September 2011

Fractionation and mobility of cadmium, lead and zinc in some contaminated and non-contaminated soils of Japan

  We investigated the forms and mobility of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in four contaminated and four non-contaminated surface soils, collected from different localities of Japan using a sequential extraction procedure. The total metal concentration in soils ranged from 0.69 to 12.5 for Cd, 19 to 359 for Pb and 90 to 704 mg kg-1 for Zn. The metal concentration in the contaminated soils was higher...

Author(s): Md. Abul Kashem, Bal Ram Singh, S. M. Imamul Huq and Shigenao Kawai

September 2011

Use of soil conservation practices in the Southwestern highlands of Uganda

  The objective of this study was to determine the nature and extent of use of soil conservation practices, and examine the factors determining their adoption by farmers in Southwestern Uganda. We collected data from 853 households in eight sub counties spread out in three districts (Kabale, Kisoro and Ntungamo) through household interviews. The study area was divided into three categories (low, medium and...

Author(s): Fungo B., Tenywa M., Majaliwa J., Kuule M. and Kamugisha R.

September 2011

Fertility status of guava orchards in Kohat District of Pakistan

  A study was conducted to assess the fertility status of the soils of 44 guava orchards in Kohat District of Pakistan. Results showed that the soils generally contained large proportion of silt followed by sand with very small proportion of clay. Average organic matter content in the surface soil was 2.24% and in subsoil 1.42%. Soil pH ranged between 7.8 and 8.8. Soils at surface were non saline except one...

Author(s): Mehvish Fida, Saleem Khan, Asim Razzaq, Iffat Nawaz and Izhar-ul-Haq

September 2011

Estimating the biodiversity of understory plant species in afforestation and land sliding areas of Alder stands

  After natural disturbance and human activities, the processes of regeneration and succession play an important role in increasing forest dynamics. In this study 51 sample plots were established to evaluate the status of plant species biodiversity in afforestation and landslide areas and to assess the effects of soil parameters on tree species community in Alder stands. Our measure of understory plant species...

Author(s):   Seyed Mahdi Varedi Koolaei, Hamid Jalilvand, Seyed Mohammad Hodjati and Aidin Parsakhoo