Some Ecological Studies In the Sudan: Running Research projects

1. Some Ecological Studies In the Sudan: Running Research projects Intisar E. Elteraifi, (Ph.D.) Assistant Professor, Forest Ecology Environmental Sciences & natural Resources Department Faculty of Agricultural Sciences UNIVERSITY OF GEZIRA P.O Box 20, Medani, SUDAN E-mail:esnrd@yahoo.com Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

2. Seminar Outline Research projects Research at GU/FAS/ESNRD Other institutes of similar interest in Sudan Running research projects Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

3. SUDAN Geographic coordinates 22 longitudes  22 to 38 East and latitudes 4 to 22 North Population: 41,236,378 (July 2006 est.) Area: Total: 2,505,810 sq km Water: 129,810 sq km Land: 2.376 million sq km Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

4. SUDAN Natural resources:petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower Land use:arable land: 6.78% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 93.05% (2005) Irrigated land:18,630 sq km (2003) Natural hazards:dust storms and periodic persistent droughts Environment current issues:inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note:largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

5. ECONOMY Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound economic policies and infrastructure investments, but it still faces formidable economic problems, starting from its low level of per capita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF macroeconomic reforms. In 1999, Sudan began exporting crude oil and in the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which, along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate. Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded export processing zones helped sustain GDP growth at 8.6% in 2004. Agricultural production remains Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of the work force, contributing 39% of GDP, and accounting for most of GDP growth, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Chronic instability - resulting from the long-standing civil war IN south, adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices - ensure that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

6. POVERTY • Population below poverty line:40% (2004 est.) • Unemployment rate:18.7% (2002 est.) • GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 38.7% industry: 20.3% services: 41% (2003 est.) Labor force:7.415 million (1996 est.) Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 80% industry: 7% services: 13% (1998 est( Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

7. ENVIRONMENT IN SUDAN Major infectious diseases:degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005) Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

8. Main Environmental Problems In Sudan • Deforestation • Decrease in Biodiversity (Flora/Funa) • Urbanizations • Drought • Soil Degradation • Pesticides (Pollution) • Energy Crises • Refugees & Displacement (War in South/Darfur) • Floods/as a seasonal problem (The Nile F.P. on Sept.) Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

9. Information about Science & Technology In Sudan History of Science and Technology  in Sudan Since the independence (1956), science and technology policies were not formulated in a comprehensive sense, but left to the institutional and academic initiatives. The first organized structure of science and technology came out with the establishment of National Council for Research in 1970.  The National Council for Research is the body that was responsible for the formulation of policies and application of research for the societal benefit and development. Until 2001 efforts were made to initiate technology capabilities in various organizations in the country, however, the outcomes were not satisfactory due to many constrains. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

10. Information about Science & Technology In Sudan Sudan is a vast country spans over 18 degrees of latitude from the desert in the north with hot dry climate to the sub-tropical region in the south with heavy rains and dense vegetation cover. This endows the country with diversity as reflected in various environments and natural resources. The country enjoys extensive arable land that makes agriculture the leading sector and the backbone of industry. The natural resources have also allowed the build-up of a natural herd of livestock as well as wild life. Beside, the country is well known for its rich mineral resources including gold, iron lead chrome…etc, and very recently oil production supports the economy of the country. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

11. Universities In Sudan Khartoum University: The establishment of a campus for Cairo University in Khartoum followed it and in the early sixties, Khartoum Polytechnic Institute was founded. Gezira University is the 3rd . In recent years, higher education has greatly grown with the government establishing a number of universities in Khartoum and in other states of Sudan. The number of Sudanese Universities now are about 26. Private Universities: The private sector is notably contributing in the advancement of higher education in Sudan. Ahfad University for Women, founded by the well-known advocate of women's education, Sheikh Babikir Badri, is considered to be the pioneer in this field. Private and popular higher education boasts studies of modern technology, languages, accountancy, statistics and other disciplines. There is 26 state university and main 6 universities beside large number of private colleges in different areas of science and technology. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

12. Universities In Sudan Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

13. Post graduate studies • M.Sc & Ph.D.’s programs are running in most of these universities and research institutes beside the undergraduate programs. • International fellowships & local funds are also available e.g.. DAAD, TWAS, TWOWS, CIRAD, ICRAF, DANNIDA, FINNIDA. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

14. Running Research Projects Chemical Ecology studies in Neem, Striga & sorghum, Mesquit….etc Screening plants for anti-malarial products. Forest Conservation (Forest Ecology In Acacia Senegal) Mapping of the NR in Gezira State (Desert & Karab encroachment) Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

15. Running Research Projects Agro forestry for improving the local microclimate. Agricultural Residues as a source for energy sources. Soil Seed Banks: Evaluation for natural regeneration. Evaluation of different methods used in desert compaction. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

16. Running Projects • TTMI (Netherlands) • Agro-foretry (ICRAF-Kenya) • Natural Resources management (France) • Water resources management at field level • Bio-pesticides (screening) • Soil Seed bank (Joint project with FNC-FAO) • Medicinal Plants • Renewable energy resources • Drought resistant crops • Alellopathy (plants-animals interactions) Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

17. Future Collaboration Between University of Gezira, Sudan & IISC • Chemical Ecology • Forest Ecology • Environmental Conservation • Natural Resources management • Marin Ecology • Drought resistance • Natural products Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

18. VARIABILITY IN GROWTH, OIL AND LIMONOIDS IN NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS) FROM DIFFERENT ECOZONES IN SUDAN

19. BACKGROUND The increasing cost of the syntheticPESTICIDES & the growing awareness of hazards associated with their large-scale use have evoked a worldwide interest in pest control agents of PLANT ORIGIN Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

20. NEEM TREE • The Village pharmacy • The Nature’s gift to mankind • The wonder tree • A tree for solving global problems • The Global Tree Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

21. Neem tree is an important exotic tree in Sudan which contributes in forest sector asshade, firewood, pesticide & medicinal plant. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

22. NEEM & AGROFORESTRY Neem has been selected to be among the best trees for Agro-forestry systems in dry & semi dry zones. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

23. Neem is highly suitable for the improvement of degraded and nutrient-poor soil. • Important in reforestation programs to combat desertification. • Leaves mulch improves the soil-water conservation, reduces the soil temperature & releases nutrients through decomposition. • Neem cake increases the productivity & works as nematocides Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

24. GLOBAL INTEREST ON NEEM There have been seven International Neem Conferences. All concluded that : Neem is the best promising plant for bio-pesticides production. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

25. Extracts of neemfruit, seeds, seed kernels, twigs, stem bark & root bark have : • Insecticidal [insect antifeedant, insect growth disrupting] • Nematocides • Fungicidal • Bactericidal • Anti-inflammatory • Anti-tumor • Immune-stimulating • Anti-malarial Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

26. What is in Neem?? • Since the early investigation of Siddiqui (1942), more than 300 compounds have been isolated from various parts of the neem tree. • Azadirachtin (is the most biologically active compound), Salannin, Nimbin & Gedunin Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

27. Scheme 1 (1) Nomilin. (2) Citrolin. (3)Harissonin. (4) limonin. (5) Acetoxylharrisonin. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

28. Scheme 2 (6) Azadirachtin. (7) Nimbin. (8) Salannin. (9) 3-deacetylsalannin. (10) Meliantriol. (11). Gedunin. (12) 7-deacetylegedunin. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

29. Azadirachtin • It was isolated by Morgan in 1968 from neem seeds, who showed that it has the formulaC35H44O16. • This compound is now known to affect over 200 species of insects and mites . • Many isomers of azadirachtin, Az-A to Az-H are isolated till now. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

30. Azadirachtin O H O H O C H O O C 3 O T i g O O O H A c O O H H C H O O C 3 O

31. Neem Products Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

32. Origin & Distribution The exact origin of A. indica is not known. Many authors suggest that it may lie in Myanmar(Burma) &/or in southern parts of India. Nowadays, neem is widely distributed by introduction mainly in tropical & subtropical zones of Asia, Africa, The Americas, Australia & the South Pacific Islands. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

33. Distribution of the neem tree at the source of origin Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

34. Ecology Neem tree: Thrives in areas with arid, sub-arid to sub humid conditions. Rainfall : 400-1200 mm (less than 400 mm Depends on the ground water, 130 mm. up to 2500 depends on soil type.) Neem failed to grow in Tonga Island in Ecuador/Amazon basin (3000-4000 mm). Soil : It grows in wide variety of neutral to alkaline soils Well drained, shallow, stony, sandy soils. In Sudan & India it thrives on black cotton soils. Altitude 0-1500 m Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

35. Sudan is an agricultural country Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

36. OBJECTIVES Overall Objective The main objective of this study is to generate requisite information, which would provide the basis of exploiting the neem tree in Sudan as a source of safe, ‘soft’ pesticides, as well as other raw materials. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

37. Specific objectives • To study the characteristics of the neem seeds collected from ten seed zones in Sudan. • To investigate the establishment and growth of ten neem ecotypes from ten seed zones in Sudan under nursery conditions. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

38. To study the effect of two irrigation regimes on ten neem ecotypes from different seed zones in Sudan under nursery conditions. • To quantify and evaluate the total oil content in neem seed kernel collected from ten seed zones in Sudan. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

39. To quantify three active ingredients (limonoids) in NSK methanol extracts specifically azadirachtin (A and B), salannin and nimbin from 10 zones in Sudan over two seasons.

40. To establish relationship between limonoids and the climatic factors &/or GPS, if any, to study the agro-ecological attributes. • To produce predicted quality maps for Az, Sa & Ni in Sudan.

41. Experiments Ten ecological zones were selected according to the tree seed zoning systems map (DANIDA/ARC, 1995). Four sites within each zone were selected, (15-20) trees were marked randomly in each site. (2-3) kg of the neem fruits were collected from these trees. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

42. The selected seed zones in Sudan Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

43. Climatological data & GPS RF, Temp. , RH% and GPS data for the selected agro-ecological zones were obtained from themeteorological Department, Sudan. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

44. Ecological zones for neem seed collections • Data from the Meteorology Department, Sudan. • Climatological normals (1961-1990) Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

45. Annual rainfall and the selected zones in Sudan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 8 9 Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

46. 1. Seed measurements 1. Number of seeds per kilogram 2. Seed size (length & width) 3. Seed, seed kernel & shell weights . 2. Nursery Experiments 1. Provenance variation 2. Drought tolerance studies 3. Quantification of N.O. in NSK 4. Limonoids 1. Azadirachtin 2. Salannin 3. Nimbin Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

47. Seed Measurements • Number of seeds per kilogram • Seed dimensions (Seed length & width) • Seed, seed kernel & shell weights for each ecotypes were carried out accordingtoISTA (1996). Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

48. Seedling Raisings Neem seeds were sown in soil medium (2 clay: 1 sand) in polythene pots (20x25 cm and 15 mm thickness) placed under shade (traditional nursery) at 3-5 seeds per pot.Conducted at the NTSC/ ARC located at Soba/ Sudan. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

49. Provenance variation Sowing date was 25/7/1999; seedlings were irrigated every day for 12 weeks by using flood irrigation. Experimental design (4x3x8x20). Four blocks, 3 replicates. 8 provenances; represented by 20 seedlings in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Measurements Destructive measurements were conducted every four weeks after establishment of 12 weeks. Data of 7 ages ( A1-A7) were collected after removal of the seedlings by using clean water, using mean of three seedlings in each measurement. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi

50. Morphometrics characters of seed and seedlings measured. Dr. Intisar E. Elteraifi