April 2009

Effect of variety and intercropping on two major cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] field pests in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

  Cowpea is regarded as one of the major source of dietary protein in many parts of Africa, but yield losses due to insect pests’ activities reduce available natural resources for human consumption. Field trials were conducted during the 2006 and 2007 cropping season at Mubi, Nigeria, to determine the effect of variety and intercropping on three major field insect pest of cowpea. The experimental...

Author(s): Sule Hassan

April 2009

Growth of Capparis spinosa var. Inermis under different irrigation levels

  Due to their importance in enhancing greenery activities in Kuwait, ornamental plants from diverse origins are being introduced and evaluated for their suitability to the harsh climatic conditions of the country. Introduction of multipurpose plants such as Capparis spinosa provides an invaluable opportunity to enhance greenery in Kuwait, while at the same time, exploring other applications, such as...

Author(s): Majda Khalil Suleiman, Narayana Ramachandra Bhat, Mahdi Saleh Abdal, Sheena Jacob, Rini Rachel Thomas, Sarah Al-Dossery, Gladson D’Cruz and Ricardo Bellen

April 2009

Seed germination enhancement for bald cypress (Taxodium distichum [L.] Rich.)

  Bald cypress has been retreating in the estuary ecosystem of the Loxahatchee River Watershed in southeastern Florida because of the negative impacts of anthropogenic activities. Seed germination of bald cypress is an important means to increase the arbor population in the vegetation community and accelerate restoration of the wetland ecosystem. The objective of this research was to find an effective method to...

Author(s): Guodong Liu, Yuncong Li, Marion Hedgepeth, Yongshan Wan and Richard E. Roberts

April 2009

Enhanced UV-B radiation alters basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth and stimulates the synthesis of volatile oils

  Exposure of basil plants (Ocimum basilicum) in a controlled environmental room temperature to supplementary UV-B light for 3 h per day in the early morning over a period of two weeks resulted in shorter plants with higher dry matter, thicker leaves and more axillary shoots. Supplementary UV-B did not affect plant leaf area or number of leaf-pairs; however, specific leaf area was significantly increased...

Author(s): Xianmin Chang, Peter G. Alderson and Charles J. Wright