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Dynamics of Climate Change Adaptations on Horticultural Land Use Practices around Mt. Kenya East Region
Kibetu Dickson Kinoti,
Colbert Mutiso Jackson,
Mwangi Joyce Muthoni
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2018
Pages:
1-6
Received:
27 February 2017
Accepted:
13 April 2017
Published:
16 March 2018
Abstract: Eastern slopes of Mount Kenya experienced widespread horticultural crop production after the establishment of Horticultural Crops Development Agency (HCDA) packing facilities within the region in the early 2000s. Favourable soils and climatic conditions triggered by growing export market demands have led to the changing patterns of agricultural land use practices in Mt. Kenya east region. The focus is now shifting to agro-diversification and land use intensification practices. The growing horticultural farming business in this region is impacting subsistence production, resource use as well as livelihood dynamics. This paper assesses the implications of climate change adaptation measures on household food security, gender roles and land management activities within the context of horticultural produce land use practices. The findings ascertain that the region’s increasing agro-diversification activities are both coping strategies to the climate related changes and the social, political as well as economic transformations ushered in by devolution.
Abstract: Eastern slopes of Mount Kenya experienced widespread horticultural crop production after the establishment of Horticultural Crops Development Agency (HCDA) packing facilities within the region in the early 2000s. Favourable soils and climatic conditions triggered by growing export market demands have led to the changing patterns of agricultural lan...
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Formulated Faecal Sludge and Compost Fertilizer Pellet for Crop Production: The Case Study of the Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant
Dennis Ofori-Amanfo,
George Nana Kwesi Rockson,
Alfred Arthur,
Issahaku Ahmed
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2018
Pages:
7-13
Received:
19 February 2018
Accepted:
5 March 2018
Published:
24 March 2018
Abstract: The application of excreta-based fertilizers has attracted attention due to the increasing prices of chemically produced fertilizers and low soil fertility problem of the agricultural land. This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of mixed dried Faecal Sludge (DFS) and municipal organic Compost pelletized on lettuce production. Faecal sludge was dried and mixed with compost produced from Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACRP). Analysis of the characteristics of Dry Faecal Sludge and Compost informed in the formulation of three (3) different composition in accordance with estimated variation on percentage nitrogen of 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%. The ratios were 1:3.3, 1:1.1 and 1:0.4 (w/w) of Dry Faecal Sludge and Compost respectively. The mixed formulation was pelletized using a pelletizer machine. Starch and clay were used as binding materials for pelletization. The pelletized treatment was used in the production of lettuce. Application of the pelletized treatments confirmed that, pelletize mix of Dry Faecal Sludge and Compost with starch as a binder is highly recommended as it had greater significant effect (p<0.05) on Lettuce Height, wet weight and number of leafs. M3 with ratio 1:0.4 (w/w) DM basis of faecal sludge and compost recorded the highest average dry weight of lettuce.
Abstract: The application of excreta-based fertilizers has attracted attention due to the increasing prices of chemically produced fertilizers and low soil fertility problem of the agricultural land. This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of mixed dried Faecal Sludge (DFS) and municipal organic Compost pelletized on lettuce production. Faecal slud...
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Investigating the Changes of Total Organic Carbon Content in Bottled Water Under Environmental Stress Conditions
Sepideh Daghigi Masouleh,
Fuad Shirmahi,
Hossein Ghafourian,
Mohammad Taghi Sadatipour
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2018
Pages:
14-18
Received:
6 February 2018
Accepted:
25 February 2018
Published:
29 March 2018
Abstract: The consumption of bottled drinking water has increased considerably in the recent years. The main objective of this study was to investigate the changes of total organic carbon (TOC) level in bottled water under various environmental stress conditions. In this study, samples of drinking water were taken just before and after bottling process from three mineral water bottling plants in Tehran province, and the comparison of the levels of TOC content of the water was evaluated before and after bottling process, and at the end of the consumption period. The results indicate that TOC level in mineral water increases over time. There were very few changes of TOC level in the bottled water after one day. After one month and then three months, the changes became more significant in a way that the TOC level increased from 1.6 to 2.33 mg/L. Studying the bottled waters just few days left to their expiration dates revealed that the level of TOC increased twice, i.e. from 1.6 to 2.9 mg/L. Also, the level of TOC in samples changed significantly one month after the expiration date, and it increased from the initial 1.6 to 3.2mg/L. The level of TOC in samples exposed to sun was almost four times more, and reached its highest level of 5.47 mg/L. Also, the level of changes in samples after freezing increased from initial 1.6 to 4.11 mg/L.
Abstract: The consumption of bottled drinking water has increased considerably in the recent years. The main objective of this study was to investigate the changes of total organic carbon (TOC) level in bottled water under various environmental stress conditions. In this study, samples of drinking water were taken just before and after bottling process from ...
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Knit Fabric Scouring with Soapnut: A Sustainable Approach Towards Textile Pre-Treatment
Md. Saiful Hoque,
Samit Chakraborty,
Md. Forhad Hossain,
Md. Masud Alam
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2018
Pages:
19-22
Received:
20 March 2018
Accepted:
30 March 2018
Published:
26 April 2018
Abstract: Detergent contains amphiphilic molecules which diminish the surface tension of water and are widely used for industrial purpose especially during the pretreatment of fabric. When the wastewater containing industrial detergent is discharged into different water sources, it may cause detrimental effect to the aquatic environment. This research paper focuses on the comparative study of natural detergent (soapnut/reetha) and synthetic detergent in case of 100% cotton single jersey knit fabric. Experiments were done using the different concentration of soapnut and at 10% soapnut concentration, weight loss percentage and absorbency of natural detergent scoured fabric were found almost similar to that of fabric scoured with the synthetic detergent. Moreover, bursting strength of fabric scoured with soapnut was found higher than that of synthetic detergent scoured fabric. The result derived from the experiment suggest that soapnut has remarkable detergency properties and can be used as an environment-friendly alternative to synthetic detergent.
Abstract: Detergent contains amphiphilic molecules which diminish the surface tension of water and are widely used for industrial purpose especially during the pretreatment of fabric. When the wastewater containing industrial detergent is discharged into different water sources, it may cause detrimental effect to the aquatic environment. This research paper ...
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