Nik Muhamad Nik Ab. Majid

An analysis of soil disturbance from logging operation in a hill forest of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract This study was carried out to evaluate the extent and severity of soil disturbance that occurred in a typical harvesting operation in a Malaysian hill forest. A five-tier classification system described by Murphy (1982) was used to assess soil disturbance visually on the logging site for the one-month-old logging operation in a hill forest at Johol Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The three indices used were percentage of area with exposed mineral soil (AEMS), percentage of area with deep disturbance (ADD) and percentage of area undisturbed (AU). The study also evaluated the impacts of logging on soil physical properties. Soil samples were analysed for soil moisture content, total pore space, aeration porosity, available waterholding capacity, particle size analysis, bulk density, compressive strength and shear strength. From the study, the AEMS value was 14.6% and the ADD value was 10.1%. The total disturbed area was 23.1%. Results showed that all parameters used generally increased from ADD, AEMS and AU. All soil parameters measured, except for coarse sand, fine sand, bulk density, compressive strength and shear strength, showed significant decrease with increasing soil disturbance (DC0 to DC4). Coarse sand, fine sand, bulk density, compressive strength and shear strength showed a reverse pattern.

Effects of fertilizers and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizas on the growth and photosynthesis of Azadirachta excelsa (Jack) Jacobs seedlings

Abstract Azadirachta excelsa (Jack) Jacobs is a fast growing indigenous species being promoted as a plantation species in Malaysia. However, the low fertility of most native soils is a primary constraint for good establishment of this species. The effects of fertilizer and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal infection on growth and rate of photosynthesis in A. excelsa seedlings were assessed in a pot experiment. The mycorrhizal inoculated plants (without fertilizer) grew more slowly than control (uninoculated without fertilizer) seedlings, despite the higher percentage of infection. These results suggest that introduced mycorrhizal inoculum was not effective enough to improve seedling growth. Mycorrhizal development was depressed under high levels of fertilizer application. Fertilizer had the strongest effect on growth, biomass and photosynthetic rate, and leaf nutrient concentrations of A. excelsa seedlings. Plants supplied with slow release fertilizer (20N–10P2O5–5K2O) alone gave the most vigorous growth and higher rates of photosynthesis among the fertilizer treatments. These results demonstrate the potential of using slow release fertilizer in promoting seedling growth.

Changes in leaf water use after removal of leaf lower surface hairs on Mallotus macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae) in a tropical secondary forest in Malaysia

Leaf hairs may assist in maintaining high leaf water use efficiency in tropical secondary forest tree species. We compared leaf temperature, transpiration, photosynthesis and water use efficiency between hairy and depilated leaves in Mallotus macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae), to determine the role of leaf hair in leaf water use efficiency (WUE) in tropical degraded secondary forest in Malaysia. Measurements were made on five mature individuals growing in sun-exposed conditions and five in shaded conditions. The hair dry weight per unit leaf area was significantly greater in sun leaves than in shade leaves. The transpiration rate (Trmax) of depilated leaves in sun-exposed conditions was slightly higher than in hairy leaves in both morning and afternoon measurements. In contrast, Trmax in the shade leaves was almost identical in hairy and depilated leaves. Leaf stomatal conductance (gs) in the morning showed almost the same value among leaf types and light conditions. In the afternoon, gs slightly decreased from the morning values in both sun and shade conditions. In the morning, the leaf water use efficiency (Amax/Trmax) in both conditions did not differ significantly between hairy and depilated leaves. However, in the afternoon, WUE in the depilated leaves was significantly lower than in hairy leaves in sun-exposed conditions. These observations suggest that leaf hairs in M. macrostachyus contribute to the high leaf water use efficiency in drought conditions, such as high vapor pressure deficit experienced at midday in degraded tropical secondary forests.

Improving Phosphorus Availability in an Acid Soil Using Organic Amendments Produced from Agroindustrial Wastes

In acid soils, soluble inorganic phosphorus is fixed by aluminium and iron. To overcome this problem, acid soils are limed to fix aluminium and iron but this practice is not economical. The practice is also not environmentally friendly. This study was conducted to improve phosphorus availability using organic amendments (biochar and compost produced from chicken litter and pineapple leaves, resp.) to fix aluminium and iron instead of phosphorus. Amending soil with biochar or compost or a mixture of biochar and compost increased total phosphorus, available phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus fractions (soluble inorganic phosphorus, aluminium bound inorganic phosphorus, iron bound inorganic phosphorus, redundant soluble inorganic phosphorus, and calcium bound phosphorus), and organic phosphorus. This was possible because the organic amendments increased soil pH and reduced exchangeable acidity, exchangeable aluminium, and exchangeable iron. The findings suggest that the organic amendments altered soil chemical properties in a way that enhanced the availability of phosphorus in this study. The amendments effectively fixed aluminium and iron instead of phosphorus, thus rendering phosphorus available by keeping the inorganic phosphorus in a bioavailable labile phosphorus pool for a longer period compared with application of Triple Superphosphate without organic amendments.

Co-composting of pineapple leaves and chicken manure slurry

BackgroundThe common practice of clearing pineapple (Ananas comosus) residues for land preparation for cultivation is by burning, an unsustainable agricultural practice that causes environmental pollution. Chicken manure produced from the poultry industry is also increasing. Inappropriate disposal or treatment can pose harm to the environment and humans. In order to reduce environmental pollution, pineapple leaves and chicken manure slurry were co-composted to obtain high-quality organic fertilizer. The shredded pineapple leaves were thoroughly mixed with chicken manure slurry, chicken feed and molasses in polystyrene boxes. Co-compost temperature readings were taken three times daily.ResultsNitrogen and P concentrations increased whereas C content was reduced throughout the co-composting. The CEC increased from 32.5 to 65.6 cmol kg-1 indicating humified organic material. Humic acid and ash contents also increased from 11.3% to 24.0% and 6.7% to 15.8%, respectively. The pH of the co-compost increased from 6.14 to 7.89. The final co-compost had no foul odour, low heavy metal content and comparable amount of nutrients. Seed germination indices of phytotoxicity test were above 80% of final co-compost. This suggests that the co-compost produced was phytotoxic-free and matured.ConclusionHigh-quality co-compost can be produced by co-composting pineapple leaves and chicken manure slurry and thus have potential to reduce environmental pollution that could result from poorly managed agricultural wastes.

Anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 inhibitory activity of earthworm extracts as potential new anti-aging agent

OBJECTIVE To examine whether earthworms of Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus rubellus and Eudrilus eugeniae extracts have elastase, tyrosinase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) inhibitory activity. METHODS The earthworms extract was screened for elastase, tyrosinase and MMP-1 inhibitory activity and compared with the positive controls. It was also evaluated for whitening and anti-wrinkle capacity. RESULTS The extract showed significantly (P<0.05) good elastase and tyrosinase inhibition and excellent MMP-1 inhibition compared to N-Isobutyl-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-glycylhydroxamic acid. CONCLUSIONS Earthworms extract showed effective inhibition of tyrosinase, elastase and MMP-1 activities. Therefore, this experiment further rationalizes the traditional use of this worm extracts which may be useful as an anti-wrinkle agent.

Integrating needs of the local community to conserve forest biodiversity in the state of Kelantan

Kelantan State, claimed to be one of the poorest states in Malaysia, has forest lands, nature reserves and other protected natural areas which are under increasing threat from a variety of human activities. At the same time, the State government lacks financial resources and skilled manpower to manage the protected forest lands adequately. The present strategies to manage protected forest areas are inadequate to overcome these constraints. Alternative strategies are needed to conserve Kelantans forest biodiversity. Furthermore, conservation efforts will not be effective without the active cooperation and participation of people living in and near the forest areas. To achieve this, it is essential that the people share the benefits and responsibilities of forest resource management with the state government.A proposal to involve the local people in an integrated action plan is discussed in this paper. It aims to find options of protecting forest land encroachment in the State with an ultimate goal of increasing the capacity of the poor to carry out activities on a sustained basis. It is hoped that the proposed project will help the State government to improve economic status as well as environmental awareness and reduced dependence on forest lands.Much of the forest lands in Kelantan are threatened by encroachment from the people who live around the forest areas. This encroachment is not only the result of poverty and shortage of land, but is also due to the unclear forest boundaries. People also do not understand the significance of forest biodiversity. It is important therefore that the local people are encouraged not to encroach into the forest areas. There has to be support from the top in order to sustain integration efforts. Both the State and the central government agencies must be a part of the planning and implementation process. The challenge becomes one of integrating the needs of the local people with development priorities of the government. In practical terms, this paper hopes to arrive at a workable methodology rather than be a purely scientific exercise which can serve as a model to the other states experiencing similar problems.

Heavy metal uptake and translocation by Justicia gendarussa Burm F. from textile sludge contaminated soil

Abstract Heavy metals are dangerous environmental pollutants that can be transferred and accumulated in human and animal bodies causing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and carcinogenic effects. A glass house experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of Justicia gendarussa Burm F. to absorb heavy metals from textile industry sludge. Justicia gendarussa seedlings were planted on six different growth media (soil+sludge) comprising: 100% soil, 100% sludge, 80% sludge+20% soil, 60% sludge+40% soil, 40% sludge+60% soil and 20% sludge+80% soil. The maximum height increment and number of leaves were found in 20% sludge+80% soil while the highest basal diameter increment was recorded in the 100% sludge. Copper and iron were highly concentrated in the roots, zinc in the leaves, while aluminium was concentrated in both leaves and stems. Justicia gendarussa seems to have a high potential to absorb high amounts of Al and Fe in the leaves and roots. This species showed high translocation (TF) and low bioconcentration factor (BCF) in the contaminated soil. Justicia gendarussa was able to tolerate and accumulate a high concentration of heavy metals. Therefore, this species can be considered as a potential phytoremediator.

Assessment of heavy metal uptake and translocation in Dyera costulata for phytoremediation of cadmium contaminated soil

Abstract Heavy metal pollution is a widespread global problem causing serious environmental concern. Cadmium, one of the heavy metals, is water soluble and can be transferred from soil to plants and enter into the food chain. It is detrimental to human health because it accumulates in the body and can cause renal tubular dysfunction, pulmonary emphysema and osteoporosis. This heavy metal needs to be cleaned up for a clean and safe environment. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of Dyera costulata as a phytoremediator to absorb cadmium from contaminated soils. Dyera costulata seedlings were planted on six different growth media (soil + different levels of cadmium): Control, 25 ppm Cd, 50 ppm Cd, 75 ppm Cd, 100 ppm Cd and 150 ppm Cd. The highest growth performance mainly height, basal diameter and number of leaves were in the control, 50 ppm Cd and 25 ppm Cd treatments, respectively. The highest accumulation of cadmium (52.9 ppm) was in the 75 ppm Cd treatment. Among the plant parts, leaves showed the highest concentration of cadmium. Dyera costulata showed high translocation factor and low bioconcentration factor values in soil at high cadmium concentrations and was also able to tolerate and accumulate high concentrations of cadmium. The roots of Dyera costulata were found to be suitable for the absorption of cadmium in contaminated soils. This species can be an efficient phytoremediator for soils contaminated with cadmium.

Compost maturity and nitrogen availability by co-composting of paddy husk and chicken manure amended with clinoptilolite zeolite.

The availability of paddy husk from rice processing plants remains high owing to increase in the worldwide rice consumption. Increasing demand for chicken products leads to poultry wastes production. Co-composting of the aforementioned wastes could solve the indiscriminate disposal of these wastes. Thus, co-composting of paddy husk and chicken slurry with clinoptilolite zeolite and urea as additive was carried out. Clinoptilolite zeolite was used to enhance ammonium and nitrate retention in the compost. Temperature of the compost was monitored three times daily for 55 days. Cation exchange capacity, organic matter, ash, humic acids, pH, total C, N, C/N ratio; total P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, NH4+, NO3−, and heavy metals contents were determined using standard procedures. pH, total N, humic acids, ash, NH4+, NO3−, P, Ca, Mg, and K contents increased but the salinity, heavy metals contents, and microbial population were low after the co-composting process. Zea mays L. (test crop) seed germination rate in distilled water and the compost were not significantly different. Growth of Spinach oleracea (test crop) on a peat-based growing medium and the compost was also not significantly different. These findings were possible because the clinoptilolite zeolite used in co-composting reduced accumulation of heavy metals that may have damage effects on the test crops. Mature compost with good agronomic properties can be produced by co-composting chicken slurry and paddy husk using clinoptilolite zeolite and urea as additives.