International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Acquired antibiotic resistance, observed in multi-antibiotic resistant strains of Salmonella in poultry, poses a risk to health consumer and a growing threat to public health. The objective of this work is to investigate the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts of Mallotus oppositifolius (Geisel.) Müll.-Arg (Euphorbiaceae) on strains of Salmonella spp isolated from raw chicken gizzards (Salmonella Bargny and Kentucky) and viscera of quail (Salmonella) serogroup O: 21), (multi) resistant to antibiotics. The diffusion method in agar medium, on Muller-Hinton® agar (BioRad, France), and the search for antibacterial parameters (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (CMB)) made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of plant extracts on the strains studied. The results obtained show that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Mallotus oppositifolius (Geisel.) Müll.-Arg (Euphorbiaceae) have antibacterial activity on the 03 avian Salmonella strains studied, with diameters (mm) varying from 15±1b to 19±1a for the Aqueous extract and from 12±1c to 27±1a for the Ethanolique extracts. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the active extracts shows the presence of Terpenes and sterols, Cathechical tannins, Saponins, Anthraquinones and polyphenols. This work made that it possible to highlight the interest of a probable use of plant extracts from the Ivorian pharmacopoeia, to fight against salmonellosis of avian origin.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Mallotus oppositifolius, multidrug resistant Salmonella, Poultry, Ivorian

Ethiopia is the second largest sorghum producer in Africa, after Sudan and is a sixth global producer. The survey was conducted for three years in 2018 to 2020 cropping seasons, to identify insect pests and post-harvest loss of grain sorghum in Ethiopia. Stratified random sampling methods were used for farmers selection from each of the three regions, Amhara, Oromia and Benishangul Gumuz. The assessment was covered a total of 191 farmers field and the samples were taken for the analysis of weight loss, grains damaged and germination percentage. Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum was recorded with high mean number 154 and 135 in the samples collected from west Hararghe. Almost, all 80% of the surveyed sorghum farmers areas were used underground pits storage. Maximum mean 89.33% of germination was recorded in the sample collected from Asosa. High mean value 19.39% of damaged grains was recorded in the sample taken from west Hararghe and the lower mean 8.00% was form west Wollega. From this survey, it can be concluded that most of the farmers used underground pits in bare soils, stored their grains sorghum either shelled or unshelled wrapped with polypropylene sheet, heap with head in the field and/or in gotera for a long period. The storage pits are regularly dug when opening and it is laboure’s because of unloading for consumption, check for weevils damaged. Repeated uses of insecticides have a harmful effect on the environment and human health. Therefore, uses of hermetic storage technology can be suggested to the farmers for reducing germination losses, grains damage, use of insecticides and providing appropriate grains quality.

Keywords: Grains Damaged, Sorghum, Underground Pits, Weight Loss

Adoption of improved and high yielding varieties is essential to improve production and productivity of the Producers. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the adoption and intensity of adoption of improved Tef varieties in West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data were collected from 210 sample households sampled from Dendi district using two-stage random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and Double Hurdle econometric model were used to analyze the data. The descriptive result revealed that 60% of the households in the district were cultivating improved tef varieties. To identify the determinants of adoption and level of adoption of improved tef varieties, a Double hurdle econometric model was employed. The results of probit model revealed that sex of the household head and livestock owned showed positive effect on the probability of adoption of improved tef varieties. The truncated model result identified that sex of household head, household size, total land owned, livestock owned, and frequency of extension contact positively and significantly influenced the intensity use of improved tef varieties. Hence, future development intervention should give emphasis for solving the adoption and production constraints of tef to improve the probability of adoption and intensity of use of improved tef varieties.

Keywords: Adoption, Intensity of adoption, Improved tef verities, Double Hurdle model.

The productivity of faba bean becomes reduced as compared to the potential due to soil acidity in the highlands of Ethiopia. Hence, this research was conducted to determine grain yield, other agronomic performance and relative yield reduction of faba bean genotypes at soil pH 4.66, 4.96 and 4.49 at Holetta, Watebecha Minjaro and Jeldu, respectively, with and without lime application in 2017. The experiment comprised 50 faba bean genotypes arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each management over locations showed the presence of significant differences among genotypes for all agronomic traits except number of seeds per pod in both cases and number of pod per poding node under lime free condition. Moti and CS20DK were ranked first and second having a mean grain yield of 115.1 and 113.2 g/5plants with lime over locations, respectively. At both lime levels Wayu was the lowest yielder genotype whereas CS20DK in contrasting direction. Soil acidity caused a mean grain yield reduction (RR) ranged from 24.44 to 46.69% with an overall mean of 32.4% through varied number of genotypes produced higher mean grain yield under lime and without lime application over locations. Likewise, chocolate spot disease was aggravated by soil acidity stress as compared to lime treated once. Whereas, hundred seeds weight were less affected by soil acidity stress as compared to other traits implying that it is less affected by the growing environment. The genotypes Holetta-2, Hachalu, Numan, Obse and Wolki found less Susceptible to soil acidity stress having lower RR of 16.8, 18.8, 20.4, 20.6 and 22.1%, respectively, indicating genotypes released for water logging stress (Hachalu and Wolki) also tolerate to soil acidity stress too. Therefore, it is concluded that soil acidity affects the production and productivity of faba bean as it affects morpho-agronomic traits of this crop.

Keywords: Chocolate spot, Faba bean, Grain yield, Lime, Soil acidity.

The experiment was conducted at Andassa Livestock Research Center (ALRC) to evaluate the effect of Napier grass and concentrate supplementation on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition and economic feasibility of Fogera cows. Twenty-six cows above second parity were randomly assigned to three treatment groups; T1 = Grazing plus Grass hay, T2 = Grass hay plus Napier grass and T3 = Grass hay plus concentrate feed. The trial was conducted from calving until drying off dates (April 2018 to February 2019). Concentrate supplemented group had higher (P< 0.01) total dry matter intake than Napier grass supplemented and control groups. Milk yield of Fogera cows improved through concentrate and Napier grass supplementation. Concentrate supplemented group had higher (P< 0.01) average daily milk yield (4.39 liters) compared to Napier grass supplemented (2.73 liters) and control groups (1.75 liters). Except solid not fat and minerals other parameters of milk composition had no variation at concentrate and Napier grass supplementary feeding. Concentrate supplemented cows (T3) resulted in a net benefit of 6039.60 ETB and a cost-benefit ratio of 1.68. Thus, supplementation of concentrate feed is biologically efficient and potentially profitable in the feeding of Fogera cows.

Keywords: Concentrate, Napier grass, Milk yield, Fogera cows.

The coastal region of Chlef (northwester of Algeria) suffers from both forest fires and the lack of scientific research in the subject, so in an effort to remedy that, the choice came to Dahra’s municipality for a GIS and Remote sensing-based study for mapping forest fire risk. The model used combines six wildfire-causing factors for demarcating the forest fire risk zone map. Use a multitude of software and rely on multiple sources for data collection, the following variables were derived for the study area: vegetation moisture, slope, aspect, elevation, distance from roads, and the vicinity of settlements in the form of weighted layers. The result of the established modelling is the map of the fire risk index, where 50.5 % of the study area represents a high to very high risk.

Keywords: Forest Fire Risk, GIS, Remote sensing, map, northwester-Algeria.

Maize is among the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia. Intercropping results in high overall system productivity on a given piece of land due to efficient use of the available plant growth resources. Field experiment was conducted to were to evaluate and select the cropping systems and best performing common bean varieties in intercropping with maize at different agro ecologies for higher productivity and profitability in southern parts of Ethiopia, under Wondo genet Agricultural Research Center at Sankura wereda, Jejebicho research station in 2019/20 cropping season. Three varieties of common bean (Deme, KAT-B1 and Awash-2) and were intercropped with two maize varieties (Limu and Shone). The three common bean varieties and two maize varieties were included as a sole for comparison. Randomized complete block design in factorial with three replications was used. Aboveground biomass, days to tasseling, hundred kernel weight, grain yield and harvest index of maize were significantly affected by varieties of common bean, cropping system was also significantly affected leaf area, leaf index, days to tasseling, days to physiological maturity and grain yield of maize but their interaction effect were non significantly affected. Days to tasseling of maize were delayed (81.50 days) and hastened (74.23 days) by variety Awash-2 and Deme, respectively as compared to KAT-B1. The wider leaf area (910.20cm2) was measured from intercropped maize than sole and the larger leaf area index (3.79) was also recorded from intercropped maize than sole one. Days to tasseling of maize were delayed (80.80 days) at sole cropped of maize. The longer days to physiological maturity (143.84 days) of maize was taken from sole cropping of maize. The highest grain yield (7.60 ton/ha) of maize was taken from Shone intercropped with Awash-2 as compared to varieties. In cropping system, the maximum grain yield (7.12 ton/ha) of maize was obtained from intercropped of it. Plant height, branch number per plant, number of seed per pod, number of pod per plant, days to physiological maturity, aboveground biomass, hundred kernel weight, grain yield and harvest index of common bean. The longest plant (132.13cm) was measured from Deme intercropped with Limu. The highest (5.17) number of branches was counted at Deme intercropped with Limu. The highest number of pods per plant and number of seed per pod (10.92 and 4.63) was counted at Deme intercropped with Limu and Limu with Awash-2 respectively. The highest grain yield (22.38 ton/ha) was obtained when shone intercropped with Deme. The highest partial land equivalent ratio (LER) of maize and common bean non significantly affected by varieties of both. Monitory advantage index was also non significantly affected. However, the highest value of monetary advantage index (105,359 ETB ha-1) was obtained at Shone intercropped with Deme. Therefore, any of the two (Limu or Shone) maize varieties could be recommended for intercropping with Deme of common bean variety.

Keywords: Common bean, cropping system, Deme, Grain yield, Limu and Shone.

Crude oil contamination of soil due to spillage and leakages around surface oil storage tanks in Eleme, Port Harcourt was investigated. Six petroleum contaminated soil samples from Eleme and one non petroleum contaminated soil sample (control) from Awka were collected within the range for top soil, 0-12cm. The samples were analyzed for benzene, phenol, oil and grease according to the standard methods. The results obtained showed that benzene concentration varied from 0.1031 to 1.0293mg/kg, phenol concentration fell in the range 0.7285-1.8397mg/kg then oil and grease ranged from 6.667-20.899%. The results show elevated levels of benzene, phenol, oil and grease in petroleum contaminated soils when compared with non-petroleum contaminated soil. Benzene concentrations are lower than the upper limit of 5mg/kg stipulated by the Environmental Management (Soil Quality Standards) Regulations, 2007. Continuous monitoring of the environment should therefore be embarked upon so as to avoid the ugly incidence that may occur.

Keywords: Benzene, Phenol, Oil, Grease, Contaminated soil.

Oil was extracted from dried and powdered water melon (Citrullus lanatus) seed using soxhlet extraction method with n-hexane (40-60oC) as the solvent. The oil yield was 40%. Characterization of the oil showed that it had acid value of 2.4mg/g, iodine value of 1.47208mg/g and saponification value of 688mg/g. The iodine value indicated that it was a non-drying oil and the high saponification value showed that the oil would be good for making hair shampoo, soap and creams. Hair shampoo of commercial quality was formulated from the oil.

Keywords: Watermelon seed, Soxhlet extraction.

Nematodes represents a threat for the growing of tomato in Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire). This study was carried out with the aim of proposing a non-chemical solution through the use of plants with nematicidal effect as an alternative against nematode attack. The experiment was conducted on a soil already infected with nematode of the genus Meloidogyne sp. Aqueous extracts of R. communis, C. odorata and S. indicum biomass were used to treat the soil before tomato transplanting. The design of this study was a completely randomized block with 5 treatments. The results showed that treatment with Sesame (S. indicum L.), Ricin (R. communis L.) and C. odorata improved the vegetative parameters of the tomato. The combination of Sesame and C. odorata revealed the best results. The results also highlight that these plants had a nematicidal effect. Treatments with C.odorata extracts were more effective (100%) root galls reduction. These results showed that R. communis, C. odorata and S. indicum could also be used to improve tomato yield.

Keywords: Chromoleana Odorata, Meloidogyne sp., Ricinus communis, Sesamum indicum, Tomato.