Trees, Shrubs and Grasses for Saltlands: an Annotated Bibliography

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Extent of Salt Affected Land in Central Asia: Biosaline Agriculture and Utilization of the Salt-affected Resources

The current status and trends of salinization are discussed with waterlogging of marginal land/plant and water resources problems including strategies for development of integrated biosaline crop-livestock agriculture based system on food-feed crops and forage legumes for better livelihood of poor farmers in Central Asian (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan). Transfer of technologies and/or methodology of ICBA (International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture) in planting of both perennial and annual valuable halophytes (based on around the world dataset from similar sites and conditions) are a new approach that should be tested in Central Asia. Afforestation, as an option to mitigate land degradation, requires a judicious evaluation and selection of multipurpose tree species (MPTS) to make use of marginal unproductive/salt- affected lands and lower the elevated groundwater table (GWT) via biodrainage. The leading among 21 screened native and introduced tree and shrubs species with regards to survival rate, growth characteristics and adaptability to high saline natural environment proved to be Haloxylon apphyllum, Salsola paletzkiana, S. richteri at the saline sandy deserts, followed by atriplex undulate, Hippophae ramnoides, E. angustifolia, Acacia ampliceps, U. pumila, P. euphratica and P. nigra var. pyramidalis, Robinia pseudoacacia, M. alba, Morus nigra on clay loamy hyromorphic soils, whereas fruit species such as Cynadon oblonga, Armeniaca vulgare, Prunus armeniaca and species of genera Malus, though desirable from the farmer's financial viewpoint, showed low bio drainage potential. Planting herbaceous fodder crops within the inter-spaces of fodder salt tolerant trees and shrubs on intensive agro-forestry plantations could solve the animal feeding problem in the degraded (both by overgrazing and salinity) desert and semidesert marginal areas. Yield data of new varieties of sorghum and pearl millet ICBA/ICRISAT germplasm collected at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 growing seasons indicates considerable adaptability of introduced genetic material to saline soil conditions, when compared to local material. Sorghum and pearl millet crop residues utilization could be an option for bio fuel production in the region.

Utilization of Agriculture Residues and Livestock Waste in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, the integration of crops and livestock, and the use of manure as fertilizer, are traditional practices and is the basis of the farming systems, especially at smallholder level. Nowadays local farmers prefer to use traditional and low-cost technologies for recycling the livestock manure through: anaerobic biodigestion (biodigesters); aerobic biodigestion (composting) and by direct application as organic fertilizer. The livestock waste treatment technique, however, are still too simple and improving is going insignificant. The monitoring system of manure composition, or its allocation to the drop fields is not completely developed. Fuel wood in the arid zones of Uzbekistan is often scarce as a result of deforestation and range degradation, leading to the ever-increasing role of animals as providers of manure for fuel, in addition to means of transport. Phasing out of energy subsidies has also caused that livestock manure, is not returned to the land, but used for heating and cooking, because alternative energy sources are no longer available or affordable. A number of local initiatives on improving waste management procedures waste processing enterprise are implemented in different cities. Biomass has been also a traditional energy source for the production of biogas, and a promising direction of energy in the agrarian sector of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has a big potential of biomass energy in the amount of 0.3 million ton of oil equivalent. Energy generated from biomass may satisfy 15-19 % of energy needs of Uzbekistan. Such method of energy production will also resolve the environmental protection issues: use of methane gas considerably reduces CO2 emission into the atmosphere. Besides, the biological residue of the process will provide the country's agriculture with high quality fertilizers. Biogas installations have already been tested at a stock-breeding farm "Milk Agro" in Zangiota village of Tashkent region. Practical results are already achieved: the farm is using biogas for its electricity and heating needs, fertilizers were put on the farm's fields Uzbekistan has also a big potential for production of bioethanol from crop residues and wasted crops: rice straw, wheat straw and corn stover are the most favourable bioethanol feedstock. 15 improved lines tested by ICBA (International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture) in Uzbekistan showed perspectives of sorghum stover for bioethanol production.assessment, agriculture residues, bio-ethanol, bio-gas, marginal lands, livestock waste, Uzbekistan, Central Asia

Salt-Tolerant Forages for Irrigated Saline Land in Central Iraq

Salinity is a major problem in the irrigated zones of central and southern Iraq. We investigated biomass production from five salt-tolerant forage species, represented by 15 introduced accessions and 3 local accessions, during two successive summer growing seasons. Species included pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolour), guar (Cluster bean; Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and sesbania (Sesbania aculeata and S. sesban). The research site was located in the Al-Dujaila irrigation project area in Wasit. The soil had a silty clay texture with moderate salinity (ECe 10-20 dS/m). The site was irrigated with water (ECw 1.1 dS/m) from the Tigris River on a 3 to 8 day basis. We hypothesised that there would be variation in biomass production, salt accumulation and crude protein both between and within species. In addition, we thought that the legumes would be less productive than grasses as they tend to be more sensitive to salinity. Over 2 experimental seasons, the plants produced an average shoot dry mass of 12.1 t/ha with a range for accessions of 3 to 35 t/ha. There was significant variation both within and between species, supporting the first hypothesis. None of the plants accumulated excessive salt (ash \u3c 12% DM); crude protein was variable (6 to 12%), but higher in two legumes – cowpea and sesbania. Furthermore, there was no evidence that grasses were more productive than legumes, with sesbania and cowpea achieving the highest mean biomass production across the years. We conclude that moderately saline irrigated areas of Iraq can sustain high levels of biomass production for livestock although protein may be limited

Use of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers for the development of controlled release tizanidine matrix tablets

The aim of the present study was to develop tizanidine controlled release matrix. Formulations were designed using central composite method with the help of design expert version 7.0 software. Avicel pH 101 in the range of 14-50% was used as a filler, while HPMC K4M and K100M in the range of 25-55%, Ethylcellulose 10 ST and 10FP in the range of 15 - 45% and Kollidon SR in the range of 25-60% were used as controlled release agents in designing different formulations. Various physical parameters including powder flow for blends and weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time and in-vitro release were tested for tablets. Assay of tablets were also performed as specified in USP 35 NF 32. Physical parameters of both powder blend and compressed tablets such as compressibility index, angle of repose, weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time and assay were evaluated and found to be satisfactory for formulations K4M2, K4M3, K4M9, K100M2, K100M3, K100M9, E10FP2, E10FP9, KSR2, KSR3 & KSR9. In vitro dissolution study was conducted in 900 ml of 0.1N HCl, phosphate buffer pH 4.5 and 6.8 medium using USP Apparatus II. In vitro release profiles indicated that formulations prepared with Ethocel 10 standard were unable to control the release of drug while formulations K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2 & KSR2 having polymer content ranging from 40-55% showed a controlled drug release pattern in the above mentioned medium. Zero-order drug release kinetics was observed for formulations K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2 & KSR2. Similarity test (f 2) results for K4M2, E10FP2 & KSR2 were found to be comparable with reference formulation K100M9. Response Surface plots were also prepared for evaluating the effect of independent variable on the responses. Stability study was performed as per ICH guidelines and the calculated shelf life was 24-30 months for formulation K4M2, K100M9 and E10FP2.O objetivo do presente estudo foi desenvolver matriz de de tizanidina de liberação controlada. As formulações foram projetadas usando o método do componente, central com a ajuda de software Design expert(r), versão 7.0. Utilizou-se Avicel pH 101, no intervalo de 14-50%, como material de preenchimento, enquanto HPMC K4M e K100M, no intervalo de 25-55%, Etilcelulose 10 ST e 10FP, no intervalo de 15-45% e Kollidon SR, na faixa de 25-60% foram utilizados como agentes de liberação controlada, no planejamento de formulações diferentes. Vários parâmetros físicos, incluindo o fluxo de pó para as misturas e variação de peso, espessura, dureza, friabilidade, tempo de desintegração e liberação in vitro, foram testados para comprimidos. Ensaios dos comprimidos foram, também, realizados, tal como especificado em USP 35 NF 32. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros físicos de ambos, mistura em pó e comprimidos, como índice de compressibilidade, ângulo de repouso, variação de peso, espessura, dureza, friabilidade, tempo de desintegração e de ensaio, considerando-os satisfatórios para as formulações K4M2, K4M3, K4M9, K100M2, K100M3, K100M9, E10FP2, E10FP9, KSR2, KSR3 e KSR9. O estudo de dissolução in vitro foi realizado em 900 mL de HCl 0,1 N, tampão de fosfato pH 4,5 e meio 6,8, usando aparelho USP II. Os perfis de liberação in vitro indicaram que as formulações preparadas com Ethocel 10 padrão não foram capazes de controlar a liberação do fármaco, enquanto as formulações K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2e KSR2, com teor de polímero variando entre 40 e 55% apresentaram padrão de liberação controlada de fármaco no meio anteriormente mencionado. Observou-se cinética de liberação de fármaco de ordem zero para as formulações K4M2 , K100M9, E10FP2 e KSR2. Resultados do teste de similaridade (f 2) para K4M2, E10FP2 e KSR2 foram comparáveis com a formulação de referência K100M9. Gráficos de superfície de resposta também avaliaram o efeito da variável independente sobre as respostas. Estudo de estabilidade foi realizado conforme as diretrizes do ICH e a vida de prateleira calculada foi de 24-30 meses para as formulações K4M2, K100M9 e E10FP2

Observer variation in MRI evaluation of patients with suspected lumbar disc herniation and nerve root compression: Comparison of neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon\u27s interpretations

Objective: To analyse inter-observer variation between a neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon in the MRI diagnosis of lumbar nerve root compression. Although lumbar MFI is primarily analyzed and reported by a radiologist, neurosurgeons often analyse it independently as they have sufficient clinical background as well as radiological expertise to diagnose most spinal pathologies on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).Methods: Retrospective analysis was carried out for images of 54 patients who underwent MRI between March and July 2010 of lumbar spine with suspected lumbar disc herniation and nerve root compression, at Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. One fellowship trained neuroradiologist and one neurosurgeon evaluated the images on PACS system separately. Both observers were unaware of the patient\u27s clinical history and each other\u27s findings. Lumbar discs at L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels were evaluated by both observers for disc disease and nerve compression. Findings were recorded on a proforma and analysed with SPPS Version 16.Results: Total 162 lumbar discs were studied by both readers in 54 patients. Excellent inter-observer agreement was seen for the presence or absence of nerve root compression (Percentage agreement = 88.89%; k = 0.774; p = 0.737). For disc bulge, inter-observer agreement was fair but statistically insignificant (Percentage agreement = 72.84%; k = 0.414; p = 0.132). In case of disc herniation, although inter-observer agreement was fair, but the difference was statistically significant (Percentage agreement = 84.57%; k = 0.511; p = 0.002).Conclusion: Inter-observer agreement between neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon in diagnosing nerve root compression due to lumbar disc disease was excellent. Agreement regarding disc bulge and herniation was fair

In vitro acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory potentials of essential oil of Artemisia macrocephala

In this study we screened the essential oil of Artemisia macrocephala for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory potentials. Ellman's assay method was used to investigate the enzyme inhibitory potential of the essential oil. The oil sample showed 87.7 ± 1.2, 77.9 ± 0.6, 74.5 ± 1.9 and 62.5 ± 0.3 percent AChE inhibition at 1000, 500, 250 and 125 ?g/mL concentrations respectively with IC50 value of 40 ?g/mL. Similarly it showed 81.8 ± 0.6, 75.6 ± 1.2, 70.0 ± 0.6 and 64.2 ± 1.4 percent BChE inhibition in 1000, 500, 250 and 125 ?g/mL concentrations respectively with IC50 value of 30 ?g/mL. The results of this study confirm the beneficial applications of the oil sample in the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ataxia and all other forms of dementia

Threshold Tolerance of New Genotypes of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. to Salinity and Drought

With continued population growth, increasing staple crop production is necessary. However, in dryland areas, this is negatively affected by various abiotic stresses, such as drought and salinity. The field screening of 10 improved genetic lines of pear millet originating from African dryland areas was conducted based on a set of agrobiological traits (i.e., germination rate, plant density, plant maturity rate, forage, and grain yields) in order to understand plant growth and its yield potential responses under saline environments. Our findings demonstrated that genotype had a significant impact on the accumulation of green biomass (64.4% based on two-way ANOVA), while salinity caused reduction in grain yield value. HHVBC Tall and IP 19586 were selected as the best-performing and high-yielding genotypes. HHVBC Tall is a dual purpose (i.e., forage and grain) line which produced high grain yields on marginal lands, with soil salinization up to electrical conductivity (EC) 6–8 dS m−1 (approximately 60–80 mM NaCl). Meanwhile, IP 19586, grown under similar conditions, showed a rapid accumulation of green biomass with a significant decrease in grain yield. Both lines were tolerant to drought and sensitive to high salinity (above 200 mM NaCl). The threshold salinity of HHVBC Tall calculated at the seedling stage was lower than that of IP 19586. Seedling viability of these lines was affected by oxidative stress and membrane peroxidation, and they had decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis. This study demonstrated that ionic stress is more detrimental for the accumulation of green and dry biomass, in combination with increasing the proline and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) contents of both best-performing pearl millet lines, as compared with osmotic stress

Investigating the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis by utilizing the ecological footprint as an indicator of environmental degradation

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is one of the widely researched areas in entrepreneurship studies. Yet researchers have to come to agreement to the dimensionality of this important construct. EO is a multi-dimensional construct with varying impact on the performance and success of an enterprise in a developing context. Likewise, family ownership of the entrepreneurial business is one of the oldest phenomena in business circles. In developing countries family owned businesses makeup sizeable majority. The present study is conducted to investigate the role EO plays in the success of an enterprise with the moderating influence of family involvement. The study results indicate that proactiveness and autonomy are the most significant dimensions in the success of an enterprise. The results indicate that when family is taken as a moderator, the overall influence of EO dimensions is considerably reduced. The study concludes that cultural setting of entrepreneurial businesses and entrepreneurs themselves are subject to cultural norms and values and this cultural setting inhibit certain aspects of entrepreneurial activity, limiting the growth of entrepreneurship in a country. The study also recommends and points out future directions for further researc