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Growth characteristics of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) G. Don in Derived and Guinea Savanna Ecological Zones of Nigeria

^1*Usman I.A., ²Onyekwelu, J.C and ²Lawal, A

¹Department of Forest Production and Products, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi Nigeria

²Department of Forestry and Wood Tecnology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

*Corresponding author email: aukwublie@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Forests contain many important indigenous tree species that play an essential role in the lives of rural dwellers. Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br.ex. G.Don, an economically important multipurpose tree species, provides food, medicine and income for mankind. This study evaluated the growth characteristics of P. biglobosa populations across derived and guinea savanna zones of Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States in Nigeria. A total of 373 trees from 12 communities were assessed for diameter at breast height (DBH), total height (TH), basal area (BA), volume, and slenderness coefficient (SC). Means for each variable were computed, and the least significant difference at 5% probability was used to determine significant differences. Results showed that DBH ranged from 39.66 cm to 72.70 cm, while tree height ranged from 6.22 m to 8.07 m. Basal area values ranged from 0.01 m² to 0.50 m². Volumes ranged from 0.20 m³ to 2.60 m³. Diameter class distribution revealed J-shaped to normal distribution patterns, with most individuals concentrated in the 29–44 cm and 44–59 cm DBH classes, with a remarkable increase presence of individuals in the class of 59-74 cm. In contrast, trees in larger classes (>89cm and above) were scarce, with complete absence in the Kogi population. The low slenderness coefficient suggests strong stem stability and low susceptibility to wind damage.  These findings highlight significant variation among populations, which would help support the continued population strength and sustainability of this multipurpose species with implications for the conservation, sustainable management, and domestication of P. biglobosa in Nigeria.

[Usman I.A., Onyekwelu, J.C and Lawal, A. Growth characteristics of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) G. Don in Derived and Guinea Savanna Ecological Zones of Nigeria. Life Sci J 2025;22(12):1-14]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 01. doi:10.7537/marslsj221225.01

Keywords: Parkia biglobosa; domestication; conservation; DBH; growth characteristics

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Stand Diameter Distribution Modelling of a Savanna Woodland in North-Central Nigeria

Chenge, I.B.¹; * Japheth D.H. ², Shima, D.D.¹

^1. Department of Forest Production and Products, College of Forestry and Fisheries, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria

^2. Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

daujaph@gmail.com

Abstract: This study modelled the stand diameter distribution of a Guinea savanna woodland located in North-Central Nigeria. Diameter at breast height (DBH) data were obtained from a sample of 119 live trees in the woodland. Tree diameters ranged from 4.6 cm to 41.1 cm with a mean of 10.3 cm (SD = 5.4 cm) and exhibited a positively skewed distribution (skewness = 2.3; kurtosis = 10.0), indicating dominance of small-sized stems. Some probability density functions, including Weibull, Gamma, Lognormal, Normal, Cauchy, Exponential, and Logistic, were fitted to the diameter data to evaluate their suitability for describing stand structure. Model performance was evaluated using Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Cramér–von Mises, and Anderson–Darling goodness-of-fit tests. The Lognormal distribution provided the best overall fit, followed by the Gamma and Logistic distributions. The results indicate a structurally heterogeneous woodland dominated by smaller diameter classes with few large individuals influencing overall stand structure. This study demonstrates the suitability of probabilistic diameter distribution models for describing woodland stand structure and provides baseline information to support sustainable management of the woodland.

[Chenge, I.B., Japheth D.H., Shima, D.D. Stand Diameter Distribution Modelling of a Savanna Woodland in North-Central Nigeria.  Life Sci J 2025;22(12):15-28]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 02. doi:10.7537/marslsj221225.02

Keywords: Stand structure, Tree diameter distribution, Tropical woodland, Probability distribution models, Lognormal distribution

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Optimal control of an epidemic model of leptospirosis with time delay

Syed farasat saddiq¹ , Muhammad Altaf Khan²,  Saeed Islam², Naeam Khalid¹, Syed Inayat Ali Shah¹

¹Department of Mathematics, Islamia College University Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

²Department of Mathematics, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Pakistan

altafdir@gmail.com

Abstract: In this paper, we consider a leptospirosis epidemic model  with non linear incidences by applying the optimal control techniques  and time delay. First we formulate the control epidemic model with time delay and using the control for the infectious host. We want to control the infection in the population and maximize the recovered population. For the eradication of the infection, we use two control variables, to minimize the infection and maximize the population of susceptible and recovered individuals. Find the existence of the control problem and then we characterize the optimal control problem by using the well known method of Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. The numerical simulation of both the system were solved by using backward runge-kutta order four scheme for the solution of the problem numerically.

[Syed farasat saddiq, Muhammad Altaf Khan,  Saeed Islam, Naeam Khalid. Syed Inayat Ali Shah Life Sci J 2025;22(12):29-36]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 03. doi:10.7537/marslsj221225.03

Keywords: Leptospirosis; Pontryagin's Maximum Principle; Time Delay; Optimal control; Numerical simulations

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STUDY ON USE OF   PECTINOLYTIC ENZYME FOR LIQUEFACTION OF FEED SUBSTRATES-CORN AND COTTONSEED

Hardeep Singh

Lecturer in Biology, Govt. Senior Secondary School, Singowal in Jind,  Haryana (India)

Email: hssonadil@gmail.com

Abstract: Accumulation of reducing sugar and protein at different pectinase dose by Corn and Cottonseed spotted. In substrates weight loss is spotted but no major weight loss is found in corn seeds, In cottonseeds approximately 25% weight loss is spotted. In case of corn seeds maximum sugar and protein released with an enzyme dose. Table 1 in observation showed the amount of sugar and protein released with varying dose of enzyme. In case of sugar test optimum enzyme dose is found to be 1.5 ml while in case of protein test optimum enzyme dose is found to be 1 ml. The variation in results obtained for different substrates can be attributed to the cell wall composition of the substrates which might not be same. The significant amount of reducing sugars found in the reaction filtrates after enzymatic treatment proved the liquefaction of feed substrates. The amount of soluble protein released in the reaction mixture was also appreciable. The proteins are present in the cell walls bound by the strong and fibrous pectins, thus are not available as nutrients. By the action of pectinase these proteins became available and these soluble proteins can be easily estimated in the reaction mixture. This can be explained as incomplete degradation of cellulose resulted in release of large amount of proteins but less sugar. In this substrates were reacted with optimum enzyme dose .All substrates released highest amount of reducing sugar and protein at 45˚C, pectin becomes easily accessible to pectinase for release of more reducing sugar and protein. Results showed that pretreatment of forage prior to feeding can make significant differences. While, from the all reports and researches it was not clear whether the major benefit of enzyme application occur in prefeeding treatment or after the feed enters the rumen of the ruminants or cattles.

[Singh, H. STUDY ON USE OF   PECTINOLYTIC ENZYME FOR LIQUEFACTION OF FEED SUBSTRATES-CORN AND COTTONSEED. Life Sci J 2025;22(12):37-42]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 04. doi:10.7537/marslsj221225.04

Keywords: Pectinolytic Enzyme; Seed; Corn; Cottonseed.

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