Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Multipurpose trees'

The research described in this thesis consists of two components. The objective of the first one was to examine the role of yeast culture, based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a rumen modifier and to examine the viability of yeast cells in the rumen and their mode of action in stimulating fermentation. For this purpose, two in vitro and four in vivo experiments were carried out. In vivo and in vitro experiments were undertaken to examine the viability of yeast cells in the anaerobic environment of the rumen. In vivo, the decline in numbers of viable yeast cells in the rumen of sheep receiving YC was slower than the outflow of Cr-mordanted yeast and PEG. In vitro experiments showed a weak growth under anaerobic conditions. It was concluded that yeast cells could not maintain sustainable growth in the rumen because their multiplication rate was slower than the outflow rate. If a yeast could be selected which grew in the rumen, there would be added beneficial effects on fermentation. In the second component, chemical analysis, in situ, 4 in vitro and one in vivo experiments were carried out to examine the potential nutritive value of multipurpose trees (MPTs) and to detect antinutritive factors or toxic substances. The first experiment aimed to study the chemical composition and degradability of MPTs, Medicago sativa hay (alfalfa) and Eragrostis abyssinica (teff). Chemical analyses showed that MPTs are rich in CP and minerals except phosphorous. The in vitro digestibility and in situ nylon bag technique showed that MPTs are promising protein supplements to low protein, poor quality tropical fodders and agricultural by-products and residues, provided their nutritive value is not limited by antinutritional factors.

As populations grow and the call for renewable energy increases, so does the demand for biomass. However, the sustainability of biomass production has been debated. Concerns involve both negative environmental impacts from agricultural production, as well as the effects of increased bioenergy use on food security. Multifunctional production systems are a potential solution to these issues where environmental benefits are promoted in addition to maintained or enhanced biomass output. This study investigates multifunctional production systems in Brazil, as well as incentives and barriers for implementation within the Brazilian context. A systematic literature review was used to identify previous research on multifunctional production systems in Brazil. The review was then complemented by semi-structured open-ended interviews with local experts. The study found that even though common terminology from the field of multifunctional production systems was not frequently used in the Brazilian context, the systems were both studied and implemented. It was also concluded that economic feasibility is a prerequisite for successful implementation. However, factors like environmental circumstances, farmers perceptions, knowledge, and traditions are also important. Thus, effective adoption requires strategies combining economic incentives, policy incentives as well as educational tools.

2020-06-13

Žabovřesky Kominsky PARK TRUE PLACE: flood plain regulations shackled the river bed and the modern road odřezávající entire area from the surrounding severed the network of historic paths and create new relationships without deeper flooding as a regular fact immediate presence of water in the heavily built-up structure of CONCEPT: grab territory as a whole, intended for sports and relaxation activities respect for the flood in some initial layout surface structure determination of the primary network of roads, copying the edge PCB Layout definition of a strip along the highway, allowing the possible development of communication, service roads parallel to the parking lot, bike path and pedestrian traffic determination can be built-up edge on the edge of the strip network of secondary roads in the area as a walking trail winding along the river in the surface structure after a strict cross-linking the main line route green park adherence to the river with a gradual blending in the edges of the main roads possible space-based courses to přímkám routes linking the main routes vistas passing across the territory with a focus on the strongest dominating the valley SOCCER ACADEMY CONCEPT: location of the site into a suitable strip of water above the fifty maximum possible use of built-up edge house as a barrier against noise from the highway ARCHITECTURE: mass divided module, based on the minimum space requirements for the use of distribution of land mass divided into courses and by major thoroughfares possible mass in vista halls and places of employment corridor linking the northern and southern roofed facade Covered seating along the main matter - pier stands without roof DISPOSITION: above the water level importance of the courses, the content of the section object two blocks and changing rooms opposite the training pitches with artificial grass block administration, coaches, referees, specifying the main playground free playground area fill the background of coffee the block defined on the one hand, a closed area facilities - on the other hand, open cafe CONSTRUCTION: reinforced concrete walls based on micropiles ribbed ceiling with laminated wooden truss perimeter glazing insulating glass pier made of wooden beams based on the transverse steel balls SEASONAL CLOAKROOM CONCEPT: man as a regular item in the landscape minimum space requirements, minimum maintenance, maximum durability ARCHITECTURE: block with the cor-tenových sheets with holes burned center cabinets with stainless steel plate zohýbaného polished concrete floor screed CONSTRUCTION PROCESS: in the internal space spot welding cor-Tenova quarto fitting doors welding roof work installation of ballast instead of bringing water and waste dosypání circuit and concreting the interior of the building installation of prefab blocks of stainless steel cabinets

The production of rape and other leaf vegetables for local and export markets by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa has been constrained by soil fertility depletion associated with continuous cropping with inadequate addition of major nutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Biomass transfer of multipurpose tree prunings (usually legumes) to croplands has been shown to significantly increase the availability of soil N. Nitrogen mineralization of the leguminous biomass provides a major pathway through which the fixed N becomes available for use by other plants. The extent to which a specific type of plant residue influences soil fertility, crop growth and N recovery is in part determined by its biochemical qualities, decomposition patterns and the concurrent timing of nutrient release and crop nutrient demand. Consequently, the main challenge with the use of biomass from leguminous trees is to ensure that the release of N from mineralization is synchronised with the crop‟s demand. The utilization of multipurpose tree prunings as a source of nitrogen for the production of rape (Brassica napus L.) and spinach (Spinacea olearacea L.) was studied in a series of experiments. Prunings of four leguminous tree prunings commonly found in agroforestry systems namely Leucaena leucocephala, Calliandra calothyrsus, Acacia angustissima and Acacia karoo were used. The objectives of the study were: i) To determine the effect of chemical composition of the various leguminous tree prunings and their decomposition and N release patterns and ii) To evaluate the short term nutrient supply of the various leguminous tree prunings with or without supplemental inorganic nitrogen on the growth and yield responses of rape and spinach, respectively. Results indicated that rates of decomposition and N release decreased in the order: L. leucocephala > A. angustissima > C. calothyrsus > A. karoo. The ratios of lignin-to-N (r = 0.85) and soluble condensed tannins-to-N (r = 0.89) were negatively correlated with N release. The rates of decomposition and nitrogen mineralization of the prunings used as soil ameliorants were best predicted by their (lignin+soluble condensed tannin)-to-N ratios (r = 0.91). Soil amelioration with the various leguminous prunings significantly increased yields (P < 0.05) relative to the yields of plots that did not receive any amelioration. Total biomass, leaf number, area and size as well as saleable leaf yields increased linearly for all treatments. The quality of the prunings used as soil ameliorants significantly affected (P < 0.05) the efficiency of N recovery. Prunings of L. leucocephala which were the most labile had higher nutrient recovery rates and increased yields compared to the other leguminous amendments. Soil amendment with prunings of A. karoo on the other hand, which were the most recalcitrant, resulted in relatively lower N recovery rates. Supplementation of pruning-N with inorganic fertilizer further increased yields over the 0N treatment, indicating improved N recovery by the leafy vegetables. Crop growth and rates of nitrogen recovery of the leafy vegetables were corroborated by the short term nutrient supply capabilities of the leguminous prunings. Leguminous tree prunings can be used as a source of N for vegetable production as evidenced by the higher yields realized from amending the soil with the various prunings relative to the unfertilized plants. However, the rate and amount of N mineralized from the prunings and hence the net benefit obtained by the crop determines their suitability for vegetable production.
Dissertation (MSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Plant Production and Soil Science
Unrestricted

This PhD thesis consists of nine chapters describing aspects of the subsistence farms of western Nepal in general, and a need-based evaluation of multipurpose fodder trees (MFT) as a source of dry-season forage for ruminants in particular, as a basis for mitigating the current high rate of land degradation and loss of productivity in livestock production systems in the region. Understanding the complex farming systems that provide a living for 65% of the 27.1 million people in Nepal is the key to designing effective programmes of research and development. Evaluation methods include review of past work, farmers group workshops to identify current practice in the use of MFT in Nepal, studies on biomass production of Artocarpus lakoocha and Ficus glaberrima trees older than 50 years in Nepal and the propagation of F. benjamina, comparison of the feeding preferences of sheep for alternative browse species, and study of the nutritive value of alternative forage diets for lactating buffalo. Reviews showed 2.2 million cattle and 1 million buffalo are an extra burden to steep land where productivity is declining at the rate of 1.25% per year. Indigenous knowledge identified Ficus glaberrima with its three varieties (Maghe, Chaite and Jethe), A. lakoocha, F. benjamina and Bassia butyracea as the best four MFT for renovating degraded lands. A survey study showed significantly higher dry matter (DM) production by F. glaberrima than A. lakoocha (154 vs 91 kg DM /tree/year) during dry periods at low altitude (800 - 1000m). There was no significant difference in production of fat - corrected milk (FCM ) between buffalos eating A. lakoocha, F.glaberrima or a diet of 53% straw and 47% F. glaberrima (DM basis). Metabolisable energy balance (MJME/day) was greater in Artocarpus than Ficus, with the mixed diet intermediate (+1.60, -0.34 and -12.94 MJ ME/buffalo/day respectively, relative to requirements, P=0.0318). When fed together in an indoor trial, poplar (48% = 106 g DM/sheep/day) and willow (43% = 95 g DM/sheep/day) were preferred to Ficus benjamina (8% = 18 g DM/sheep/day) by sheep, reflecting the greater maturity and structural strength of leaves of Ficus. These results are used to develop recommendations for choice of MFT species and management strategies to improve the sustainability and productivity of livestock systems incorporating fodder trees