Assessing the Relatedness of Abelmoschus Accessions using Morphological Characters

Character analysis of Okra (Abelmoschus [Medik.] species, Malvaceae) accessions was carried out using morphological data to evaluate their genetic distinction and relatedness. Seeds of five Abelmoschus accessions (NG/MR/01/10/002, A.E 3, NG/MR/MAY/09/009, NGAE-96-0065 and NG/OA/05/12/160) were obtained from the Gene Bank of National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Ibadan, Nigeria. Based on the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources standard descriptors for Okra, 16 qualitative morphological characters were selected based on their relevance to Abelmoschus breeding, crop distinction, utilization and conservation. The five accessions present significant differences with two of the accessions (NG/MR/MAY/09/009 and NG/OA/05/12/160) closely related and other three (NG/MR/01/10/002, A.E 3 and NGAE-96-0065) closely related too. Accessions NG/MR/01/10/002, A.E 3 and NGAE-96-0065 had medium or intermediate growth habit while accession NG/MR/MAY/09/009 and NG/OA/05/12/160 shows erect growth habit. General aspect of the stem, nature of branching, fruit pubescence, fruit shape, position of the fruit on the main stem, leaf shape, fruit colour, and fruit length at maturity had the most effect on observed relationship between the accessions. Scatter plots derived from the principal component analysis suggest moderate tendency of grouping with the genus where two distinct clusters were obtained from the dendrogram. Together, these results suggest that the five okra accessions may be the descendants of the two commonly cultivated Abelmoschus species in Southern Nigeria (i.e. A. esculentus and A. caillei)

Effects of Indole-3-Acetic Acid on Germination in Lead Polluted Petri Dish of Citrullus Lanatus (Thunberg) Matsumura and Nakai, Cucurbitaceae

Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (Thunberg) Matsumura and Nakai is a tropical fruit vegetable. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a popular phytohormone while lead (Pb) is a common environmental pollutant in urban and sub-urban centers. C. lanatus were obtained from Benin City with a view to study the effects of IAA on their germination in Pb polluted environment. Germination percentage without IAA and Pb treatment in petri dish was significant after ten days. Hastened germination was observed when IAA and lead were used. About 100 % germination was recorded after seven days. This suggests that water melon seeds can initiate growth even in lead polluted environment. Optimum level of 5 ppm IAA with the different levels of lead treatments may be recommended. Most important was that higher concentrations of Pb in the control (without IAA) did not inhibit seedling shoot nor root growth. Longest seedling shoot length (cm) was 10.33 ± 1.24 and 12.13 ± 2.06 on the seventh and eighth day respectively with the combined treatment levels of 1 ppm IAA and 15 ppm Pb. On the ninth day, 15.27 ± 0.96 was obtained from 1 ppm IAA and 20 ppm Pb. Longest seedling root length (cm) values were recorded from the combined treatment levels of 0 ppm IAA and 10 ppm Pb for the seventh (9.10 ± 0.47) and ninth (10.37 ± 1.81) day respectively and 0 ppm and 15 ppm Pb on the eighth (9.37 ± 0.84) day. Significant means were also obtained with the treatment level of 0 and 20 ppm IAA. This present study suggest the germination of C. lanatus under Pb polluted environment may be rescued with optimum IAA

Apes and agriculture

Non-human great apes – chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans – are threatened by agricultural expansion, particularly from rice, cacao, cassava, maize, and oil palm cultivation. Agriculture replaces and fragments great ape habitats, bringing them closer to humans and often resulting in conflict. Though the impact of agriculture on great apes is well-recognized, there is still a need for a more nuanced understanding of specific contexts and associated negative impacts on habitats and populations. Here we review these contexts and their implications for great apes. We estimate that within their African and South-East Asian ranges, there are about 100 people for each great ape. Given that most apes live outside strictly protected areas and the growing human population and increasing demand for resources in these landscapes, it will be challenging to balance the needs of both humans and great apes. Further habitat loss is expected, particularly in Africa, where compromises must be sought to re-direct agricultural expansion driven by subsistence farmers with small fields (generally <0.64 ha) away from remaining great ape habitats. To promote coexistence between humans and great apes, new approaches and financial models need to be implemented at local scales. Overall, optimized land use planning and effective implementation, along with strategic investments in agriculture and wildlife conservation, can improve the synergies between conservation and food production. Effective governance and conservation financing are crucial for optimal outcomes in both conservation and food security. Enforcing forest conservation laws, engaging in trade policy discussions, and integrating policies on trade, food security, improved agricultural techniques, and sustainable food systems are vital to prevent further decline in great ape populations. Saving great apes requires a thorough consideration of specific agricultural contexts

Metal-tolerant fungal communities are delineated by high zinc, lead, and copper concentrations in metalliferous Gobi Desert Soils

The soil fungal ecology of the southern Gobi region of Mongolia has been little studied. We utilized the ITS1 region from soil DNA to study possible influences soil metal concentrations on soil fungal community variation. In the sample network, a distinctive fungal community was closely associated with high zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) concentrations. The pattern of occurrence suggests that high metal concentrations are natural and not a product of mining activities. The metal-associated fungal community differs little from the “normal” community in its major OTUs, and in terms of major fungal guilds and taxa, and its distinctiveness depends on a combination of many less common OTUs. The fungal community in the sites with high metal concentrations is no less diverse than that in areas with normal background levels. Overall, these findings raise interesting questions of the evolutionary origin and functional characteristics of this apparently “metal-tolerant” community, and of the associated soil biota in general. It is possible that rehabilitation of metal-contaminated mined soils from spoil heaps could benefit from the incorporation of fungi derived from these areas