We explore here the occurrence of aggressive ants in an apparently symbiotic relationship with the savanna tree Acacia drepanolobium and their effects on giraffe herbivory on the Athi-Kapiti Plains, Kenya. Trees taller than 1.3 m were more likely to be occupied by aggressive ants in the genus Crematogaster than were shorter trees. Ants were concentrated on shoot tips, the plant parts preferred ...

Acacia polyphenol (AP) extracted from the bark of the black wattle tree (Acacia mearnsii) is rich in unique catechin-like flavan-3-ols, such as robinetinidol and fisetinidol. In an in vitro study, we measured the inhibitory activity of AP on lipase and glucosidase. In addition, we evaluated the effects of AP on absorption of orally administered olive oil, glucose, maltose, sucrose and starch so...

The objective of this research was to evaluate species discrimination and specific age interactions in managed, homogeneous, even-aged Eucalyptus and Acacia plantations (4–11 years old) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa using hyperspectral data. CASI (36 bands; 426–952 nm spectral range; 1 m spatial resolution) radiance data from the spring (October) of 2004 were used to (i) discriminate between E...

Emission of CO2 from different sources has increased the effect of green house gases and global warming. Fixation of CO2 from atmosphere in the form of solid carbonates appears to be an option for reduction of CO2 concentration. Mineral carbonation is a process of chemical reaction in which minerals or its residues consisting of lime and magnesia become a source of carbonation. The material fly...

Increasing interest has been given so far to the role of mycorrhizal symbiosis on plant diversity and ecosystem productivity. However much remains unknown about the effect of ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity on plant growth and rhizobial symbiosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of ectomycorrhizal diversity on root nodulation and plant nutrient uptake during plant gro...

This paper discusses the effects of intercropping and tree pruning on root distribution and soil water depletion in an alley cropping system with Acacia saligna and Sorghum bicolor in northern Kenya. Root distribution was determined by destructive sampling, and the soil water suction was measured with tensiometers and gypsum blocks, both up to 150 cm depth. The root systems of the intercropped ...

Background: In the face of increasing wood demand in climate change context, fast-growing species are considered as a current solution. However, ability agroforestry systems to contribute bridging gap between and supply mitigation also depends on properties species, which vary based locality. The objective this study was evaluate potential Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunningham ex Benth. Benin whi...

In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized mycetoma as one of the neglected tropical conditions due to the efforts of the mycetoma consortium. This same consortium formulated knowledge gaps that require further research. One of these gaps was that very few data are available on the epidemiology and transmission cycle of the causative agents. Previous work suggested a soil-borne or ...