Forage Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

The demand for representative rock property parameters related to planning of underground excavations is increasing, as these parameters constitute fundamental input for obtaining the most reliable cost and time estimates. The Brittleness... more

The demand for representative rock property parameters related to planning of underground excavations is increasing, as these parameters constitute fundamental input for obtaining the most reliable cost and time estimates. The Brittleness Value (S20), Sievers’ J-Value (SJ), Abrasion Value (AV) and Abrasion Value Cutter Steel (AVS) have been used extensively at NTNU/SINTEF since the 1960s in connection with drillability testing

The multicriteria approach used in this paper aims to examine the aquifer of the Essaouira basin (Morocco). Investigation methods such as interpretation of hydrogeological wells and seismic sections, as well as the analysis of in situ... more

The multicriteria approach used in this paper aims to examine the aquifer of the Essaouira basin (Morocco). Investigation methods such as interpretation of hydrogeological wells and seismic sections, as well as the analysis of in situ fissuration measurements and field observations are used together in this study. The established hydrostructural models reveal the groundwater flow and the structure of the coastal aquifer system, whose heterogeneous hydrogeological formations contain very important water resources for the Moroccan coastal area. The partition of the Cretaceous Essaouira aquifer, and of its impermeable basement (Cenomanian marls) corresponds to a tectonic structure (horsts and grabens) resulting from reactivation of Hercynian structures. The identification of the normal faulting network demonstrates an influence of the structural geology on the specificity of coastal aquifers, on the groundwater flow, on the piezometric variation and the productivity of wells, depending on their location.Le réservoir hydrogéologique du bassin d'Essaouira (Maroc) est examiné selon une approche multicritères. Les forages hydrogéologiques et les profils sismiques, ainsi que l'étude de la fracturation et les observations de terrain, fournissent les outils d'investigation conduisant conjointement à établir une représentation tridimensionnelle. Celle-ci traduit à la fois l'écoulement souterrain et la structure du système aquifère crétacé du bassin d'Essaouira, dont les formations hydrogéologiques hétérogènes renferment d'importantes ressources en eau pour le domaine côtier marocain. Le découpage de l'aquifère d'Essaouira (Crétacé) et de son imperméable (marnes cénomaniennes) répond à une tectonique en horsts et grabens résultant de la réactivation de structures hercyniennes. L'identification d'un faisceau de failles verticales permet de montrer l'influence de la géologie structurale sur l'individualisation des aquifères côtiers, sur l'écoulement des eaux souterraines, sur les variations piézométriques et sur la productivité des forages.

Seismic reflection profiles from the Ifni/Tan-Tan Atlantic margin of southern Morocco, interpreted in the light of well data and field geology from the Western Anti-Atlas, allowed us to establish the seismostratigraphic framework of the... more

Seismic reflection profiles from the Ifni/Tan-Tan Atlantic margin of southern Morocco, interpreted in the light of well data and field geology from the Western Anti-Atlas, allowed us to establish the seismostratigraphic framework of the syn-rift series and to reveal ( i) a compressional structural style in the pre-Triassic basement similar to that established in the adjacent outcropping onshore basement but with an opposed western vergence, ( ii) the importance of inherited anterior structures in the formation of Triassic-Liassic rift structures and ( iii) an east-west propagation of these rift structures. To cite this article: N. AbouAli et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).

The study ascertains housing and feed management practices among rabbit keepers in Enugu State of Nigeria. Snowball sampling technique was used to get at 67 respondents for the study. Structured interview schedule/questionnaire was used... more

The study ascertains housing and feed management practices among rabbit keepers in Enugu State of Nigeria. Snowball sampling technique was used to get at 67 respondents for the study. Structured interview schedule/questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Outdoor cages were used by 85.1% of the respondents to house rabbits and about 40% considered temperature as the most important factor, when sitting rabbit hutches. Most (92.5%) of the respondents used zinc roofing for rabbit hutches while 89.6% used wood in hutch floor construction and 94% used wood in constructing the hutch walls. Greater proportion (66.6%) of the respondents used wood as bedding material. All (100%) the respondents cleaned their hutches. About 60% cleaned at least once a week. Majority (79.1%) fed rabbits with locally available forages, while 20.9% fed with a combination of local forages and commercial feeds. Potatoe leaf (Solanum tuberosum) was the most (59.7%) used forage, followed by sow thistle (Sonchus) and goose grass (Galium aparine) (53.7%) each among others. Majority (98.5%) of the respondents did not dry forages before feeding rabbits. About a third (32.8%) agreed that there are forages that are harmful to rabbits. The most observed harmful forages, were fresh cassava leaf (Manihot utilissima) (66.7%), spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) (23.8%) and basil leaf (Occimomum Basilicum) (9.5%). Respondents perceived scarcity of forages during dry season (M= 2.92) as the most serious constraint to rabbit feeding, followed by poor quality of available feed (M= 2.22). The most essential reason for low rabbit production is low demand for rabbits (37.3%). There is need for training programmes to be organized by extension agents with the support of governmental or non-governmental organizations, aimed at sensitization of the farmers on the benefits of rabbit production and the importance of rabbit meat.

To examine anatomical adaptations in a potential forage grass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel, a population was collected from the natural salt-affected soils of the Salt Range, Pakistan. Using a hydroponic system, the degree of salt... more

To examine anatomical adaptations in a potential forage grass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel, a population was collected from the natural salt-affected soils of the Salt Range, Pakistan. Using a hydroponic system, the degree of salt tolerance in terms of structural modifications in the Salt Range ecotype was compared with that in an ecotype collected from a normal non-saline habitat of the Faisalabad region. The Salt Range ecotype was superior to the Faisalabad ecotype in biomass production under saline conditions. High salt tolerance of the Salt Range ecotype was associated with increased succulence in root and leaf (mainly midrib), formation of aerenchyma in leaf sheath, increased vascular bundle area, metaxylem area and phloem area, highly developed bulliform cells on leaves and increased sclerification in root and leaf. Furthermore, both stomatal density and stomatal area were considerably reduced under high salinities in the Salt Range ecotype.

The distribution and diet of the elephants of the Maputo Elephant Reserve were studied using dung counts, satellite tracking and faecal analysis. The results were compared with earlier data from before the civil war in Mozambique. The... more

The distribution and diet of the elephants of the Maputo Elephant Reserve were studied using dung counts, satellite tracking and faecal analysis. The results were compared with earlier data from before the civil war in Mozambique. The elephant population decreased during the civil war, but 180 animals still remain. Earlier studies described the elephants as preferring the grass plains. Currently, the elephants prefer the dense forest patches over the high quality forage found in the grass plains. Water salinity affected distribution; elephant dung piles were found closer to fresh water in the dry season. A total of 95 different plant species were identified in the faeces. The percentage of grass was relatively low compared with other studies, increasing at the beginning of the rainy season. At the end of the dry season, elephants concentrated on the few available browse species with young leaves, but generally preferred grass species to browse species. Diet composition was mainly affected by season and less by habitat. The elephants have changed their habitat preference in reaction to poaching, and probably increased the contribution of browse species in the diet. The presence of forest patches has been vital for the survival of the elephants.RésuméOn a étudié la distribution et le régime alimentaire des éléphants de la Réserve áéléphants de Maputo en utilisant le comptages des crottes, le tracking par satellite et l'analyse des excréments. On a comparé les résultats avec des données recueillies avant la guerre civile au Mozambique. La population d'éléphants a baissé pendant la guerre civile mais il reste 180 animaux. Des études antérieures montraient que les éléphants préféraient les plaines herbeuses. Actuellement, ils préfèrent les ı^lots de forêt dense au fourrage de haute qualité qui se trouve dans les plaines herbeuses. La salinité de l'eau modifie la distribution; on trouvait les crottes d’éléphants plus près de l'eau douce en saison sèche. On a identifié un total de 95 espèces végétales différentes dans les excréments. Le pourcentage d'herbes était relativement bas par rapport aux études antérieures, il augmentait au début de la saison des pluies. A la fin de la saison sèche, les éléphants se concentraient sur les quelques espèces de buissons comestibles ayant des jeunes feuilles, mais ils préféraient généralement les espèces herbeuses aux buissons. La composition du régime était surtout affectée par la saison et moins par l'habitat. Les éléphants ont changé leurs préférences en matière d’habitat en réaction au braconnage et ont sans doute ainsi augmenté la contribution des espèces buissonnantes dans le régime alimentaire. La présence des ı^lots forestiers a été vitale pour la survie des éléphants.

A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soils of Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during the years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The... more

A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soils of Agronomy Instructional
Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural
University, Sardarkrushinagar during the years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The soil of the
experimental plot was very low in organic carbon (0.19%) and available nitrogen (169 kg/
ha), medium in available phosphorus (39.65 ka/ha) and potash (271 kg/ha). The experiment
was laid out in spit plot design with four replications. Fifteen treatment combinations
comprised five intercropping treatments viz., IC1 (sole maize), IC2 (sole cowpea), IC3
(maize+cowpea 2 : 1), IC4 (maize+cowpea 3 : 1) and IC5 (maize+cowpea 3 : 1) and three
fertility levels viz., F1 (75% RDF), F2 (100% RDF) and F3 (125% RDF). Maize equivalent
yield was significantly influenced by intercropping levels. Treatment IC4 (maize+cowpea 2
: 1) recorded significantly higher maize equivalent yield than rest of the treatments.
Application of treatments IC4 (maize+cowpea 2 : 1) recorded significantly higher nitrogen
content, crude protein content, crude fiber content and phosphorus content in both the
crops. Intercropping levels failed to exhibit their significant influence on total ash content,
potash content and neutral detergent fiber of both the crops. Regarding soil available
nutrients, treatment IC2 (sole cowpea) registered maximum values of nitrogen content but
phosphorus and potash content was not influenced significantly by intercropping after
harvest of crops. The maize equivalent yield was significantly influenced by fertility levels.
Application of F3 (125% RDF) produced significantly higher maize equivalent yield but it
was statistically similar with treatment F2 (100% RDF). Application of 125% RDF recorded
significantly higher nitrogen content and crude protein content and crude fiber content in
both the crops as well as phosphorus content and total ash content in maize crop and it
was at par with 100% RDF. Fertility levels failed to exhibit their significant influence on
phosphorus content and total ash content in cowpea as well as potash content and neutral
detergent fiber in both the crops. Regarding soil available nutrients, treatment F3 (125%
RDF) registered maximum values of nitrogen but it was at par with F2 (100% RDF).
Application of intercropping IC4 (maize+cowpea 2 : 1) recorded higher net realization of
Rs. 30185/ha and higher BCR value of 2.85. Among different fertility levels, application of
125% RDF resulted in higher net realization (Rs. 28865/ha) but higher BCR (2.68) was
recorded with treatment F2 (100% RDF) with net realization (Rs. 28411/ha) closely followed
by F3 (125% RDF). The land equivalent ratio (1.22) was highest with IC4 (maize+cowpea 2
: 1).

Co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds are most commonly found in distal basin-plain settings and basin margins. This study documents the geometry, architectural association and paleogeographic occurrence of co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds... more

Co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds are most commonly found in distal basin-plain settings and basin margins. This study documents the geometry, architectural association and paleogeographic occurrence of co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds in the Carboniferous Ross Sandstone with the goal of reducing uncertainty in the interpretation of subsurface data in similarly shaped basins where oil and gas is produced.The Ross Sandstone of western Ireland