Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve biomass, photosynthesis, and water use efficiency of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller under different water levels

Opuntia ficus-indica(L.)Miller is a CAM(crassulacean acid metabolism)plant with an extraordinary capacity to adapt to drought stress by its ability to fix atmospheric CO_(2) at nighttime,store a significant amount of water in cladodes,and reduce root growth.Plants that grow in moisture-stress conditions with thick and less fine root hairs have a strong symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)to adapt to drought stress.Water stress can limit plant growth and biomass production,which can be rehabilitated by AMF association through improved physiological performance.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of AMF inoculations and variable soil water levels on the biomass,photosynthesis,and water use efficiency of the spiny and spineless O.ficus-indica.The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with a full factorial experiment using O.ficus-indica type(spiny or spineless),AMF(presence or absence),and four soil water available(SWA)treatments through seven replications.Water treatments applied were 0%–25%SWA(T1),25%–50%SWA(T2),50%–75%SWA(T3),and 75%–100%SWA(T4).Drought stress reduced biomass and cladode growth,while AMF colonization significantly increased the biomass production with significant changes in the physiological performance of O.ficus-indica.AMF presence significantly increased biomass of both O.ficus-indica plant types through improved growth,photosynthetic water use efficiency,and photosynthesis.The presence of spines on the surface of cladodes significantly reduced the rate of photosynthesis and photosynthetic water use efficiency.Net photosynthesis,photosynthetic water use efficiency,transpiration,and stomatal conductance rate significantly decreased with increased drought stress.Under drought stress,some planted mother cladodes with the absence of AMF have not established daughter cladodes,whereas AMF-inoculated mother cladodes fully established daughter cladodes.AMF root colonization significantly increased with the decrease of SWA.AMF caused an increase in biomass production,increased tolerance to drought stress,and improved photosynthesis and water use efficiency performance of O.ficus-indica.The potential of O.ficus-indica to adapt to drought stress is controlled by the morpho-physiological performance related to AMF association.

Determinants of Household Choice of Livelihood Diversification Strategies in Selected Drought Prone Areas of the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Region, Ethiopia

The study aimed at identifying the determinants of household’s choice of livelihood diversification strategies. The result of the study based on a total of 384 sample respondents selected using multistage sampling procedures. Furthermore the study employed bivariate Probit econometric model to identify factors affecting household’s choice of livelihood diversification strategies. The result of the descriptive statistics showed that households in the study area were engaged in four types of combination of livelihood diversification strategies: on-farm only, on-farm plus off-farm, on-farm plus non-farm, and on-farm plus off-farm plus non-farm with their respective share of 34.9, 11.5, 47.9 and 5.7 percent respectively. The econometric model result showed that wealth, sex, education level, livestok holding, and training were negatively and significantly determined households choice of off-farm livelihood strategies;whereas past erosion hazard and distance to market were positively and significantly determined their choice of off-farm livelihood strategies. On the other hand, wealth, dependency ratio, past erosion hazard, market availability, yield loss/reduction due to drought, distance to credit source, distance to market, frequency of extension contact, and ICT ownership (Radio, TV and/or Mobile phone) positively determine household’s choice of non-farm livelihood strategies whereas access to irrigation and distance to credit negatively determined their choice of non-farm livelihood strategies.

Effect of Lime and Phosphorus on Yield and Yield Components of Groundnut Varieties [Arachis hypogaea L.] on Acidic Soil in Nedjo District, Western Ethiopia

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in western Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is very low mainly because of strong soil acidity and poor soil fertility management. A study conducted to evaluate the effect of lime and mineral phosphorus fertilizer on yield components and yield of groundnut. The treatments consisted of three phosphorus rates (0, 46 and 92 kg P2O5·ha-1), three lime rates (0, 6, and 11 ton lime·ha-1), and three groundnut varieties (local cultivar, Werer-961, and Werer-963) was laid-out as a randomized complete design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. The corresponding rates of phosphorus applied per pot of soil (7 kg) amounted to 0, 107 and 215 mg kg·soil-1 and those of lime amounted to 0, 14, and 26 g kg·soil-1. The analysis of variance showed that phenological characters, yield, and yield components significantly affected by interaction of variety, phosphorus, and lime. The highest dry pod yield produced by Werer-963 (2 kg dry pod yield·pot-1) in response to the application 11 t·ha-1 lime and 46 kg P2O5·ha-1. However, Werer-961 produced medium (1.5 kg dry pod yield·pot-1) at 11 t·ha-1 lime and 92 kg P2O5·ha-1 and the local cultivar produced minimum (1 kg dry pod yield·pot-1) at the application of 11 t·ha-1 lime and 92 kg P2O5·ha-1. In terms of phosphorus yield efficiency index, Werer-963 was highly efficient (index of 1.71), and Werer-961 was moderately efficient (index of 0.6). However, the local cultivar was inefficient (index of 0.04). It is at, in acidic soil of the study area Werer-963 is the best to be cultivated with application of lime 11 t·ha-1 and 46 kg P2O5·ha-1 fertilizer, followed by Werer-961. The results of this pot experiment have revealed that farmers in the study area need to switch to cultivating the improved varieties of groundnut rather than local variety with the application of high rates of lime and moderate amounts of phosphorus.

Evaluation of Fungicides for Effective Management of Leaf and Fruit Spot (Pseudocercospora angolensis) Disease of Citrus under Field Conditions

Leaf and fruit spot (Pseudocercospora angolensis) disease of citrus attacks leaves, fruits, and young twigs of the plant. The disease can cause a yield loss of (50% to 100%) in areas with high rainfall and humidity during the active growth stages of the crop. Currently, citrus plantations in the south, south-west and north-west of Ethiopia are seriously affected by this disease. As a result, this study was proposed to study the effect of fungicides in controlling. And candidate fungicides were: Carbonchlor 50% SC only, Benline 50% WP only, Bellis 38% WG only, Carbonchlor 50% SC combined with Bellis 38% WG, Benline 50% WP combined with Carbonchlor 50% SC and Benline 50% WP combined with Matco 72% WP for effective management of citrus leaf and fruit spot (Pseudocercospra angolensis) disease. The study was carried out in 2021 cropping season. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was the design applied. The result showed that the highest level of efficacy (90.46%) was produced by Bellis 38% WG fungicide followed by Carbonchlor 50% SC (86.50%), Bellis 38% WG + Carbonchlor 50% SC (82.00%), Carbonchlor 50% SC + Benline 50% WP (67.89%), Benline 50% WP (65.62%) and Matco 72% WP + Benline 50% WP (49.48%). Therefore, based on the outcome of the study application of Bellis 38% WG only followed by Carbonchlor 50% SC only, Carbonchlor 50% SC combined with Benline 50% WP, Bellis 38% WG combined with Carbonchlor 50% SC, Bellis 38% WG only, Benline 50% WP only and Matco 72% WP combined with Benline 50% WP were effective fungicides to be used for the control of leaf and fruit spot disease.

Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Hararghe Highland Bull after Draught Work Service

The objectives of the study were to examine the effects of draught work on carcass characteristics, meat yield potential, and distribution along primal cuts in Hararghe highland bulls fed on net energy requirement basis. Twelve bulls were sorted into three groups of four animals each and assigned to three treatment hours: control (0), 4, or 6, using a complete randomized design (CRD). The results of the study show that there are no significant differences (p > 0.05) in slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), chilling loss, total edible and non-edible offal, fat thickness (FT), deboned meat yield (kg), meat to bone ratio, muscle distribution, and proportion of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (KPH%) among the treatment groups. However, the hot carcass-based dressing percentage was significantly lowered (p < 0.05) in bulls that work 4 or 6 hours a day. Meat yield was strongly correlated with HCW (r = 0.74) and FT (r = 0.73). Therefore, the number of hours the bull spent on draught work did not negatively impact meat yield or quality. Consequently, the research suggests that utilizing Hararghe highland bulls for draught service, four or six hours a day is viable for dual advantages: crop cultivation and marketable carcass.

Effect of Vachellia tortilis on understory vegetation,herbaceous biomass and soil nutrients along a grazing gradient in a semi-arid African savanna

The spatial pattern and abundance of herbaceous vegetation in semi-arid savannas are dictated by a complex and dynamic interaction between trees and grasses. Scattered trees alter the composition and spatial distribution of herbaceous vegetation under their canopies. Therefore, we studied the effect of Vachellia tortilis on herbaceous vegetation composition, biomass and basal area, and soil nutrients on sites with varying grazing intensities in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Data were collected on species composition, cover and biomass of herbs and grasses, and soil moisture and nutrient contents under light,medium, and heavy grazing pressures, both under the inside and outside of V. tortilis canopies. Species richness was similar in both locations but decreased with increased grazing. Only the overall biomass and herb cover were significantly greater under the canopy than outside, and overall biomass showed significant unchanging decline with increased grazing. However, vegetation cover was significantly greater on moderately grazed sites compared to low and heavily grazed sites. All soil variables were significantly higher under V. tortilis canopies than outside.Our findings suggest that V. tortilis has more effect on composition and diversity of herbaceous vegetation than on species richness, and that V. tortilis promotes the herbaceous layer biomass by reducing soil moisture loss and increasing soil fertility under the inside than outside the canopies. Therefore, we suggest that management practices should be directed on reducing pressure on V. tortilis by regulating grazing. Low to moderate grazing levels(i.e., a stocking rate less than 39.6 TLU ha-1yr-1) seems to be tolerable to ensure sustainable conservation of the species in the study area in particular and in semi-arid savannas in general.

Ethnobotanical Study towards Conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Upper Catchments of Dhauli Ganga in the Central Himalaya

The present study broadly focused on medicinal plant species collected from wild by the villagers for different purposes in the upper catchment of Dhauli Ganga in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve(NDBR),in the central Himalaya.A schedule based survey was conducted during the years 2003-2005 in 15 villages of Chamoli district part of the NDBR.Information was collected from collectors, vaidya(medicine man)and those dealing with domestication and marketing of the medicinal plants. The aim of the study was to understand the prioritiesed medicinal plants,their mode of collection and document their ethnobotanical uses by the Bhotiya tribal communities,in this world heritage site. During the survey,50 medicinal plants belonging to 31 families and 44 genera were documented.Out of these,70% were harvested from the wild,22% were cultivated and 8% were cultivated as well as wild harvested.Of the cultivated species,8% were found growing in the kitchen gardens and 14%in the agricultural fields.However,42%of the plants had their roots and rhizomes used followed by leaves (26%),seeds(10%),seed and leaf(8%),bark and whole plant(6%)and flower(1%).Most plants were reported to be used for rheumatism(16),followed by stomach disorder(14),cold and cough(11),and jaundice(9).Thirty three plants species were reported to have more than one therapeutic uses,while 17 species were reported to be used against single ailment.The distance of villages from road head was one of the factors contributing to the decline in the medicinal plant population in their natural habitats. The availability of medicinal plants increased with increase in distance from road head and also the peoples'dependence on them.Documentation of the traditional knowledge will help in conservation of knowledge and also opportunity for using it for future training and use.The result of this study will help in promoting sustainable cultivation and implementation in conservation protocol of those species,which are in the verge of extinction in this region.

Physiological and biochemical appraisal for mulching and partial rhizosphere drying of cotton

Water is the main factor for the healthy life of plant.One of the main negative effects of climate change is the increasing scarcity of water that is lethal for plant.Globally,for water deficit regions(arid and semi-arid),drought is the main factor responsible for low production of agriculture,especially for cotton.Great efforts have been and are being made to find alternatives to water saving practices.This study aimed to examine the effects of partial rhizosphere drying(PRD,half of the root system irrigated at one event,and the other half irrigated in the next event,and so on)with and/or without various mulching treatments on physiological and biochemical traits of cotton.To explore this objective,we laid out experiments in completely randomized design with factorial arrangement in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur,Pakistan in 2016.Two factors included were four mulching treatments(M0,no mulching;M1,black plastic mulching;M2,wheat straw mulching;and M3,cotton sticks mulching)and two irrigation levels(I0,control(full irrigation);and I1,PRD).Fisher's analysis of variance among means of treatments was compared using least significant difference test at 5% probability level.Results revealed that the maximum plant height,leaf area,leaf gas exchange(photosynthetic rate and stomata conductance),chlorophyll,proline and total sugar contents,and enzyme activities were higher under M2 than under other three mulching treatments.As for irrigation levels,higher values of plant height,photosynthesis and water related parameters(leaf water potential,leaf osmotic potential,leaf turgor potential,etc.)were recorded.Contents of total sugar and proline and activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly higher in PRD-treated plants than in control plants.It was concluded that combined application of PRD and mulching was more effective than the rest of the treatments used in the experiment.Similar study can be conducted in the field by applying irrigation water in alternate rows in semi-arid regions.

Effect of Age and Breeds of Cattle on Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Arsi, Boran, and Harar Cattle in Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age and breed of cattle on carcass and meat characteristics in Ethiopia. A total of 39 (Arsi 11, Boran 14 and Harar 14) cattle breeds with age categories of <3, 4 - 6, and 7 - 9 years were used for the study. The bulls were purchased from their respective production system of mixed crop livestock system (Arsi and Harar) and Ranch (Boran). Parameters such as live and carcass weight, meat yield percent, fat characteristics, and primal beef cuts were evaluated. Complete randomized design was used for the study. The live weight of bulls at <3, 4 - 6 and 7 - 9 years ranged 135 - 183, 167 - 181, and 155 - 433 kg, respectively. The carcass weight, dressing percentage, meat yield percent, forequarter, hindquarter, rib eye area, and fat thickness ranged 57 - 209.73 kg, 41.8% - 51.6%, 32% - 58%, 11.7 - 56.42 kg, 14.04 - 45.34 kg, 4.78 - 10.25 square inches and 0.18 - 0.38 inches, respectively. At an early age category (<3 years) meat yield percentage of Arsi, Boran and Harar breeds were 50.86, 30 and 18.72, respectively, and as age category shifted from one age category to the next Harar increased by 13× and Boran by 2.9× and Arsi decreased by -0.93×. The mean rib percentage of Arsi, Boran and Harar were in the range of 7.98 - 9.57, 8.62 - 10.44 and 7.08 - 8.83, respectively. Breed and age of bulls had significantly affected primal meat cuts. Meat yield was predicted from live and hot carcass weight with coefficient determination (R2) of 70.66% and 74.75%, respectively. From the study, it was concluded that age and breeds of cattle had significantly influence on carcass and meat characteristics. Therefore, to determine whether variations were due to genetic or environmental cause’s evaluation of the three breeds under similar feeding condition was recommended.

Salting-Out Assisted Liquid-Liquid Extraction Combined with HPLC for Quantitative Extraction of Trace Multiclass Pesticide Residues from Environmental Waters

In this study, salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (SALLE-HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of carbaryl, atrazine, propazine, chlorothalonil, dimethametryn and terbutryn in environmental water samples. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as type and volume of extraction solvent, sample volume, salt type and amount, centrifugation speed and time, and sample pH were optimized. Under the optimum extraction conditions the method was linear over the range of 10 - 100 μg/L (carbaryl), 8 - 100 μg/L (atarzine), 7 - 100 μg/L (propazine) and 9 - 100 μg/L (chlorothalonil, terbutryn and dimethametryn) with correlation coefficients (R2) between 0.99 and 0.999. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 2.0 to 2.8 μg/L and 6.7 to 9.5 μg/L, respectively. The extraction recoveries obtained for ground, lake and river waters were in a range of 75.5% to 106.6%, with the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation lower than 3.4% for all the target analytes. All of the target analytes were not detected in these samples. Therefore, the proposed SALLE-HPLC-DAD method is simple, rapid, cheap and environmentally friendly for the determination of the aforementioned herbicides, insecticide and fungicide residues in environmental water samples.

Ethnobotanical and Indigenous Knowledge of Important Plants in East Hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia

An ethnobotanical study was conducted in East Hararghe, Ethiopia to identify and investigate the use of various plants by the traditional healers and communities engaged in domestic, pesticide and medicinal use. A total of 78 species were observed to be used by the local inhabitants in the region for the treatments of various ailments. Out of these, herbs constitute 49% followed by trees(36%) and shrubs only 15%. However, most frequently used plant parts were leaf and aerial parts(20) followed by seed(13), fruit(12), other parts(10), rhizome(7) and bark(1). Most of the plants were found to be used for medicinal, aromatic and food flavouring(spices, condiments) purposes. Out of 78 species recorded in the present study, 11 were reported to cure stomachache, seven for cold, cough and respiratory problem, six for diarrhoea and five species were found capable of curing fever. Fabaceae was the largest family contributing to medicinal plant use with seven species followed by Solanaceae, Myrtaceae,(5 spp.), and Zingiberaceae, Asteraceae, Liliaceae(4 spp. each). Some of the important plants utilized for taking care of variety of ailments are Azadirachta indica, Brassica nigra, Balanites aegyptiaca, Maytenus ovatus, Rosmarinus officinalis and Trigonella foenum graecum. Most of these medicinal and aromatic plants(MAPs) play a significant role in the household economy and were observed to be very popular among the people. Unpopular plants were left out of the study. This study provides useful and basic information on usage of different plants for conducting further studies aimed at conservation and documentation of traditional medicine system and economic welfare of rural peoples of the East Hararghe, Ethiopia. It also revealed that indigenous practices contributed to sustainable management of plants.

Effect of exclosure ages on woody plant structure,diversity and regeneration potential in the western Tigray region of Ethiopia

Exclosure is a method of rehabilitating degraded lands by protecting them from the interference of animals and from human encroachment, and is used to regenerate native vegetation as a way to reduce soil erosion, increase rain water infiltration and provide fodder and woody biomass in degraded grazing lands. Therefore, we studied woody plant structure, diversity and regeneration potentials in 5-and 10-year grazing exclosures in comparison with open grazed sites in a semi-arid environment. Data on species diversity, abundance, structure, basal area, frequency, density, and regeneration status were collected from 270 sample plots. Forty-one woody species representing 20 families were identified, with 18, 28 and 38 species found in open grazed areas, and in 5-and 10-year grazing exclosures, respectively. The 10-year grazing exclosures had a higher(P <0.05) species richness and plant densities compared to the 5-year grazing exclosures and the open grazed areas. The population structure and regeneration status of woody species in both grazing exclosures showed an inverted J-shape, indicating a healthy regeneration status, whereas hampered regeneration was observed in open grazed areas. The establishment of grazing exclosures had positive effects in restoring woody plant diversity and improving vegetation structure and regeneration potentials of degraded grazing lands.

Mechanisms of bush encroachment and its inter-connection with rangeland degradation in semi-arid African ecosystems:a review

Many studies show that semi-arid rangelands throughout the world have been rapidly converted from a grassland state to a bush encroachment state during the past 50 years. Bush encroachment includes the spread of local woody species and/or incursion of woody species introduced from other ecosystems into semi-arid savannas and grassland ecosystems. Rangeland degradation due to bush encroachment causes several challenges, affecting the production of livestock and pastoral people livelihoods in most parts of Africa. Scientists have long been attempting to develop schematic and mathematical theories to explain the observed phenomenon of bush encroachment, and several theories were proposed and developed. The well-regarded theories include： （1） Waiter＇s two-layer model, （2） Moir＇s one-layer model, （3） state-and-transition theory, （4） equilibrium theory, （5） disequilibrium theory, and （6） non-equilibrium theory. Within those theories, the most frequently-indicated driving factors that explain bush encroachment include over-grazing, availability of soil nutrient and moisture, elevated CO2 levels, frequency and intensity of fire, spread of seeds of woody species by livestock and wild animals. It should be stressed that couplings and interactions among diverse driving factors are more often at work in determining the condition of bush encroachment. To summarize, the effort in managing semi-arid ecosystems needs critical knowledge to understand the cause-effect relationships of underlying factors through integrated approach. Therefore, future research on encroachment of woody plants should be multi-discipline oriented and multi-partnership involved.

Thermoregulatory function and sexual dimorphism of the throat sack in Helmeted Guineafowl(Numida meleagris)across Africa

The responses of ground-dwelling birds to heat and cold stress encompass a variety of behavioural,physiological and even morphological mechanisms.However,the role of glabrous skin in this respect has been marginally addressed so far.The Helmeted Guineafowl(Numida meleagris)is a landfowl distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa with eight traditionally recognised extant subspecies.Among the most prominent morphological traits underlying intraspecific variability are size and pigmentation of the bare throat skin(or sack),which might be related to the different habitats and environmental conditions across its wide range.In order to explore the Helmeted Guineafowl range-wide sack variation and pigmentation in relation to thermoregulation and sexual signalling,we collected morphometric and environmental information for N.m.coronata integrating field data with the inspection of photographic material encompassing seven subspecies and environmental information from their habitats.Field data evidenced that sack size was significantly correlated with ambient temperature,thus pointing to a likely involvement of the throat sack in thermoregulation.When the pictorial data from all subspecies were pooled,sack size correlated negatively with biomass,rainfall and humidity,while a positive correlation was found with annual solar irradiation.Sack size correlated positively with monthly temperature variation among the bluethroated subspecies from southern Africa as opposed to the black-throated subspecies ranging north to Zambia and Mozambique.Still,in this latter group the sack was often larger during winter months,possibly to maximise solar radiation absorbance.Noteworthy,sack size was related to sex dimorphism in two subspecies.Sack morphology and colour in the Helmeted Guineafowl likely modulate body temperature by evaporative cooling or heating upon needs,but in some subspecies it is also seemingly related to sexual signalling.Additional studies are needed to fully understand the multifunctionality of this important morphological feature in this species.

Feed Intake, Digestibility, Growth Performance and Blood Profiles of Three Ethiopian Fat Tail Hair Sheep Fed Hay Supplemented with Two Levels of Concentrate Supplement

An experiment arranged in 2×3 (2 concentrate supplement levels (CSL) and 3 breeds) factorial was carried out to evaluate the effect of CSL, breeds, and their interaction on feed intake, digestibility, feed utilization efficiency, and blood profiles of Ethiopian fat-tail hair sheep. The CSL were 1% and 1.75% body weight, designated as L1 and L2, respectively. The breeds used were yearling intact male Blackhead Ogaden (BHO), Horro and Washera. Sixteen sheep from each breed were divided into two based on initial body weight and randomly allocated to two dietary treatments for digestibility and growth trials of 10 and 90 days, respectively. Grass hay as a basal diet was offered ad libitum to each sheep. Feed intake every day and live body weight at interval of ten days were recorded for the duration of the experiment. Blood samples and linear body measurements were taken a week before the end and on the last day of the experiment from all sheep, respectively. Dry matter and nutrient intakes, except concentrate supplement and CP, were influenced by the interaction. The higher (p<0.0001) DM digestibility was recorded from sheep supplemented with L2 than L1. Consequently, sheep supplemented with L2 had significantly higher (P<0.05) feed conversion efficiency (FCE), average daily gain (ADG) (57.3 vs 44.2 kg), total gain (TG) (5.3 vs 3.9 kg) and final body weight (FBW) than those supplemented with L1. Among breeds, Horro sheep recorded higher (P<0.05) DM intake, digestibility, and FCE than the rest of the breeds. Consequently, this breed has significantly (p<0.05) higher TG, ADG, and FBW. Some of the blood hematology (PCV, MCV, neutrophils, and monocytes) and sera metabolites (total protein, urea, and cholesterol) values were influenced by the interaction in favor of L2. Hemoglobin concentration was higher for Washera than the other breeds (p0.05). In conclusion, the study indicate the presence of variation in nutrient intake and utilization, performance traits, and blood profiles among breeds and between CSL, most of which were in favor of Horro breed and high level of concentrate.

Effect of inorganic and organic fertilizers on productivity of groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.)varieties in East Hararghe,Eastern Ethiopia

Groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.)is a high economic value oil crop commonly grown in low-land semi-arid areas of Ethiopia.The crop production is constrained by low soil fertility;however,the nutrient management practice has been given low attention.This study was therefore conducted during the main cropping season of 2015/2016 at Babile and Fedis sites of East Hararghe,Ethiopia to evaluate the growth,nodulation,and yield response of groundnut varieties to the application of combined mineral nitrogen,phosphorus,and vermicompost fertilizers,and zinc.Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of three varieties(Ba-ha-Gudo,Ba-ha-Jidu,and Roba);three fertilizers combinations(0:0 kg N:POhawith no VC,46:46 kg N:POhawith no VC,and 46:46 kg N:POhawith 2.5 t VC ha);and three rates of Zn(0,5,and 10 kg Zn ha)in a randomized complete block design at both sites.The growth,nodulation,yield components,and yield data were subjected to analysis by SAS.The result revealed that plant height was significantly affected by variety and fertilizers combination,the number of branches plant-1affected by the interaction of variety and fertilizers combination while canopy spread and nodulation parameters were affected by the interaction of variety,fertilizers combination,and Zn rate.Pod plant-1and hundred seed weight,dry biomass,pod and seed yields,and seed oil content were significantly affected by the interaction of variety,fertilizers combination,and Zn rate.The highest dry biomass(7.26 t ha),pod(3.13 t ha),seed(2.16 t ha)yields and seed oil content(51.3%),net benefit($1704.2 ha)with a marginal rate of return of 242%were obtained from variety Ba-ha Gudo received the combined application of 46:46 kg N:POhaand 2.5 t VC hawith 5 kg Zn ha.Therefore,it can be concluded that the Ba-ha Gudo variety is preferably produced using the combined application of 46:46 kg N:POhaand 2.5 t VC hawith 5kg Zn hafor high productivity in the study sites and similar agro-ecologies.

The Study of Homegarden Agrobiodiversity, Practices of Homegardening and Its Role for <i>In-Situ</i>Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Eastern Hararghe, Kombolcha Town Oromia Regional State Ethiopia

Homegarden plays a vital role for the livelihood of the people living in town. Homegarden agrobiodiversity was studied to highlight homegarden frequency, types, plant species, growth form and associated indigenous knowledge. The research was conducted during January to April 2017. A total of 180 randomly selected households were included in the survey. Ethnobotanical data were collected from purposively selected 60 homegardens using observations and semi-structured interviews while markets survey was conducted through structured questionnaire for homegarden products. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and similarity and Shannon wiener diversity index. The results indicated that 128 (71%) of the households were practicing home gardening. The homegarden plant composition gave 78 species belonging to 35 families. The representative families and number of species under each family were founded that the family Solonaceae, and Rutaceae rank top of the list (6 species) each followed by Fabaceae and Lamiaceae (5 species each) and Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae and Brassicaceae (4 species) each. Catha edulis, Lantana camara and Ruta chalepensis had the highest frequency of species followed by the families Asteraceae, Rutaceae and Poaceae. Catha edulis, Rhammus prinoides and Ruta chalepensis were among the families found in homegardens. It can be concluded that homegrdens of Kombolcha are rich in biodiversity. The present study showed the existing status of homegardens and local knowledge contribution to the farming systems in conservation of the biological diversity. In addition, plant species providing substantial benefits and factors combined to determining homegarden diversity are documented.

Effect of Varieties and Fungicide Rate on Chocolate Spot (Botrytis fabae) Disease of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) at Tach Gayint District in South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Faba bean is suffered with many biotic and abiotic factors. Chocolate spot disease, caused by Botrytis fabae is one of the biotic factors limiting yields of this crop resulting in yield losses up to 68% in Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted during 2020/2021 cropping season at Tach Gayint district, Ethiopia to determine the integration of faba bean varieties and fungicide rates on reducing chocolate spot disease. The experiment consisted of 12 treatments, viz. three faba bean varieties and four rate of Mancozeb fungicide in factorial arrangement. The experiment was laid out as randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data was collected and analyzed. Results indicated that, disease incidence was reached at maximum percentage in all treatments on the last dates of assessment. But treatments were significantly difference in severity level. The least disease severity was recorded from varieties treated by 3.5 kg/ha of Mancozeb 80% WP with mean values Walki (12.7%), and (18.1% and 20.8%) on Gora and local variety respectively at the final dates of disease assessment. Similarly, the reduced AUDPC was also recorded from varieties treated by 3.5 kg/ha of Mancozeb 80% WP with mean values Walki (371.8% unit/day) and (539% and 686.4% days) on varieties Gora, and Local respectively. Whereas the maximum disease severity and AUDPC were obtained from unsprayed plots. Based on the results obtained, variety Walki treated with Mancozeb 80% WP at rate of 2.5 kg/ha and 3.5 kg/ha were effective to reduce the effect of chocolate spot disease for the study area.

Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Bulls from Arsi, Boran, Harar and Holstein Frisian Crosses Cattle Breeds Finished under Similar Level of Concentrate Supplementation

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of age and breeds (Arsi, Borana, HF-Cross and Harar) on carcass and meat characteristics of bulls finished under similar feeding conditions. The feeding experiment was conducted for 90 days at Beef farm of Haramaya University. In this experiment, 24 bulls were fed with roughage (60%) which contained grass hay and wheat straw and concentrate (40%) which contained wheat bran, noug (gucia abysica) cake, maize grain, limestone, salt and ruminant premix. The bulls were transported to Bishoftu ELFORA export abattoir for slaughter following the procedure of the abattoir. The result of the study revealed that the average slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, shrink loss, commercial dressing and true dressing percentage were 179.1 kg, 86.8 kg, 82.7 kg 4.7%, 48.8% and 78.3%, respectively. Total edible and nonedible offal were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by breed and age. Pelvic fat was significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by breeds. Meat yield percentages of Arsi, Boran, Harar, and HF-crossbred were 78.1%, 77%, 72.8% and 77.2% respectively. Meat yield was predicted from fat thickness and ribeye area with 61% accuracy. Arsi bulls attained the highest (78%) meat yield at early age but decreased by 0.713 rate as age of animals advanced by one digit whereas the meat yield from other breeds showed increment in meat yield percentage with the rate of 1.98, 1.1 and 0.1 for cross, Borana and Harar breed bulls, respectively as age advanced. Yield from fore shank, sirloin, top and bottom sirloin primal cuts were affected by breed. Arsi breed had higher meat bone ration than cross breed. Retailed meat yield was significantly (P < 0.001) predicted from rib area and subcutaneous fat thickness (P < 0.001) with a coefficient of determination 61%, from live animal trait and primal cuts with a coefficient of determination 89.56% and 94.78% respectively. Arsi bulls can be used for beef purpose at 2 - 3 years, as the meat percentage decreases thereafter;while bulls from Boran, cross breed and Harar breeds can be used up to 5 years of age. Meat to bone ratio indicated that HF-Crossbred was less appropriate for beef purpose than other breed bulls in this study. The rate of pH decline was not influence (P > 0.05) by age and breed in the current study.