Abstract
Research on carotenoid as the pigments responsible for the brightest colouration of potentially sexually-selected traits in birds has been intense in the last years. For all animals, carotenoids must have a dietary origin as only photosynthetic organisms are able to synthesize them. The incorporation of carotenoids before final deposition in feathers depends on access to carotenoid-rich foods, foraging ability and specific abilities to absorb them through the gut. Carotenoids, none-the-less, have been assumed to be generally limiting in the environment. As a refinement of this potentially limiting status of the carotenoids, a trade-off between their ornamental properties and their physiological functions, particularly an anti-oxidant role, has also been assumed by most authors. Although this assumption mainly stems from medical literature and there is little actual evidence for this in wild birds, it is replicated in a majority of papers dealing with carotenoids in birds. It has been well established, particularly through experiments in captivity, that birds need to ingest a minimal amount of carotenoids to colour their plumage or other integumentary parts. However, demonstrations that carotenoids are utilized for strictly physiological functions are scant. Current evidence derives from captive-bird trials. As an example, female birds significantly reduce their circulating levels of carotenoids at a time when they form carotenoid-rich egg-yolks. The questions whether carotenoids are mobilized from storing organs or the blood during food shortages or in stressful situations, and how many carotenoids remain available in these situations remain contentious.

Abstract
Concerning about land degradation, soil erosion became a serious global problem in the world. Depending of the management and environmental conditions, the soil erosion may manifests in varying degrees. The aim of this study is to assess the land loss estimation and erosion prediction on soil under sugarcane management at Tijucos Creek watershed, SP. Soil samples were collected in 500 m of spacing, giving a total of 353 points in 0 0.20 m depth soil layer in 8.008 ha of area. The geoprocessing resources and the universal soil loss equation (USLE) were used. The soil erosion prediction was calculated using the results for the R, K, LS, C and P factors (USLE). The results showed a constant spatial distribution of rainfall erosivity and soil erodibility. The topographic factor indicated a predominance of low spatial values, although some areas with high values also occurred. Higher occurrence of values greater than 100 Mg ha-1year-1 on land loss spatial distribution was observed in the entire watershed area, indicating the need for measures to minimize the trace processes that contributes to soil loss. The relation between parameters erosivity, erodibility, topographic factor, vegetation cover and conservation practice with the soil loss were compared by linear regression. In all cases, the dependent variable is the soil loss (A) and the independent variable, the parameters of the USLE. The highest correlation occurred with the values of the topographic factor (0.82), explaining 67.2% of soil loss (A), showing that soil loss was more influenced by the topography of the land. Then appears the canopy (0.69) which explains 47.8% of soil loss (A) this is due mainly to areas where the vegetation cover (C) is composed of riparian vegetation, forest, pasture, water bodies and urban areas, the values adopted are close to zero, reducing the loss of soil below the 10 Mg ha-1year-1. The conservation practice factor had a correlation of 0.68 explaining 46.3% of soil loss, probably due to the influence of terrain slope in the calculation of this factor. The correlation of soil loss with soil erodibility (0.60) and with rainfall erosivity (0.60), explained 36.6% and 37.0% respectively of data, soil loss, is due to the uniform distribution of these factors in study area. The erosion prediction resulted in large areas with positive values (6.558 ha), indicating a manifestation of erosion prediction and lower negative values (1.450 ha) that coincide mainly with areas near the headwaters and along the drainage, indicating the conditions under which the occupation does not increase the number of physical factors in order to promote soil loss by erosion. The use of the USLE, with the support of GIS, for calculating and estimate the soil loss, proved that to be feasible, since it allowed to estimate and evaluate the soil erosion, assisting in the planning of land use and conservation practices.

Abstract
Studies of the effects of some organic manures (poultry, cow dung and compost manures) on root-knot nematode affecting tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) was carried out at Kabba College of Agriculture Nigeria. All the organic manures were applied as soil amendment at the rate of 2.0tons per hectare on root-knot nematode infested soil. Poultry manure was superior to the other manures in terms of growth parameter and fruit yield. All the organic manures were effective in reducing the root and soil population of nematode when compared with the control treatment. The results indicate that organic manures can be utilized as effective tool for minimizing the menace of root-knot nematode in all nematode endemic areas. However, it does not give a full control it should therefore be combined with other control measure to give effective control.

Abstract
Apenheul Primate Park in the Netherlands received three male Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in July 2011. All three were born and parent-reared in the Singapore Zoological gardens. The in-situ diet of a Proboscis monkeys consists for 80% of leaves, which are abundant in the tropics all year around. Although it is sometimes believed that captive Proboscis monkeys can only be maintained on mangrove leaves, the animals in Singapore Zoo are fed with a selection of leaves from 54 different plant species. Two kilograms of fresh leaves are offered to each animal three times a day. In addition to this, the animals receive daily one slice of bread, a ball shaped portion boiled rice with boiled chicken or egg and liver cod oil added, a chopped mixture of vegetables and fruit and two primate pellets. The challenge for Apenheul was to change the diet from tropical tree and shrub leaves to European leaves. Since July fresh leaves from more than 10 species were offered. Red oak (Quercus rubra), chestnut (Castnea sativa), silver birch (Betula pendula), blackberry and raspberry (Rubus spp.) and rose (Rosa spp.) were perceived palatable by the animals. With the twigs are offered as bundles, the animals seem to prefer to pick the leaves themselves. The availability of fresh leaves is a problem in the winter period. The animals do not like frozen and thawed leaves; only grape vine (Vitis vinifera) is accepted when thawed. Presently fresh leaves from Rubus spp. are offered. These are obtained from a commercial grower who prunes the plants regularly. The present daily individual diet consists of four kilograms fresh leaves, almost 700 grams green beans, boiled rice mixed with boiled egg, about 100 grams of pellets, two apples, a pear and a sweet potato. Fennel and celery are also offered but seldom eaten. Until now no health problems were reported.

Abstract
Proper soil fertility management is a core component of sustainable Zimbabwean agriculture and it entails proper fertiliser use and inclusion of N fixing legumes. A major limitation to productivity is poor inherent soil fertility and soil impoverishment as a result of continuous nutrient mining. Efforts to remediate soil fertility problems using nitrogen-fixing legumes are hampered by the fact that the range of legume options available for use on depleted sandy soils, common in Zimbabwe and many other countries of Southern Africa, is narrow. In this study 3 legumes, hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) were assessed for their above-ground biomass production and soil fertility benefits to a companion maize crop. Sites were established in the 2009-10 season in Chiota, Wedza and Grasslands research station in Marondera. The study consisted of 2 field experiments arranged in a completely randomised blocked design. One experiment consisted of sole legumes grown with and without basal fertiliser (N:P:K / 7:14:7) and the other experiment had legumes relay intercropped into maize with and without basal fertilisation. Establishment of hairy vetch was poor in Chiota and Wedza because of the mid-season drought experienced during the 2009-10 season. At 75 days after planting, sunnhemp produced the highest average above-ground biomass (10.99t/ha) followed by cowpea (2.94 t/ha) and hairy vetch (1.02 t/ha). Application of basal fertiliser did not significantly affect biomass yield of cowpea but sunhemp and hairy vetch responded significantly to basal fertiliser application. Maize receiving basal and ammonium fertiliser produced the highest grain yield (3.1 t/ha), and maize-legume intercrops achieved maize grain yields of up to 2.6 t/Ha. Across the sites, the type of legume in the maize intercrop had no significant effect on grain yield. Field nodulation of hairy vetch by Rhizobium leguminosarum from an imported inoculant was sporadic thereby limiting the potential benefits of N fixation of this legume. Further fieldwork using a Rhizobium leguminosarum strain MAR 346 is recommended since this strain was obtained from tropical soils in Southern Africa and is better adapted to local soil conditions.