Genetic variability in wild and domestic populations of Inga edulis Mart. (Fabaceae) in Peruvian Amazon

Human activity in the Peruvian Amazon causes native vegetation fragmentation into smaller units resulting on the increase of agricultural systems. Understanding the level, the structure and the origin of morphologic within and among populations variation is essential for planning better management strategies aimed at sustainable use and conservation of Inga edulis Mart. species. We evaluated the genetic variability in wild and domestic population to unfold cultivation changes over the species genetic resources. We have studied 400 adult trees: 200 cultivated on arable land and 200 wild growing in untouched lowland rain forest. The individuals were randomly selected. Sampling sites were selected and defined on the basis of the geographical coordinates: longitude, latitude and altitude. Phenotypic variation was monitored using the proposed descriptor of qualitative and quantitative features (e.g., weight of hundred seeds). For each individual a voucher specimen was kept. The total genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves, conserved in silica gel, with INVITEK, Invisorb ®Spin Plant Mini Kit. Samples were then genotyped with five microsatellite (SSR) loci. One locus (Pel5) was cross-transferred, developed previously for Pithecellobium elegans. The remaining four loci (Inga03, 05, 08, 33) were previously developed for the species. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was made using a Biometra® T1 Thermocycler using the following profile: 95 °C for 2 min; 95°C for 15 s, 55/59 °C for 30 s, 72 °C for 30 s, 30 cycles; 72 °C for 15 min. The PCR products were fluorescently labelled. The visualization of fragments was carried out according to standard protocols on genetic analyser, ABI PRISM® 310 (Applied Biosystems), using ABI GENESCAN and GENOTYPER software. The phenotypic and genotypic results of wild versus domestic populations are under evaluation to verify if cultivation is altering the allelic variation considering that morphology is considerably changed.Czech Development Cooperation Project entitled “Sustainable use of natural resources in Peruvian Amazon” Project No. 23/MZe/B/07-10; The Academy of Science of The Czech Republic and the National Council for Science, Technology and Technological Innovation, Peru, binational project entitled “Morphological and genetic diversity of indigenous tropical trees in the Amazon – model study of Inga edulis Mart. in Peruvian Amazon”; Foundation “Nadace Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdeňky Hlávkových”, Czech Republi

Relevance of methodological choices for accounting of land use change carbon fluxes

Accounting for carbon fluxes from land use and land cover change (LULCC) generally requires choosing from multiple options of how to attribute the fluxes to regions and to LULCC activities. Applying a newly developed and spatially explicit bookkeeping model BLUE (bookkeeping of land use emissions), we quantify LULCC fluxes and attribute them to land use activities and countries by a range of different accounting methods. We present results with respect to a Kyoto Protocol-like "commitment" accounting period, using land use emissions of 2008-2012 as an example scenario. We assess the effect of accounting methods that vary (1) the temporal evolution of carbon stocks, (2) the state of the carbon stocks at the beginning of the period, (3) the temporal attribution of carbon fluxes during the period, and (4) treatment of LULCC fluxes that occurred prior to the beginning of the period. We show that the methodological choices result in grossly different estimates of carbon fluxes for the different attribution definitions. ©2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved

Agroforestry in Czech Republic - present state and perspectives

PosterAgroforestry has been practiced from the beginning of agriculture in whole Europe; however, currently it is not a common landuse system in Czech Republic. Traditional agroforestry practically disappeared during the era of collective farming throughout of 20th century, except for small remnants and modern agroforestry systems are not in practice yet. The most extended traditional agroforestry practice is silvopastoral form of streuobst (streuobstwiesen - grazing of extensive fruit orchards) remaining in sites with less favourable conditions for intensive agriculture (e.g. mountains – regions of White Carpathians and Bohemian Forest). Silvoarable streuobst (streuobstäcker – intercropping under fruit orchards) is of no importance but nowadays some organic farmers are interested in this. There are also other agroforestry systems: trees on pasture (found in mountain areas – e.g. Jeseníky), intercropping of forest trees and forest farming/gardening. Intercropping of forest trees involves interplanting trees in forest during first years after establishment. In past it was practiced in various forms until the 19th century when it was promoted by foresters. Now this system is practiced only in small part of floodplain forest where crop cultivation helps weed reduction. We can find also few examples of forest farming/gardening scattered around Czech Republic, usually as hobby farming. Currently, there are not new intensive systems (e.g. alley cropping) for timber production practiced yet, however, potential for production of quality timber (e.g. wild cherry, walnut) and wood biomass (e.g. poplar) exists. We have no data about extension of these agroforestry systems, but it is rather insignificant. Now there is a change in European and Czech agricultural policy leading to more environmentally friendly agricultural production, sustainability, rural development and biodiversity enhancement. This shift in agricultural policy that could also support tree growing on agricultural land, may foster agroforestry development, especially in organic farming and less favoured areas (e.g. mountains, protected landscapes)

Design and performance evaluation of a Double-pass solar drier for drying of red chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Performances of a new designed Double-pass solar drier (DPSD) were compared with those of a typical cabinet drier(CD) and a traditional open-air sun drying for drying of red chilli in central Vietnam. The drying times (including nights) to reach the desired moisture content of 10% (on a wet basis) were 32 and 73 h respectively. During open-air sun drying the desired moisture content of 10% (on a wet basis) could not be reached even after 93 h of drying (including nights). The overall drying efficiencies of DSPD and CD to reach the desired moisture content of 10% (on a wet basis) were 24.04% and 11.52% respectively while the overall drying efficiency of open-air sun drying to reach the desired moisture content of 15% (on a wet basis) was 8.03%. Further, ASTA colour value of the solar dried products from the DSPD was higher than those from CD and open-air sun drying. Similar results were obtained for mycotoxins occurrence. Contamination by aflatoxin B1 was significantly lower in dried chilli from DPSD (<0.250 μg kg−1) when compared to traditional open-air drying technique (11.980 μg kg−1). The drying cost per one kilogram of chilli was 39% lower in case of DPSD (0.077 US$/kg) as compared to CD (0.126 US$/kg). The Double-pass solar drier was found to be technically suitable and economically viable for drying of red chillies in central Vietnam

The local impact of macrofauna and land‐use intensity on soil nutrient concentration and exchangeability in lowland tropical Peru

Agricultural expansion is a major driver of deforestation which has negative consequences for biodiversity and habitat stability. While sustainable farming is known to be beneficial for biodiversity and crop resilience, little is known about the impact of macrofauna and land‐use intensity on soil quality. In this study, we examine the relative effects of (a) soil macrofauna and (b) land use (primary forest, agroforestry, and annual crop) on element depletion rates, concentration, and exchangeability in standardized soil. We used microcosms with two different mesh sizes, 0.25 mm and 5andnbsp;mm, to exclude and include macrofauna, respectively. The microcosms were incubated for up to a year throughout which samples were collected without replacement. Macrofauna did not have a significant impact on any of the soil parameters which is likely to be due to the low diversity of termites in the sites. Land‐use intensity significantly affected cation depletion rates whose effects increased in order of primary forestandlt;agroforestryandlt;annual crop. At the end of the study, soil Mg+2andnbsp;concentration and Ca/Mg ratio in the agroforestry site differed from other land‐use sites. Our results suggest that both bottom‐up and top‐down interactions have major effects on soil conditions, and the results should therefore be used to advise future research and policy around land‐use management.</p

The local impact of macrofauna and land‐use intensity on soil nutrient concentration and exchangeability in lowland tropical Peru

Agricultural expansion is a major driver of deforestation which has negative consequences for biodiversity and habitat stability. While sustainable farming is known to be beneficial for biodiversity and crop resilience, little is known about the impact of macrofauna and land‐use intensity on soil quality. In this study, we examine the relative effects of (a) soil macrofauna and (b) land use (primary forest, agroforestry, and annual crop) on element depletion rates, concentration, and exchangeability in standardized soil. We used microcosms with two different mesh sizes, 0.25 mm and 5 mm, to exclude and include macrofauna, respectively. The microcosms were incubated for up to a year throughout which samples were collected without replacement. Macrofauna did not have a significant impact on any of the soil parameters which is likely to be due to the low diversity of termites in the sites. Land‐use intensity significantly affected cation depletion rates whose effects increased in order of primary forest&lt;agroforestry&lt;annual crop. At the end of the study, soil Mg+2 concentration and Ca/Mg ratio in the agroforestry site differed from other land‐use sites. Our results suggest that both bottom‐up and top‐down interactions have major effects on soil conditions, and the results should therefore be used to advise future research and policy around land‐use management.</p