Witchweed casts a new curse over the savannah
Article Abstract:
The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria, estimates that the parasitic weed striga, or witchweed, grows in over 40% of fields in some areas of the African savannah. Fallow periods used to keep the weed at bay but the change in crop to high-yielding varieties of maize makes this impossible. The seeds only germinate when a suitable host plant is available. Artificially synthesised germination stimulants or nitrogen fertilisers could be used to inhibit striga but few African farmers can afford them.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The hype is as high as an elephant's eye
Article Abstract:
The elephant was declared an endangered species in Oct 1989 at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) and ivory trading became illegal. The African Wildlife Foundation was concerned that a ban was unnecessary, but 1989 was the year of the environment. The UK World Wide Fund for Nature, part of the international WWF, raised 500,000 pounds sterling for elephants. This decided it to vote in favour of a ban, although WWF was committed to sustainable utilisation.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Put a condom on an elephant
Article Abstract:
Kenya Wildlife Service conducts trials of chemical treatment for fertility regulation for elephants. American zoologist Joyce Poole seeks a suitable method of adminstering contraceptive agents to female elephants. The ban on ivory trading led to large numbers of elephants, which could cause loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation. Kenya Wildlife Service director Dr Richard Leakey opposes culling and believes in the ivory ban. The French abortive agent RU486 will be tested.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Will Nigeria's new leader have the right therapy? Ken Saro-Wiwa was never a saint. Why I can't agree with this tainted account of my father's life
- Abstracts: The brand new property boom that's gone sky-high. The easy way to Yuletide. Money grows on trees
- Abstracts: Who needs a cause celeb? After the bombs, the human cost. Even a crayon can give a child comfort
- Abstracts: A hard line on the software pirates. Euro pirates sail in. PC pirates who sail the software seas
- Abstracts: History of fight for an equal chance. The bosses who know that women mean business