Search Results (3)

This study emphasizes the role of Prosopis cineraria (Druce) in promoting sustainability through its contribution to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. The accurate quantification of the aboveground biomass (AGB) of Druce trees is essential for assessing their potential in reducing carbon emissions, yet remains a significant challenge. To address this, the study aimed to (1) estimate the AGB using destructive sampling; (2) analyze variability in existing allometric biomass equations; (3) evaluate remote sensing and machine learning techniques for estimating AGB and carbon sequestration; and (4) develop and validate new allometric equations based on field and remote sensing data. The Druce trees, with diameters at breast height ranging from 20.7 to 28.97 cm, exhibited an AGB of 208.3 kg per tree, which corresponds with a carbon sequestration stock of 97.89 kg C/tree. This translates to an annual carbon dioxide sequestration potential of 0.36 t C/tree. The newly developed allometric model (Model-2) was found to demonstrate superior accuracy, with performance metrics including a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 2.6%, relative bias of 5.3%, R² of 0.906, mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.151, and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.189. These improvements highlight the significant role of remote sensing technologies in advancing sustainable carbon monitoring and offer a more precise tool for enhancing global carbon sequestration models. By integrating field-based measurements and advanced technologies, this study strengthens our ability to assess the carbon sequestration potential of trees, contributing to more sustainable management and climate resilience strategies. Full article

Seed priming is a cost-effective and efficient pre-sowing technique that promotes seed germination and plant growth under abiotic stress. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different priming treatments on breaking the dormancy of ghaf (Prosopis cineraria L. Druce) seeds. Furthermore, the effects of storage conditions and seed coating on seed germination were examined. Treatments with hot water, KNO₃, KCl, polyethylene glycol (PEG), H₂SO₄, gibberellin (GA₃), cytokinin benzyl adenine (BA), and H₂SO₄ + BA were investigated. Among all the tested treatments, seeds responded the best to the H₂SO₄ 50% 2 min + BA (200 ppm) priming treatment in terms of germination uniformity and effectiveness. This treatment initiated germination 5 days after sowing and increased the germination percentage from 11.32% in the untreated seed to 83% and 100% in the primed ones after 5 and 20 days, respectively. The germination percentage and primary root length were shown to be more responsive to this combined treatment, followed by the H₂SO₄ 50% 2 min+ BA 100 ppm. This treatment achieved the best result of 100% germination when the seeds were covered in a seed ball. Additionally, the treated seeds could be stored at room temperature or 4 °C for more than 10 days with no negative effect on the germination. Based on these findings, this treatment could be recommended to farmers and plant producers to boost the mass production of ghaf trees. Full article

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. Is highly recognized for its invasive character and its detrimental effects on different plant species across the world. In this study, a field survey was performed to assess the impact of P. juliflora on the surrounding native plants, followed by the effect of different concentrations of its aqueous leaf extract on seed germination and seedling growth of selected Qatari flora. Our field observations indicated a high prevalence of new recruitments of P. juliflora than other native-associated plants in the study site. Germination percentage and/or seed radicle length of the test species: Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne, Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce, Sueda aegyptica (Hasselq.) Aellen, Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk.) Bunge ex Schweinf. & Asch, and P. juliflora were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced by the extracts at different concentration levels. Moreover, the germination rate of A. tortilis was not affected; however, the seed germination of P. cineraria was significantly affected at concentrations of 6 and 8 mg mL⁻¹. The seed radicle lengths at 2 mg mL⁻¹ were significantly reduced for both plant species. The seed germination and radicle length of S. aegyptica and H. perfoliata were significantly decreased at 2 mg mL⁻¹ of extract of P. juliflora. Furthermore, the height and biomass of the seedlings of Aeluropus lagopoides (L.) Trin. ex Thwaites, Caroxylon imbricatum (Forssk.), and Tetraena qatarensis (Hadidi) Beier & Thulin were significantly reduced by the aqueous extracts at 6 and 8 mg mL⁻¹. The aqueous extract reduced the seed germination and seedling growth at 6 and 8 mg mL⁻¹, indicating an autotoxic effect. Such allelopathic behavior of P. juliflora designates the potential investigation of using its allelochemicals as naturally based herbicides in agrosystems. Full article