Scientifica Journal of Eduardo Mondlane University, Serie: Agriculture Sciences, Forestry and Veterinary

Editorial

2025-04-18T16:47:01+00:00

Biomass and carbon estimation of Afzelia quanzensis Welw. in the Michafutene plantation, Maputo Province

2025-04-18T16:47:01+00:00

Forest degradation has endangered some socio-economically important species such as Afzelia quanzensis (chanfuta). Thus, the restoration and conservation of forested areas are of utmost importance for the conservation of these species. The Michafutene chanfuta plantation established between 1930 and 1960 is considered an important carbon repository. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess its potential for carbon sequestration. Thirty-three chanfuta trees were felled and weighed by components (small and big branches and trunk) for fresh and dry weight (kg). Thirty random plots (50m x 20m) were established and biomass (Mg/ha) was estimated in all individuals with diameter at breast height equal or greater than 10 cm. Carbon (MgC/ha) was estimated using the conversion factor of 0.5 to biomass. The study revealed that big branches were the major biomass contributors (46%), followed by small branches (30%) and the trunk (24%). The best fit was obtained by the equation: [PST = exp (-2.34 + 2.43lnDAP); R²aj. = 0.91; RMSE = 0.26]. The biomass and carbon density were estimated to be 17.59 Mg/ha and 8.80 MgC/ha, respectively. The results indicate that the Michafutene plantation has potential to contribute to carbon sequestration and thus assist in mitigating the effects of climate changes. However, there is an urgent need to implement management and conservation activities in order to preserve this important ex-situ conservation area.

Effect of combination of potassium levels and crop varieties in the yield and quality of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam

2025-04-18T16:47:01+00:00

A controlled experiment was conducted in the CIP field, located in Nwalate, in Boane district, between October 2015 to March 2016 in order to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilizer on yield and quality of varieties of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam). The experimental design was in Completely Randomized Blocks (DBCC) in an arrangement of split plots with four (4) replicates, consisting of five (5) varieties of OFSP (Delvia Erica, Lourdes, Irene and Gloria) allocated in the main plots and four (4) potassium levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha^-1) allocated in the sub-main plots. The measured parameters were: yield, contents of β-carotene content, dry matter (MS), starch, reducing sugars and protein. The Erica and Lourdes varieties were the ones that obtained the highest yields of commercial potatoes at all levels of K₂O applied, and the maximum productivity was reached when 100 kg.ha^-1 of K₂O was applied. Regarding the dry matter content, the Gloria variety was the best, with 37%, but the levels of K₂O applied had no effect on this variety. The Erica and Lourdes varieties were distinguished by the high production of reducing sugars. Higher levels of β-carotene were recorded in the Erica and Lourdes varieties. The Gloria and Delvia varieties were evidenced from the others regarding the production of starch in all levels of K₂O applied. The study is a basis for the development of recommendations of fertilization of the crop to the different producers who intend to maximize the productivity preserving the quality of the roots.

Effect of interaction between diatomaceous earth and cypermethrin in control of stem borer in maize (Zea mays L.)

2025-04-18T16:47:01+00:00

The Lepidopteran stem borers Chilo partellus, Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis are the most important pests of maize. One of the most used methods to control stem borer is the use of insecticides, which often creates problems in the environment, beyond the cost of its acquisition. The mixture of insecticides is a technique that has been widely used in pest control programs, reducing application costs, environmental pollution and time of application. Because of the need of finding more effective alternative control method this study was carried out with the objective of assessing the interaction of cypermethrin and diatomaceous earth in the control of stem borers in maize. The study was conducted at the experimental field of the Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering, Eduardo Mondlane University. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with six (6) treatments and three (3) replications. The treatments used were: diatomaceous earth at 5 and 10 g/L, cypermethrin 0.25 ml/L, mixture of diatomaceous earth and cypermethrin, and control. The variables analyzed included: plant height, stem diameter, number of internodes, damaged internodes, tunnel length, cob weight, density and abundance of stem borers. The control had the highest average damage and mixtures of diatomaceous earth 10 g/L + cypermethrin 0.25 ml/L and diatomaceous earth 5 g/L + cypermethrin 0.25 ml/L the best results and did not differ in all variables analyzed. The interaction between cypermethrin 0.25 ml/L and diatomaceous earth at the rates of 5 and 10 g/L was classified as being additive.

Alelophatic potential of Casuarina equisetifolia terminal branches in cuttings and seeds of Ipomoea pes-caprae (l.) R.br. and Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC.

2025-04-18T16:47:02+00:00

In the coastal zone of Maputo City the Casuarina equisetifolia is common due to its use as stabilizer of dunes and windbreaks. However, this species has a potential to colonize open areas in dunes, by replacing the native vegetation and threatening the biodiversity, in a phenomenon called allelopathy. This study aimed at evaluating the allelopathic potential of the terminal branches of C. equisetifolia in the germination and growth of Ipomea pes-caprae and Canavalia rosea. For that, seeds and cuttings of both species were placed in soil and were irrigated with different concentrations of the extract of terminal branches of C. equisetifolia at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The germination of I. pes-caprae seeds showed to be more sensitive to the allelopathic effect compared to C. rosea. The germination decreased with the increase of extract concentration of C. equisetifolia reaching significant values at 100% to C. rosea and at 50% for I. pes-caprae, respectively. For the cuttings, the C. rosea the number of leaves decreased with the increase of the extract concentration while in I. pes-caprae the 75% significantly increased the number of leaves. The survival of C. rosea decreased significantly at 100% extract of C. equisetifolia while I. pes-caprae was affected significantly at 50% extract. The results indicated that C. equisetifolia plays an allelopathic effect on the pioneer native species of the dunes, which explain the scarcity of vegetation under its canopies, being a factor to be considered when used to recover vegetation in these areas.

Dicephalus in a water bufallo calf in Zambezia, Mozambique

2025-04-18T16:47:02+00:00

In March 2007, in Nicoadala – Quelimane, province of Zambezi, a calf of water buffalos (Buballus buballus) was borne with two heads. The calf was born within a herd of 320 water buffalos and lived one day. The body was send to the Central Laboratory of National Directorate of Animal Sciences (DCA) in Maputo. A team of this institution and Veterinary Faculty of Eduardo Mondlane University, made the study of morphological alterations present by dissecting the corpse after fixation by infiltration with formalin solution 10%. The findings of this study show that congenital anomalies involving head duplications can happen variably by individual and by species. The anomalies present in this case was of great severity that led to animal death within hours.