Research Paper on Effects of 60Co gamma radiation doses on seed germination of Jatropha curcas L.

 

Baudouin K. Nyembo, Alexandre N. Mbaya, Calvin C. Ilunga, Jean-Louis N. Muambi and Luc L. Tshilenge wrote a research paper on  seed germination of Jatropha curcas L., entitle of "Effects of 60Co gamma radiation doses on seed germination of Jatropha curcas L."

This study aimed to assess the effects of different gamma radiation doses from Cobalt -60 isotopic source on seed germination and early growth parameters of Jatropha curcas L. Healthy and dry seeds were subjected to three doses of gamma rays (100, 200 and 300 Gy). The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design, with three replicates. 

The significantly maximum germination percentage (89.85 %), seedling survival (92.3 %), seedling collar diameter (0.892 cm), plant height (17.30 cm), number of leaves (7) were observed at 30 days after germination. The results revealed that seed germination percentages and seedling shoot length decreased with increasing dose of gamma-rays. 

Higher gamma-ray dose (300 Gy) in particular had a pronounced effect on these germination parameters than others, probably because high-dose inhibited cell division due to free radicals and DNA system damage. The LD50 for seeds germination rates was obtained at 254 Gy. These results implied that germination traits of Jatropha curcas seeds were sensitive to increase in gamma-ray. 

Effects of 60Co gamma radiation doses on seed germination of Jatropha curcas L.|Ijaar vol-13-no-5-p-46-52 from Innspub Net

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Jatropha-based alley cropping system’s contribution to carbon sequestration - IJAAR an open access research journals

By: Rico A. Marin

• College of Forestry and Environmental Science, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines

Key Words: Alley cropping, Agroforestry, Carbon sequestration, Jatropha curcas, hedgerow.

The study was conducted to evaluate the total carbon stocks sequestered in a Jatropha – based alley cropping system treated with varying fertilizer applications. The study was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The alley was planted with corn in two seasons Treatments include control (no fertilizer), organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer applied to the alley crops. Findings showed that the treatments with fertilizer applications had higher carbon stock in the jatropha hedges.

The carbon content of the corn stover was also higher in organic and inorganic fertilizer-applied treatments. However, highest soil carbon content was shown in treatments applied with organic fertilizer (4.28 Ton ha-1). The inorganic fertilizer treatment had the lowest soil carbon content with a mean of 4.28 Ton ha-1. In terms of total carbon stock of the entire jatropha-based alley cropping system, there was a significant difference among treatments with organic fertilizer application having the highest mean of 7.79 Ton ha-1 while the inorganic treated plots had 6.53 Ton ha-1. The no fertilizer treatment had the least carbon stocks with 6.53 Ton ha-1. 

This recent study revealed that the jatropha-based alley cropping system is a potential land-use for carbon sequestration. This farming system needs to be promoted in upland areas to function not only as soil and water conservation measures but also as a possible remedy for global warming.

Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/ijaar/jatropha-based-alley-cropping-systems-contribution-to-carbon-sequestration/

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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