International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Determination of crop coefficients at different growth stages is important for estimating irrigation water requirements in order to have better irrigation scheduling and water management. A field experiment was conducted during cool cropping season started from November and during main cropping season started from June for two consecutive years from 2012/13 – 2013/14 to determine the water requirement and establish the crop coefficient (Kc) values for tomato by using lysimeter. Three non-weighing type lysimeter with the dimension of 2m × 2m area and 3m depth were used to determine the daily ETc of tomato crop. Tomato crop coefficient was estimated at different growth stage based on lysimeter measured ETc from components of water balance and reference evapotranspiration obtained from long term metrological data. The obtained Kc values for cool season planted tomato were 0.63, 0.84, 1.15 and 0.84 in the initial, crop development, mid season and late-season stages, respectively. Meanwhile, the corresponding Kc values for main season planted tomato were 0.64, 0.97, 1.22, and 0.89 in the four stages, respectively. The seasonal crop evapotranspiration was 552mm and 584mm during cool and main cropping season respectively. The water requirement and crop coefficient values determined in this study can be useful for agricultural planning and efficient management of irrigation water for cultivation of tomato in semi-arid climate.

Keywords: Crop coefficient, Crop evapotranspiration, Water balance, Lysimeter, Tomato.

The climate change, water shortage and increasing evapotranspiration highlights the need to introduce water saving technologies for agricultural sustainability and crop production with a minimum input of water, mainly in semi-arid region. This experiment was conducted at Werer, Middle Awash Valley during the dry season of 2017/2018 to investigate the effects of mulching materials and furrow irrigation techniques on maize yield and water productivity under semiarid conditions. Split plot design with three replications, in which the irrigation techniques (Conventional, Fixed and Alternate Furrow) were assigned to main plot and the three mulching materials (no mulch, wheat straw and white plastic mulch), were to the sub-plot. Results indicate that both grain yield and water productivity were affected by the main effect of furrow irrigation techniques and mulching materials (p≤ 0.05). The conventional furrow irrigation (8193 kgha-1) and white plastic mulch (7930 kg ha-1) resulted in the maximum grain yield. The alternate furrow irrigation (1.90 kg/m3) and the white plastic mulch (1.69 kg/m3) resulted in the maximum water productivity. The highest benefit-cost ratio of (1.20) and net return of (49108 ETBha-1) were obtained from conventional furrow irrigation. Similarly, the highest net return of (53028 ETBha-1) and benefit-cost ratio of (2.16) was recorded from no mulch. Under limiting irrigation water adopting alternate furrow irrigation along with wheat straw mulch can minimize evaporation loss, maximize water productivity, and economically feasible for maize production.

Keywords: Deficit irrigation, Evapotranspiration, Water use efficiency, Yield.

Water extracts of pignut, Hyptis suaveolens was assayed for its nematicidal properties in June 2019 in Yola, Nigeria. Water extract of the dried plant was produced and serially diluted with distilled water to give 5 ml, 10 ml and 15 ml dilutions designated as T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The undiluted extract (crude extract) was designated T1 while the control (T0) contained only distilled water. These were dispensed into 15 petri dishes each containing 1000 juveniles of M. javanica and counting of dead nematodes was done every 24 hours for 72 hours. The result show that the crude extract (T1) recorded by far the highest juvenile mortality of 100%. The 5 ml dilution (T2) recorded only 56% mortality. This is an indication that the plant H. suaveolens has a good nematicidal potential.

Keywords: Crude extract, Hyptis suaveolens, Juvenile mortality.

The Quercus suber formations are experiencing significant degradation imposed by both climatic factors and anthropogenic aggression as well as by ineffective management. To stop this process, it is vital to take care of the source factors of danger which are the rainfall regression, the fires, the grazing land and the sylvicultural works. The method chosen to set the prerequisites for a strategy to safe-guard the cork oak forests, is the one used to identify failures in systems: Failure Mode Analysis and Criticality Evaluation (FMACE). The results sought are recorded in a matrix based on the following points:
• Identification of hazard and risk sources.
• Segmentation of the factors causing hazards.
• Risk evaluation (severity, frequency, non-Detection).
The assessment of the dysfunction at the origin of the degraded state of Quercus suber formation, helps to target the main threats to this ecosystem. They are recapitulated as follows:
1. Lack of knowledge of the functioning of the cork oak ecosystem and absence of a typology.
2. Lack of mastery of Quecetum suberis sustainable management techniques.
3. Poor quality of seedlings intended for restocking.
4. Very strong anthropogenic pressure induced by the grazing land, fires and cork exploitation.
5. Mal-adjusted management facing the stadium of deterioration and of climatic warming.

Keywords: Quercus suber regression, Failures, Analysis, Evaluation Matrix, Rehabilitation, Algeria.

Dairy producers, milk collector and processors and veterinary drug sellers, were interviewed by using structured and semi-structured questionnaire to identify their knowledge and awareness level on antibiotic use, presence of residues in bulk milk and public health risks. The majority 73.3% of the farm owners interviewed was females and most of the producer farmers and milk processors education status were secondary school level. The minimum and maximum level of education status of Veterinary drug sellers was diploma (level four) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM) respectively. From 131 interviewed dairy farmers 55(42%) respond mastitis is prevalent in their dairy farms at least one dairy cow infected with mastitis. Producer farmers buy veterinary drugs including antibiotics by themselves without prescription. Based on dairy farmer’s response, 94.2% of them use antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis and other infectious diseases. Most commonly used antibiotics in the study dairy farms were Oxyttc and penstrip 35.1 and 26% respectively because of its availability and easy to administer. All most all the dairy farmers did not respect withdrawal time of the antibiotics which means produce milk during the time of treatment and use the milk for home consumption. The knowledge and awareness level of producer farmers, milk processors and veterinary drug sellers on antibiotic residues from milk and milk products were 11.5%, 93% and 100% respectively. The majority 93% milk processors did not test for antibiotic residue during milk collection except Holland dairy located at Bishoftu around Addis Ababa. The awareness level of dairy farmers on antibiotic use, cause of residues development and its impact to public health is very low.

Keywords: Public awareness, Antibiotic residues in milk.

Chickpea is grown from moderate to sub-tropical regions of the world and is the third most important pulse crops full-grown on about 13.5 million hectares of land in the World and Ethiopia stands first among chickpea producers in Africa and Seventh in the world and contributed about 4.5% to the world production. Chickpea is being valued for its high dietary protein content, its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and absence of specific major anti-nutritional factors. In Ethiopia, chickpea improvement program has focused mainly on selection of genotypes for rain fed areas. However, there is no adequate information on variability and heritability of grain yield for the new chickpea accessions under irrigated agriculture of the middle awash rift valley: The present investigation was conducted to estimate the extent of genetic variability among 65 chickpea genotypes including one local check which was evaluated during off-season 2017/18 under 6 x11 alpha lattice design having three replications. Genetic parameters including phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations, broad sense heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean were estimated, and cluster analysis was performed. Phenotypic coefficients (PVC) were found to be higher than genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) for all traits. This high PCV reflect environmental influence. High heritability values along with high genetic advance as percent mean were observed for days of 50% flowering, number of pods per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, 100-seed weight and harvest index. This indicating that traits are controlled mainly by additive genes and that selection of such traits may be effective for improving seed yield. The 66 chickpea genotypes were grouped under four major clusters. These four major clusters consist more than one up to 32 accessions. It is multivariate techniques that can conveniently show the pattern of genetic relationships. Such that each group is homogeneous with respect to certain characteristics and each group should be different from other groups with respect to the same characteristics. Finally, this investigation should be repeated over years and locations to confirm future breeding program.

Keywords: Cicer arietinum, Genetic Variability, Heritability, Genetic advance, Clustering.

Pre- scaling up of Desho grass production and utilization was conducted in mid and highland areas of central Gondar zone for 2018 and 2019 consecutive years. The main objective of the study was to create a wider demand and assess farmer’s perception on Desho grass production and Desho grass hay utilization as basal diet for the fattening of yearling sheep. Two kebeles from each two districts namely Amba Giorgis zuria and Chira were purposively selected based on their suitability for Desho grass and sheep production. From each kebele a total of 39 farmers were selected, trained and allowed to prepare land for Desho production. Depending on the land available farmers allocated from 250 to 300m2 of land for Desho grass plantation and sufficient amount of Desho root splits was provided considering the land allocated. Planting was done at the beginning of the rainy season during 2018 on well prepared seed bed and planted at a spacing of 40cm between rows and 20cm between plants. To maintain best establishment fertilizer at a rate of 46 kg per hectare Nitrogen was applied at planting. After care operations were done as required. Desho grass hay was harvested and properly cured when the Desho grass shows a sign of heading. A total of 16 yearling sheep with similar age and body condition were selected for the study from 16 volunteer participant farmers. Desho grass hay as a basal diet and 300g head-1 day-1 concentrate was used as a supplement comprised of 74% Noug seed cake, 25% Wheat bran and 1% salt on dry matter (DM) basis. Feeding experiment was done for 105 days including 15 days acclimatization period. The analytical result showed that remarkable amount of biomass yield (13.59t ha-1) was recorded with 63.33% yield advantage over the local grass. Significant daily weight gain (91.67g/d) was achieved by wogera yearling lambs fed on Desho grass hay as basal diet and supplemented with concentrate. The partial budget analysis result also showed that sheep fattening by using the above method of feeding was profitable with average net benefit of 691.73 ETB. The sensitivity analysis result showed that if the price of output becomes constant and the price of the inputs rise by 20%, sheep fattening using Desho grass hay as basal diet and concentrate supplement has a positive return. Farmers reported that Desho grass production and utilization technologies were found very appreciable and they are willing to continue with the technology.

Keywords: Basal diet, Kebele, Participant farmer, Supplement, Yearling sheep.

The study was conducted on forty-eight male Arsi-Bale ram lambs having initial body weight of 18.85 kg body weight for 90 days to investigate the effect of different dietary treatments on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Arsi-Bale sheep breed. The treatments were (1) UTS (Urea treated straw) + 300g, (2) UTS + 400g, (3) UTS + 500g, (4) US + 100g, (5) US + 400g and (6) US + 500g of Concentrate supplement. All ram lambs were fed UTS and US adlibitum and supplemented with wheat middling and nougcake 1:1 ratio at different levels. Four lambs from each treatment groups were randomly selected and slaughtered for carcass evaluation. Total Dry matter (DM) intake was higher for urea treated straw compared to untreated straw fed group. The DM intake of urea treated straw and untreated straw excessively decreased (p<0.001) with increase in the level of supplementation. Treatment 3 had significant (p<0.005) effect on body weight, total weight gain, overall average daily gain. Treatment 3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher average daily weight gain (g) 101 than T1, T2, T4 and T5, but T3 had no significant (p>0.05) difference from T6. There were significant differences among treatments in hot carcass, thin cut, rib, hindquarter and foreleg, shoulder and neck. While loin, fore quarter, fat thickness, rib eye muscle area did not (p>0.05) differ among dietary treatments. In general, form the current study it was observed that as concentrate supplementation level increases daily weight gain also increase whether the basal diet was UTS or US. Findings from this experiment indicated that treatment of wheat straw was not statistically improved (p>0.05) the feeding value of wheat straw when it is delivered with 300 and 400 g supplementation of concentrate. In conclusion, supplementation of treated wheat straw (TWS) with a noug cake and wheat middling based concentrate at the rate of 300-400 gram for three months had no positive effect on the performances of Arsi-Bale sheep. Therefore, supplementation of urea treated wheat straw and supplementation of 500 g of wheat middling and noug cake concentrate have positive effect on the fattening performances of Aris-Bale ram lambs.

Keywords: Urea treated straw, Arsi Bale lamb, Weight gain, Carcass characteristics.

Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae) is produced in many countries used for food and raw materials in pharmaceutical and food industries. Beside its use date palm is damaged by many arthropod insect and mite pests. The survey was done for one year with the objective of to assess and identify insect pest attacking date palm tree in Afar region of Ethiopia. The survey was done using purposive sampling method and random sampling was used to choose trees within Date palm orchards. The survey was carrying out in three districts during 2018 year. Observation and examination enclosed all plant parts (e.g. roots, stem, leaflets, leaf mid-rib, spathes, female flowers and fruits). The survey showed that 11 insect species belonging to nine families from the orders Isoptera, Hemiptera, Acari, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera were documented. The four most common and economically vital insect pests were palm weevils, palm borer, lesser date moth and termite. Frequently attacks of red scales, white scales and Inflorescence beetle while rare infestation of fly, mealy bug and spider mite were recorded on leaves, stem and roots. Other pests like apes and rodents from vertebrate and scorpion and ant from Scorpionidae and Formicidae family was also recorded. Those insect pests result considerable yield losses on date palm crop. Further studies on developing management practices for economically important insect pests of date palm are recommended.

Keywords: Date palm, Insect pests, Survey.

Mango is an important tropical fruit tree widely grown in Ethiopia, which has nutritional and economic benefits. However, currently, a new and recently introduced mango white scale becomes the devastating insect pests by affecting the mango tree and bringing the plant out of the production in different parts of the country. According to assessment reports indicated in Ethiopia, the white mango scale was identified as new, fast-spreading and devastating insect pest, which causes a premature leaf drop, twigs and branches dieback, fruit stunt and distortion, and premature fruit drop that seriously affects the quality and quantity of mango yield. The insect pest was primarily introduced to the country by a private farm ‘Green Focus Ethiopia’ and had introduced an infected new cultivar called ‘Alphanso’ from India, which was planted at Lako in Guto Gida Woreda of East Wollega zone of Oromia region, Western Ethiopia. Due to the poor internal quarantine systems, the insect pest was distributed and invaded the mango trees in the south, southwestern, northern (Tigray) and central rift valley areas of the country. Because of its recent history of introduction, the management option of the insect pest didn’t understand well among the growers and no appropriate way of controlling mechanisms was developed. However, the cultural practices like smoking under mango tree and pruning of infested branches were some practices done by growers to reduce the insect pest infestations. In addition, the chemical screening trials were reported to alleviate the potential effects of insect pest. Currently, farmers, researchers and other stakeholders have been working together to come up with the solutions to tackle the fast-spreading status of the insect pests. Therefore, this review paper mainly discusses the status of white mango scale insect and its available optional management strategies in Ethiopia.

Keywords: Controlling system; Cultural practices; Infestation; Quarantine.