazarganji Chiltan mountain with varying history of human disturbances(unprotected site, young protected site and old protected site). Twigs of Pistacia khinjuk with approximately equal weight and length were placed in litter bags of mesh size 2 mm and were buried in 0-5 cm depth in three sites in January. Half of the twigs of each site received rain simulation in April, August, October, November and January while the other half of the twigs were subjected under natural conditions for 15 months. Twigs from each plot of each treatment of each site were collected from soil after every rain simulation in the previous month of experiment and were processed for weight loss assessment. Results showed that weight loss of twigs by decomposition was significantly higher in the soil of unprotected site as compared to other two sites and there was no difference between rain simulation and control treatments except that loss of weight of twigs of unprotected site was higher under control than rain simulation condition. To confirm that SOM was the major controlling factor for the decomposition of litter decay, soils of each site were collected and burned to remove SOM;thereafter, burned soil samples were mixed with homogenous powder of oven-dried native plants, incubated for 6 months and were provided with dissolved organic matter of the soils of each site. Results showed that there was no difference in the decomposition of litter between soils under controlled laboratory condition, which confirmed that SOM was a major controlling factor for the litter decay in soil under field conditions. The pyrosequencing analysis of the DNA of soils collected from three sites revealed the presence of bacterial species Thermovum composti.

巴基斯坦信德省仓鸮食物(啮齿类)的性别与龄级分析(英文)

我们从巴基斯坦信德省卡拉奇(Karachi)和塔达(Thatta)两个地区的9个地点共收集仓鸮(Tyto alba)食丸共619个,从这些食丸中发现937种食物种类。仓鸮最主要的食物为大鼠和小鼠(59.6%),还包括鼩(22.3%)、蝠类(1.3%)、鸟类(12.0%)、昆虫(1.3%)、蛙类(2.2%)及植物(1.3%)等其他种类。对大鼠和小鼠的骨盆带骨的分析表明,这一通常仅用以区分性别的结构有助于种群动态的研究。雌性大鼠和小鼠的骨盆骨中具有耻骨联合现象,这是因为在孕期产生性激素而发育形成的。在仓鸮所捕食的的大鼠和小鼠中,雄性个体显著居多。我们发现,大鼠和小鼠臼形齿的咬合面磨损形式是确定它们龄级的一个有效标准。本研究中,成年大鼠和小鼠数量显著多于亚成年及年老个体。方差分析表明,上述两个地区的仓鸮食物中,大小鼠与鼩及其他食物种类在数量上存在显著差异,而χ2检验则表明这两个地区的大小鼠龄级和性别比例均无显著差异。

Chemical constituents and anticoagulant activity from Delphinium brunonianum Royle

Delphinium brunonianum Royle belongs to Ranunculaceae family and has the effects of dispelling wind to relieve itching and cooling blood to detoxify.It was found that the extracts of D.brunonianum had good anticoagulant activity which was extracted with 70%ethanol in our previous researches.Then,16 compounds were isolated and identified from the extract of D.brunonianum,among which compounds 5,7-10,12,14,15-16 were isolated from this genus for the first time,and compounds 2-4 were isolated from this plant for the first time.And the coagulation activity assay showed that compounds 10,14 and 15 had good anticoagulant activity by activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),thrombin time(TT)and prothrombin time(PT)in vitro.

Influence of grazing exclosure on vegetation biomass and soil quality

This study investigated the influence of sixteen years exclosure from unmanaged grazing on aboveground vegetation biomass,soil organic matter(SOM),soil aggregation and nitrogen(N)mineralization in arid shrubland of Baluchistan,Pakistan.Sampling was carried out from three sites along the chronosequence of secondary succession.One site was located at open-for-grazing area(grazed site)and the other two sites were located in the area that is protected since 1998.One of the protected site is more remote from grazing(protected site 1)where the land is less disturbed and has thick vegetation than the other protected site(protected site 2).Results showed a significant difference for aboveground vegetation biomass across sites and was in the order of protected site 1>protected site 2>grazed site.Soil organic matter was 53% and 46% higher in protected sites than grazed site.Aggregates larger than 2 mm size were not detected in soil from grazed site but represented 4.5% and 3% of the sample soil profile at the protected site 1 and protected site 2,respectively.Rate of N mineralization was lower in soils at the grazed site as compared to soils at the protected sites.Soil moisture contents were significantly lower at grazed site and showed a strong positive correlation with aboveground vegetation biomass.This study demonstrates that unmanaged grazing severely affected aboveground vegetation biomass,soil organic matter,large-sized soil aggregates,nitrogen mineralization and soil moisture contents.Short term exclosure from grazing(~16 years)can enhance aboveground vegetation biomass and soil quality in terms of soil organic matter accumulation,soil aggregation,retention of soil moisture and nitrogen mineralization in this arid rangeland.