Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment

Hormonal Regulation and Environmental Synergy in Mulberry Propagation: A Review of Auxin Concentrations, Timing, and Cutting Responses

2026-02-19T09:05:27+00:00

This review evaluates the effect of rooting hormones, cutting practices, and environmental factors in improving mulberry (Morus spp.) propagation. A systematic synthesis of published literature from 1990 to 2025 was conducted, focusing on experimental studies that employed auxins such as indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and related regulators in stem cuttings and nodal explants. Evidence shows that IBA consistently outperforms other auxins, with intermediate concentrations (1000–3000 ppm) producing optimal rooting and shoot growth. Rooting success is strongly influenced by the type of cutting, the quality of the substrate, and controlled environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature. Nutrient-rich substrates, such as vermicompost, can further enhance the effectiveness of rooting hormones and support the development of healthy roots. Micropropagation using nodal explants complements conventional cutting methods by enabling rapid clonal multiplication, genetic fidelity, and conservation of elite genotypes, with benzyl adenine (BA) promoting shoot proliferation and IBA enhancing root induction. Overall, findings highlight that mulberry propagation is most effective when hormone regulation is balanced with appropriate cutting practices and favorable environmental conditions. Integrating conventional cutting-based methods with micropropagation offers practical and sustainable strategies to strengthen mulberry cultivation and support sericulture.

Breaking Seed Dormancy in Pili (Canarium ovatum): Efficacy of Hot Water, Cold Water, and Scarification Treatments

2026-07-28T11:19:02+00:00

Pili (Canarium ovatum) is an indigenous tree species in the Philippines valued for its edible nuts, oil, and economic importance. However, propagation of Pili is often limited by seed dormancy, which delays germination and reduces seedling production efficiency. Limited information is available regarding effective pre-germination treatments that can improve the germination performance of Pili seeds. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different pre-germination treatments on the germination performance of Pili seeds. Specifically, the study assessed percent survival, percentage germination, germinative energy, and germinative capacity under four treatments: control (untreated), hot water soaking, cold water soaking, and scarification. A total of 320 seeds were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated four times. Hot water soaking involved immersing seeds in 100°C water for 15 seconds, cold water soaking involved soaking seeds in 10–20°C water for 12 hours, while scarification was performed through manual nicking using secateurs.
Results showed that hot water soaking produced the highest seed survival, germination percentage, germinative energy, and germinative capacity among all treatments tested. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences among treatments for percent survival (F = 804.60, p < 0.0000), percentage germination (F = 3092.74, p < 0.0000), and germinative capacity (F = 9720.18, p < 0.0000). The findings indicate that hot water soaking is the most effective pre-germination treatment for breaking seed dormancy and improving the germination performance of Pili seeds.

Low-Level MYKOVAM® Inoculation Enhances Growth Performance and Biomass Accumulation in Coffea arabica Seedlings

2026-03-20T16:10:39+00:00

Coffee arabica is highly valued in the Philippines for its superior taste and increasing demand. However, the industry continues to face challenges such as low yield, poor bean quality, and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Successful seedling propagation requires the use of biofertilizers to enhance nutrient and water uptake, improve tolerance, and protect against root pathogens. This study evaluated the effects of varying levels of MYKOVAM® on the growth performance and biomass production of C. arabica seedlings under nursery conditions. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed with five treatments and four replications: C (0 g MYKOVAM®), T1 (5 g), T2 (10 g), T3 (15 g), and T4 (20 g). A total of 300 one-month-old seedlings were inoculated at the recommended rates. Growth parameters measured after three months included percent survival, leaf number, root collar diameter, height gain, root length, root biomass, and shoot biomass. Results showed that T1 significantly improved survival, height gain, leaf count, root biomass, and shoot biomass compared to other treatments, though no significant difference was observed in root collar diameter. T2 produced the longest root length, while T3 and T4 recorded the lowest means across most parameters. These findings suggest that the application of 5 g MYKOVAM® is the most effective level for enhancing growth and biomass production of C. arabica seedlings, offering a sustainable approach to improving coffee cultivation in the Philippines.

Microplastic Contamination and Ecological Risk in Intertidal and Subtidal Crabs - Uca perplexa (Decapoda, Ocypodidae) and Sesarma huzardii (Decapoda, Sesarmidae) from a Mangrove Estuary of the Niger Delta, Nigeria

2025-12-22T04:37:36+00:00

Microplastics are currently the most pervasive environmental pollutant globally, permeating all environmental matrices and remotest part of the earth. Microplastic (MP) contamination assessment was carried out in two crab species, Uca perplexa (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) and Sesarma huzardii (Desmarest, 1825), inhabiting intertidal and subtidal zones of the Isaka–Bundu tidal swamp, Niger Delta, Nigeria. This ecologically sensitive mangrove estuary is subjected to extensive anthropogenic pollution - oil exploration, illegal refining, and domestic waste discharges. Crabs (n = 100), surface water, and sediment samples were collected from three stations representing varying pollution intensities and analyzed for microplastics. Microplastic quantification was performed via stereomicroscopy, followed by ATR-FTIR for polymer identification. Higher MP abundance was recorded in the sediments and intertidal habitats with female crabs generally having higher MP loads. U. perplexa showed marginally greater MP accumulation than S. huzardii. Fragments and fibres dominated MP shapes, with blue, red, and black being the most common colours. The predominant MP sizes ranged between 20–300 µm. Station 1 exhibited the highest contamination factor (CF), pollution risk index (PRI), and microplastic concentrations in both biotic and abiotic matrices. Hazard Index (HI) was uniform (21) across all sites, indicating similar polymeric risk profiles. The presence of high-risk polymers such as polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate was also confirmed. Overall, the results indicated significant ecological risks posed by MPs to benthic invertebrates and indirectly to man in the estuarine system. This study stresses the urgent need for regulatory action, improved waste management, and continuous monitoring of microplastic pollution in Nigeria’s coastal environments. Polymer-specific ATR-FTIR results provided the basis for ecological risk assessment calculations.

Plastic waste, circular economy, and atmospheric microplastics: A review of current challenges and the application of moss biomonitoring

2026-06-19T19:11:44+00:00

Plastics have become indispensable materials in modern society; however, their continuous production and consumption have led to significant environmental challenges associated with plastic waste accumulation and the occurrence of microplastics. This review provides an overview of global plastic production, plastic waste generation, and waste management practices, with particular emphasis on circular economy strategies aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing plastic pollution. The current situation in North Macedonia is also discussed, highlighting the challenges and opportunities related to plastic waste management and recycling. Special attention is given to microplastics as emerging environmental contaminants. Current knowledge regarding their sources, environmental distribution, and potential ecological and human health impacts is summarized. Recent studies indicate that atmospheric transport represents an important pathway for the dispersal and deposition of microplastic particles, contributing to their occurrence even in remote regions. The review further examines the application of moss biomonitoring as a cost-effective and efficient approach for assessing atmospheric microplastic deposition. Preliminary observations from a European monitoring initiative, including samples from North Macedonia, confirm the widespread presence of atmospheric microplastics and reveal spatial variations in their concentrations and polymer composition. These findings highlight the importance of harmonized monitoring methodologies and the integration of environmental monitoring with circular economy and waste management strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution.