In Ethiopia, swine are mainly raised under small scale production systems of urban and peri-urban areas. The swine sector has got very little attention compared to other livestock components. This happened mainly due to religious and social reasons. Swine breeds in Ethiopia consist of exotic breeds and their crosses. The indigenous pig is an animal which has been very neglected and wild. Although smallholder swine farmers make a contribution to the livestock sector, they are discouraged and constrained by issues relevant to culture and religion, in addition to feed shortage, disease, inaccessible market, lack of clear pig and pork marketing system, lack of transport, poor extension and veterinary services, lack of market and shortage of land as the major constraints of swine production and marketing in Ethiopia. This paper highlights the Ethiopian swine industry, the role played by the smallholder swine farmers, the constraints and recommendations to the policy makers and stakeholders on the way of promoting smallholder swine farmers. Keywords: constraints, government, swine production DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022
Soybean is a legume crop grown in the tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates which are used for food and animal feed. However, the production and productivity of soybean is low and improvement in production and productivity depends on the extent to which a household has applied the recommended production technologies. The review was aimed to identify the determinants of adoption and intensity of improved soybean varieties to generate information that helps to understand and evaluate the key challenges in Ethiopia. The review showed that sex of household, age of household head, education, farm experience, participation in training, and extension service affect the adoption of improved soya bean varieties positively and significantly while the distance to the nearest market affects adoption of improved soya bean varieties negatively and significantly. On the other hand, the intensity of adoption was affected by age, soya bean farm experience, participation in training, and size of livestock holding. Most of the studies reviewed in this paper indicated that sex has a significant positive impact on the adoption of improved soya bean varieties. However, the participation of female households in the adoption process indicated that 15% of female-headed households and dominated by 85% of male household heads. Therefore, to improve the adoption of modern agricultural technologies like improved soya beans the following recommendations are forwarded. Female-headed households should get emphasis in all activities of the promotion of new technologies. On the other hand, evidences showed that the huge oil factories in Ethiopia like W. A and BK are using soya bean as a major input to their production. Consequently, those industries demanding a higher amount of soya bean as an input and they are creating a backward linkage to smallholder soya bean producer farmers. For instance, W.A's edible oil factory alone needs 20,000 hectares of land to run the business and 500,000 quintals of soya bean requires per year. Therefore, it can improve smallholder farmers' livelihood by creating market opportunities to supply their products directly to factories. Thus, the promotion of new soya bean varieties, strong linkage between farmers and factories and comprehensive studies on the adoption and impact of soya bean should get attention from the regional and federal government of Ethiopia. Keywords: Adoption; Determinate, improved soya bean; Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-6-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2023
This paper anticipated to identifying the existing extension systems, problem unhindered and recommends the interventions which contribute to improve or enhance the extension systems in the study area. From a total of twelve districts in Gurage zone the study covers agro ecologically classified seven districts with a total of twelve villages. FGD (Focus group discussion), key informant, DAs(Development agent), university lecturers and concerned bodies were participated to generate these valuable findings. In Gurage Zone a total of 1070 multidisciplinary professionals extension workers were working with 408 FTCs (Farmers training center) to deliver extension service for a total of 236929 smallholders farmers. Regardless of the significance of FTCs in the provision of extension service, it was observed that they are not functioning at full capacity to deliver the expected service due to a number of constraints such as professional turnover, awareness problem, budget shortage and weak monitoring system, information and skill gap. Our study underline that based on group discussion, personal observation and key informant question confirmed that all FTCs are not actively involved with full capacity and also all smallholder farmers do not participated training which was conducted in FTCs. Our survey results showed that there are a number of constraints affecting the performance of the extension service in the study area major extension and socioeconomic focus have been considered as the constraints which were identified in Gurage zone for possible research and development interventions which are likely to improve smallholder farmers production and productivity. Keywords: Agricultural Extension, Intervention DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-1-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2022
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) an annual plant of Asteraceae family is one of the most important vegetables in human diet.It is the most popular salad crop in the world.A research was conducted in Debremarkos University College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Department of Horticulture field research in the year 2018/19 G.C cropping season under rain fed condition.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Nitrogen and intra -row spacing on growth and yield components of lettuce.The treatment consisted of three rates of nitrogen (0, 75 and 150 kg ha -1 of N) and three level plant spacing (40x20cm, 40x25 cm and 40x30cm).The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement and replicated three times.The results revealed that the interaction effects of N and spacing were found to be highly significant on plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width and yield of lettuce.The highest yield of lettuce (8.31ton/ha) was recorded from treatment combination (150 kg N/ha, 25cm).Therefore, lettuce growers can practice supplementing optimum Nitrogen fertilizer with adequate spacing is the most appropriate option for sustainable lettuce production.
There are myriad of factors contributing for household food insecurity in rural households in Ethiopia Several efforts have been put in place to alleviate food insecurity globally, nationally and even locally. Despite these efforts, the situation continues to prevail and sometimes even increase in the contemporary human society. It is therefore imperative that food insecurity gets addressed appropriately. Therefore, this study sought to investigate household food insecurity and coping strategies rural households in the study area. A mixed method study design was used to attain the objectives of the study. A total of 382 sample households (308 male and 74 female) selected from 5 kebeles of the district were interviewed using structured and semi structured interview schedule. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussion and key informant interview. Data analysis was done with the help of STATA 13. A binary logistic regression model was also employed to identify factors affecting farmer’s adoption of common bean technologies in the area. The result of a descriptive statistics revealed that more than 62% of the study participant were food insecure and the remaining 37.3 were on food secure category. The result of a binary logistic regression model showed that the covariates sex of household head, age of household head, landholding size, livestock holding and off farm income size have a statistically significant positive relationship with the food security status of a household in the study area. The overall findings of the study revealed that a monotonous dietary pattern is prevalent and manifested among majority of the study participants. Therefore, all the necessary awareness creation and training on preparing different types of well-diversified recipes by using locally available farm produce such as Enset should be done by concerned bodies. Keywords: Coping strategies, food insecurity, rural households DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-3-03 Publication date: February 28 th 2022
The yield of Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), the important legume crop for large percentage of the world's population is challenged by soil fertility declining in the most growing regions. The survey was conducted in Goto Onomo kebele, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia during June 15, 2017 to understand the dynamic of soil nutrient balance in common bean farm and its management option. The Combinations of field observation and semi-structure interview data collection methods and NUTMON (nutrient monitoring for tropical farming systems) method of FAO data analysis in micro level approach were applied. Accordingly, a total of 10kg/day of cow dung was recorded. Total inputs of 45.75kg/season was recorded as Nitrogen sources from different inputs. Additionally, 48.83kg/season of nutrient out flow was recorded. As a result, negative nutrient balance (-3.08kg/season) was exhibited due to the high nutrient removal rates by harvested biomass that leads to poor nutrient management and low use efficiency. Hence, the farm has been exposed for nutrient deficiency by -3.08kg/season that farm level nutrient management such as crop residue management, addition of farmyard manure, and inorganic fertilizer sources are recommended as better alternative management options for legume crop production. Keywords: Common bean, Goto Onomo, nutrient balance, West Arsi DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-13-01 Publication date: July 31 st 2022
The quest for alternative matrices for plant tissue culture is a continuing process. Agar is one of the utmost common coagulating agents in plant in vitro clonal propagation. Pure grade agar has high value price and fear of over manipulation of its resources affected searching for low cost options. Therefore, liquid medium supplement with silica gel, glass beads and sands substratum and agar in two steps of micro propagation (seedling proliferation and root induction) were investigated. The shoot multiplication in the cytokinins hormone of 2.5mg/l BA and 0.5mg/l KN supported by 7g/l agar and alternative matrices has been produced 33.1 shoots and 5.3 shoot length in sands and agar. There is none significant difference among shoot number and shoot length on the agar and sands on shoot multiplication and plant, and there is significant difference in glass beads and silica gel compared with sand/agar in the shoot multiplication, and there is highly significance in shoot length in the matrices of plant support. Pineapple root induced in auxins hormone in vitro culture of plant propagation in half strength MS media, 30g/l sugar, 1mg/l NAA and 7g/l agar. The higher root number in sands 10.6 and followed 10 in silica gel and agar supported matrices. The root length also none significant difference among means treatments in agar, glass beads and sands. However, there is a significance difference with silica gel in root length. These silica gel, glass beads and sands used as agar gels to support and aeration plantlets. Keywords: Elective gels, low cost, shoots multiplication and root elongation. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-7-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2022
Medicinal plant is any plant from which one or more of its organs contain ingredients essential for therapeutic purpose. In Ethiopia, the use of traditional medicines is widely prevalent in the country but ethnobotanical studies on medicinal plants in the country are limited when compared to the multiethnic and cultural diversity of the people and diverse flora of the country. The present study aimed to document the medicinal plant species, identify the plant parts used to treat human disease, assess community perception and identify the threats to medicinal plant conservation in Dodola Town, in Ethiopia. The study focused on three kebeles namely, Geneta, Gedira and Tullo Alawanso based on the recommendations of elders and local authorities. Sixty respondents were selected from these three kebeles and 15 key informants (10 males and 5 females) were added based on the recommendations of local knowledgeable elders, local leaders and development agents. Questionnaire distribution, interviews and focus group discussions were the data collection tools. The result indicated a total of 10 wild medicinal trees and shrubs that were identified useful for treating human disease in Dodola Town. The plants and parts used to treat diseases varied from disease to disease. Leaf, fruit, bark and root were widely used for treating human disease but leaves and roots were the frequently used plant parts. Mostly medicinal plants in the area were used in their fresh form. The study also indicated as the majority of respondents have positive perception towards medicinal plants and their use in the area. The medicinal plants of the town are facing threat from intensification of agriculture, wood extraction and over grazing.
The process of surface sterilizing plant materials is a difficult step in constructing a plant tissue culture technique. Nodal explants from potted plants of Solanum tuberosum L. grown in the screenhouse were given various surface sterilization procedures before being introduced into sterile Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture. A total of 16 treatments were performed with varied periods of immersion in two sterilant successions: 70% (v/v) ethanol (20 s, 1 min, 3 min, and 5 min) and 10% (w/v) calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)2) granules (5, 10, 15, and 20 min) at varying times, followed by three sterile distilled water rinses. After 4 weeks in culture, 70 % ethanol (20 s)+10 % Ca(ClO)2 (15 min) and 70 % ethanol (3 min)+10 % Ca(ClO)2 (20 min) treatments yielded 100 % clean culture. 70 % ethanol (20 seconds) Plus 10% calcium (ClO) 2 (15 min) is recommended as the optimum surface sterilizing protocol since it produced 90% growth compared to 60% growth in 70% ethanol (3 min) + 10% Ca(ClO)2 (20 min). This is a preliminary study, and more research is needed to develop an efficient, successful, and repeatable methodology for surface sterilization of various explants utilized for tissue culture of S. biafrae acquired from the open field.
Farmers in Fogera plane used to produce commonly and widely some horticultural crops like onion, garlic, pepper and tomatoes at the same time under rain fed or using irrigated growing conditions.Harvesting made at the same time and farmers faced to get easily accessibility of market opportunity with good prices and they ought to sell their products in low prices.Furthermore, repeated cultivation of similar crops in a plot leads to build up of diseases and insects and loss of productivity and quality products.Introduction of new crops from different family (legume) like improved green bean varieties and testing their adaptability is crucial as an alternative crop to these provinces.The study was carried out at three plots in Fogera (on-station), Dera (Gumara kebele) and Libokemekem (Angote Kebele) districts using irrigated growing conditions in 2018/19.Two green bean varieties namely Platie and BC-4.4 were used in this performance evaluation; they are only available varieties in Ethiopia.Variety platie performed better all locations for marketable green pod yield, fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight and less percentage of unmarketable green pod yield.It has also early maturity nature as compared to BC.44.Hence, platie is prominent as a potential variety and recommended for production in South Gondar Zone especially in Fogera, Dera and Libokemkem distiricts.Therefore, seed multiplication of this variety and demonstration of its production practices to small-scale farmers is vital in these provinces.
Since rice crop production relatively is recent activities in Ethiopia, the incidence and distribution of insect pests and their natural enemy in the study area has not been recognized. Field surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2019 rainy season to generate baseline information on the type of pests prevailing in rice crop. The survey was conducted in South Gondar, three districts. Insect pests were determined by visual search for damages done by insects throughout the field. The current survey found that more than 13 insect pest of namely, stalk eyed fly, stem borer, leaf hopper as leaf/stem feeding and rice bug and sting bugs are among grain sucking insect pest, and whorl maggot, cricket, grass hopper and termite also found in the study area. Furthermore, our study found that a new insect in the study area named as creatonatus sp . which feed on rice leaf. Additionally, the study found that more than 6 natural enemies of rice insect pests. Some of the natural enemies are damselfly, dragonfly and spider, beetle, lacewing and wasps found dominantly in the study area. This study is the first report to explore the presence of these above maintained insect pest and natural enemy in the rice growing area of south Gondar. It then requires adequate knowledge about all mentioned insects yield loss on rice production. The infestation level of natural enemy on rice insect should be checked and farmers should be awared regarding to importance of these natural enemy for rice insect pest control.
Information on soil is an essential in sustainable utilization of soil resources and sound land use planning. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of characterization and classification of soil on Askate sub-watershed, northeastern Ethiopia. Four representative soil pedons were opened along topographic position and described on each identified genetic horizons basis on the field for their morphological characteristics following the soil field description guidelines. The morphological properties were examined in the field while physical and chemical properties were analyzed in laboratory. The results of the study were revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. Soil textural classes were sandy loam to loam sandy. The bulk density ranged from 1.04 to 1.60 g cm-3. The soil reaction rated as slightly acidic to moderate acidic (5.4 to 6.7). The OM ranged from 0.41 to 3.23% while available P ranged from 0.72 to 9.36 mg kg-1 which was low to medium rate. The exchangeable bases ranged from low to medium rate in the study area. CEC was medium to high rate, which implies the medium nutrient reservoir of the soil. Finally, three soil types, Humic Cambisols, Haplic Luvisol, and Cambic Umbrisols were identified in the study area according to World Reference Base. Using the soils according to their potential and applications of optimum organic and inorganic fertilizers are essential to keep the sustainability of soil fertility for better crop production and productivity.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most popular medicinal and aromatic plants that belong to Lamiaceae family and the Ocimum genus is known with its highly aromatic leaves, utilized either fresh or dried for culinary. Basil is grown in many countries of the world as spice, medicinal, and aromatic plant. The medicinal and aromatic properties of basil are associated with the presence of an essential oil that accumulates in large amount in its leaves and inflorescences. It performs well in warm and humid climate. However, basil is sensitive to frost and heavy rain fall. The growth and yield of basil is affected by different factors. Moreover, nutritional requirements of the crop are considered to be the most important factor among many plant growth factors. Nitrogen contributes to greatest extent to increase the biosynthesis of essential oil and its composition in numerous aromatic plant species. Essential oil yield and its chemical composition of these plant species significantly depend on the rate of nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur.
This paper has reviewed researches and paper reviews obtained from peer-reviewed literature published between 1950 to 2014 on the prevalence of bovine mastitis and antibiotic residual effects in raw milk and its human health significance in dairy sectors. A dairy is a development tool because it widens and sustains pathways out of poverty through securing assets of the poor, improving smallholder productivity, and increasing market participation by the poor. Hence, the development of the dairy sector in different parts of the countries can contribute significantly to poverty alleviation, improved nutrition, and household income. But, the dairy sector has not been fully exploited and promoted due to inflammation of the mammary gland called mastitis. Mastitis remains one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality of adult dairy cows and results in reduced profitability for the dairy industry. Generally, mastitis is one of the most devastating disease conditions leading to significant economic losses globally because of reduced milk production, treatment costs, increased labor, milk withholding following treatment, death, and premature culling. in addition to these, samples of raw milk produced and/or transported to consumers in different parts of the country showed that almost all microbiological counts were above the international accepted standard level (>105cfu/ml and >102cfu/ml for AMBC and Enterobacteriaceae/coliform counts, respectively) and different pathogenic (spoilage) bacteria have identified, it is probably because of problem-related with the health of milking cows, poor production and handling practices, contaminants from milking environment and administration of antibiotic drug rule. Therefore, awareness creation about quality milk production and good handling practices produced, transported until consumption is necessary; the concerned body shall control the quality of milk by prevention of the prevalence of mastitis regularly and also set the standard for bacterial quality. Keywords: Antibiotic; bovine; mastitis; prevalence; quality milk DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-24-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2021
This study aimed to assess the personal protective equipment use, understanding of farmers on pre-harvest interval, and pre-entry period for pesticides on different vegetables after pesticide application in south Gondar, Ethiopia. Sixty-three farmers were randomly selected and interviewed using a questionnaire. The majority of the farmers were not aware of the negative effects of pesticides on their health and the environment if not well handled. The farmers did not have awareness about the pesticide pre-harvest interval period and they did not read the instruction. Similarly, none of the respondents, followed the instruction of the manufacturer (reentry time specified on pesticide label) to reenter the sprayed field. Furthermore, farmers in the study area do have not enough awareness or they are careless regarding PPE use. Unavailability, inconvenience PPE wearing (e.g. mask affect breath properly), misperception about pesticide long term health effect and cost of personal protective equipment were raised as major causes for different farmers as factors behind their pesticide handling without personal protective equipment. It is recommended that If farmers can not to read the period of reentry on the pesticide container label, it is advised to wait at least 72 hours after the last application. Keywords: pesticide Pre-harvest interval period, re-entry time, personal protective equipment DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-23-02 Publication date: December 31 st 2021
The effects of sun drying and oven drying on the mineral and antinutrient composition of the leaves of Pterocarpus santalinoides (Nturukpa) and Cnidoscolus chayamansa (Obarayim) were determined. Samples were collected from Ideato South and Owerri North Local Government Areas of Imo State, Nigeria. The samples were subjected to sun drying, oven drying at 70℃ and oven drying at 100℃. Standard methods of plant analyses were used and results obtained were subjected to statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The antinutrient contents (alkaloids, tannins, trypsin inhibitors and cyanogenic glycosides) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased with the exception of Saponins which increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing temperatures but highest in sun dried samples of both vegetables when compared to the fresh. On the other hand, Mineral contents (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium and Phosphorus) were significantly increased (p<0.05) with the exception of Iodine which showed significant (p<0.05) decrease while drying proceeded. Oven drying the leaves of P . santalinodes and C . chayamansa may be preferred since it is faster, more hygienic, and better preserves the nutrients. Keywords: antinutrient, mineral, dry, vegetable, Pterocarpus, santalinoides, Cnidoscolus, chayamansa. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-24-02 Publication date: December 31 st 2021
A field experiment was showed to decide the influence of transplanting date and phosphorus level on growth, yield and yield component of onion at Adami Tulu Jedo Kombolcha Woreda during 2017/18 season. The treatments comprised of three transplanting date (42, 49 and 56 days of transplanting date) and phosphorus levels (0, 23, 46, and 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ). The experiment was laid out in RCBD with four replications. In this study, transplanting at 56 days of transplanting date fertilized with 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 recorded the highest total bulb yield and marketable bulb yield, but no significant difference was showed with that obtained at 46 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 with the same transplanting date. The economic analysis revealed that the highest net benefit with low cost of production was obtained in response to the application of 46 kg ha -1 and the transplanting age of 56 days. Keywords: bulb yield, Onion, economic analysis, phosphorus, transplanting date. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2021
A pot experiment was conducted to find out effect of gibberellic acid (GA), salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitroprusside as nitric oxide donor (NO) separately or in combination to mitigate the deviations in physiological parameters evaluated in maize while drought imposed post germination stage. Maize seeds after soaking in 10-4 M of above mention chemicals were sown in pots filled with soil. The leaves were sampled at post germination stage. Results indicated that under drought stress, carotenoid and anthocyanin contents increased significantly while chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b remained unchanged at 5% level of significance. Pre-treatment of solution comprising SA, GA and interaction of GA+SA enhanced the content of these pigments under drought stress. While sodium nitroprusside slightly increased chlorophyll a and b content under drought. Sugar and protein decreased due to drought stress and sugar enhanced due to effect of NO only but protein content did not increase by any one of applying hormones under drought stress. Likewise GA and SA enhanced accumulation of proline which acts as osmolyte and scavenger of free radical to defend cell injury against drought stress. Similarly activities of oxidative enzymes such as peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase increased under drought stress and responded differentially by GA, SA etc, while ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities decreased due to drought stress which became increased by effect of NO. Results revealed that pretreatment of seeds with GA, SA, GA+SA and NO are effective to tolerate the effect of drought stress in maize at post germination stage. Keywords: Drought, Enzymes, Maize, osmolyte, Pigments DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-15-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2021
Cabbage belongs to the family cruciferae. Among the other vegetable cabbage is one of the easiest crops to establish and most of the people grow this crop in their home garden. In the major vegetable-growing areas, it is also an essential economical and rotational crop. Cabbage is an important vegetable crop and it is one of favorite crop grown in kitchen garden because easy to rise. Cabbage is high in vitamins A, C, K, B 1 , B 2 , B 6 , calcium, dietary fiber, and protein whether eaten fresh in salads or boiled or cooked in stews and soups. Cabbage is commonly consumed as a cooked or stir-fried vegetable, or as a raw element in salads such as coleslaw and mixed salads. Cabbage growth and yield are known to be influenced by a variety of cultural practices and growing settings. Nutrition is a major determinant of cabbage growth and production. Production of cabbage could be enhanced through efficient use of applied both organic and inorganic fertilizer. When compared to chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers (cow dung, poultry manure, and vermin-compost) resulted in better nutrient uptake. Due to decreasing soil fertility, vegetable crop yields decreased. Organic manure can help to keep soil fertility and crop production in check. It is true that the use of inorganic fertilizers for crops has a negative impact on soil health, but organic fertilizers do not have this issue. Neither chemical fertilizers nor organic manure can help achieve long-term crop yield on their own. Because of deterioration in soil physical, chemical, and biological qualities, high yield levels could not be sustained using simply balanced chemical fertilizers over time. Integrated nutrient management is the most effective method for ensuring long-term soil fertility and productivity of cabbage. The objective of this review is to review the effect of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on cabbage and its economic importance’s.
The experiment was conducted during 2015/16 main rainy season in Burie District, North Western Ethiopia with an objective of evaluating the potential of lupine relay intercropping with different density and rely time of lupine in teff. Factorial combinations of 3 relay intercropping time(after 4,6,and 8 weeks of teff sowing),2 inter-row spacing (40cm and 60cm) and 2 intra-row spacing of lupine (20cm and 30cm), totally 12 treatment combinations, and 2 sole cropping of teff and lupine were laid out in randomized complete block design at three replications. The collected was subjected to ANOVA using SAS (9.2) software. LER and MAI were calculated to evaluate the yield advantage of lupine relay intercropping for which the highest LER (1.62) and MAI (20402.42 birr/ha) was obtained from early intercropping accompanied with narrower intra and inter row spacing of lupine. Keywords: rely intercropping, LER, M AI DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-19-01 Publication date: October 31 st 2021
