Research Article
Properties of Streptomyces Bacteria from the Rhizosphere of Some Halophytes at North-East of Qatar: Al Ghariya Case Study
Roda Fahad Al-Thani,
Aisha Al-Mohannadi,
Dana Deyab,
Fatima Abdulla Al-Yafei,
Mohammad Yousaf Ashfaq,
Bassam Taha Yasseen*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
34-51
Received:
22 October 2023
Accepted:
13 November 2023
Published:
21 November 2023
Abstract: The biological activities performed by plants and microorganisms in dry and saline soil play an important role in making them thrive in these extreme environmental conditions. Our previous studies have shown the presence of Streptomyces bacteria in various drylands in Qatar. To understand and elucidate the roles of these bacteria in such unfavorable environments, it is important to investigate the distribution and properties of Streptomyces bacteria in rhizospheric soil of halophytes and compare them with non-rhizospheric soils. Therefore, in this research, four halophyte plants namely: Caroxylon imbricatum, Sporobolus ioclados, Tamarix aphylla, and Tetraena qatarensis, were chosen to investigate the properties, characteristics, and activities of Streptomyces isolates in these habitats. The chemical and physical properties of soil at the study area (Al Ghariya Sabkha) revealed that pH levels are almost uniform and homogenous across the Sabkha; ranging between 7.7-7.9, and salinity levels were very high at non-rhizospheric soil as compared to the rhizospheric soils, thus, all elements at the rhizospheres of the studied plants have lower concentrations than those at the non-rhizospheric soils. The colony characteristics of isolates at the rhizospheric soil of halophytes showed various types of isolates with different colony characteristics and peculiarities which indicate that a significant number of strains of Streptomyces bacteria have thrived under such mini-habitats of the canopy of these plants. The enzyme activities of the isolates that have been studied in the rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils have shown more variable isolates in the rhizosphere of the plants under investigation than those of non-rhizospheric soils. The antibacterial primary activity of the isolates of Streptomyces at these mini-habitats showed that most of them had clear antibacterial action against the tested strains: Gram-negative (E. coli), and Gram-positive (B. subtilis, S. aureus, and S. epidermidis). The details about these parameters and the possible use of modern approaches to identifying Streptomyces bacteria, and the possible roles of halophytes and their associated microbes in saline lands are also discussed in this paper. Overall, the results of this research showed that the properties and characteristics of Streptomyces bacteria explaining their biodiversity were high in rhizospheric soils of halophytes as compared to non-rhizospheric soils.
Abstract: The biological activities performed by plants and microorganisms in dry and saline soil play an important role in making them thrive in these extreme environmental conditions. Our previous studies have shown the presence of Streptomyces bacteria in various drylands in Qatar. To understand and elucidate the roles of these bacteria in such unfavorabl...
Show More
Research Article
Adoption and Adoption Determinants of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Welmera District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Mesay Hailu*,
Esubalew Abate
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
52-63
Received:
6 October 2023
Accepted:
16 November 2023
Published:
29 November 2023
Abstract: Adoption of climate smart agriculture practices believed to have significant contribution to lessen the devastating impact of climate change on agriculture. However, in countries like Ethiopia, adoption and use level remains low. Understanding farmers' levels of CSA practice adoption and influencing factors is therefore crucial. The goal of the study was to evaluate adoption of various CSA practices in the study area, as well as adoption determinants. The study was conducted in Welmera district, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Three kebeles were chosen from the district, and a random sample of 306 farmers was picked. We utilized a cross-sectional household survey, a focus group discussion, and interviews with key informants. A multivariate probit model was employed to investigate factors influencing adoption of multiple climate-smart agriculture practices. According to the result, Conservation agriculture, integrated soil fertility management, and crop diversification are the most often used CSA practices. The results also revealed that men farmers outperformed female farmers in terms of crop diversity and improved animal feed and feeding practice adoption. Farmers' age has a considerable and unfavorable impact on their likelihood of adopting improved soil fertility management and crop diversification. However, it has a positive and considerable impact on the adoption of agroforestry practices. According to economic factors, having a relatively big farmland area considerably enhances the adoption of conservation agriculture, enhances soil fertility management, crop diversity, improved livestock feed and feeding methods, and postharvest technology practice. Improved livestock feed and feeding are more likely to be used if farm income is higher. Having significant number of animals strongly promotes conservation agriculture adoption, and access to financial services positively impacts agroforestry, diversification of crops, and postharvest technology practice adoption. Furthermore, institutional factors including access to the agricultural extension services and trainings were discovered important and beneficial for crop diversification; similarly, access to field day participation was discovered to have a significant and positive impact on the adoption of conservation agriculture and improved soil fertility management practices. It is critical to raise awareness about climate change among farmers and experts, as well as to incorporate location-specific CSA practices into agricultural programs.
Abstract: Adoption of climate smart agriculture practices believed to have significant contribution to lessen the devastating impact of climate change on agriculture. However, in countries like Ethiopia, adoption and use level remains low. Understanding farmers' levels of CSA practice adoption and influencing factors is therefore crucial. The goal of the stu...
Show More
