International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 81

Abstract: Butterflies are the sensitive insects which react quickly to any kind of disturbances like changes in the habitat quality and environmental variation. Apart from pollinators they play a major key role in food chain, being prey for birds, reptiles, spiders and predatory insects. It is one of the most important assemblages of insects that act as biodiversity indicators as well as nature’s gardeners. The objective of the present survey is focussed on the assessment of the diversity and abundance of butterfly conservation priorities in the study area. A total of 33 species of butterflies under 5 families and 26 genera were recorded during from December 2017 to February 2017 in the Kalimahal College campus, Sembarnarkoil, Tharangambadi Taluk. Nymphalidae was recorded as the most dominant family in terms of number of species (13) and number of genera (9), followed by Pieridae 8 species (6 genera), Lycaenidae 6 species (5 genera), Hesperiidae 3 species (3 genera), and Papilionidae 3 species (2 genera). Species richness (25), Simpson diversity index (0.7206) and Shannon ‘H’ index (1.783) were high in the month of December 2017. Simultaneously the Dominance index (0.6634) and Species Evenness (0.2871) were high in the month of February 2018. The outcomes of the present study highlight the importance of institutional campuses as a preferred habitat for butterflies. If the landscaping and maintenance of gardens are cautiously planned, the diversity of butterflies may increase in college campus providing a rich ground for butterfly conservation as well as for research.

Abstract: In order to study the relation between seasonal changes in phenolic compounds and flower opining date according to chilling requirements. The early and late-opining apple varieties, Barkhar, Local and Strakhan (Malus sylvestris) were used. This study investigated variations in chilling requirements, bud burst and development in early and late varieties of apple trees. Results showed less bud burst in late varieties than in early ones. In the former, there were increased in phenolic compounds (conjugated and total phenols) at budburst in all varieties. As dormancy begins, free phenols are increased, coinciding with a reduction in the levels of conjugated phenols. Consequently, as dormancy breaks, these free phenols are conjugate with organic constituents, and a decrease in the concentrations of free phenols occurs, in order to reduce inhibitory effect on growth. We conclude that late varieties (Strakhan) are less economical in manufacturing new growth, as indicated by less bud vigor at budburst than early varieties (Barkhar and local) and show a marked differential phenols compound pattern throughout bud development compared to early varieties.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the economics and toxicological aspects of pesticide management practices for sustainable chickpea production. The results of this study demonstrated that the average usage of pesticides is 877.30 g per hectare as an active ingredient in the chickpea growing. The average usages per hectare of active ingredient of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides were calculated to be 1.50 g, 638.80 g, and 237.00 g, respectively. Fungicides are the biggest pesticide group used with 72.81% of total weight of active ingredients. It was calculated that the crop protection cost was EUR 75.65 per hectare, having the portion of 12 % of average production cost. The study revealed that the most common pesticides used by the farmers in chickpea growing were moderately hazardous and non-acute hazard categories. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that the government should carry out effective agro-environmental intervention policies and farmer extension programs should be aimed at balancing the amounts of pesticides used per hectare for the sustainable, dynamic environment and prevention of pesticide toxicity. Keywords: chickpea, pesticide practices, economic, toxicological, Turkey

Abstract: Experiments were conducted in 2015/2018 in two cacao plots established in 2012 and 2013 in Akure, Nigeria to investigate micro-climate conditions, weed densities, flowering and yield of cacao as affected by shade regimes. Established cacao plots under three plantain (Musa spp) shade regimes consisting of No-shade, Moderate and Dense shade were used. Air and soil temperature, relative humidity and Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), weed population and species diversity, cacao flowering and pod production were measured. From the results, air and soil temperature measurements under No-shade plots had a significantly higher mean values (32°C) and soil (28°C) compared with moderately shaded [air, 30°C and soil, 26.5°C] and densely shaded [air, 30°C and soil, 26°C] plots in2015 and 2016 measurements but under 2017 measurements, no significant difference in the soil temperature of the plots under dense shade, moderate and the no-shade which were ascribed to canopy close-up of the cacao that led to reduced transmitted light through the canopy to the understories species. The vigour of weeds under no-shade plots were significantly higher compared with dense and moderately shaded plots. In 2013 established cacao plot, flower production was higher significantly in no-shade compared with those in moderate and dense shaded cacao plots in 2015 and 2016 measurement. Pod production under No-shade were significantly higher compared with other treatments in 2016 and 2017. Cherelle wilt rate was higher in shaded plots compared with the no-shade plots. Pod yield parameters were significantly higher under No-shade plots compared with shaded treatments during the three years of data measurement. Air temperature between 30°C to 33.7°C during flowering and fruit/pod setting was found to have positive influence on bean yield in cacao. The study concluded that excessive shade decreases yield of cocoa, while increases in temperature and relative humidity boosts some physiological processes for pod production in Cocoa