Earticle

As a phreatophyte, pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is widely grown in water-limited conditions and recognized as an economically valuable crop in semi-arid regions. In Tajikistan, pistachio grows naturally and artificially in 79,000 ha, but the nut yield is very low due to less-developed plantation technologies. In this study, differences in pistachio plantation technologies of the major pistachio-producing countries and Tajikistan were analyzed to suggest ways to improve plantation technologies in Tajikistan. In the major pistachio-producing countries such as Iran, the United States and Turkey, seedlings of high nut-yielding varieties are grafted before planting. As a result, annually 349-4,479 kg ha-1 of nuts are harvested in those countries. On the other hand, Tajikistan annually produces only 0.6-3.7 kg ha-1. While seven suitable high nut-yielding varieties (Albina, Dangarinka, Saboh, Green girl, Mountain pearl, October, and Orzu) have been identified as suitable for Tajikistan’s environment, the plantation area with grafted individuals using these varieties is limited to only 1.5 ha, necessitating widespread adoption. The low utilization of the high nut-yielding varieties is attributed to the lack of grafting specialists and skills, which have hindered increasing pistachio nut production in Tajikistan. Therefore, improving the basic capability of pistachio grafting should be prioritized to expand the economic profits from the pistachio forests in Tajikistan.

This study aimed to investigate habitat distribution and beetle diversity, using beetles as biological indicator species to assess environmental changes in the Mt. Mangunsan area near the South Sea of Korea. Plots were installed at varying elevations on the southern and northern slopes of Mt. Mangunsan, and the beetle species composition was determined. A total of 1,368 beetles comprising 32 species belonging to ten families were collected between May and September 2023 from the study sites in the Mt. Mangunsan area near the South Sea of Korea. The two most prevalent species consisted of Synuchus nitidus, with 152 collected beetles, and Calosoma chinense, with 128 collected beetles. In May, June, July, August, and September, 76 beetles comprising 10 species, 180 beetles comprising 18 species, 138 beetles comprising 15 species, 525 beetles comprising 27 species, and 449 beetles comprising 25 species were collected, respectively, with the highest abundance observed in August. In terms of elevation, 239 beetles comprising 19 species were collected at 300 m; 352 beetles comprising 27 species at 400 m; 314 beetles comprising 24 species at 500 m; 280 beetles comprising 22 species at 600 m; 183 beetles comprising 16 species at 700 m. Based on the slope, 442 beetles comprising 18 species belonging to eight families were collected on the southern slope, and 926 beetles comprising 24 species belonging to 10 families were collected on the northern slope. Analysis of the beetles on the southern slope produced the following estimations: diversity of 1.086, evenness of 0.866, and dominance of 0.109. Meanwhile, those in the northern slope yielded a diversity of 1.204, evenness of 0.873, and dominance of 0.081.

This study analyzes the characteristics of sound-absorbing materials made from forest by-products of the deciduous tree species Zelkova serrata (Z. serrata) by evaluating their sound absorption performance. Accordingly, sound-absorbing materials with varying sample thicknesses, leaf sizes, and drying conditions were fabricated. The sound absorption properties were measured using the impedance tube method via middle-type measurement tube (100 Hz-3,200 Hz). The sound absorption properties were evaluated using the average sound absorption coefficient (ASAC), which was calculated from the measured sound absorption coefficients at 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz. The ASAC value significantly improved as the leaf size increased to 0.5×0.5 cm2, 1.0×1.0 cm2, and 2.0×2.0 cm2. The ASAC values under the two drying conditions were similar. There was no significant difference in ASAC according to the leaf size under the air-dried leaf condition, with a thickness of 2.50 cm. The highest ASAC value according to the sound-absorbing material thickness was 0.47 at a thickness of 2.50 cm and leaf size of 2.0×2.0 cm2 under the air-dried leaf condition. In addition, the variation in ASAC was 0.23, indicating that the sound absorption performance according to leaf thickness was more significant than the difference in absorption properties according to leaf size. A sound absorption coefficient (SAC) of 0.4 or higher was observed across the measurable frequency band (100 Hz-3,200 Hz). Furthermore, the SAC values with respect to leaf size and thickness were close to 1 in the high-frequency range above 2,000 Hz. Therefore, it is considered that sound-absorbing materials using Z. serrata leaves are advantageous in the field of absorbing noise in a high-frequency band of 2,000 Hz or more, and it is better to manufacture a thickness of 2.50 and 2.0×2.0 cm2.

According to the REDD+ program, it is necessary to monitor, quantify, and report forest conditions in protected land areas. The objectives of this work were to quantify the average monthly aerial net primary productivity (ANPPMONTH) of semi-arid Chaco Forest at Copo National Park (CNP), Santiago del Estero, Argentina, during the period 2000-2023, as well as its spatial distribution and relationship, and its use efficiency (RUE) of average monthly rainfall (AMR). The ANPPMONTH model accounted for 90% of the seasonal variability from October to May, the average seasonal ANPPMONTH was 145 tons of dry matter per hectare (t dm/ha), being the maximum in January with 192 t dm/ha and the minimum in May with 91 t dm/ha. The surface area covered by ANPPMONTH exhibited a consistent positive trend from October to May (t test=15.65, p＜0.01). Strong and significant direct relationships were found between ANPPMONTH and AMRs, linear models explaining 90% and 96% of the variability, respectively. The results obtained become reference values for assessing the capacity of the forest systems to stock carbon for global warming mitigation and for monitoring and controlling their response to extreme climatic adversities. The average ANPPMONTH reduces uncertainty when defining the thresholds to monitor and quantify ANPP and forest area, thus facilitating the detection of negative changes in land use in CNP. Such results evidence the National Parks Administration’s high effectiveness for the maintenance of protected area and for the high ANPP of the FCHS of CNP in the period 2000-2023.

An evaluation was carried out on variability in morphology of fruits and seeds (number and weight) of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach. and Thonn.) Taub. from different populations across its distribution range in Nigeria. Bulk fruit samples were collected and examined for variations in morphological characters. Differences in morphological character of fruits and seeds among the populations were determined using analysis of variance at 5% level of probability. The relationships among morphological characters were determined using Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Significant variations (p＜0.05) existed among T. tetraptera populations for all the evaluated characters: fruit length, fruit width, number of seeds per fruit and seed weight. A positive significant strong correlation (r=0.96) was found between seed weight and number of seeds per fruit, while no correlation existed between fruit length, width and number of seeds. Seed weight was positively correlated with minimum altitude (r=0.97) and maximum altitude (r=0.99) of seed populations. Number of seeds was also significantly correlated with maximum altitude (r=0.965). There was no significant correlation between geo-climatic variables and fruit dimensions (length and width). Observed variations in morphological traits within and across populations of T. tetraptera may be used as proxy to estimate genetic diversity and selection of superior trees for improved productivity.

This study reported the novel use of fallen leaf extract as a microbial culture media for the first time. Extract from hardwood fallen leaves (HLE) was prepared under high temperature and pressure conditions and then supplemented with specific nutrients. The growth of four industrially significant prokaryotes on the HLE-based media was measured and compared with that on enriched media (Luria-Bertani, LB). Notably, supplementing HLE with only 0.5 g of yeast extract and 1 g tryptone per liter showed a similar growth rate of Pseudomonas chlororaphis compared to standard LB media. Overall, the HLE media developed in this study offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach to microbial media production, capitalizing on the valorization of forest waste.

More than half of the global distribution of the Rhododendron genus is found in China, with over 74% being endemic species. However, there is still insufficient data to chemically classify the Rhododendron genus native to China. Therefore, in this study, a chemotaxonomic study was conducted to determine the presence of taxifolin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, a flavonoid compound, in the Rhododendron genus native to China. Forty-three species of Rhododendron native to China—20 from across China, 8 from Beijing, 6 from Yanbian, and 9 from Yunnan—were utilized in the experiment. Through HPLC analysis, the retention time was compared with that of taxifolin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, a standard compound, and quantitative analysis was conducted. As a result, taxifolin-3-O-arabinopyranoside was detected in 22 out of 43 the Chinese Rhododendron species. Afterwards, LC-MS/MS analysis was performed on the 22 species in which taxifolin-3-O-arabinopyranoside was detected to determine whether the molecular weight was consistent with the standard compound. Under negative conditions, it was confirmed that all samples exhibited the same molecular weight as taxifolin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, 435-436 m/z. The same compound was detected in more than half of the Rhododendron species used in the experiment, and taxifolin-3-O-arabinopyranoside was determined to be an indicator compound for Rhododendron species native to China. In addition, the possibility of using the above results as basic data for chemical classification of Chinese Rhododendron genus was confirmed.

This study aims to develop and commercialize a soundproof wall capable of planting at the urban ecological. The vegetative soundproof wall developed in the study showed highly superb structural test results for sound absorption coefficients and met the quality standards in the sound-absorbing performance test. Its structure is systemized to supply water to soils and plant roots inside the planting basis with rainwater running down the inclined planes near the planting basis in the front of the vegetation panel. It allows for sporadic water supply for about 30 days of drought. The test results show that the plants continued favorable growth and development in leaves, stems, and roots, making the vegetative soundproof plate a product capable of reacting to climate environment changes.

Recently, as the number of landscaping plant nurseries have increased, environmental problems such as topographical damage due to indiscriminate changes in land use, increased non-point pollution, and increased impervious areas are also occurring. In this study, we propose eco-friendly facilities and a detailed maintenance manual that can enhance the eco-friendliness and scenic beauty of landscaping plant nurseries that are increasingly located near cities. By exploring previous reports on eco-friendly facilities and related laws, we cataloged the types of eco-friendly facilities, and by referring to examples of eco-friendly facilities introduced in overseas cases and the environmental functions of agriculture, we cataloged the types of eco-friendly facilities suitable for introduction in plant nurseries. The selected facilities are rain gardens, tree boxes, vegetated filter beds, bio-retention, infiltration trench, infiltration tanks, permeable pavements, and sand filtration systems. The maintenance tasks of eco-friendly facilities were categorized and management plans were proposed, which is expected to be utilized as a basic data to prepare eco-friendly space planning and operation management plans when creating a landscape plant nurseries in the future.