International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

This study was conducted to assess the observable defects and grading of sheep and goat skins in selected districts of Borana Zone. Two districts (Dire and Yabelo) were purposively selected based on livestock population and accessibility of skins supply. A total of 1440 skins (960 goat and 480 sheep skins) were randomly selected to assess the observable defects using close observation. Both sheep and goat skins were graded according to the standard set by Ethiopian Quality and Standard Authority. All the examined skin had one or more types of defects. The major defects observed on fresh goat’s skin were poor pattern (38.83%), dirt (36.66%) and flay cut (33.83%). In wet salted goat skin the dominant defects were poor pattern (32.22%), dirt (28.88%) and flay cut (26.66%). In fresh sheep skins, the prevailing defects were poor pattern (36.66%), dirt (31.94%) and corduroying (30.83%). In wet salted sheep skin the higher prevalence defects were poor pattern (50.83%), dirt (44.16%) and corduroying (28.33%). About 31.33%, 40.83% and 21.33% of the fresh goat skins were Grade I, Grade II and Grade III, respectively. The wet salted goat skins were 30.27%, 40.27% and 21.94% in Grade I, Grade II and Grade III respectively. The grade the fresh sheep skins were Grade I (26.66%, Grade II (40.55%), and Grade III (20.55%). The wet salted sheep skins were graded in Grade I (31.66%), Grade II (42.5%), and Grade III (13.33%). Based on this result it could be recommended that extensive training and extension service should be given on pre, peri and post slaughtering defects to improve the quality of skins for maximizing income.

Keywords: Defects, Grading, Skin, Quality

The study was carried out to determine the growth response of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings fed with diet mixed with wilted waterleaf (Talinum triangulare). Two hundred and twenty-five fingerlings (initial mean weight 7.1±0.1g) mixed sex were treated with five diets containing maize, fishmeal, soymeal, wilted waterleaf, bone meal, lysine, methionine, vitamin premix, vitamin C, and salt in fifteen replicates and stocked at the rate of 15 fish per unit and reared for twelve weeks. Five experimental diets were formulated at varying levels of inclusion of wilted waterleaf at 0% (Diet1), 2.5% (Diet 2), 5% (Diet 3), 7.5% (Diet 4), and 10% (Diet 5) respectively. Results showed that there were significant differences (P˂0.05) among the treatments in terms of fish mean weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, protein efficiency, and mortality / survival rate. O. niloticus on diet 3 with 5.0% inclusion of wilted waterleaf meal had the highest weight gain (6.5 g), highest feed intake (8.86 g), and best feed conversion ratio. Wilted waterleaf meal is hereby recommended to be included in the diet of O. niloticus at 5.0% level of inclusion for better yield of Oreochromis niloticus.

Keywords: Oreochromis niloticus, Fingerlings, Wilted Waterleaf, Growth

Maize is staple cereal crop in Ethiopia despite its production is constrained by many biotic and abiotic stresses. The objectives of this study was, to estimate heterosis and combining ability of high land maize inbred lines for yield and yield related traits. Twenty-six inbred lines (two heterotic testers and twenty-four lines) were crossed using line × tester mating design and generated 48 F1 hybrids and the hybrids along with two hybrid checks (AMH853 and AMH 851) were evaluated using alpha lattice design with two replications for grain yield and yield related traits during 2017 cropping season at Ambo and Kulumsa. Analyses of variances showed significant mean squares due to hybrids for all traits in each and across locations. The mean squares for general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities were significant for most of the traits, implied that importance of both additive and non-additive gene effects in most cases. Inbred lines L2, L9 and L20 were good combiners for grain yield and hence were promising parents for hybrid cultivars development. Based on mid parent, high parent and standard heterosis, SCA effects and per se performance, the cross L20xT1 was identified as a promising hybrid for majority of traits studied.

Keywords: Hybrids, Heterosis, GCA and SC

In the vertisol areas of southern Tigray, there is still underutilized land due to the problem of water logging. The water logging (high moisture level in the soil) limits the production of faba bean. Thus, this study aims to promote improved water logging tolerant faba bean variety in the vertisol areas of southern Tigray in 2016 and 2017 for two consecutive production seasons, with the objectives of popularizing the water logged tolerant variety and analyzes farmers’ perception towards this variety compare to local varieties. An improved walki variety was delivered to 211 interested farmers in clustered base in Enda mehoni and Emba Alaje districts. Data from 20 randomly selected farmers’ farm was collected, from plots of 14 participants and 6 non-participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.20 software and presented descriptively. The study pointed out that the variety walki recorded an average grain yield of 27.87 qt/ha, whereas the local varieties had recorded 12.08 qt/ha. Besides, the perception score of respondents towards the majority of variety attributes; such as water logging tolerant, plant height, disease resistance, number of seeds per pod and seed size were better compared to the local cultivar. However, walki variety recorded the lowest score in terms of early maturing, and earliness to set pods as compared to the local varieties. The result of the study shows statistically significant grain yield advantage and recorded a higher mean perception score on the predetermined variety attributes at less than 5% probability level. Therefore, the study concludes using the variety walki in the water logged areas of the study districts can significantly increase production of faba bean for smallholder farmers. Thus, it is better if the concerned stakeholders should disseminate the walki variety to areas, which have water logging problems in the vertisol areas of southern Tigray.

Keywords: Faba bean, Popularization, Vertisol, Water logging

Source seed production demands more sensitive management with regard to soil fertility, crop rotation, space isolation, plant population, and pest management. Insect pests and seed-borne diseases are major biotic constraints that hinder production and productivity of barley in Ethiopia. Due to unavailability of improved seed coating products, growth stimulators and seed treatment chemicals, possibilities of increasing the existing seed yield of barley are limited. At the moment new seed coating substances, growth stimulators and seed treatment chemicals are emerging worldwide to enhance seedling growth and protection of seed borne pathogens and insect pests. Therefore, this experiment was conducted with the objective of examining and verifying the effect of Genius Coat Disco Cereal AG L-439 on seed yield and yield related traits and also to determine its effective application rate for malt barley seed production. Field experiment was conducted at Holetta Agricultural Research Center main station, Adadi sub-site and Ada’aberga farmer’s field in 2016 and 2017 main cropping seasons. The combined analysis of variance across locations showed significant differences (P≤0.05) among the tested treatments for plant height, above ground biomass and seed yield. The analysis of variance indicated that the tested seed coating substance named Genius Coat Disco Cereal AG L-439, at three different rates (50%, 100% and 150%) was found effective to increase the yield of malt barley by 0.94 t/ha and 0.69 t/ha when compared with the control and standard check (untreated seed and dressed by Apron star) respectively. In addition to yield gain, the field performance, reaction to insect pests and soil nutritive composition of the plots which were treated by a recommended rate or above found good. Therefore, Genius Coat Disco Cereal AG L-439 at 150% (11.25 ml/1kg seed) rate have been promoted for further confirmation test. The results of the confirmation trial revealed that the malt barley seeds, which were dressed by Apron star and coated by Genius Coat Disco Cereal AG L-439 showed better biomass increase (14.5%) and yield gain (17.2%) than the control (untreated seed) in all testing sites. The ANOVA result also showed that the response of shoot fly against exposed treatments were significantly different at P<0.05 in both first and second counts.

Keywords: Seed coating, Malting barley, Seed treatment, Seed yield

The decision as to which method to apply in any disease situation would depend upon the economic feasibility of the management method. Therefore, this study was attempted to evaluate the economic feasibility of sorghum covered kernel smut management options at sheraro, Ethiopia. The highest net benefit (19109.90-birr ha-1) was obtained from Aron star treated plots followed by fermented cow urine treated plots (18655.80-birr ha-1), neem leaf crude extract treated plots (18269.45-birr ha-1) and papaya leaf crude extract treated plots (18239.75-birr ha-1), while the lowest net benefit, was obtained from the control plots. In terms of economics, the highest marginal rate of returns also was obtained from the cow urine, neem and papaya leaf crude extracts in this order. Therefore, use of Apron star, cow urine, neem and papaya leaf crude extracts as seed treatment against Sphacelotheca sorghi is economically feasible around sheraro, Ethiopia.

Keywords: Feasibility, Economical, Management, Sorghum, Smut, Effective

Bakery products are extensively consumed by all age. Okra seeds are source of the protein content and other macronutrients. Okra Seed Powder OSP incorporated in the main formulation in biscuits with various percentages such as 10%, 12%, 14% and 16%.in the cultured we study that the rheological and physiochemical characteristics of the biscuits change after the incorporation of different percentages of (OSP) such as 10%, 12%, 14% and 16% and the higher percentages incorporation of OSP showed the significance changes in the final product. Sensorial and rheological properties the physiochemical properties of 16% OSP also high due to high protein in okra seeds.

Keywords: Okra seeds powder (OSP), Rheological properties, Solvent retention capacity (SRC) and protein content, Barky products

Studies were conducted in 2016/2017 and 2017/18 at Holetta research center and farmers’ fields to determine the efficacy of adjuvant ADPRO SQUAD on post emergence herbicide Pyroxsulam (Pallas 45-OD) in wheat weeds. There were five treatments which were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were comprised of three adjuvant rates (the company recommended 0.225 L ha-1, suboptimal 0.113 L ha-1, optimal 0.34 L ha-1, rate), Pyroxsulam 0.5 L ha-1 alone, and untreated check. The crop variety used was Hidasse. The selected area was infested with dominant weed species like, Setaria pumila, Phalaris paradoxa, Bromus pectinatus, Avena fatua, Snowdenia polictacha, Guzotia scabra, Polygonum nepalense, Galinsoga parviflora, Amaranthus hybridus, Plantago lanceolata, Galium spurium, Medicago polymorpha and others. The results revealed that application of Pyroxsulam 0.5 L ha-1 mixed with ADPRO SQUAD 0.113 L ha-1 had a significant (P<0.05) effect on broad leaf and grass weeds population followed by the standard check Pyroxsulam 0.5 L ha-1 alone. The mean yield data indicated statistically significant difference between treatments. Pyroxsulam 0.5 L ha-1 mixed with adjuvant ADPRO SQUAD 0.113 L ha-1 gave highest yield (6.6) followed by Pyroxsulam 0.5 L ha-1 mixed with adjuvant ADPRO SQUAD 0.225L ha-1 (5.4) and the standard check Pyroxsulam 0.5 L ha-1 alone (5.3) t ha-1 which enhanced grain yield by 19.1% over herbicide alone. The yield harvested from untreated weedy check plot was significantly lower than the rest treatments. As far as plant height and thousand grain weight were concerned insignificant differences were observed between treatments.

Keywords: Adjuvants, Pyroxsulam, Weed control, Triticum aestivum L

The study examined environmental degradation impact management intervention by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used for the selection of 80 community members in SPDC host communities. The data for the study were collected through the use of questionnaire and were analyzed using both descriptive (the mean) statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result showed that SPDC provided of safe drinking water (X ̅ = 2.7), provision of scholarship to SPDC cluster community (X ̅=3.3), provision of relief materials to flood victim by SPDC (X ̅ =3.2) and renovation of dilapidate town halls (X ̅ =3.5). The result further showed that community members within SPDC host communities were also exposed to town hall meeting with men leaders by SPDC (X ̅ =3.7), town hall meeting with women by SPDC (X ̅ =3.7) and meetings with community liaison officers (CLO) by SPDC (X ̅ =3.5). The ANOVA result showed significant difference on environmental degradation impact management intervention by SPDC among host communities was significant at P<0.05 level of significance with an F-value (1.543). It still showed significant difference on the extent of exposure to SPDC communication strategies in management of environmental degradation among host communities was at P<0.05 level of significance with an F-value (1.649). The study concluded that environmental degradation impact management intervention by Shell Petroleum Development Company impacted benefiting communities. The study recommended that Shell Petroleum Development Company should increase the provision of safe drinking water, provide more household health-care service and compensate community members adequately after oil spillage.

Keywords: Environmental degradation, Impact Management Intervention and Shell

The study was conducted at Awlie-gara research station, Ofla district with the objective to identify the highest dry matter yielder and nutritional content of oat forage genotypes in highland of southern Tigray. The experimental design was RCBD with three replication and five genotype treatments tested for two production years. The experimental genotypes were: CI-825, Morelle, Jassari, Grey algeri and 72Ab382. As the experimental result showed that the CP% content was reported with the highest for CI-8251(11.19%) and followed by Grey Algeris(10.18%), Morelle(9.81%), Jassari (9.54%), 72Ab582 (8.12%) in that order. The current study illustrated that the CP content of the oat genotypes were resulted above the maintenance requirement of animals. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.001) among all treatments on emergence date, stand vigorous and seed yield. However, there was significant different in days of 50% heading (P<0.001), plant height (P<0.01) and DM yield (P<0.001) between treatments. Oat genotypes like CI-8251, Morelle and Jassari were higher DM yielder as compared to the other genotypes. Moreover, there was also significant difference in plant height (m) among treatments. Moreover, CI-8251, Morelle and Grey algeris were the tallest genotypes as compared to the other genotypes. Therefore, CI-8251, Morelle and Jassari genotypes had higher DM yielder and potentially recommended to solve the shortage of feed in quality and quantity for small land owned farmers of highland agro ecology.

Keywords: Stand height; Crude protein; In-vitro dry matter digestibility; 50% heading; Seed yield