No abstract available

[en] Camels in Kenya are raised in the lowlands of Semi-arid to arid areas of Northern Kenya. Some NGO's (PHI and Farm Africa) introduced some camels into the wetter Southern rangelands of Kenya, specifically in Kajiado in 1989. There is no information so far on the productivity of these animals in this new environment. The objective of this study was to collect data on disease and conditions in Kajiado district with special emphasis on trypanosomosis. Twenty-four herds of camels in three divisions of Kajiado, comprising of 324 animals, were clinically examined and blood as well as faecal samples collected for laboratory examination for haemoparasites, anaemia and helminths as well as other infections and ectoparasites. The mean trypanosome point prevalence was 7.2% although Magadi had the biggest prevalence of 26.4%, while the central division had the least, 1.3% PCV values were proportion to magnitude of infection. T. brucei/T. evansi were shown to be present in varying degrees. Tick infestation comprised of Boophilus, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma in about 53% of the camels. Helminth infection was observed in about 51% of the camels comprising mainly Haemonchus, Trichosrongylus, Strongyloides and Oesophagostomum. There were also cases of Abscesses, diarrhoea, mange eye infections, wounds and mastitis. It was concluded that new management strategies for the camel in southern rangelands is desirable to counter possible new diseases as well as other challenges of productivity

[en] The present study was aimed to optimize phosphorous and zinc doses to maximize wheat productivity under arid climate. Varying levels of phosphorus (P1= 60, P2 = 90 and P3 = 120 kg ha/sup -1/) and zinc (Zn1 = 10, Zn2 = 15 and Zn3 = 20 (kg ha/sup -1/) were applied in a silty loam to which wheat was grown till maturity. From the results of the present study, it was found that application of P had a positive influence on growth and grain yield of wheat. However, maximum growth and yield of wheat was recorded at 120 kg ha/sup -1/ P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ application. In contrast, Zn application did not change in growth or yield of wheat. However, combined application of P and Zn caused an increase in growth of wheat particularly in terms of Leaf Area Index (LAI). The highest grain-P content was recorded with application of 120 kg ha/sup -1/ P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ and 15 kg ha/sup -1/ Zn while highest straw-P was accumulated with comparatively lower rates of both (90 kg ha/sup -1/ P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ and 15 kg ha/sup -1/ Zn). The highest grain and straw-Zn contents were recorded for 15 kg Zn ha/sup -1/ with 60 and 90 kg ha/sup -1/ P/sub 2/O/sub 5/, respectively. Combined application of 120 kg P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ and 20 kg ha/sup -1/ Zn depicted the highest NFB and BCR during both cropping seasons. (author)

[en] To the phenomenon of haulage of floor particles for the wind is known as erosion by deflation, and one in the ways of eolic erosion existent, although many authors constitutes they refer to her as eolic erosion. The eolic erosion includes the movement processes, transport, separation and deposition, it can present in any area that presents the following conditions: 1) Soil dry and loose until certain finely divided degree, 2) flat surface with little or any vegetable cover, 3) quite extensive land 4) sufficiently strong wind to transport the earth particles. It is considered that to begin the movement of particles 0.1 mm of diameter winds they are needed to 30 cm of height of 4,4m/s (FAO, 1961). All these conditions are presented in Port Bolivar in more or smaller measure. In port Bolivar two main groups of areas have been identified in process of material movement

[en] Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] is a major weed in semi-arid areas of Punjab, Pakistan. studies were conducted during 2010-11 and 2011-12 at University Research Farm, Chakwal road, Rawalpindi to study Canada thistle control and density dynamics in wheat grown under contrasting environments and diverse cultural, mechanical and chemical thistle control measures. Experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with four replications. Canada thistle density was monitored at five stages during wheat growing season. The results revealed during wet winter season, Canada thistle was effectively controlled (90-97%) when dry-season tillage was integrated with fertilizer placement in a strip along crop row and with single application of full dose of clopyralid. The drier winter season witnessed significant thistle control (91%) with half dose of clopyralid when integrated with dry-season tillage, fertilizer placement followed by inter-row cultivation and remained at par with experimental treatment where full dose of clopyralid was applied. The thistle dynamics data showed that higher thistle re-sprouting during wetter environment decreased efficiency of thistle control in cultural and mechanical control measures applied either in integrated or sole fashion. (author)

[en] This paper discusses current limitations for performing ecological risk assessments in dry environments (i.e., ecosystems that are characteristic of many DOE Facilities) and presents novel approaches to addressing ecological risk in such systems

[en] Land salinization is one of the major desertification processes in Pakistan. Salinization occurs both naturally and as a result of human activities. Salinity has very adverse social, economic and health problems. Field studies were carried out to quantify the impact of addition of potassium chloride [muriate of potash (MOP)] fertilize on the accumulation and distribution of chloride in the soil profile. The treatments were consisted of 0, 57, 114 and 228 kg Cl ha/sup -1/ in form of MOP fertilizer. Cotton crop was used as test crop. The total quantity of applied irrigation water and total precipitation was 2581 m/sup 3/ ha/sup -1/ and 86 mm, respectively. Results showed that application of 228 kg Cl ha/sup -1/ raised the level of Cr from 4.9 to 7.2 meq L/sup -1/ in the upper 0-30 cm soil profile. Chloride content was higher at lower depths because of addition of 57 to 228 kg Cl ha/sup -l/ in the form of MOP. The addition K-fertilizer in the form of MOP raised the level of Cl content by 76.5 percent over added of the same quantity in the form of potassium sulphate [sulphate of potash (SOP)]. These studies show that continuous application of MOP would lead to accumulation of Cl in the soils. This is more particularly in the arid environment of Multan, where rainfall is scanty and insufficient to leach down Cl to the lower soil horizons. (author)

[en] The attainment of sustainable food security in the drought-stricken sub-Saharan Africa requires farmer participatory research into the development and adaptation of agricultural technologies and their dissemination for adoption by the farmers. The Agribusiness Development Support Project (ADSP) was initiated in the Arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) of and surrounding Baringo District to acquire test and disseminate improved vegetable varieties, with significant farmer involvement. The project aims at commercializing horticulture and seed technologies. Three superior onion varieties have been tested on-farm and found to be higher yielding than the traditional varieties. More than 9000 improved fruit tree seedlings have been sold, and their popularity is such that, in favourable weather conditions, the Centre's nurseries cannot effectively meet the demand by farmers and groups. As a result, mechanisms to enlarge the scope of the project to cover more districts and to encourage adoption in current operational area should be affected

[en] A field experiment for the comparison among different wheat genotypes (Iqbal-2000, Chenab-2000, Aqab-2000) for its maximum yield potential in response to different moisture regimes, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement in triplicate run was carried out during the year 2006-07. Factors were: wheat genotypes (Iqbal-2000, Chenab-2000, Aqab-2000) in main plots and five irrigation levels 0= no irrigation (control), 1= irrigation at tillering, 2= irrigation at tillering + booting, 3= irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis and 4= irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis + milking in subplots. Results showed that maximum LAI was attained on 2 February and 4 March harvest and genotype Iqbal-2000 was superior compared to other genotypes. Irrigated treatments significantly increased LAI than control (0) treatments at all harvest dates. Iqbal-2000 showed maximum CGR (32.69 g m/sup -2/ d/sup -1/) and LAD (319.42) compared with lowest CGR (25.49 g m/sup -2/ d/sup -1/) and LAD (278.50) given by genotype Chenab-2000 under 3 and 4 treatments throughout the growing season. Radiation use efficiency ranged from 17.58-18.27 DM MJ-1 of intercepted radiation. Mean accumulated radiation interception (754, 736 and 784 MJm-2) was assessed in genotypes (Iqbal-2000, Chenab-2000 and Aqab-2000), respectively but not significant effect on net assimilation rate. Genotype Iqbal-2000 and Aqab-2000 had highest TDM (21670; 21220 kg ha/sup -1/) respectively while 4 (Irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis + milking) had the highest TDM 22240 kg ha/sup -1/ verses I0 (no irrigation) 18070 kg ha/sup -1/. Aqab-2000 showed the highest grain yield (5458.78 kg ha/sup -1/) as compared to Chenab-2000 (4536.71 kg ha/sup -1/) whereas 4 (Irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis + milking) produced more grain yield (6376.25 kg ha/sup -1/) than all other irrigation treatments. (author)

[en] A survey of coastal shrimp-pond operations, and the structure and functioning of coastal mangrove forest ecosystems with particular reference to Ecuador, indicates that certain physical parameters may be good predictors of key biological processes. The most important factors are those associated with the regional water balance, tidal and surface water circulation patterns, and the physicochemical properties of the underlying soils. One important conclusion to emerge from the analyses is that at both regional and local levels, well-developed and productive mangrove forest areas often represent the least desirable sites for the construction and operation of commercial shrimp ponds. In certain regards semi-arid and arid coastal environments where mangroves are poorly developed, shrimp ponds that are constructed on barren mud flats and inland salt pans appear to have the potential to produce higher yields of shrimp with fewer management problems and at a relatively lower production cost. The data and research results from coast of Baluchistan and elsewhere are briefly summarized to suggest why productive mangrove ecosystems to not make the best areas in which to obtain maximum shrimp-pond yields. (author)