Homestead agroforestry is a cornerstone of traditional farming systems in Ethiopia, significantly contributing to both livelihoods and biodiversity. While similar practices have been studied elsewhere, findings are often context-dependent. Therefore, this study was initiated to reveal the contribution of homestead agroforestry practices to woody species conservation in the Amhara Regional State. A multistage random sampling design was employed, in which 300 smallholder farmers were randomly selected from six Kebeles. The Six kebeles, Mankusa, Jiga, Chimt, Chertekel, Gedo, and Geshober, from three districts of Gozamen, Gubalafto and Jabitehnan that practiced homestead agroforestry, were selected for the assessment. Woody species diversity assessment was conducted using a total of 300 sampling plots (one 20 × 20 m plot per household) established directly within the managed homestead areas. Individual woody species were identified and counted based on their respective species classification. A total of 45 woody species belonging to 27 families were identified, of which 71.1
Legume–rhizobia symbiosis is central to sustainable agriculture due to its role in biological nitrogen fixation. However, rhizobial diversity in ecologically significant regions such as the Aravalli range remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the microsymbiont diversity associated with Tephrosia strigosa, a legume species for which no prior symbiotic data are available from this region. A total of 83 root nodule bacterial (RNB) strains were isolated from multiple sites across the Central Aravalli range and assessed for their phenotypic and genetic diversity. Based on BOX-PCR fingerprinting, 30 isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed that 23 RNB isolates were related to rhizobial genera (Sinorhirobium and Rhizobium), while 7 belonged to non-rhizobial strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that 15 isolates clustered within the genus Sinorhizobium and were closely related to Sinorhizobium aridi, S. mexicanus, S. kostiense, S. adhaerens and S. terangae. Eight isolates clustered with Rhizobium species, including Rhizobium pongamiae, R. bangladeshense, R. pakistanense and R. oryzihabitans, however, among these two isolates (TS3 and TS16) closely related to R. oryzihabitans failed to nodulate their original host in the host authentication test, indicating their non-symbiotic nature. Overall, the phylogenetic structure of RNB isolates associated with T. strigosa demonstrates that nodulation is primarily mediated by Sinorhizobium and Rhizobium species, with a clear dominance of Sinorhizobium. This dominance suggests that Sinorhizobium spp. serve as the primary microsymbionts of native legumes in the Central Aravalli region. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of rhizobial diversity, biogeography, and host specificity in an ecologically important yet understudied ecosystem.
The plant Stevia rebaudiana, a natural source of high-potency, low-calorie sweetener, holds significant commercial and medicinal value. The present study investigates the potential of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles (PVP-AgNPs) to modulate growth, secondary metabolite production, and genetic stability in S. rebaudiana under in vitro conditions. PVP-AgNPs (≤ 100 nm, 99.5
The integration of biological nitrogen fixation with organic nutrient sources represents a promising strategy to improve the sustainability of common bean production. This greenhouse study evaluated the combined effects of R. tropici inoculation and swine wastewater compost (SWC) application on vegetative growth, root system development, yield components, and grain protein content of common bean (P. vulgaris L.) grown under greenhouse conditions in sterilized soil. Plants were subjected to increasing SWC rates, with and without rhizobial inoculation. The interaction between inoculation and SWC significantly influenced most evaluated variables. Most growth, chlorophyll, and yield-related variables in inoculated plants exhibited quadratic responses to SWC rates, with intermediate applications promoting greater stem diameter, biomass accumulation, root system development, chlorophyll indices, grain yield, and grain protein content, indicating that the combined management strategy improved both productivity and grain nutritional quality. However, excessive SWC application reduced chlorophyll indices, highlighting the importance of optimizing SWC application rates. Overall, the results suggest that the integration of R. tropici inoculation with moderate SWC rates was associated with coordinated improvements in growth, chlorophyll indices, and yield of common bean under the greenhouse conditions evaluated in this study. These findings suggest that this approach represents a potential strategy for reducing dependence on mineral nitrogen fertilization while supporting the efficient reuse of organic residues in legume-based cropping systems.
Climate-induced water stress is projected to hamper soybean yield and seed/grain quality globally, unless climate adaptive management practices are adopted. Soybean (Glycine max L.) was cultivated under field conditions using pots following randomized complete block design and subjected to well-watered or drought stress (40–50
