Impact of climate change on tea pest status in northeast India and effective plans for mitigation Publication date: Available online 29 August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): Somnath Roy, Anoop Kumar Barooah, Kamruza Z. Ahmed, Rupanjali Deb Baruah, Anjali Km. Prasad, Ananda Mukhopadhyay Abstract The impact of climate change has already been observed across various tea growing regions in the form of vulnerability and unpredictability of precipitation, increasing trends in temperature and reduced rainfall events. In the agriculture sector, these impacts of climate change are visibly affecting plant growth and productivity, and tea is no exception to these impacts. In north-eastern India, changes in the weather pattern has been witnessed in terms of decrease of around 200 mm rainfall over the years, increase in average temperature of around 1.3 °C over the last 93 years, increase in number of days with more than 35 °C, specially in last thirty years. The decline in annual rainfall is matched with a prominent shift in distribution of monthly rainfall pattern. The monthly rainfall is more in the late monsoon and winter months. Another important aspect is the rising carbon dioxide concentration in atmosphere. In recent years it has increased to 398 ppm in the state of Assam which is many fold higher than the level of carbon dioxide in the last decade which was quantified to be around 364 ppm in the year 2008. As a consequence of these climatic changes, there has been already a paradigm shift in overall pest scenario associated with tea in the recent years. At present, tea pests cause more damage to the crop through increased reproductive potential, feeding rate, distribution pattern, shorter duration of development stages and consequently with more number of annual generations, migration etc. along with some of the secondary pest outbreaks. A number of areas for future research on the effect of climatic changes on insect pests of tea need to be identified on priority basis. An in-depth investigation on the influence of the changed climatic factors on the variability, load, population dynamics, behavior and migration of the tea pests vis à vis the crop can be helpful in proper pest monitoring and management. Some real time strategies adopted to combat and manage tea production by mitigating the effect of the climate change are discussed in this paper.

Efficacy of different fungicides, botanical extracts and bio-control agents against Cladosporium cladosporioides, the causal agent of Cladosporium rot in grapes Publication date: Available online 23 August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): Hassan Saeed Mengal, Manzoor Ali Abro, Ghulam Hussain Jatoi, Lubna Nawab, Gul Bahar Poussio, Nazir Ahmed, Abdul Qayyum Zehri, Ahmed Ali Abstract The current research aims to find out different effective and suitable fungicides, botanical extracts and bio-control agents against Cladosporium cladosporioides, the causal agent of Cladosporium rot in grapes. For this purpose, different fungicides including, Antracol, Alliette, Melody duo, Cabriotop and Topsin-M at the rates of 100, 200 and 300 ppm, as well as botanical extracts including, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Eucalyptus and Neem at the rates of 5, 10 and 15% were tested using food poisoning method. Bio-control agents such as Pestalotiopsis sp., Neurospora sp., Fusarium sp., Arthrinium sp. and Hypocrea lixii were also evaluated against the pathogen. Pathogenicity test was also performed to see the disease severity in grapes. Minimum linear colony growth of C. cladosporioides was observed as 39, 30.5 and 21 mm for Melody duo, respectively followed by Antracol (38.5, 30.5 and 23), Alliette (39, 31.5 and 23.5), Topsin-m (42, 33 and 27.5) and cabriotop (43.5, 36.5 and 26), as compared with the control, which was 90 mm. Whereas Minimum linear colony growth of C. cladosporioides was observed as 50, 32.5 and 19 for Neem, respectively followed by Ginger (56.5, 36.5 and 22.5), Garlic (61, 39 and 24), euclayptus (62, 41.5 and 25) and Onion (64, 43 and 25), maximum linear colony growth (90) was observed under control. Whereas, the minimum linear colony growth of C. cladosporioides was observed for Neurospora sp. (3.7), followed by Arthrinium sp. (7.5), Pestalotiopsis sp. (9), Hypocrea Lixii (9) and Fusarium sp. (9.5), maximum linear colony growth (90) was recorded in control. This study could be helpful for researchers and farming community in future for better management of this disease.

Relationship among some ecological factors and chemical composition of Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. plant species Publication date: Available online 9 August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): Abbas Tahan, Mohammad Jafari, Damoun Razmjoue, Seyed akbar Javadi Abstract Ajuga chamaecistus belongs to Lamiaceae plant family. Plant samples were collected from four habitats during vegetative and flowering periods for comparing the essential oil yield and composition. After drying, the essential oil was extracted by distillation method. Essential oil yields of plants in four habitats were calculated which the analysis and identification of essential oil composition was performed using GC and GC–MS. Ultimately, the PCA was used to determine the relationship between plant major components and environmental factors. The results showed that β-Pinene and Linalool compounds had the highest percentage of essential oil composition. Environmental factors including elevation, annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, annual evaporation, sand and clay content were identified as the most effective factors in the isolation of A. chamaecistus habitats. It appears that the difference between ecological and soil factors of four habitats can have a significant effect on the type and percentage of essential oil components.

Evaluating soil biochemical/microbial indices as ecological indicators of different land use/cover in northern Iran Publication date: August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 4 Author(s): Negar Moghimian, Seyed Mohsen Hosseini, Yahya Kooch, Behrouz Zarei Darki Abstract The objective of the study was to examine changes in microbial parameters have been used to monitor changes in soil quality under different land uses in north of Iran. The microbial parameters included microbial respiration (MR), substrate induced respiration (SIR), carbon availability index (CAI), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), ratio of MBC/MBN, metabolic quotient (qCO2) and microbial ratio were determined under different land use/cover, i.e. virgin natural forest (VNF), degraded natural forest (DNF), alder plantation (AP), sequoia plantation (SP), improved fallow (IF) and home garden (HG) areas in northern Iran. Five composed samples per land use/cover were taken from the top 10 cm of the soil. MR and SIR (0.45 and 1.66 mg CO2-C g−1 day−1, respectively) were found to be significantly higher under AP land uses than in the other areas. CAI did not differ for the land uses; MBC (591 and 590 mg kg−1, respectively) had higher significantly under SP and VNF land uses than in the other areas. MBN (64.25 and 62.33, respectively mg kg−1) was significantly higher in AP and VNF land uses, ratio of MBC/MBN (17.02) was higher in SP land use than other areas, HG had significantly higher qCO2 (0.0012 μg CO2-C mg−1 MBC day−1) and finally microbial ratio was significantly higher under IF (599.16) in comparison with HG > AP ≈ DNF > VNF > SP areas. Overall, our results indicate that AP land use (Alnus subcordata C. A. Mey.) increase of soil quality and alder plantation is suitable for rehabilitation of degraded natural forests.

Assessment of heavy metal induced stress responses in pea (Pisum sativum L.) Publication date: August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 4 Author(s): Abdul Majeed, Zahir Muhammad, Saira Siyar Abstract Exposure of plants to heavy metals severely affects their growth and physiological processes. Nevertheless, different plants show variable responses to different heavy metals, generally in a concentration-dependent manner. In this study, phytotoxic effects of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb) applied as chlorides at concentration 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 ppm were evaluated on seed germination, early seedling growth and dry biomass of pea (Pisum sativum L.). A lower concentration (500 ppm) of Pb promoted seed germination but declined other growth parameters. Higher concentration had a phytotoxic influence on the pea. Cd and Co severely affected germination and seedling growth of pea resulting in complete failure of germination and seedling growth at higher metal concentration. Tolerance index (TI) calculated for seed germination and dry biomass indicated that tested plant had zero tolerance to 1250 ppm of Cd as well as 750 ppm and higher concentrations of Co. The order of heavy metals for their phytotoxic effects was Co > Cd > Pb. The study suggests that P. sativum is relatively tolerant to Pb but highly sensitive to Co and Cd.

Salinity imposed stress on principal cereal crops and employing seed priming as a sustainable management approach Publication date: August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 4 Author(s): Abdul Majeed, Zahir Muhammad, Saiful Islam, Habib Ahmad Abstract Cereal crops specifically maize, wheat, and rice have a prominent role in feeding the world's population. In the context of a growing population and a potential increase in food demand in coming years, yield output of cereals is certainly necessary. Concurrently, the production of these crops is challenged with several abiotic and biotic stresses. Salinity, a leading abiotic stress in global agriculture, significantly reduce growth, yield and overall production of cereals and if not managed through successive efforts, global food security will be uncertain in the future. Thus, employment of sustainable approaches in achieving the targets of food demands of increasing population needs focused attention. Integration of agronomic and biotechnological methods can manage salinity induced drastic effects on crops which would lead to increased crop productivity. In this review, we focus on employing seed priming techniques as possible salt stress management approaches in three major cereal crops (maize, rice, and wheat).

Comparative study on floristic diversity of protected and unprotected Forests of Sathan Gali, District Mansehra, KP, Pakistan Publication date: August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 4 Author(s): Khalid Rasheed Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Jan Alam, Muhammad Farooq, Abbas Hussain Shah, Manzoor Hussain, Ghulam Mujaba Shah, Danish Ali Abstract This first ever study was carried out to explore the floristic composition of protected and unprotected forests of Sathan Gali, District Mansehra, KP, Pakistan. The study area being the part of the Western Himalayas harbours rich floristic diversity. In the current investigation, an effort was made to record primary data about floral diversity of the area. The study area was visited recurrently during 2013 and 2014. Plants were collected from different sampling sites, identified, preserved and deposited in Herbarium of Hazara University, Mansehra. A total of 127 plants species including 59 common and 68 different were found in 13 stands of reserved forest. The different species were only confined with this forest whereas common plant species were distributed in both forests. The dominant family was Asteraceae (13 species, 10.7%) followed by Labiateae (10 species, 7.75%), Poaceae and Rosaceae (8 species, 6.2%) each, Polygonaceae and Pteridaceae by (5 species, 3.87%) each. Angiosperms were represented by 118 (92.91%), plant species, Pteridophytes 5(3.93%) species and Gymnosperms 4 (3.14%) species were recorded in reserved forest. Only single species of climber was documented. The number of herbs, shrubs and trees species recorded were 73.64%, 13.17% and 10.07% respectively. A total of 103 plant species of 55 families including 61 common in both forest types and 42 species different to guzara Forest. These plant species were recorded from 22 sampling stands. Angiosperms by (92.3%) plant species, Gymnosperms (2.88%) and Pteridophytes (4.8%) were recorded. The dominant family was Poaceae by 11 plant species followed by Asteraceae and Rosaceae each represented by 10 species and Pteridaceae by 5 plant species. Habit wise 69.23% were herbs, 14.42% shrubs and 16.34% species of tree were reported. This study will assist ecologists, botanists, taxonomist, conservationists and policy makers to mend, and manage the current vegetation status and sustainability for upcoming generations. The present investigation will also serves as base line for future researches on the Himalaya regions.

Spatial distribution and correlation of important edaphic and climatic gradients in Tanawal area of Himalayas, Pakistan Publication date: August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 4 Author(s): Muhammad Farooq, Manzoor Hussain, Zafeer Saqib, Khalid Rasheed Khan, Abbas Hssain Shah, Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Sagheer Gul, Waleed Anjum, Aftab Alam Sthanadar Abstract This study was conducted during 2015–2016. Extensive field work was conducted to collect and record huge amount of data on important environmental variables. Data was collected using reliable digital equipment with high precision and accuracy where possible. Material and samples collected for chemical analysis were based upon standardized methods used by prestigious labs across the globe. The results showed that July (Temperature 33.67 °C) is the warmest while December(19.1 °C) is the coldest month of the year in the study area. Air humidity ranges from 52.44% to23.22% between Union councils (UCs). Steepness of the slope or slope angle was found between 55.5 and 24°. Soil pH was between 7.39 and 6.55. Soil Nitrogen contents were found to be in a range of 0.0543% and 0.0320%. as far as soil organic matter is concerned it was recorded in a range of 0.77% and 0.48%. electric conductivity was between2.56 dS/m and 2.393 dS/m. Interaction among different environmental variables results in the establishment of different environmental complexes each with specific microclimate.

Structure and biomass carbon of Olea ferruginea forests in the foot hills of Malakand division, Hindukush range mountains of Pakistan Publication date: August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 4 Author(s): Fayaz Ali, Nasrullah Khan, Adnan Ahmad, Amir Abdullah Khan Abstract The sub-tropical broadleaved forests dominates the foothills in Malakand division, Hindukush range mountains of northern Pakistan. Olea ferruginea is one of the major constituents of these forests having a wide distribution with no quantitative relationships between stand structural parameters and biomass carbon which renders to estimate carbon budget in the region. We investigated the forest structure, growing stock characteristics and biomass carbon stocks of the Olea ferruginea dominated forests in the foot-hills of Hindukush range mountains in Pakistan. The study highlights species diversity, tree distribution pattern and biomass carbon in respective diameter classes. We recognized five Olea ferruginea vegetation types by using an importance values (IV). Results showed that the forest comprised of 19 woody species belonging to 13 families of 10 Genera. Importance value (IV) for Olea ferruginea was ranged from 53 to 96 (mean = 69.4 ± 2.7) with a stem density of 215 to 417 ± 6.4 ha−1. Average basal area was 6.69 ± 1.3 m2 ha−1 and volume was 44.2 ± 9.8 m3 ha−1. Stem biomass and total biomass was 49.82 ± 11.1 and 100.1 ± 22.6 t ha−1 respectively whereas, the stored carbon in the living biomass was 49.54 ± 11.3 t ha−1. These findings revealed that Olea ferruginea forests has great potential to utilize and store atmospheric carbon. We concluded from our results, that the potential of carbon capturing and storage of the area can be increasesd on extensive managements of high biomass carbon density through proper scientific methods.

Study on the effects of different levels of grazing and exclosure on vegetation and soil properties in semi-arid rangelands of Iran Publication date: Available online 1 August 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): Jamal Bakhshi, Seyed Akbar Javadi, Ali Tavili, Hossein Arzani Abstract Livestock grazing is one of the main factors of vegetation and soil degradation in arid and semi-arid rangelands of Iran and causes changes in diversity, vegetation, litter and soil characteristics. Therefore, this study has been conducted aimed to examine the effects of exclosure and livestock grazing on vegetation and soil. For this purpose, two grazing areas of medium and high grazing intensity and two exclosure areas (Non-grazing livestock) with duration of 8 and 11 years were selected for sampling. Then, we identified plant species, percentage of coverage of each species, measurement of diversity indices, species similarity and soil chemical properties including electrical conductivity (mho), acidity, organic matter(%), organic carbon (%), nitrogen (%), phosphorus (mg/L) and bulk density (gr/cm3) in each area and they were compared using variance analysis. The results showed that exclosure significantly at 5% level reduced organic matter percentage, electrical conductivity and organic carbon percentage, but it caused a significant increase in soil bulk density at 1% level. Similarity of plant species due to the reduction of livestock grazing intensity and increasing exclosure duration. The results also indicate Livestock grazing increased Coverage of plant family such as Poaceae, Zygophyllacea in the area due to the increase of plant species such as Peganum harmala and Poa bulbosa (non-pleasant species of class III). Based on the results, despite increasing the diversity of plant species in the area over time, increasing diversity does not increase dominant species of the area, as well as companion species increased in the composition of vegetation. It concluded that exclusion has a significant effect on vegetation improvement, vegetation cover percentage, diversity, palatability and litter percentage in the region.