Bohdan Lojka

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague | CULS · Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry in Tropics and Subtropics

Land for agriculture in the tropics is often cleared through slash and burn, which is a shifting cultivation system. However, shortening of fallow periods led to soil degradation, decreased yields and increased weed pressure. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of short-term tree fallow of Inga edulis on weeds and soil fertility. We compared...

The traditional control of Imperata brasiliensis grasslands used by farmers in the Peruvian Amazon is to burn the grass. The objective of this study was to compare different methods of short-term control. Biological, mechanical, chemical and traditional methods of control were compared. Herbicide spraying and manual weeding have shown to be very ef...

As traditional slash-and-burn systems with prolonged fallow periods are no longer feasible in most parts of the tropics, improved agroforestry systems have high potential to increase the productivity of farming systems and sustain continuous crop production. Our objective was to assess biophysical and economic performance of planted leguminous tree...

Seeds and bark of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) are popular products in West and Central Africa. Despite the tree’s economic and cultural importance, little is known about its phenotypic and genotypic variation. This study characterised the morphological and genetic diversity of G. kola in South Cameroon, searching for traits and populations th...

Recent studies suggest that smallholder farmers’ perceptions rather than exact meteorological data strongly influence how they adapt to the changing climate. Therefore, we explored the climate change (CC) perceptions and adaptation strategies of coffee farmers in dependence on the meteorological data (1983–2020) along an elevation gradient (1,600–2...

Garcinia kola, known as bitter kola, is a promising multipurpose fruit tree from tropical forests in West and Central Africa. Despite the popularity of the species in folk medicine, very little is known about its management and commercialization. This knowledge might prevent unsustainable collection, overexploitation, and threats to its wild popula...

In Guatemala, potato crop production is affected by the nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida. The ability of both species to form cysts complicates their control and causes an increase in their populations. In Guatemala, both species of nematodes have been reported by morphological identification; however, molecular confirmation...

Biomass measurements are central to understanding and monitoring carbon stocks in the forests. They also assists in assessing the growing stock of a species and biomass energy. Efforts in allometric equation development have grown. This compiled information is an important tool for assessing biomass and associated carbon stocks, the growing stock o...

Even though Guatemala is considered one of the three domestication centres of the avocado (Persea americana Mill), little is known about the genetic diversity of its native populations. This is the first study to explore avocado genetic diversity and population structure in native dispersal areas using microsatellite markers. We sampled 189 avocado...

This communication aims to evaluate biodiversity patterns of two selected groups of insects (ground beetles - Carabidae and pollinators) in agroforestry systems (AF) compared to conventional agriculture habitat,and nature-near habitat,. Our hypothesis is that agroforestry systems can create transitional biotope between conventional field crop monoc...

Recent climate change models predict that coffee production and the livelihood of millions of farmers will be hardly affected by climate change. Climate changes pronounced in increasing temperature and rainfall variability will reduce the bio-climatic suitable areas, growth and yield of coffee and will induce the occurrence of pests and diseases. U...

The growing human population requires vast amounts of supplies that are satisfied by a large agricultural expansion leading to alarming deforestation of tropical forests. The agriculture as mostly revealed now is unsustainable as the tropical soils are relatively nutrient poor, the amount of organic matter decreases fast, and the soil invertebrates...

The interest in re-implementing agroforestry (AF) in European agriculture due to its environmental benefits has been growing exponentially. We reviewed the historical background and the current state (extent, farmers’ perception, legislative support, and barriers) to evaluate the future perspectives of AF in Czechia by identifying the key factors h...

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element in agricultural production, but due to its complex dynamics in the soil, only a tiny amount is usable by plants. This is because most P is in insoluble forms, especially in volcanic Andisol soils. Microorganisms with phosphorus solubilizing capacity (MSF) are an alternative for transforming P into soluble form...

Citation: Kyereh, D.; Maňourová, A.; Hendre, P.S.; Muchugi, A.; Kalousová, M.; Choungo Nguekeng, P.B.; Jawo, T.O.; Ofori, D.A.; Lojka, B. Diversity, Chemical Composition, and Domestication Potential of Allanblackia parviflora A. Chev. in West Africa. Forests 2021, 12, 1758. https://

Allanblackia parviflora A. Chev. is an indigenous tree species which is found in West African rainforest zones. It is an underutilized fruit tree species that has been targeted for improvement as part of efforts to domesticate high-value indigenous multi-purpose trees for fruit and seed production in Africa. Allanblackia has several benefits, such...

Vitellaria paradoxa (C.F.Gaertn.) is a multipurpose tree species distributed in a narrow band across sub-Saharan Africa. The species is integrated into cropping and agroforestry systems as a nutritional and economic resource, which provides a range of environmental services. Integration of the species into land-use systems provides an essential sou...

Vitellaria paradoxa (C.F.Gaertn.) is a multi-purpose tree species distributed in a narrow band across sub-Saharan Africa. The species is integrated into cropping and agroforestry systems as a nutritional and economic resource, which provides a range of environmental services. Integration of the species into land-use systems provides an essential so...

Myanmar is well known as a primary center of plant genetic resources for rice. A considerable number of genetic diversity studies have been conducted in Myanmar using various DNA markers. However, this is the first report using DArTseq technology for exploring the genetic diversity of Myanmar rice. In our study, two ultra-high-throughput diversity...

The interplay of different mechanisms shaping the biochar impact on soil structure remains relatively unexplored. We investigated the impact of biochar application to two contrasting soils on the stability of soil aggregates under an intensive intermittent leaching regime. A greenhouse experiment was established using PVC columns filled with 500 g...

El aguacate es un cultivo de gran consumo a nivel mundial, localizándose su lugar de origen en la región de la Sierra Nevada en California hace ocho a cinco millones de años. En Guatemala se ha reportado una alta diversidad genética mediante caracterizaciones morfológicas, pero debido al comportamiento de polinización cruzada e hibridaciones interr...

The diversification of tropical pastures with legumes (trees) for increased forage and animal productivity has been advocated. Nevertheless, effects on soil quality and belowground biodiversity, and the implications for sustainable intensification remain poorly documented, particularly when cattle grazing is included in the study. We evaluated the...

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element in agricultural production. However, due to its complex dynamics, only a small portion of the total present in the soil can be used by plants. This is because most are found in insoluble forms, especially in Andisol soils of volcanic origin. Phosphate solubilising microbes (PSMs) are an alternative to transfor...

Guazuma crinita, a fast-growing timber tree species, was chosen for domestication in the Peruvian Amazon because it can be harvested at an early age and it contributes to the livelihood of local farmers. Although it is in an early stage of domestication, we do not know the impact of the domestication process on its genetic resources. Amplified frag...

Potential hyperaccumulator plants for sustainable environment in tropical habitats Edgar Castaňares1 , Bohdan Lojka 2 1Faculty College of Agriculture and Forestry, Mindanao State University at Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines 2Department of Crop Science and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical Agrisciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Pr...

Myanmar falls within the center of the genetic diversity of many economically important crops, including wild and cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, the majority of the genetic resources of Myanmar, particularly local varieties, and their distribution remain poorly understood. The present study was conducted to investigate the on-farm vari...

Composition of soil vegetation cover and land management directly influences the cycling of chemical elements and is a key factor for soil biogeochemistry and also Al behaviour. Moreover, Al is an important factor limiting the growth of cultural plants. Our results are based on long-term observations of soils translocated from selected small areas...

Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is an iconic tree of African savannahs. Its multipurpose character and nutritional composition of fruits and leaves offer high economic and social potential for local communities. There is an urgent need to characterize the genetic diversity of the Kenyan baobab populations in order to facilitate further conservation...

Avocado is one of the most widely consumed crops worldwide and originated in the Sierra Nevada region in California eight to five million years ago. In Guatemala, a high genetic diversity has been reported by morphological characterisations, but due the cross-pollination and interracial hybridisations, these characterisations present complications...

Agricultural expansion is a major driver of deforestation which has negative consequences for biodiversity and habitat stability. While sustainable farming is known to be beneficial for biodiversity and crop resilience, little is known about the impact of macrofauna and land‐use intensity on soil quality. In this study, we examine the relative effe...

Agroforestry is considered a sustainable form of land management that optimizes the use of natural resources (nutrients, radiation, water). Agroforestry was a traditional land use system in Europe before modern times. However, before the sixties land intensification and conso- lidation destroyed millions of trees all over Europe. On the contrary, s...

Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae), known as bitter kola, is a multipurpose tree indigenous to West and Central Africa. This highly preferred species is called “wonder plant” because all of its parts can be used as medicine. Its seeds, the most valued product of the tree, are commonly eaten to prevent/cure gastric disorders and for their typical ast...

Farmers' use and preferences of trees in Kurdistan region of Iraq

Forest degradation and forest loss threaten the survival of many species and reduce the ability of forests to provide vital services. Clearing for agriculture in Angola is an important driver of forest degradation and deforestation. Charcoal production for urban consumption as a driver of forest degradation has had alarming impacts on natural fores...

Agroforestry is considered a sustainable form of land management that optimizes the use of natural resources (nutrients, radiation, water). Agroforestry is defined as the deliberate integration of woody vegetation with agricultural activities in the lower story. It provides a higher biomass production per unit of land, while providing more ecosyste...

The application of biochar in Mediterranean region has been considered a promising mean to enhance the soil quality and health. However, the results of previous studies are inconsistent and the effects of biochar on biological activity seem to depend on the initial soil properties. To elucidate this relation, the evolution of microbial and enzymati...

Foreword. It is a great pleasure to share with you the excellent book of abstracts of the 4th European Agroforestry Conference carried out in the beautiful city of Nijmejen (The Netherlands) during the European Green Capital 2018. The book is plenty of extraordinary information and experiences about agroforestry practices and systems around the wo...

The aim of our contribution is to present selected results and conclusions from long term monitoring of selected production and environmental parameters in small agroforestry system which consist of poplar and willow short rotation coppice (SRC) for production of energy biomass combined with poultry breed for self-provision of woodchips and eggs/me...

Agroforestry systems can increase resource efficiency, enhance productivity, and improve the overall resilience of agro-ecosystems. Agroforestry has a long tradition, however their widespread use has been interrupted by introduction of industrial agriculture and in some countries by political changes connected with collectivization and land consoli...

Camu-camu [Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh] is currently an important and promising fruit species grown in the Peruvian Amazon, as well as in Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia. The species is valued for its high content of fruit-based vitamin C. Large plantations have been established only in the last two decades, and a substantial part of the producti...

An understanding of wood physical properties and the interrelationships that govern them is required for efficient utilization of timber tree species. Guazuma crinita is a fast-growing timber tree of agroforestry systems in the Peruvian Amazon. The aim of this study was to assess variation in wood physical properties within the G. crinita stem. Woo...

Multistrata agroforests comprise a wide range of agroforestry practices that includes assemblage of woody and nonwoody plant components, with the wide range of practices on the continuum from using shade trees in perennial plantation to very diversified agroforests that mimic the original forest-like structure. In the humid tropical lowlands, such...

Rural areas near Pucallpa City in the Peruvian Amazon have no access to electricity. Fuelwood is the main source of energy and is used for open-fire cooking, which is generally considered as less efficient cooking method. The performance of two improved cookstoves (Ceramic Stove - CS and Rocket Stove – RS) has been compared with the traditional ope...

Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) is a huge multipurpose tree of the savannahs of sub- Saharan Africa, with high economic potential for local communities. The edible fruits and leaves are known for their high nutritional values and can be used fresh or processed. However, a high intra-specific variability regarding morphology, genetics and nutritio...

Among 23 extracts of medicinal and edible plants tested, Mauritia flexuosa L.f., Arecaceae, showed significant antioxidant ability (DPPH and ORAC=1062.9 and 645.9±51.4μg TE/mg extract, respectively), while Annona montana Macfad., Annonaceae, demonstrated the most promising anti-proliferative effect (IC50 for Hep-G2 and HT-29=2.7 and 9.0μg/ml, respe...

The Amazonian rainforest is a unique ecosystem that comprises habitat for thousands of animal species. Over the last decades, the ever-increasing human population has caused forest conversion to agricultural land with concomitant high biodiversity losses, mainly near a number of fast-growing cities in the Peruvian Amazon. In this research, we evalu...

Key message Slash and burn practices affect tropical forests. Our results showed strong introgression between Inga ingoides and Inga edulis in the species contact area. Interspecific hybridization could be sought to improve yield and tolerance to flooding and further increase the economic potential of the poorly drained Amazonian soils and minimize...

Guazuma crinita is an important fast-growing timber tree species widely used in agroforestry systems in the Peruvian Amazon. The objectives of our research were (i) to assess genetic diversity of G. crinita using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and (ii) estimate correlation between genetic and geographic distances among provenances. The...

The diversity and genetic relationships in 173 sacha inchi samples were analyzed using ISSR markers. Thirty ISSR primers were used, only 8 showed variability in tested samples. ISSR fragments ranged from 200 to 2500 bp. The mean number of bands per primer was 12 and the average number of polymorphic bands per primer was 11. The lowest percentages o...

In this study we have analysed collection and utilization of non-timber forest products in rural areas of central Vietnam. This is an important issue for better understanding of household-forest interactions in rural areas near natural reserves, particularly in developing countries with rapid economic growth. Our research aim was to (i) document fo...

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) cultivation maintaining a high proportion of shade trees in a diverse composition (agroforestry) is currently being viewed as a sustainable land use practice. Our research hypothesis was that cacao agroforests (AF) can support relatively high tree diversity, as compared to surrounding primary and/or secondary forests. The ob...

The aim of this study was to make an initial step in clarification of morphological diversity of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.), a traditional oilseed crop, together with use of ISSR primers for a preliminary assessment of genetic variability in the species. Quantitave and qualitative morphological data together with leaf samples for twenty...

Human activity in the Peruvian Amazon causes native vegetation fragmentation into smaller units resulting on the increase of agricultural systems. Understanding the level, the structure and the origin of morphologic within and among populations variation is essential for planning better management strategies aimed at sustainable use and conservatio...

Ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 101 randomly selected home gardens of Phong My commune, central Vietnam, situated in the buffer-zone of Natural Reserve. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and direct observation. Sixty-seven species belonging to 35 families were identified to be used for various purposes. For each spec...

Performances of a new designed Double-pass solar drier (DPSD) were compared with those of a typical cabinet drier(CD) and a traditional open-air sun drying for drying of red chilli in central Vietnam. The drying times (including nights) to reach the desired moisture content of 10% (on a wet basis) were 32 and 73h respectively. During open-air sun d...

The Amazonian rain forest forms one of the most precious ecosystems and provides a habitat for more than 50% of described plant and animal species. This unique ecosystem is highly disturbed by human activities, which causes biodiversity losses. Biodiversity monitoring and conservation are among the most important roles in tropical environment prote...

Although shifting cultivation is practiced by mil-lions of farmers, it is often blamed for causing deforestation and keeping farmers in poverty. Our study focused on the Amazon basin, where small-scale farmers widely practice shifting cul-tivation. The objective was to identify the diver-sity in land use after initial slash-and-burn land clearing a...

Although shifting cultivation is practiced by millions of farmers, it is often blamed for caus-ing deforestation and keeping farmers in pov-erty. Our study focused on the Amazon basin, where small-scale farmers widely practice shift- ing cultivation. The objective was to identify the diversity in land use after initial slash-and- burn land clearing...