Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Soil texture, plant available water and fertilizer N would influence growth, biomass production and antimicrobial properties of locally used medicinal plants.This research was aimed at investigating how various soil textures (loamy sand, sandy loam and loam) with varying amounts of plant available water (PAW) and nitrogen fertilizer rates would influence the biomass production and antimicrobial properties of Mentha longifolia L. In this research, a two-way factorial experiment was used. It was produced by 3 X 3 factors, viz. three different soil textures (loam, sandy loam and loamy sand) and three levels of PAW in the first trial (0 %, 50 % and 90 % depletion of PAW) and three levels of N fertilizer rates in the second trial. The elemental fertilizers KNO3, K2SO4, KH2PO4, KCl Ca (NO3)2.2H2Oz, CaSO4.2H2O and Mg SO4.7H2O were used to prepare a nutrient solution for fertigation to meet 0Kg ha-1, 150Kg ha-1 and 250Kg ha-1 fertilizer N. This was replicated four times. The experiment was conducted in a tunnel. From the first trial the highest biomass production was obtained from 0% depletion of PAW treatments whereas 50% and 90% depletion of PAW matched each other at lower biomass productions. In terms of soil texture a higher biomass production was gained from loamy sand followed by loam and sandy loam. In the second trial similar influences of soil texture were evident and the significant biomass productions were highest, intermediate and low from 250Kg ha-1, 150Kg ha-1 and 0Kg ha-1 of fertilizer N, respectively. Accordingly, Mentha longifolia L revealed a minimal bacterial inhibition activity at 20g 100ml-1 against Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive bacteria) under Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assay–susceptibility test. It was therefore concluded that soil texture does influence biomass production. In a like manner, the PAW had a significant impact on the total biomass production. An increase in N fertilizer increased vegetative biomass production. Plant material obtained from Mentha longifolia L has antimicrobial properties. Medically the plant can be used to combat Staphylococcus aureus – a major and ubiquitous pathogen for humans. The significance of this study is thus that it will benefit and help the medical community and future research as the guide to sustainable production and utilization of Mentha longifolia L. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Grondtekstuur, plant beskikbare water en kunsmis N sal plantegroei, biomassaproduksie en antimikrobiese-eienskappe van plaaslike medisinale plante affekteer. Die doel van die navorsing was om die effek van grondteksture, plant beskikbare water (PAW) en stikstof op die biomassaproduksie en antimikrobieseeienskappe van Mentha longifolia L. te bestudeer. 'n Tweerigting-faktoriaal-eksperiment is gebruik deur drie verskillende grondteksture (leem, sanderige-leemgrond en leemsand) en drie vlakke van PAW in die eerste geval (0%, 50% en 90% uitputting van PAW) en drie vlakke van N-kunsmistoedienings in die tweede geval. Die basiese kunsmis KNO3, K2SO4, KH2PO4, KClCa(NO3)2.2H2Oz, CaSO4.2H2O en MgSO4.7H2O is gebruik in so „n mate dat 0Kg ha-1, 150kg ha-1 en 250 kg ha-1 Nas sproeibemesting toegedien is. Dit is vier keer herhaal. Die eksperiment is uitgevoer in 'n tonnel. Die hoogstebiomassaproduksie is van die eerste geval verkry van 0% uitputting van PAW behandelings, terwyl 50% en 90% uitputting van PAW ooreenstem met mekaar op laer biomassaproduksies. In terme van grondtekstuur is 'n hoër biomassaproduksie verkry in leemsand gevolg deur leem en sanderigeleem. In die tweede geval is soortgelyke invloede van grondtekstuur duidelik en die beduidende biomassaproduksies was die hoogste, intermediêre en laagste van 250 kg ha-1, 150kg ha-1 en 0Kg ha-1 van kunsmis N, onderskeidelik. Gevolglik, Mentha longifolia L onthul 'n minimale bakteriese inhibisie aktiwiteit op 20g 100ml-1 teen Staphylococcus aureus (gram positiewebakterieë) onder Minimum inhiberende konsentrasie assay-vatbaarheidtoets. Die gevolgtrekking is dus dat grondtekstuu biomassaproduksie beïnvloed. In 'n soortgelykewyse, het PAW 'n beduidende impak op die totale biomassaproduksie. 'n Toename in N-kunsmis verhoog vegetatiewe biomassaproduksie. Plantmateriaalverkry van Mentha longifolia L het antimikrobiale-eienskappe en kan as Die medisinale plante gebruik word om Staphylococcus aureus te bestry - 'n groot en alomteenwoordige patogeen in die mens. Die belangrikste bydrae van die navorsing is die bydra wat dit tot die mediesegemeenskap gemaak het. Die studie het ook riglyne gestel vir toekomstige navorsing vir volhoubare produksie van Mentha longifolia L. / NRF and DST for the funding of this study through the Seboka Project

The potential for aquaculture to be integrated within a large-scale irrigation system taking a poverty-focused approach was investigated in the Mahaweli System H irrigation system of North Western Province, Sri Lanka. Using a livelihoods approach an initial situation appraisal identified the potential for aquaculture to be integrated within existing livelihoods activities. The appraisal revealed that decreasing returns from farming and fishing seasonality were major sources of household vulnerability. Using fish caught from the tank fishery, small-scale cage-based fattening of tilapia was developed with participants in an attempt to mitigate seasonal vulnerability caused by fishing seasonality. Participatory technology development was conducted with members of two communities within Mahaweli System H. Upon identifying resources and formulating a research agenda with participants, pilot trials were conducted by fisher-farmers in USG village and by a group of female cage operators in RAJ village. The study identified several constraints to sustainability of the culture system such as variable and low availability of small tilapia with which to stock cages, poor feed quality and latterly, competition for feed inputs. Despite their initial enthusiasm, women were particularly disadvantaged in this process as they were unable to catch their own fish with which to stock their cages and became dependent on men to assist them. The study showed that the cage-based fattening system was able to help meet emergency household expenses, although it was not efficient enough nor practiced on a large enough scale to contribute greatly to household security. In this manner, holding and fattening smaller tilapia is comparable with livestock holdings. Further development of cage design and feed administration improvements are needed to reduce production costs and improve the economic viability of the system.

Cette thèse visait à caractériser l’architecture hydraulique du xylème chez les hybrides de peuplier Populusdeltoides × P. nigra et à juger de ses relations avec le fonctionnement hydrique et carboné de l’arbre en conditions d’irrigation contrastées. A cette fin, huit génotypes se distinguant par leur discrimination isotopique vis-à-vis du carbone 13 ont été cultivés en pépinière. Nos travaux ont permis de mettre en évidence d’importantes variations entre génotypes pour les caractéristiques anatomiques du xylème, l’efficience hydraulique de la tige et de la plante entière ainsi que la résistance à la cavitation. Nos travaux démontrent également que l’anatomie et la résistance à la cavitation du xylème s’ajustent aux conditions hydriques du milieu de façon génotype-dépendante. En condition hydrique non limitante, nous avons mis en évidence un compromis entre l’efficience hydraulique et la résistance à la cavitation ou le potentiel de croissance. Ces deux compromis expliquent la relation positive observée entre la résistance à la cavitationet le potentiel de croissance. En condition hydrique limitante, cette relation n’était toutefois plus observable. Aucune relation n’a pu être identifiée entre les propriétés hydrauliques et l’efficience d’utilisation de l’eau. Ces travaux suggèrent que certaines relations couramment observées à l’échelle inter-spécifique ne sont pas nécessairement applicables à des échelles d’étude plus réduites. Ce travail ouvre des perspectives sur le plan fondamental pour l’identification du déterminisme moléculaire à l’origine de la plasticité structurale observée et sur le plan appliqué, pour la création variétale. / This work aimed at characterizing xylem hydraulic architecture and at describing its relationships with whole plant water and carbon relations among Populus deltoides × P. nigra hybrids under contrasting water regimes. Eight genotypes differing in carbon isotope discrimination were grown in the field in a common garden test. Significant variations were observed between genotypes for all xylem anatomical characteristics, stem or whole-plant hydraulic efficiency and xylem resistance to cavitation. Drought-induced acclimation was observed for xylem structural features and xylem resistance to cavitation, but in a genotype-dependant manner. Under optimal irrigation, a trade-off was observed between hydraulic efficiency and xylem resistance to cavitation or growth performance. These two trade-offs translated into an uncommon positive relationship between xylem resistance to cavitation and growth performance. Under water deficit,this relationship broke down. No relationship could be detected between xylem hydraulics and water-use efficiency estimates. Our results suggest in part that several common relationships that are observed at the between-species level may not necessarily hold true at narrower scales. Further, this work opens up prospects both for identifying the molecular basis of xylem structural acclimation and for breeding strategies.

"The Tennessee Valley Authority is a world example of the full development of a river basin in soil conservation, flood control, navigation, electric power, afforestation, and recreation... Many river basin areas in the United States have created planning commissions to further develop the advancement of their own watershed problems. The Trinity Improvement Association is the planning commission for the Trinity River watershed area... In Chapter II a factual resume of the Tennessee Valley Authority will be given, and this chapter will be used as a basis of comparison for the development of the Trinity River Basin. Chapter III covers the problem of soil conservation and flood control within the watershed area; Chapter IV deals with the industrial and municipal use of water and the resources of the tributary area; Chapter V contains a brief history of the canal movement on the Trinity, the feasibility of such a canal, and miscellaneous developments; and Chapter VI contains the conclusions that it seems appropriate to draw. " -- leaf 1.

No description available.

Due to an increasing global population and changes in diets the impact of food consumption on the world’s ecosystems and their services has become more significant. The purpose of this project has been to investigate how the impact on ecosystem services from Swedish food consumption has changed over time and if this development is sustainable or not. A quantitative assessment of six different environmental impact factors has been carried out for each food category. The project clarifies how Swedish food consumption has developed since the 1960s, the origin of the food that has been consumed, which processes that affect the environment as well as the consequences from these impacts. The result showed that Swedish food consumption has increased considering quantity, that the consumption pattern has changed, and that the import of goods has increased since the 1960s. The average Swede eats more animal-based products such as meat, cheese and cream, along with more vegetable-based products such as fruit and berries, and vegetables. Instead, products such as milk and soured based products has decreased, while products made from flour and grains has stayed unchanged. The project shows that animal-based products, especially from ruminant animals, has a significantly higher ecological footprint in comparison with vegetable-based products, concerning most of the categories mentioned above. Considering that the swedes eat more animal-based products today than in the 1960sthefollowing conclusion, that the Swedish impact on ecosystem services has increased since the 1960s even though food production has become more efficient, could be drawn.

A pesquisa objetiva a composição de cenários de planejamento para o Plano Diretor utilizando-se de medidas de recuperação ambiental através de uma bacia selecionada. São avaliadas simulações hidrológicas através: a) da implantação de: medidas de reúso de águas pluviais com microreservatórios instalados no lote, b) da arborização urbana, c) do reservatório de detenção, d) do coeficiente de permeabilidade, e outras medidas para micro e macro-drenagem. A metodologia utiliza uma base regional para espacializar através de bacias embutidas (MENDIONDO E TUCCI, 1997) a classificação de uso e ocupação do solo para os anos: 1962, 1972 e 1998. Os resultados oferecem diretrizes para novos empreendimentos, loteamentos urbanos e políticas públicas. A situação de passivo ambiental da bacia justifica o estudo em micro-bacias urbanas embutidas. As simulações envolvem cenários retrospectivos de 40 anos, atual e prospectivos de 15 anos com e sem Plano Diretor. Os critérios adotados resultam para o planejamento ambiental melhorias na carga de poluição hídrica e prevê a recuperação de suas funções hidrológicas e ambientais. Inclui-se uma análise de incertezas a partir dos diferentes estados de condições de umidade antecedente que afetam o valor de CN. A partir destes resultados, recomenda-se avaliar novos cenários de planejamento, instrumentação de monitoramento para bacias sem dados que visem o estudo aplicado do aproveitamento de águas pluviais no lote associado às incertezas das previsões hidrológicas dessas bacias sem dados, conforme o programa PUB - Predictions in Ungauged Basins (SIVAPALAN et al, 2003) / The research aims to compose planning scenarios for Master Plan using measures of environmental recovering to control of urban drainage at the scale of an ungauged basin selected. Hydrologic simulations are assessed by the implementation of several measures as: a) indirect impacts of rain water use system in the urban lot, b) urban arborization, c) detention reservoir, d) permeability coefficient and complementary measures at micro and macro drainage. The methodology uses regionally-based nested basins (MENDIONDO e TUCCI, 1997) with a classification of land-use in years: 1962, 1972 and 1998. Results will offer directive to new urban achievements and water policies. Environmental passive situations (diagnosis) at the basin scale justify experimental studies in nested urban micro-basins. The simulations involve retrospective scenarios through 40 years, present state (1998) and prospective scenarios of 15 years with and without master plan. Criteria adopted result in best management practices (BMP’s) in water pollution and foresee recovery of hydrologic environmental functions. Analysis of uncertainties of hydrologic estimations to different antecedent moisture conditions through the CN parameter is also presented and discussed. From these results it is recommended to assess new planning scenarios that aim experimental study, thereby looking forward to proposing new concepts of rain water use, i.e. by using micro reservoir at domiciliary lot. These scenarios are to be depicted into the hydrologic uncertainties at basins without data especially addressing the PUB program - Predictions in Ungauged Basins (SIVAPALAN et al, 2003)

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and the C4 pathway are photosynthetic adaptations that significantly improve plant water use efficiency (WUE). These two CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) share many similarities, including the pre-fixation of CO2 as organic acids via phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and the subsequent decarboxylation of these acids near the active site of Rubisco. The simultaneous occurrence of both CCMs in the same tissues has long been regarded as biochemically conflicting; however, the existence of Portulaca species that can switch between C4 and CAM pathways within a single leaf challenges this assumption. By monitoring anatomical traits, photosynthetic parameters, nocturnal acid accumulation and transcript abundance of C4- and CAM-related genes, this study aimed to characterize the drought induced changes in CAM expression in both leaf and stem tissues of Portulaca oleracea. CAM was shown to be expressed in an entirely facultative fashion in leaves whereas both ontogenetic and environmental cues seem to control CAM induction in the stem tissues. Data revealed that depending on the environmental conditions and plant age, P. oleracea stems can perform either C3 or CAM, but not C4 photosynthesis. Gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis suggested that the daytime decarboxylation of the organic acids accumulated overnight in CAM- performing leaves supplied CO2 to Rubisco behind closed stomata at sufficient levels to maintain the photosynthetic apparatus integrity and functioning even after prolonged drought exposure. Overall, no marked anatomical changes were observed in P. oleracea leaves or stems during the CAM induction, suggesting that gene expression and metabolism reprogramming may account for most of the C4-to-CAM and C3-to-CAM transition in leaves and stems, respectively. Gene expression data also indicated that the switch between C3 and CAM pathways in the stems requires the transcriptional regulation of a more extensive set of CCM-related genes than the C4-to-CAM transition in the leaves. Altogether, our findings reveal a remarkable photosynthetic plasticity in P. oleracea and provide important clues about the mechanisms behind the compatibility between the C4 and CAM pathways in this plant species / O metabolismo ácido das crassuláceas (CAM) e a via C4 são adaptações fotossintéticas que melhoram significativamente a eficiência no uso da água (WUE). Esses dois mecanismos concentradores de CO2 (CCMs) compartilham semelhanças, incluindo a pré-fixação de CO2 na forma de ácidos orgânicos através da atividade da enzima fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilase (PEPC) e a subsequente descarboxilação desses ácidos próximos ao sítio ativo da Rubisco. A ocorrência simultânea de ambos os CCMs no mesmo tecido é vista como bioquimicamente conflitante; no entanto, a existência de espécies de Portulaca capazes de alternar entre as vias C4 e CAM numa mesma folha desafia essa potencial incompatibilidade. Ao monitorar as características anatômicas, os parâmetros fotossintéticos, o acúmulo noturno de ácidos e a abundância de transcritos de genes relacionados aos comportamentos C4 e CAM, o presente estudo buscou caracterizar as mudanças induzidas pela seca na expressão do CAM em tecidos foliares e caulinares de Portulaca oleracea. Enquanto a ocorrência do CAM nas folhas parece ocorrer de modo totalmente facultativo, tanto fatores ontogenéticos quanto ambientais parecem controlar a expressão desse comportamento fotossintético nos caules. Os dados revelaram que, dependendo das condições ambientais e da idade das plantas, os caules de P. oleracea podem realizar C3 ou CAM, mas não a fotossíntese C4. As análises de trocas gasosas e de fluorescência da clorofila a nas folhas das plantas submetidas à seca sugerem que a descarboxilação diurna dos ácidos orgânicos acumulados durante a noite forneceria CO2 à Rubisco em níveis suficientes para manter a integridade e funcionamento do aparato fotossintetizante mesmo após exposição prolongada à seca. Em geral, nenhuma alteração anatômica marcante foi observada nas folhas ou caules durante a indução do CAM, sugerindo que as reprogramações da expressão gênica e do metabolismo respondem pela maior parte das mudanças associadas à transição de C4 para CAM e de C3 para CAM nas folhas e caules, respectivamente. Dados de expressão gênica também indicaram que a transição entre as vias C3 e CAM nos caules requer alterações no perfil transcricional de um conjunto mais numeroso de genes relacionados aos CCMs do que a transição de C4 para CAM nos tecidos foliares. Em conjunto, as dados obtidos revelam uma notável plasticidade fotossintética em P. oleracea e fornecem pistas importantes sobre os mecanismos responsáveis pela compatibilidade entre as vias C4 e CAM nesta espécie vegetal

Aktuelle Klimamodelle prognostizieren, dass viele bedeutendeWaldregionen in Mitteleuropa zukünftig einer steigenden Frequenz und höheren Intensität von Dürreperioden ausgesetzt sein werden. Buchendominierte Wälder bilden einen wichtigen Bestandteil dieser Waldregionen. Der Mangel hinsichtlich der Wasserversorgung ist eine der wichtigsten limitierenden Faktoren für das Wachstum der Pflanzen sowie der damit verbundene reduzierte Zugewinn an Kohlenstoff. Ein weiterer bedeutender Stressfaktor ist die Konkurrenz zwischen sowie innerhalb Pflanzengemeinschaften. Aufgrund dieser Tatsache ist es wichtig, die pflanzenphysiologischen Mechanismen während der Trockenheit sowie interspezifische und intra-spezifische Konkurrenz in buchendominierten Waldökosystemen zu verstehen. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht den Zusammenhang von Kohlenstoff- und Wasserhaushalt und deren Wechselwirkungen sowie die Transportwege während der Trockenheit auf unterschiedlichen räumlichen (Blattebene bis Bestandesebene) und zeitlichen (kurzfristig bis langfristig) Skalen. Insgesamt wurden sechs Arten ausgewählt (Fagus sylvatica, Acer platanoides, Fraxinus excelsior, Impatiens noli tangere, Mercurialis annua und Allium ursinum). Alle Arten haben verschiedene Strategien entwickelt, um Konkurrenz und Trockenstress zu bewältigen, zu verhindern oder zu tolerieren. In Abhängigkeit von der Trockenstressintensität wurden geringe Effekte, in der Mesophyllleitfähigkeit (gm), intrinsische Wassernutzungseffizienz (iWUE) sowie in der Transportmenge an neuen Assimilaten beobachtet. / Current climate models predict that many important forest regions in Central Europe will experience increasing frequencies and severities of drought periods. Beech-dominated forests are an important part of these forest regions. Shortage in water supply is one of the most important limiting factors for growth of plants and thereby linked to a reduced carbon gain. Another key stressor is the competition between as well as within a plant communities. Due to this fact it is important to understand the plants physiological mechanisms during drought as well as inter-specific and intra-specific competition in beech dominated forest ecosystems. This present study documents the interrelation of carbon and water balance and the interactions of its pathways during drought on different spatial (leaf area to the stand level) and temporal scales (intra-annual to decadal). Six relevant species were selected in total (tree species: Fagus sylvatica, Acer platanoides, Fraxinus excelsior and species from the understorey of beech dominated forests: Impatiens noli tangere, Mercurialis annua and Allium ursinum). All of them have developed various strategies to cope with competition and avoid or tolerate drought stress. Depending on the drought intensity (e.g. moderate realistic drought) small effects in mesophyll conductance (gm), intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) and amount of new assimilates within trees occurred.

Befintliga klimatscenarier visar att vi i framtiden kommer att få längre torrperioder och intensivare nederbörd, vilket ökar sårbarheten i våra system för dricksvattenförsörjning och avloppshantering. Öar är känsliga för kommande klimatförändringar då de har små vattentillgångar och sällan har kommunal vattenförsörjning. Dagens vattensystem är linjära, där renat avloppsvatten återförs direkt till naturen. För att få en bärkraftig avloppshantering kan en vattenanvändning införas som efterliknar den hydrologiska cykeln. Syftet med studien är att undersöka ön Möjas vattentillgång, vatten- och avloppssystem, inställning till att återanvända avloppsvatten, samt om cirkulärt vattenbruk är ett hållbart system.   Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer, enkäter, litteraturstudier och fältstudier på ön har data samlats in och analyserats. Resultaten visar att Möjas befolkning använder mindre vatten per person och dygn än den genomsnittlige svensken. Inställningen till att återanvända renat avloppsvatten varierar, med lägst acceptans för återanvändning av svartvatten. Studien visar att cirkulärt vattenbruk är möjligt då ett sådant system redan har installerats på ön.  Resultaten tyder på att öbor generellt hushåller med sina vattenresurser, samt att en tveksam inställning till att återanvända svartvatten kan bero på den så kallade äcklighetsfaktorn. Trots en varierande acceptans för att återanvända vatten bör fler cirkulära vattensystem kunna införas på ön, vilket ger Möja en mer bärkraftig hantering av sitt avloppsvatten. / Existing climate scenarios show that in the future we will have longer dry periods and more intense precipitation, which increases the vulnerability of our drinking water and wastewater management systems. Islands are sensitive to future climate change due to limited water resources and the fact that they rarely have a water supply from the municipality. Today's water systems are linear, where purified wastewater is returned directly to nature. In order to obtain a sustainable sewage treatment, the usage and treatment of water need to mimic the hydrological cycle. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the island's water supply, water and sewage systems, the attitude towards reuse of wastewater, and whether a circular model of using water is a sustainable system. Through semi-structured interviews, surveys, literature studies and field studies on the island, data has been collected and analysed. The results show that Möja's population uses less water per person and day than the average Swede. The attitude towards reusing purified wastewater varies, with the lowest acceptance for the reuse of black water. The study shows that a circular model of using water is possible since such a system has already been installed on the island. The results indicate that islanders generally are more cautious with water resources and there is an uncertain attitude to reusing black water, which may depend on the so-called yuck-factor. Despite a varying acceptance for reuse of purified wastewater, circular water systems can be introduced on the island, which gives the population a more sustainable management of its wastewater.