Evaluation of major Acacia species in the nursery towards apicultural landscape restoration around Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Southwestern Saudi Arabia is described by a unique ecosystem and composed of apicultural landscapes where nearly 70% of the beekeeping activities are concentrated. However, this economically important resource is under continuous degradation threat urging restoration. Besides, profound information on the possible major biological components of future restoration; nursery level performances of the native plants, Acacia species is lacking. Hence, the study was aimed at evaluating performances of selected native Acacia species at nursery level as candidate biological tool for apicultural landscape restoration. For this, nine native Acacia species’ seedlings were prepared in accordance to appropriate techniques of nursery operations recommended for arid areas. Meanwhile, species were evaluated and compared based on some performance parameters. Accordingly, significant (P < 0.005) variations were observed among the species in shoot height, collar diameter, height to collar diameter ratio, number of leaves and seedling survival. Acacia origena Hunde, A. gerrardii Benth., and A. johnwoodii Boulos. were superior over the others in most parameters while A. etbaica Schiweinf. and A. asak (Forssk.) willd. were less vulnerable to chanced pathogens. Generally, nursery level performances of all Acacia species under experimentation were within the acceptable range and showed a remarkable score which may lead them to be considered as competent biological tools in the incorporation of the genotypes in apicultural landscape restoration efforts.

Soil Degradation and Restoration in Southwestern Saudi Arabia through Investigation of Soil Physiochemical Characteristics and Nutrient Status as Indicators

“…The study was carried out in forests of southwest Saudi Arabia (Al-baha Region, Baljurashi district). The landscape constitutes the remainder of the forest stock of the country [14]. Due to the geographical diversity, this land feature has diverse climates, thus favoring the growth and flowering of greatly diversified bee plant genotypes rich in nectar and pollen, including Acacia species.…”

Conservation Strategy of Native Seedlings in Kalimantan to Achieve Sustainable Forests in Indonesia

“…This is caused by the performance of the seeds to be planted that were in the post-acclimatization stress minimization stage and the planting location tends to be in its natural habitat. This is by the selection of seeds in forest rehabilitation activities that must be adjusted to the objectives and suitability of the ecosystem [1]. In addition, planting threatened species to increase biodiversity is one of the references in the reforestation of damaged forest areas [16].…”

Germination and Early Growth of <em>Acacia nubica </em>Benth.<em> In vitro</em>

“…Due to withstand of extremely harsh conditions, A. nubica is an indispensable component of agro-pastoral systems in dry areas and with exceedingly fundamental environmental roles. Rural peoples within the arid area where A. nubica occurs rely on the plant to provide their daily needs of medicines, gums, fuel, fiber, timber, fodder, veterinary practices, and apiculture system [5,6]. Analysis of the plant parts showed high contents of crude protein, essential minerals, nitrogen degradation and dry matter digestibility with relatively low tannins contents [5,7,8].…”

“…Seed germination at the establishment phase may be a critical step in determining population distribution [11]. The dynamic of seed germination of A. nubica is impede by several factors including hard seed coat that prevents water imbibition, beetles attack, and fungus infection [6]. About 7% of the total number of A. nubica seeds collected were being rotten or infested [12].…”

“…Also, 55.5% germination was noted after 3 months from sowing giving A. nubica the second lowest value among six studied acacia species [11]. Also, during the early stages of establishment, higher deaths were recorded on A. nubica seedlings [6]. Among the six evaluated species, A. nubica seedling ranked the least with a mean survival rate of 20% at 190 days of sowing [2].…”