Effects of age, length, and pattern of burial on survival of Mikania micrantha stem sections

For many landholders in the South Pacific, weed control of Mikania micrantha Kunth is conducted by manual or mechanical means, leaving fragments on or below the ground to reshoot and grow. Effects of age, length (number of nodes), and pattern of burial on the survival of stem sections of M. micrantha were examined in the field in Viti Levu, Fiji. The experiment was arranged in a randomized factorial design, with number of nodes, age of stem sections, and pattern (depth and orientation) of stem burial as factors. Stem sections with two or three nodes had significantly greater survival (30% and 25%, respectively) than those with one node (12%). Mature stem sections had a significantly greater survival rate (31%) than young stem sections (13%) when buried in either the horizontal or the vertical position. Vertical plantings had significantly greater survival (43%) than horizontal plantings (10%), and for both orientations survival decreased with depth of burial. Only 8% of stem sections survived when cut into smaller (3 to 5 cm) sections and buried at a depth of 10 cm. This study revealed that cutting the M. micrantha stems into smaller sections

Assessment of the impact of Mikania micrantha Kunth. ex. H.B.K. on crop production systems in Viti Levu Fiji

Mikania micrantha Kunth. ex. H.B.K (here after, mikania) is an alien invasive plant species in the Asia and Pacific region and is currently one of the major weeds of plantation crops and home gardens in this region. The purpose of this research project was to assess the current and potential impacts of mikania on crop production systems in Viti Levu, Fiji. To help such an assessment, the distribution and infestation density were assessed, as were aspects of its asexual and sexual reproductive biology, the germination and establishment requirements of its seeds and the soil seed bank dynamics of the weed were investigated. In addition, farmers’ views on its management and potential losses caused by mikania were also assessed. The distribution survey demonstrated that mikania is widespread in Viti Levu and is to be found in 18 other islands in Fiji. It was revealed that mikania was the most frequently occurring weed species on the edges of Saccharum officinarum L. (sugarcane) fields. Mikania was ranked the second most frequently occurring weed in traditional Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (taro) production systems in Tailevu and in Naitasiri and was also the most frequently occurring weed in Musa spp. (banana) plots in the two provinces. It was found that 96, 95 and 89% of the weeds found in sugarcane, taro and banana crops respectively were introduced species. A study on the growth potential of the vegetative stem sections of mikania revealed that long stem sections (≥ two nodes) had a greater chance of survival than shorter stem sections. Mature mikania stem sections (with nodes) had a greater chance of survival than young stem sections when buried horizontally or vertically with a node exposed. The growth capacity at the edges and within the central area of a Manihot esculenta Crantz (cassava) and a taro crop showed mikania to grow aggressively at the edges, however to a lesser extent in between the rows of the crops. The lower soil nutrients and light intensity levels within the crop may have played a role in this behaviour. A study on the sexual reproductive capacity of mikania revealed that the flowering season in Viti Levu occurs between April to October coinciding with the cool, drier period of the year which presumably favours insect pollination. It was found that Apis mellifera L. (the honey bee) was the most frequent insect floral visitor. The number of seed produced in each flower head (capitulum), ranged from one to seven with the highest proportion of capitula (95%) carrying four seeds. The number of viable seed produced per m2 was determined to be 90,825 and 98,134 for the high and the moderate rainfall regions, respectively. When determining the conditions for germination, it was found that the optimum constant temperature was in the range of 14 to 29°C, with between 87 to 94% of the seed germinating in this temperature range. Under alternating temperature regimes, mikania seed germination was best at 30/20°C (96.9%) and possessed no primary dormancy. It was observed that c. 50% more mikania seed germinated in a salt solution (150 mM) than did Bidens pilosa L. or Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn.) seeds indicating a moderate tolerance to germination inhibition in saline soils. There was a greater species richness in the soil seed bank in the high than moderate rainfall region suggesting that rainfall had a role to play in this variation. Sixty percent of the germinable mikania seed emerged more rapidly (within the first 8 days of imbibitions) than A. conyzoides and Ludwigia spp. There were greater numbers of germinable mikania seed and a greater species richness in the traditional, as compared to the mechanised taro plots, indicating that mikania was effectively controlled in the mechanised cropping system. Seed longevity studies demonstrated that seed could live for at least 3 years in the soil seed bank and this was seen for three contrasting collection environments. Finally, the questionnaire and the interview survey indicated that mikania had been present in the root crop and sugarcane farming systems for between 20 to 50 years. Chemical control was the most frequently used method for controlling mikania and farmers controlled the weed to prevent crop losses. Farmers did not control mikania in the non-production areas mainly because they considered this to be a waste of their time and money. Beneficial aspects of mikania mentioned by farmers included the improvement of soil fertility, use as a traditional medicine, use as a livestock feed and as a ground cover. The presence of mikania has caused losses of c. AUD $0.21 million for root crop production and for sugarcane production c. AUD$0.99 to 2.10 million. The findings of this research and its implications on mikania management justify the need to formulate a cost-effective and sustainable management of the weed in Fiji

Policy Development: Special Education Services in Fiji

People with disabilities have the same fundamental rights, freedoms and responsibilities as their non-disabled peers, and in terms of education, all students have the right to the most appropriate educational programmes available to meet their individual needs. Students with special needs often need specialized support services to provide them with opportunities to achieve their potential and to become contributing members of society in a dignified and meaningful way. Often, the promotion and delivery of effective and efficient special education services necessitate an active partnership between local and national governments and the community, and warrant the formulation of specific, clear and responsive policies. If the task of teachers and educators is to encourage in students high expectations for themselves, and a sense of mastery and control in enabling them to reach their educational goals, there is indeed a place for the provision of a carefully designed and well formulated education policy to facilitate such a task. This thesis examines the existing special education policy of the Ministry of Education in Fiji, with the goal of investigating its impact and influence on the delivery and practice of special education services in all special schools in the country, as well as the Special Education Unit in the Ministry's headquarters. The effect of this special education policy is explored within four contexts: existing service delivery systems, personnel and organizational development, international trends and practices, and policy developments. The author argues for participation by all special educators and policy-makers in active efforts to shape the future of special education in Fiji in ways that will promote best policies and practices for the education of all individuals wit a special needs, learning disabilities and difficulties. This thesis examines the existing special education policy of the Ministry of Education in Fiji, with the goal of investigating its impact and influence on the delivery and practice of special education services in all special services in the country, as well as the Special Education Unit in the Ministry's headquarters

Seed biology of Mikania micrantha in Viti Levu, Fiji

Mikania micrantha (mile-a-minute) reproduces both by seed and vegetatively. A study to determine the possible pollinators, seed production rates, temperature and salinity limitations to germination and its seedbank size and persistence was conducted in Viti Levu, Fiji. Representatives of the Diptera had the greatest percentage of all floral visits (38%), followed by Hymenoptera (34%) and Lepidoptera (27%), while the honeybee was the most recurring visitor (18% of all visits). Flower heads (capitula) within the inflorescence commonly formed four viable seeds, resulting in 60\ua0820 filled seed being produced per m. However, the seedbanks formed were not massive (600\ua0seed\ua0m) and they were moderately persistent (T: 1–3\ua0years). Seed germination from both high and moderate rainfall regions occurred rapidly, under a wide range of temperature regimes, with no primary dormancy being observed. This study indicates that the seed reproductive success of M.\ua0micrantha in the two rainfall regions of Fiji is due to a number of factors, including the production of large numbers of flowers, successful pollination by local insects and the subsequent production of a large number of viable seeds. These seeds have high viability, no dormancy and are capable of forming small-to-medium seedbanks that are moderately long-lived. In addition, seeds can germinate under a wide range of temperature and salinity conditions. This knowledge on seed production, biology, longevity and salt tolerance is vital in the development of management plans of M.\ua0micrantha in Fiji

Evaluation of methane emissions from the agricultural sector in Fiji

Several studies have been done on methane (CH4) emissions from the agricultural sector from Asia, the United States and Australia however data from tropical South Pacific is scarce. This presentation looks at the evaluation of CH4 emissions from the agricultural sector in Fiji particularly from rice cultivation and enteric fermentation. A passive observational study using the static chamber method was done on two rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties (Star and Totoka) to determine the seasonally integrated methane fluxes which were found to be 247.26 mg m-2day-1 and 134.27 gm-2day-1 for Star and Totoka respectively. Since there were statistically no significant differences (p-value > 0.05) between the means of the flux from the two varieties, an average flux value was used to determine the total CH4 emitted from the irrigated rice farms in Fiji. This equated to 0.06 Gg year-1 for the year 2014. The flux values obtained over the season showed a weak positive correlation with light intensity levels, atmospheric and chamber temperatures for both varieties. The other aspect of this presentation is the estimation of the total annual CH4 flux from enteric fermentation. These were determined to be 2.64 Gg yr-1, 2.46 Gg yr-1, 0.19 Gg yr-1, 0.08 Gg yr-1 and 0.03 Gg yr-1 for beef, dairy cows, goat, sheep and pig respectively based on the livestock population in 2014 using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) models and guidelines. On a global scale, methane emissions from enteric fermentation is increasing however in Fiji there is a slow rise compared to other developed and developing countries. The total methane emissions from the agricultural sector in 2014 that includes emissions from enteric fermentation and two rice ecosystems (irrigated and rainfed) was 154179.93 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The emission factor determined in this project will validate national greenhouse gas inventory and be instrumental in projecting future emissions from the agricultural sector

Effects of age, length, and pattern of burial on survival of Mikania micrantha stem sections

For many landholders in the South Pacific, weed control of Mikania micrantha Kunth is conducted by manual or mechanical means, leaving fragments on or below the ground to reshoot and grow. Effects of age, length (number of nodes), and pattern of burial on the survival of stem sections of M. micrantha were examined in the field in Viti Levu, Fiji. The experiment was arranged in a randomized factorial design, with number of nodes, age of stem sections, and pattern (depth and orientation) of stem burial as factors. Stem sections with two or three nodes had significantly greater survival (30% and 25%, respectively) than those with one node (12%). Mature stem sections had a significantly greater survival rate (31%) than young stem sections (13%) when buried in either the horizontal or the vertical position. Vertical plantings had significantly greater survival (43%) than horizontal plantings (10%), and for both orientations survival decreased with depth of burial. Only 8% of stem sections survived when cut into smaller (3 to 5 cm) sections and buried at a depth of 10 cm. This study revealed that cutting the M. micrantha stems into smaller sections (<3 cm) and burying them at depths of 10 cm or greater would improve the overall management of M. micrantha in crop and noncrop systems