The nexus of energy resources and the environment

Currently, every country is striving to realize development for its people. Thus, to achieve this there is a need for ensuring access to reliable energy at all levels. The world is currently relying on the use of non-renewable energy such as fuels, and coal. However, these sources are not environmental friendly. Thus, renewable energy sources such as hydropower, solar energy, geothermal, and biofuels must be emphasized to replace the use of non-renewable energies. People need to understand well the relationship between energy resources and the environment. This paper, therefore, aims at providing the nexus of energy resources and the environment. To achieve this, the author has explained well the concept of energy and energy resources; energy uses and energy efficiency and energy security. Moreover, the author has discussed the impact of energy resources on the environment. Finally, energy savings and practices to best energy use; use of technologies to reduce the pollutant emissions in the atmosphere; and investment in renewable technologies are needed for attaining sustainable energy and environment.

Assessment of heavy metals in Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces and Moringa oleifera leaves collected from different areas in Tanzania

Medicinal plants are known in prevention and curing of diseases. Contamination of medicinal plants by heavy metals is one of the factors affecting quality of medicinal products from medicinal plants. Heavy metals may enter the edible and medicinal plants through contaminated environment such as water bodies, air or soil. Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces and Moringa oleifera leaves are used in Tanzania as nutritional and disease-remedial herbal drinks. This study assessed heavy metal contamination of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces and Moringa oleifera leaves collected from Dodoma region (Vikonje, Msanga, Nzuguni A and Nzuguni B village), Pwani region (Kongowe and Chalinze village) and Shinyanga region (Mwime village). Lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium and mercury were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Microsoft excel 2010 software were used to analyze the means of heavy metal concentrations. Levels of chromium in the calyces and leaves of H. sabdariffa and M. oleifera ranged between 0.029-0.221 ppm and 0.019-0.088 ppm respectively while Arsenic was 0.096-0.204 ppm and 0.096-0.219 ppm, respectively. Mercury and Lead were found only in leaves of M. oleifera, mercury was between 0.017 ppm and 0.042 ppm and lead was 0.056 ppm. Cadmium was not detected in all plant materials. The concentrations of heavy metals in the selected samples were statistically significant at (P˂0.05). M. oleifera leaves and H. sabdariffa calyces, collected from different regions, had the low levels of heavy metals than recommended limits provided by the Tanzania Medicine and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) and WHO.

Control of filariasis vector using Ovillanta in Gwale local Government area of Kano State, Nigeria

The study was aimed at finding the effectiveness of a physical method of controlling filariasis vector larvae. Four ovillanta traps were placed in four different sites (north, south, west and east) of Gwale Local Government area of Kano state. The eggs and immature stage(larvae) of the filariasis vector were collected and destroyed. A total of 134667 larvae were collected altogether. 25% from site A, 23% from site B, 28% from site C and 24% from site D.The finding of the study shows that ovillanta trap is an effective method in controlling filariasis vector.

Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. in some common Bangladeshi milk and dairy products

The study was done to isolate Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli & Pseudomonas spp. from raw milk, processed milk (powdered milk & ultra-high-temperature milk) and dairy products (mango milk, and ice cream). During 3 months’ time span of study, a total of ten samples were gathered where eight of the samples powdered milk (2), ultra-high-temperature milk (2), ice cream (2) & mango milk (2) were gathered from different places of Bangladesh & other 2 samples (raw milk) were collected from a cattle farm & individual households in & around Noakhali city. The samples were gathered under aseptic safety measures and were followed by plating on non-selective media (Nutrient broth) & selective media (Mannitol Salt Agar & Macconkey agar). The presumptive Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli & Pseudomonas spp. isolates were identified by biochemical tests. Analysis of the result discovered that out of a total of 10 samples; raw milk (2), processed milk i.e. powdered milk (2), ultra-high-temperature milk (2) and dairy products i.e. mango milk (2) and ice cream (2) resulted in the isolation of 8 isolates (2.5%) of S. aureus, (12.5%) of Klebsiella spp., (2.5%) of Pseudomonas spp. & (2.5%) of Escherichia coli. Results recommended a probability of potential public health threat of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli & Pseudomonas spp. resulting from contamination of milk and dairy products with pathogenic microorganisms is mainly due to unhygienic practices and conditions in the handling, production, and processing.

Assessment of phytoremediation potential of Telfaira occidentalis in the removal of Cu, Cd, and Pb in contaminated soil along River Salanta

A Field study was carried out to examine the phytoremediation potential of some plants metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) in contaminated soils along Sallanta river, Kano. A total of one hundred and eighty (100) samples comprising of 40 (soils), 20 (effluents), and 40 (plant parts) of T. 0ccidentalis were analyzed. 0.50g of the plant tissue and 1.0g of soil sample and 50mL of the effluent sample were digested using triacid digestion method and the levels of the metals were determined by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean levels of the metals in plants and soils from contaminated and control sites were found to be in the sequence of Cu (27.08±3.15)> Cd (24.57±8.25)>Pb (3.00±0.52) and Cu (10.10±2.50)> Cd (2.80±0.05)>Pb (2.00±0.63) respectively. The contamination factor (CF) of all the metals in the plants were found to be in the sequence of Cd (8.35±1.53)> Cu (2.52±1.20)>Pb (1.50±0.21). The results showed that these plants can be used for the phytoextraction of the metals from contaminated soils. The values of bioaccumulation and translocation factors were also found to be more than one in almost all cases. From these results it could be recommended that the three plants investigated would be ideal for phytoremediation in multi-metal contaminated soils.

The potentiality of bioethanol production from corn (Zea mays L.) as a renewable source

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the versatile crop which is used as food, feed, fodder and in recent past as a source of bio-fuel. The sub-tropical climate is very favorable for corn cultivation. Traditionally, corn was grown in South and Southeast Asia primarily as a subsistence food crop. Worldwide it is being cultivated in over 170 countries representing an area of 185 million ha with a productivity of 5.62 t ha-1 (FAO, 2017). Out of world corn production of 1037 million MT, SAARC countries comprising of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka represent 3.2 % with a productivity of 3.8 t ha-1. Among SAARC countries, the highest productivity of 6.9 t ha-1 is reported in Bangladesh. Corn can be an important renewable source for bioethanol production. This research was carried out to evaluate Bangladeshi Corn for optimum bioethanol production. A 100 g of corn flour was mixed with 300 ml distilled water was blended and sterilized. The experiment was conducted with a temperature of 30 oC, pH 6.0 and 20 % sugar concentration. For alcoholic fermentation, 200 ml yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCD) was added to make the total volume 500 ml. Addition of small amount of 1750 unit α-amylase enzyme to the substrate solution was found to enhance the fermentation process quicker. After 6-days of incubation time corn produces 63.57 ml of ethanol with 13.33 % (v/v) purity. The non-filtered solution produces comparatively more ethanol (63.57 ml with 13.33 % purity) than the filtered solution (53.66 ml with 10 % purity). The purity can be increased by re-distillation process.

INTERACTION EFFECTS OF SEASONS AND FARMING PRACTICES ON CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS OF YIELD OF CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L.)

Association among yield characters is a pre-requisite for rapid crop improvement. A study was conducted to determine the effect of seasons and stake on correlation and path effects of cucumber yield traits. The experiment comprised of 2 seasons (wet and dry), 2 practices (staked and unstaked), six cucumber varieties replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Planting distance was 75×75 cm. Insect pests, weeds, and fungi were controlled as recommended. Data collected were subjected to correlation and path effect analysis. In the dry season, the two practices revealed highly significant genotypic correlation (P<0.05) between fruit yield and vine length (rg= 1.20 and 1.07) and phenotypic (rp=0.69 and 0.74). With days to flowering, fruit yield displayed highly significant genotypic (rg=-1.14 and -1.03) and phenotypic correlation (rg=-0.74 and -0.76). In the wet season, the two practices revealed highly significant positive genotypic (rg=0.95 and 0.84) and phenotypic correlation (rg=0.84 and 0.71) between fruit yield and fruit length. Path analysis showed that high yield was achieved in the dry season through the maximum effect of fruit girth 0.34 and 1.15 in the two practices and shorter days to flowering -0.39. In the wet season, maximum fruit yield was obtained through fruit length (5.86 and 0.28) in both practices, in addition to less fruit girth (-6.76) and short days to flowering (-0.67). In selection for high yields, the characters; vine length; fruit girth, fruit length and days to flowering can be utilized.

EFFECT OF INORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND PRESSMUD COMPOST ON SOIL PROPERTIES, YIELD AND QUALITY OF BHENDI

A field experiment was conducted at farmer`s field in Sivapuri village, Chidambaram taluk, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu to study the effect of inorganic fertilizers and pressmud compost on soil properties, yield and quality of bhendi cultivar Arka anamika as a test crop. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam with a pH of 7.20, EC of 0.64 dSm-1 and CEC of 19.20 c mol (p+) kg-1. The results of the experiment clearly revealed that the application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer+15 tonnes of pressmud compost ha-1 (T4) registered the maximum fruit and stover yield of bhendi the same treatment T4 improved the quality attributes of bhendi viz., crude protein content, ascorbic acid content and crude fibre content. The available N, P, K and S content in the post harvest soil was maximum in the treatment T4. This treatment was followed by application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer+15 tonnes of pressmud compost ha-1 (T7) regarding yield and quality attributes, as well as available nutrients status of post harvest soil. However, these two treatments were comparable to each other.

THE RAMIFICATIONS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN AGRICULTURAL FOOD CROPS PRODUCTION AMONG THE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS, TANZANIA

Implication of climate variability and changing environment potentially subvert agricultural crop production of subsistence and smallholder farmers in the developing countries. Ensuring food security during increasing environmental changes and climate variability constitutes one of the greatest adaptation challenges. Understanding the complex nature of food security and emphasis on increasing food crop production and distribution provide substantial adaptation option and an opportunity for spearheading, generating of information, developing of innovative and improving technologies to adapt to anticipated situations. This paper employed survey to collect information. The study results ascribe that the heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, shortage of land and the use of poor technology renders many smallholder farmers vulnerable to the effects of climate variability resulting in the decline of agricultural production, hence food insecurity. The trend is likely to worsen if no measures are put in place to redress the situation. In addressing such challenges, substantial efforts are needed to improve farming practices and the development of adaptation measures that include diversification, climate smart farming practices and improvement of extension and veterinary services. For effectiveness of adoption this will need to include promotion of appropriate and inclusive, environmentally-sound technologies and an enabling policy environment that reinforces actions at the all levels.

DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Pesticides are toxic chemicals used for controlling of insects and pests which caused harms to plants or animals. Pesticides also effect the environment as well as human health. They play a vital role in securing of food but they require a number of risks and problems. Therefore, present study is designed to know the pesticide usage and its harmful effects on environment and health of cotton growers. There are 19 rural union councils out of which 4 were selected through simple random sampling. From each selected union council, 2 villages were selected at random and from each selected village, 20 cotton growers were selected randomly thus making a sample size of 160 respondents. A well planned pre-tested and validated interview schedule was prepared for the collection of data from the selected respondents. The collected data were examined by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for illustration conclusions and making recommendations. A vast majority (90%) of the respondents selected the pesticides on better results, (83.1%) on behalf of multinational company and majority (76.3%) selected pesticides of national company and a significant of majority (70%) of respondents used the gloves whereas a huge majority (85.6%) of respondents weared the mask during pesticide application. It was found that a huge majority (81.9%) of respondents had headache effect, 67.1% had fatigue, and majority (68.8%) had dizziness while 68.1% had skin disorders. Govt. should promote the first aid training program for safety measurement regarding pesticide usage and enhance the protection techniques for environment and health of organisms regarding pesticides effect.