Parthenium hysterophorus is an alien annual herb that aggressively threatens biodiversity of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) in Uganda. Occurrence, abundance and impact of P. hysterophorus on plant species diversity were examined. An observational inspection survey assessed the occurrence of P. hysterophorus while Quadrats sampled vegetation in P. hysterophorus invaded and uninvaded sites of Mweya Peninsula and along Kazinga Channel Track. Plant species richness, dominance, evenness and diversity of invaded and uninvaded sites were statistically different at P < 0.05. Species richness (R) and dominance (D) were higher in invaded sites (R = 58, D = 0.62) than uninvaded sites (P = 0.043; R = 39, P = 0.04; D = 0.46). Consequently, species diversity of other plants became less (1-D = 0.38) in invaded than uninvaded (P = 0.039;1-D = 0.55). Also, P. hysterophorus significantly starts to reduce species diversity and richness at very low levels of abundances, as low as (4.6%) and (7.7%), respectively, and dominates at a relatively higher level (40.2%). It was concluded that P. hysterophorus in QENP, negatively affects the plant species diversity at low levels of abundances through dominance.
Background: Schkuhria pinnata L., is an antimalarial plant that is highly threatened by the destructive harvesting methods and its collection largely relies on wild sources, that are also exposed to over-exploitation and habitat destruction. Aim of the study: The study aimed at figuring out where S. pinnata grows best and what its growth requirements are; in order to promote the informed cultivation practices and soil selection as a viable alternative to wild harvesting. The agronomical soil nutrient status of S. pinnata, and how it relates to the agro-morphological traits and plant ionome, clues on fertiliser formulations for soils where S. pinnata does not shrive were reported. Methods: A randomised complete block design was employed in agronomical experimental plots in different agro-ecological zones that host Bushenyi, Ntungamo and Kasese districts. Standard procedures for soil and plant analysis were used to analyse soil physicochemical and plant ionome parameters while agro-morphological traits were physically evaluated. Results: Results demonstrated that soil physicochemical characteristics differed significantly across the study sites (p ≤.05). S. pinnata significantly performed better in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH between 5.87-7.25) in Kasese than in other sites. S. pinnata harvested from Kasese had the largest total leaf area (mean = 31.43 ± 2.41cm2) and the highest plant biomass (mean = 7.65 ± 0.64 g). Conclusion: The study concluded that S. pinnata grew best in slightly acidic to neutral, sandy loam, non-saline soils of Kasese in Western Medium-High Farmland
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