College of Agriculture

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The College of Agriculture is committed to advancing agricultural education, research, and community service. It serves as a center for knowledge creation and dissemination in crop science, animal production, natural resource management, and sustainable agriculture.

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ADOPTION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICE AROUND LAKE HAWASSA, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2022) ENDALE ESRAEL
Ethiopia is promoting SWC technologies for improving agricultural productivity, climate change adaptation, household food security and rural livelihoods. The effectiveness of these SWC practices that are alleged to enhance productivity is very important in order to evaluate their performance in reducing land degradation and rehabilitating the land. The major concern of this study is to analyze the adoption of soil and water conservation practice around Lake Hawassa. The data were collected from 150 farmers residing in 3 Kebeles that are randomly selected from 25 rural Kebeles where soil and water conservation have been introduced and widely implemented. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used to have reliable information. The basic data used for this study were collected from Sample households, focus group participants and key informants through structured questionnaire and semi-structured checklists. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as mean, frequency, percentages, tables, Chi-square and t-test and inferential statistical tools such as binary logistic regression model and multiple linear regression models. The survey data identified that out of the total (150) households, 100 (66.7%) were being adopted SWC activities in their lands while the rest 50 (33.3) households didn’t adopted SWC. The Chi-square result showed that sex, marital status, level of education, credit access and extension services were affects SWC positively and statistically at 5% significant level and the t-test result showed that age and land size affects SWC positively and statistically at 5% significant level. The logistic regression model showed that advisory services, training on SWC, number of family size and education level significantly influences adoption of SWC measure in the study area. The comparative analysis of maize production showed 17.5508 quintals average yield increment in case of SWC adopting households as compared to non-adopter during 2020/2021 production season. The results revealed positive relationships between total yield of maize and labor, seed, land, and oxen (draft access). Based on this result, labor and land are the most significant factors of maize production among SWC adopters. As more of these factors of production (land and labor) are used increasingly, there will exist more maize yield among the adopter households. This increased crop yield as a result introduction of SWC to farmer’s farm also enhanced their income, achieving food security and livelihood in the study area. The researcher recommends, the stakeholders need to work jointly to improve the farmer’s access to SWC training service, and provide different advisory services while promoting SWC technologies among small holders in the study area.
AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY, GENOTYPE BY ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION, NUTRIENT AND LAND-USE EFFICIENCY, AND NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF OAT (Avena sativa L.) GENOTYPES IN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) GEZAHAGN KEBEDE BUNARE
Agro-morphological variability, genotype by environment interaction, nutrient and land-use efficiency, and nutritional profile of oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes in Ethiopia Oat (Avena sativa L.) is one of the useful annual cereal crops grown at higher altitudes in the tropics and temperate regions. It is a dual-purpose crop cultivated for fodder and grain production in the central highlands of Ethiopia. This crop is mainly cultivated for fodder production and the grain is also used for human food and animal feed in Ethiopia. Oat generally produces high amounts of fodder which has better nutritional quality and it can be used as a green feed and the excess production can be conserved as hay and silage to utilize during the feed scarcity period. Despite its significance, oat production, and productivity are highly influenced by genetics, environments, agronomic management, and their interactions. Therefore, developing high-yielding oat varieties with stable performance under diverse environmental conditions and improving the productivity of oat through various agronomic management are the major research areas for oat improvement in Ethiopia. However, studies on agromorphological based genetic diversity and yield stability of oat genotypes under diverse environmental conditions and the optimum nutrient requirements of oat for higher yield and nutritional quality under sole and mixed cultures with vetch have not been well studied and properly documented in the country. Thus, the overall aim of this study was to enhance the productivity of oat genotypes through proper exploitation of genetic variability and agronomic management under different environments and management conditions. The first experiment was conducted using 120 oat genotypes using a randomized complete block design with three replications at Holetta and Ada-Berga research stations in the 2020/2021 cropping season. The objectives of this study were to estimate the extent of agro-morphological based genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in oat genotypes, to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic relationships between the studied quantitative traits, to determine the direct and indirect effects of measured quantitative traits on fodder and grain yields, and to evaluate the genetic variations using cluster, genetic divergence, and principal component analyses for oat yield improvement. The results revealed that moderately high to very high heritability (62.9– 86.4%) coupled with high to moderate genetic advance as percent of mean (16.0–26.1%) were recorded for forage dry matter yield (FDMY), number of leaves at forage harvest (NLFH), stem dry matter yield (SDMY), forage yield production rate (FYPR), grain yield (GY), panicle length at grain harvest (PLGH), number of spikes per panicle (NSPP), and harvest index (HI). This result demonstrated that the selection of oat genotypes based on these traits could be effective for yield improvement. The genotypic and phenotypic correlation and path coefficient analyses indicated that the FYPR had a significant positive association and high direct effect on FDMY and also the biological yield production rate (BYPR) and HI had a significant positive association and high direct effect on GY. This indicated that selection based on FYPR and BYPR/HI would simultaneously improve the FDMY and GY in oat genotypes, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that the studied genotypes grouped into four clusters with the intra and inter-cluster genetic distances ranging from 2.3 to 4.3 and 11.7 to 63.2, respectively. The principal component analysis showed that traits such as FYPR, BYPR, PLGH, FDMY, and xxxi number of spikelets per panicle (NSLPP) contributed more for the first component whereas HI, GY, NLFH, and plant height at grain harvest (PHGH) had a high contribution for the second component. The presence of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) complicates the selection of genotypes with high yielding coupled with stable performance across environments. Twenty-four oat genotypes were selected and sown during the 2020/2021 cropping season at Holetta (E1), Ada-Berga (E2), Ginchi (E3), Jeldu (E4), D/Zeit (E5), Kulumsa (E6), Bekoji (E7), Kuyu (E8), and D/Markos (E9) agricultural research stations using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Thus, the second experiment aimed to assess the magnitude of GEI and to evaluate the fodder and grain yield stability performance of oat genotypes using univariate and multivariate statistical models. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis of variance for fodder yield showed that the total variation was highly contributed by the environment (E) main effect followed by GEI and genotype(G). Moreover, the GGE biplot analysis for fodder yield showed that G6 was the ideal genotype while G2, G3, G10, and G23 were desirable genotypes. Among environments, E7 was an ideal environment whereas E1 and E8 were favorable environments. The results of univariate stability analysis indicated that selection of oat genotypes using genotypic superiority index (Pi), yield stability index (YSI), coefficient of determination (R2 ), and coefficient of variation (CVi) stability parameters would be effective for fodder yield improvement. Similarly, the AMMI analysis of variance for grain yield showed that the E main effect was the highest contributor to the total variation followed by G and GEI. Based on the GGE biplot analysis for grain yield, G19 was an ideal genotype while G8, G11, G12, G14, G17, and G22 were desirable genotypes. Moreover, the ideal environment was E2 whereas E1, E4, and E5 were favorable environments. The univariate stability analysis for grain yield indicated that high grain yield-producing oat genotypes had stable performance using the stability parameters of Pi , the Perkins and Jinks adjusted linear regression coefficient (Bi), and YSI. The yield and nutritional quality of oat can be improved through the application of optimum fertilizer at the right time. Oat can be cultivated using the blanket recommended fertilizer rate in Ethiopia. Thus, the optimum fertilizer rate for fodder and grain production of oat has not been well studied and documented in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of fertilizer rates on agro-morphological traits, nutrient uptake and use efficiency, nutritive value, and economic feasibility of oat varieties at Holetta. The study was carried out during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 cropping seasons using a factorial arrangement of eight levels of the blanket recommended fertilizer (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175%) and three oat varieties (CI-8251, SRCPX80Ab2291, and Sorataf) in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that variety, fertilizer, and year had significant effects on FDMY. The FDMY of oat varieties increased with increasing fertilizer rates and the highest (15.9 t/ha) yield was obtained from the application of 175% (71.8 kg N + 35 kg P/ha) fertilizer. Among oat varieties, the highest FDMY was obtained from CI-8251 (forage type oat) followed by SRCPX80Ab2291 (dual type oat) and Sorataf (grain type). The number of tillers per plant (NTPP), yields of morphological fractions (leaf, stem, and grain), FYPR, nutrient concentration, and uptake had significant positive associations with fertilizer levels and FDMY. However, all the nutrient use efficiencies except agro-physiological efficiency (APE) had inverse associations with fertilizer levels and FDMY. Similar to FDMY, the GY of oat varied significantly for variety, fertilizer, and year effects. Application of 150% (61.5 kg N + 30 kg P/ha) fertilizer rate produced the highest GY (6.5 t/ha) and grain nutrient uptakeGNU (141.7 kg/ha) while the lowest GY and GNU were recorded from oat sown without fertilizer application. Sorataf (grain type) variety gave the highest GY, GNU, partial factor xxxii productivity (PFP), and agronomic efficiency (AE) compared to forage and dual-type oat varieties. Oat varieties sown with 25% (10.3 kg N + 5 kg P/ha) fertilizer rate produced the highest PFP (346.6 kg/ha) and AE (164.8 kg/ha) while PFP and AE decreased with increasing fertilizer rates. The nutrient concentration and uptake had positive associations with fertilizer level and GY while nutrient harvest index (NHI) and nutrient use efficiency had inverse associations with fertilizer level and GY. The nutritional quality analysis indicated that digestible yield (DY) and total digestible nutrient yield (TDNY) varied significantly with variety, fertilizer, and year effects. Among oat varieties, CI-8251 gave the highest TDNY while SRCPX80Ab2291 gave the highest DY but the Sorataf variety gave the lowest TDNY and DY. Most of the measured nutritional quality parameters varied for the interaction effect of variety by fertilizer by year effect. Sorataf variety sown with 175% fertilizer rate in 2020 gave the highest crude protein-CP (113.9 g/kg DM), crude protein yield-CPY (1.66 t/ha), and digestible crude protein-DCP (68.2 g/kg DM). Application of fertilizer and FDMY had significant positive associations with CP, CPY, DY, DCP, and TDNY. The combined partial budget analysis for the three oat varieties showed that application of 125% (51.3 kg N + 25 kg P/ha ) fertilizer rate produced higher net benefit (83,440 ETB) and marginal rate of return (12,635.6%) from fodder production. On the other hand, the application of 150% fertilizer rate produced the highest net benefit from grain production. Oat can be also cultivated with vetch (annul forage legume) to improve the quantity and quality of feed in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The oat/vetch mixtures are sown with the same blanket recommended fertilizer rate that is used for the production of sole oat in the country. This indicated that the application of fertilizer on oat/vetch mixtures does not depend on the nutrient requirements of oat and vetch for better growth and development under a mixed cropping system. Accordingly, the optimum fertilizer rate for the oat/vetch mixed cropping system has not been well studied and documented in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of fertilizer rates on agro-morphological traits, nutrient uptake and use efficiency, competitive ability, and economic feasibility of oat under oat/vetch mixed cropping and nutritive value of mixtures at Holetta Agricultural Research Center during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 cropping seasons. In this study, the oat/vetch mixture was sown with eight fertilizer rates (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175%) and also sole oat and sole vetch were sown with their recommended fertilizer rate (100%) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that fertilizer and year had significant effects on all measured agro-morphological traits, nutrient concentration, and nutrient uptake and use efficiency of oat. Accordingly, all the measured agro-morphological traits increased with increasing fertilizer rates, and the highest values were recorded in the second year. Application of 150% fertilizer rate increased the FDMY of oat/vetch mixtures by 107.4% compared to oat/vetch mixtures sown without fertilizer application. However, the highest nutrient use efficiency was recorded with the application of fertilizer at the rate of 25% while the nutrient use efficiency was the lowest with the highest fertilizer (175%) application rate. The FDMY of oat under oat/vetch mixtures was associated significantly and positively with all measured agro-morphological traits, nutrient concentration, and uptake while it had significant inverse associations with nutrient use efficiencies. The highest net benefit and marginal rate of return were recorded from the application of 150% fertilizer rate. The productivity of oat under oat/vetch mixed cropping was also assessed using different indices. The results showed that over-yielding oat (OYO), land equivalent coefficient (LEC), area-time equivalent ratio (ATER), and land equivalent ratio (LER) were higher in the first year while oat equivalent yield (OEY) and system productivity index (SPI) were higher in the second year. All xxxiii the aforementioned biological efficiency indices increased with increasing fertilizer rates and the highest values were recorded from the application of 150% fertilizer rate. Similarly, all the measured competitive indices such as crowding coefficient of oat (KO), actual yield loss of oat (AYLO), intercropping advantages of oat (IAO), and the competitive ratio of oat (CRO) were higher in the first year. All the values of competitive indices except aggressivity of oat (AO) increased with increasing fertilizer rates and the highest values were recorded from the application of 150% fertilizer. The economic efficiency indices of oat/vetch mixtures showed that the higher values of monetary advantages index (MAI), relative value total (RVT), replacement value of intercropping (RVI), and relative net return index (RNRI) were recorded in the first year. All the values of economic efficiency indices increased with increasing fertilizer rates and the highest values were recorded from 150% fertilizer rate. The nutritive values of oat/vetch mixtures also varied with fertilizer application and year of production. All the measured nutritive values except fiber contents (NDF-neutral detergent fiber, ADF-acid detergent fiber, ADL-acid detergent lignin, HC-hemicellulose, and C-cellulose) were higher in the second year. Application of fertilizer at the rate of 150% gave the highest ash, CPY, digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), DY, total digestible nutrients (TDN), TDNY, relative feed value (RFV), and relative feed quality (RFQ). On the other hand, oat/vetch mixtures sown without fertilizer gave the highest fiber contents. The person correlation analysis indicated that fertilizer application had significant inverse associations with fiber contents while it had significant positive associations with the remaining measured nutritional quality parameters. In conclusion, oat genotypes such as CI-715, CI-1463, SRCPX80Ab2806, A-505, CI-1480, S-122, Bona-bas, and CI-1674 were selected for fodder yield and grain yield improvement. Based on the AMMI, GGE, and univariate stability parameters, G6 (CI-1512), G9 (CI-1629), G10 (C-12), and G23 (CI-8235) were selected for fodder yield improvement while G8 (SRCPX80Ab2267), G17 (SRCPX80Ab2310), and G22 (SRCPX80Ab2691) were selected for grain yield improvement of oat. Application of 125% (51.3 kg N + 25 kg P/ha) fertilizer rate for fodder production and 150% (61.5 kg N + 30 kg P/ha) fertilizer rate for grain production could increase the respective yield and farm profitability in the study area. Similarly, application of 150% fertilizer rate would increase the fodder yield, competitive ability, and economic profitability of oat under oat/vetch mixtures and nutritive value of mixtures. However, the selected genotypes and fertilizer rates should be verified under diverse environments of oat-growing areas in Ethiopia.
ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS ON WATER PRODUCTIVITY AND NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY OF MAIZE (Zea mays) IN THE GREAT ETHIOPIAN RIFT VALLEY BASINS
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) FITIH ADEME MAMO
Climate variability and change are a global phenomenon affecting many nations. Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia have been facing severe climate related hazards, in particular highly variable rainfall and severe droughts that negatively affect their livelihoods. Anticipated climate change is expected to aggravate some of the existing challenges and impose new risks beyond the range of current experiences. This study aimed at understanding current climate variability and future climate change, and its associated impacts in particular for maize production. The climate analysis was conducted in the Great Rift Valley Basins (GRVB), which represents diverse agroecology and farming systems. The climate variability and change impact study were conducted in the Central part of the Rift Valley (CRV), which represent a major cereal-based farming system of the semi-arid environments of Ethiopia. Empirical statistical analyses using field experimental data in combination with crop-climate simulation modelling were used to achieve the objectives of the study. A high spatial resolution regional climate models and a well-known crop growth simulation model were used for the modelling analysis, which is an innovative feature of the methodology used in this thesis. The analysis revealed that rainfall exhibited high interseasonal variability (coefficient of variation 13-37%) during the period 1981-2010 in the GRVB. The mean annual temperature significantly increased by +0.43 ºC [0.27 ºC to 0.58 ºC] per decade in the same period. Projections for future climate suggested that annual rainfall will change by -25 to +6% and the annual temperature is expected to increase in the range of 2.5-5.1oC by the end of this century. A corresponding change in length of growing period (LGP) from -5.66 to -25.5% for central semiarid and +3.9 to -16.4% for central sub-humid highlands was simulated in the near century. Maize grain yield was strongly (P<0.01) and positively correlated with seasonal rainfall (r=0.67-0.69) in the CRV while day temperature affected grain yield negatively (r= -0.44) at Ziway (P<0.05) during the simulation period. Simulated water-limited yields showed high inter-annual variability (coefficient of variation, ~24%) and about 47% of this variability was explained by the xvii variation in growing season rainfall. The observed farmers’ yield was 28, 48 and 57% lower than the researcher-managed, water--limited and potential yield of the crop, respectively, indicating wide maize yield gap in the region. Analysis of climate change scenarios showed that maize yield will decrease on average by 16.5 and 23% by mid and end of this century, respectively due to climate change. Similarly, water productivity is expected to decline on average by 2.2 and 12% in the CRV by mid and end centuries with respect to the baseline. Nutrient uptake and corresponding nutrient use efficiency (NUE) might also be negatively affected by climate change. Phosphorus uptake probably will decrease in the CRV on average by 14.5 to 18% by mid-century. Nitrogen and P use efficiency indicators showed decreases in the range between 8.5 to 10.5% and between 9.3 to 10.5%, respectively by midcentury relative to the baseline average. The simulation under no water and nutrient limitation condition ensured improvements of both water and nutrient use efficiency in the changed climate which could ensure modest production in the future. The high estimated impact of climate variability and changes on crop yield and associated resources use in the CRV imply greater risks on rainfed crop production in the region. Hence, the study recommends further assessment of potential adaptation options and economic impact of climate related risks in the region to provide full-fledged evidence for better policy decisions.
ASSEMET OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY IMPACTSE ON WHEAT PRODACTION, FARMERS’ PERCEPTION AND ADAPTAION STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF DOYOGENA WOREDA FARMING COMMUNITIES OF KAMBATA-TAMBARO ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2022) MULUGETA GEBRE
Climate variability has adversely affected the livelihoods of people in developing countries where a large proportion of the population is heavily dependent on agriculture. Severe and repeated rise in temperature and rainfall failures caused loss of crops and livestock which resulted in food insecurity in Ethiopia. This study aims to assess farmers’ perception on climate variability, its impacts and adaptation strategies in Doyogena District.The study used multi stage sampling procedure. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select study area. Primary data were collected using key informant interviews, focus group discussions and household surveys with 181 households. Similarly, secondary data were collected from NMA and DWARDO. Descriptive statistics, MNL and SPI were used to analyze the collected data. According to the survey results, about 83% of the respondents perceive that, the rainfall amount in the study area is decreasing. However, long-term recorded 1996-2019 rainfall data showed that the annual rainfall is decreasing by the rate of –6.56 annually over the past 24 years. The mean annual rainfall was 1164.19mm with 11.5% of coefficient of variation which is less variable based on degree of variability. Similarly, 84.70% of interviewed farmers said that temperature is in increasing trend, which confirms the results from the analysis from 1996-2019 recorded data by NMA that indicated the mean minimum and maximum temperatures are increasing by 0.074ºC and 0.021ºC per annum respectively. The study had also shown that farmer’s adaptation strategies include; using improved crop variety, mixed crop livestock system, use of irrigation, soil and water conservation, adjusting planting date and income diversification activities. The marginal effects of MNL model results also indicated that, the adaptation strategies used by farmers were significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by age, family size, farm land size, monthly income and livestock ownership, whereas; sex, access to extension service, access to credit service and farming experience. Therefore, improving farmers’ perception of climate information, and promoting farm-level adaptation strategies such as the use of new agricultural technologies and adjusting planting date must be strengthened in the study area.
ASSESMENT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF AGROFORESTRY TECHNOLOGIES IN HALABA SPECIAL WOREDA, SOUTHEREN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2016) MIHRETU ERJABO
Halaba special district is characterized by drought, soil erosion, high population pressure, poor livestock production, lack of feed for livestock, very deep water table, very low productivity of crops and food insufficiency. In order to address these problems, the woreda Agricultural Development office along with other management practices such as soil physical conservation measures agroforestry was introduced decades ago as a means to alleviate the problem. However, the level of agroforestry adoption remains low. The main objective of this study was to identify the factors that influence adoption of agroforestry technologies by farmers in the district. Random sampling procedure was employed to select two kebele administrations and respondents. Data collection was conducted by employing five different types of techniques such as rural household questionnaire survey, participatory rural appraisal, questionnaires for local and woreda extension staff, scanning government records & secondary data resources and field observation. A total of 12 key informants, 6 extension staffs and 182 households, samples were used in the data collection process. Chi-square test and t-test were used to determine whether there were statistically significant relationships between adoption of agroforestry and 15 selected variables. Out of which eleven were found to be significant to affect farmers’ adoptiveness. These were frequency of visits of farmers(13.39%), participation in training(11.49 %), farmers’ attitude towards agroforestry practices(10.61%), frequency of visits of extensionists(10.38%), participation in extension meeting(10.34%), participation in field day(10.28%), land holding size(9.29%), level of literacy(8.78%), awareness about the importance of agroforestry technology packages(7.06%), time taken from their residence to nearest extension(5.04%) and gender of respondents(3.34%). This study also identified various factors that may result in low adoption rates of agroforestry including fear of competition between trees & crops for water and nutrients uptake, seedling shortage, rainfall shortage, free grazing after crop harvest, financial problem, labor shortage, expecting trees as soil degrader & long span of trees and lack of need ranking of farmers by extension staff. To improve farmers’ adoption, the factors identified should be well addressed by launching a series and recurrent outreach extension program appropriate and suitable to farmers need.
ASSESSING LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN WEST BADEWACHO DISTRICT OF HADIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) KEBEDE BEKELE WOILEBO
It is evident that climate change is real and rural farm households are focusing on several livelihood diversification options in response to climate change. In the study area, West Badewacho, the change in climate shifted households to carry out different livelihood strategies. The main aim of this study is to investigate livelihood diversification of farm households in response to climate change in the study area. Both primary and secondary data were collected to address the research objectives. Both Simple random sampling and systematic random sampling techniques were employed to collect the primary data from 147 household heads through interview; key informants interview, and focus group discussions. The secondary data were collected from Ethiopian National metrological agency. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics like mean, maximum, minimum, percentage and multinomial logit model by using SPSS version 20 and STATA 13 software. Four livelihood diversification strategies were identified in the study area. Those are on-farm only, on-farm and non-farm, on-farm and off-farm, and the combination of on-farm, non-farm and off-farm livelihood diversification strategies. Generally, from the total households about 34% of them are participated in on-farm and non-farm livelihood diversification strategies response to climate change and to pursue livelihood income. The result shows that a livelihood diversification strategy is significantly influenced by sex, education level, family size, farm land size, extension contact, credit access and saving habit. The most important practice to adapt climate change and variability is livelihood diversification in the study area.
ASSESSING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF EXOTIC CHICKEN BREED, REARED IN SHEBEDINO DISTRICT, SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) ALEMU ALASO ADISO
Exotic chicken management practices, performance and challenges and opportunity infive kebeles of Shebedino district in Sidama Regional state, Ethiopia were assessed. Sample size of HHs for the survey was determined using a multi stage sampling technique and Processed data analyzed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20.0 soft ware. Five kebeles (2 from highland, 3 from midland and 4kebeles and 1kebele from rural and urban areas respectively) were selected purposively based on potential of production. Total sample size of selected population was 137of which59.85% was male and 40.15% were female. The average family sizes were 5.54 and 5.53 persons with in highland and mid-land of the district, respectively. Age of respondents ranged from 44.5 and 45 years for Highland and Mid-land Agro-ecologies of the district, respectively. Total landholding/HH were 0.5-1 ha (24.8%) and 1.25-1.75 ha (57.67%), 2-2.25 ha (13.13%) and 2.5-3 ha (4.4%) of the respondents both high and mid land agro-ecologies. Average numbers of exotic chicks, pullets, cockerels, hens and cocks per HH were 17, 5.3, 2.6, 7.3and 2.8 respectively, both high and mid land agro-ecologies. Majority of the sample respondents (58.7%) and (63.7%) in the highland and midland of the district respectively; keep exotic chickens primarily for income generation and next home consumption. Commonly distributed exotic chicken breeds were Sasso (49.64%), IB (Issa Brown) (43.06%) and BB (Bovans Brown) (7.3%) in the high land and mid land of the district. Majority of households (71.53%) practice free-scavenging or/and extensive poultry production system and about a quarter of them semi-intensive poultry production system. The exotic chickens rearing experiences of household were ≤ 5 years (8.76 %), 6-10 years (41.61 %) and > 10 years (49.63 %). Majority of respondents (67.9%) used traditional housing with main house. Higher numbers of the respondents (68.6%) obtain from local available feeds.75.9% of the respondents practiced supplementary feeding by maize, kocho, home left over and wheat bran to their exotic chickens. Majority of respondents (82.4%) provided water adi-libitum, whereas 14.7% provided three times per day and the remaining 2.9% offered twicea day. The major diseases reported in the study area, in the order of their importance, were Newcastle, coccidiosis and fowl pox. Bovans brown, Issa brown and Sasso attained sexual maturity at 90-120 days. The predators that most commonly occur and attack exotic chickens were wild cat (local name Ganchara), fox and hawk. Disease, feed problems followed by predators and poor adaptation were challenges of exotic chicken production. Major opportunities of rearing exotic chickens in the study areas were access to market, veterinary service and extension service and adaptation problem of exotic chickens. Government should create awareness on vaccination of chicken against major poultry diseases in the study areas.
ASSESSMENT OF BUTTER PRODUCTION, CONSUMER AND MARKET PREFERENCES, QUALITY AND PRICES IN KINDDO DIDAYE OF WOLAITA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) AMANUEL ELIAS LOTA
The study was conducted at Kinddo Didaye district, Wolaita zone southern Ethiopia with the objective of assessing butter production, consumer and market preferences, quality and prices in the area. Based on data collected between April to July 2019. The effect of agro ecology on butter production was analyzed. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select representative kebeles and households from Kinddo Didaye district. To conduct the study, one sample district (Kinddo Didaye) was purposively based on dairy cow potentiality and butter production. Six kebeles were selected in total (three from midland and three kebeles from lowland). 138 butter producing households were purposively selected based on dairy cow production and butter production from the study district. Besides this different 40 retailers, 10 butter shops and 50 consumers were interviewed. Local cattle are the most dominant milking cows were kept by all six kebeles. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, involving household survey. Thus, all (100%) of the respondents were reported that clay pot churn is tool used for butter making. For washing and smoking milk equipments, plant leaves such as Ocimum hardiense (68.1%) and Cymbopogan martini (23.9%) were mostly used in both agro-ecologies. For butter averagely 3.0±0.12 and 2.91±0.01 volume of milk churned at a time in both lowland and midland agro-ecologies respectively. In addition, 17.92±0.13 and 15.04±0.09 liters of milk in both lowland and midland agro-ecologies respectively were used to produce 1kg of butter. Retailers and consumers got quality butter from producer; The destinations of the butter were to different areas in the country, mainly Wolaita Soddo, Hawassa, Addis Abeba and others. All assembler/butter shops sell butter by their shops. Consumers report shows that the quality attributes of butter preferable by consumers were 44% flavor, 32% texture, 20% color and remaining 4% fermentation in study district. The price of butter rise during holy days, non-fasting period and dry season. The challenges of butter production in the area were feed shortage, shortage of grazing area, dry season, price fluctuation and fasting season. The major type of adulteration that reported by consumers were 62.5% banana and 37.5% ‘shenolega’ in the study area
ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, PRODUCTION PERFORMANCES, AND SOME EGG QUALITY TRAITS OF CHICKENS REARED IN LOKA ABAYA DISTRICT, SIDAMA ZONE, SOUTHERN, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) HAILU DUKAKO
This study was carried out in Loka Abaya District, Sidama Zone of Southern Ethiopia. So far there are limited studies conducted in Loka Abaya targeting comprehensive description of the production performance, associated constraints, management practice, and egg quality traits of backyard chicken in rural communities. The objectives of the study were to assess chicken husbandry practices, production, and reproduction potential and evaluate some egg quality parameters in the study. The agro ecology was arranged systematically, Kebeles were selected purposively, and random sampling was used to select 120 chicken rearing households from two agro ecologies. Household survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussions were employed to draw out appropriate data using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, interview schedule, and discussion guide. Concerning egg quality determination, households who have native chicken and cross chicken ecotypes were identified from each agro ecology and, 200 eggs were collected for quality parameters generally. Chi- square test and ANOVA were employed to analyze the statistical difference between two agro ecologies. Accordingly, the result revealed that the mean flock structure of chicks, cockerels, pullet, hens, and cocks, were 5.4 (0.01TLU), 0.9 (0.01TLU), 1.5(0.01TLU), 4.5(0.01TLU) and 0.8 (0.01TLU) heads per household, respectively and mean flock size of chicken 9.4(0.01). The current finding also indicated that the major feed resources were scavenging and supplementary feed (47.5%) and types of supplementary feed was maize and wheat (52.5%). Regarding housing, watering, and chicken constraints; 50.8% of respondents house their chicken with family, 89.2% of respondent provide water freely and predator were major problem followed by disease. Based on survey result the primary purpose of chicken production in the study area was income generation. The current finding also showed that majority of farmers in the study area, purchased veterinary drugs@Oxytetracycline 20% to treat their chicken (47.5%) and also used ethno veterinary medicines (39.2%) and used “Ash “during hatching or egg incubation time to protect eggs from contamination of human hands (90%). The result also indicated that the major determinant factors that affectinfluencing the chicken husbandry practices in the study area include presence of predators, disease, feed shortage, lack of adequate veterinary services and lack of knowledge about modern chicken husbandry practices were identified as the major determinant factors that influence poultry production in the study area. Regarding egg quality parameters; there were difference (p<0.05) between egg weight, egg width, albumen height, albumen weight, yolk color, specific egg gravity, and Haugh unit. An understanding of factors influencing the decision of the respondents were associated with improvement in poultry husbandry critical when formulating technologies regarding with husbandry practices that support chicken production.
ASSESSMENT OF MANGO YIELD LOSS AND FRUIT FLY (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF MANGO PRODUCING FARMERS IN ARBAMINCH ZURIA WOREDA, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2023) ESSEYNESH ALEMAYEHU FENTAHUN
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a valuable food and cash crop that contributes to agricultural development agents. This study was conducted to assess mango fruit yield loss due to fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) and management approaches by farmers in Arbaminch, Zuria Woreda. Three administrative kebeles, viz., "Chano mile," "Lante," and "Kolla shele," were purposively selected from the Arbaminch Zuria Woreda. Both survey and assessments were collected. Sixty respondents were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Mango variety, mango pests and their economic importance, abundance, infestation, yield loss estimation, management practices applied for fruit flies and farmers’ willingness to pay for the best management options were assessed. The results were analyzed using SPSS software and presented using descriptive statistics; and the variables were tested by chi-square test. Farmers in Arbaminch Zuria produced five types of mango varieties, with local mango varieties being the most common. All the respondent farmers (100%) had the local mango variety. Common mango fruit pests like fruit flies, white mango scales, mealybug, grivet monkeys, speckled birds, and weaver ants as an indirect pest which may interfere with natural enemies were recognized. The fruit fly species Bactrocera invadens was trapped in the field with the abundance of 43 flies per trap per day (FTD). Fruit flies caused 94.28±10.21 Kg and 29.84% of loss in fruit yield per tree. The mean monetary loss value was estimated to 471,412.3±51010.9 birr/ha/year. The highest infestation was recorded in the peak harvest time (February) which was 40.78%. To overcome the fruit fly damage, mango producers applied different management methods. Of these methods, Methyl Eugenol trapping, field sanitation, burying infested fruits, and smoking the field were the most common. It was concluded that mango fruit flies are the most economically important insect pests of mango in the Arbaminch Zuria Woreda. The study recommends the evaluation and release of less susceptible mango varieties to fruit fly infestation, white mango scale, and other pests and diseases, evaluate the farmers’ practices. And new methods of management to develop a holistic integrated pest management system
ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTION SYSTEM, MORPHOLOGICAL TRAIT AND EGG QUALITY PARAMETERS OF INDIGENOUS CHICKEN IN WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) DESTA GUTEMA SHURE
A study was conducted in two selected woredas (Heban Arsi and Negelle Arsi) of West Arsi zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Production system, some morphometric traits and egg quality parameters of indigenous chickens were assessed. Using purposive multistage sampling a total of 120 households possessing 5 or more matured chickens were selected for study. A total of 360 indigenous chickens were used for determination of morphological traits. Egg quality parameters were evaluated on 240 eggs collected. Extensive management system was practiced in the study area. About 23.3% of households used purposively made chicken houses. Overall mean age at sexual maturity of hens was 6 months and cockerels 5.86 months. Disease, predators and feed shortages were the three major chicken production constraints. Majority of body feather colour of indigenous chickens were red and Red brownish /Kokima followed by White, black with white tips/Teterma, Black, Grayish/Gebsima and Multicolor/Ambasma. All of the chickens possessed normal feathers with the dominant white and red ear lobe colors, yellow shank colors, pea and single comb and plain as well as flat head shape. Overall mean body weight of chickens was 1.3kg. The wingspan length, shank length, shank circumference, comb length, wattle length, body length, back length and keel length measurements were 32.58, 7.74, 3.82, 3.35, 1.44, 30.79, 18.72 and 9.19cm respectively. The average egg weight, shell thickness, egg width, egg length was 39.88, 0.291, 37.80 and 50.64mm respectively with average shape index of 74.72%. The subsequent average albumen height, yolk height, yolk width and yolk color was 4.02 mm, 13.75 mm, 37.04 mm, and 6.77 colour fan of 1-15 respectively with the corresponding Hough unit score of 69.37%. To sum up, both study woredas and sex of chickens looks to approve the traits of indigenous chickens and egg quality traits under traditional managements system. Detailed Molecular characterizations is recommended to assess morphological traits of indigenous Chickens of the study woredas.
ASSESSMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION OF BOVIPREG FOR PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS OF DAIRY CATTLE IN SIDAMA ZONE OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) MULUGETA TESFAYE
The assessment of breeding practice and reproductive management and evaluation of Bovipreg kit for early pregnancy diagnosis of crossbred dairy cattle was conducted in three districts of Sidama zone namely Arbegona, Bona and Bensa. The districts were categorized under high altitude and mid altitude to assess the existing breeding practice and reproductive management of dairy cattle. A total of 90 respondents were randomly selected from 6 kebeles for the survey. The data acquired from the respondents were analysed using the GLM of SPSS. The survey result revealed that the average age at first calving for crossbred was 3.3 years for the high altitude and 3.5 for the mid altitude and had no significantly difference (p>0.05) among the two altitudes, the result also indicate that the mean calving interval of 458.23 days and 439.9 days for the high altitude and mid altitude respectively and had no significantly difference (p>0.05); also daily milk yield of the dairy cattle in the current study area had no significant difference (p> 0.05) between the two altitudes of the study area. As opposed to this there was significant difference (p<0.05) between the two altitudes with regard to lactation length and calving to first service insemination. The breeding practice in the current study areas shown 71.1% of the respondents were using natural mating of bull irrespective to the altitudes, but the pedigree of most of breeding bulls in the study area was not known clearly. The study further revealed that few of the respondents were aware the importance of heat detection to decide time of insemination. Thus in most cases the AM/PM rule for insemination was not followed properly and this is one of the cases to have low efficiency of the AI service in the study area. Due to this and related factors most of the farmers gradually shift their breeding system from AI service to bull mating in both study area. With regard to feed the main source of feed for dairy cattle was natural pasture followed by crop residue in both altitudes of the study area. Most of the respondent irrespective of the altitudes agreed that they kept their all livestock species including dairy cattle together with the family dwelling. In addition to survey part of the study action research was conducted to evaluate Bovipreg kit for early pregnancy diagnosis of crossbred dairy cattle in two PAs of Bensa district. A total of 44 crossbred cows were selected and randomly grouped to 2 groups (22 cows per a group) for early pregnancy diagnosis by using Bovipreg at 18 - 22 days post insemination. The groups were test for PD by using blood serum (group 1) and milk (group 2). The accuracy of Bovipreg kit for positive pregnancy was 81.18% for blood sample and it was 72.73% for milk sample and had significant difference (p<0.01) among the two samples. Use of Bovipreg kit can be an effective tool to identify the pregnancy status of dairy cattle much ahead than most of the current existing methods and has a fundamental important to improve the reproductive management of dairy cattle.
ASSESSMENT OF SHEEP PRODUCTION SYSTEM, REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND HABIT OF SHEEP MILK CONSUMPTION BY THE SOCIETY IN ALETA WONDO WOREDA, SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) ABIOT GARO DUMO
This study was conducted in Aleta Wondo Woreda, Sidama Region to assess sheep production system, objectives of production, reproductive performance and habit of sheep milk consumption. For the study 158 households (HHs) owning at least one milking sheep were selected from Highland and Midland agro ecologies using systematic random sampling method and data were collected using structured questionnaire, key informant interview, field observation and secondary data. The family size was variable ranging from 2-4(44.9%), 5-8(50%) and above 9(5.1%). The mean total land holding was 0.88±.0534ha per with a difference between agro-ecologies. The average sheep flock size per HH was 3.02 ± 0.08 with a difference between agro-ecologies. Generating income, saving, meat and milk followed by manure and skin in their decreasing order of importance were main purposes of keeping sheep. Mixed crop- livestock production system was the dominant farming system in the area. Natural pasture, crop residues and crop aftermath, improved forage and enset and banana were feed resources available in the area. Mostly tethered system of feeding is practiced with no difference between agro ecologies. Above half of the respondents have no experiences of cultivating improved forages. Although feed types used for supplementation differs, all respondents were supplementing their sheep both in dry and wet seasons. Feed shortage in terms of quality and quantity throughout the year was one of the major problems of sheep production. Pond and deep well during dry season and river and pond during wet season were the main sources of water. Majority of the respondents in midland agro ecology suffer from shortage of water due to drying and pollution from coffee industries in dry season. Majority (58.2%) of the respondents house their sheep in main house with a difference between agro ecologies. Controlled mating was a common practice in both agro ecologies. All respondents in the area were selecting and culling sheep for production using different criteria. About 74.7% and 59.5% of the farmers were not castrating and fattening sheep respectively. For sheep, estimated average age at first service is 7.9±0.07months for male and 9.5±0.11months for female, age at first lambing 13.5±0.11month and lambing interval 8.04±0.06 month with a difference between agro ecologies. Most (76.4%) of the respondents in Highland area are consuming sheep milk whereas the inverse is true for Midland agro ecology with 90.7% due to unawareness. The constraints were land and feed shortage, disease and parasites, lack of improved breed, lack of extension service, water shortage and market price fluctuation. The major opportunities ranked by respondents were high market demand, increase of urbanization, and suitability of agro ecology and government attention for sheep production in decreasing order of their importance. Therefore, to use the available opportunities, the identified constraints should be solved in Aleta Wondo Woreda.
ASSESSMENT OF WEED SPECIES COMPOSITION AND THEIR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN ONIONAND EFFECT OFDIFFERENT WEED CONTROL METHODS IN ONION (Allium cepaL.)IN THE CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) FEYISA BEKELE JIMA
Farmers have lack of awareness on weed problem on the crop and under take only manual weeding option to control those weeds in their fields. The study identified weed species composition and their management practices in onion (Allium cepa L.) fields of Adami Tulu, Dugda, Lume, and Around Adama woradas, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. In addition the effect of different weed control methods in onion were evaluated in Meki woreda during 2017/2018 under irrigation. Primary data were collected from 200 individual farmers using structured questionnaires, face to face interview. Secondary data were collected from different literatures and reports, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, using SPSS version 20. Weed species compositions were determined in a quadrat count of 0.5m2 using systematic sampling techniques to obtain representative sample in the fields. The identified individual weed specieswere analyzed using quantitative means. Identified most problematic weed families wereAsteraceae (16 spp.), Poaceae (10 spp.), Solonaceae (2 spp.),Cyperaceae (2spp.)in descending order of 1st, 2nd, 3rdand4rd abundant weed families, respectively.The experiment was contained 13 different weed control treatments and laid down in randomized complete block design with four replicates. Collected data were analyzed using SAS version 9.0. The weed density varied significantly with the treatments (P<0.05). At 60 DAT the lowest weed density (41.875/m2) was recorded under HW3WAT followed by Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha + HW6WAT. At harvest the lowest weed density (30.875g/m2) was obtained under Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW6WAT. The lowest weed dry weight was recorded from Pendimethalin at 1.5L/ha+HW9WAT (293.27g/m2). The highest weed controlefficiency(82.15%) was recorded under Pendimethalinat 1.5L/ha+HW9WAT followed by Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW9WAT (80.48%) after weed free plot.The maximum plant height (43.47cm) was recorded in weed free plot followed by Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW3WAT (40.68cm). But the number of leaves per plant has shown no significant difference with respect to different treatments (P>0.05). Maximum bulb diameter, bulb weight, bulb size (3.51cm, 122.58g, 73.25ml, 29.62ton/ha) were recorded respectively from weed free plot, which were statistically non-significant from Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW9WAT). The lowest loss in yield (0.03%) was recorded in weed free check followed by plot treated with oxyflourfen at rate of the 0.5 L/ha + HW6WAT (6.8%) as compared to the highest yield obtained in plot treated with oxyflourfen at rate of the 0.5 L/ha + HW9WAT. Weed free check plot resulted in higher cost of protection and gross return but lower in net return and benefit: Cost ratio, whereas Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha and pendimethalin at 1.5L/ha showed highest Benefit: Cost ratio (20.34 and 14.65) respectively. The study showed that using herbicides alone or in combination with hand weeding is highly profitable than using hand weeding alone. Future studies on the use of herbicides with different rates and combinations with other methods, critical period of weed-control and more survey works in different onion production agro-ecologies are recommended.
Assessment on Management Practices and Comparative Study on Egg Production and Egg Quality Parameters of Sasso and Local Chicken Breeds in Aleta Chuko Woreda, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) AYELE RODAMO BACHO
The study was conducted in midland and lowland agroecologies of Aleta Chuko Woreda with the aim of assessing chicken management practices and compares egg production and egg quality parameters of the newly introduced Sasso chicken breed and that of local chicken. A total of 174 households rearing indigenous and Sasso chicken for at least three years were selected for the survey work based on systematic random sampling method. Three hundred eggs from the two agroecologies, (150 eggs from each agroecology, 75 eggs each from Sasso and local chicken from one agroecology) were collected from 6 Kebeles (3 Kebeles in one agroecology) and tested in Hawassa University poultry laboratory for its external and internal quality traits. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of the two breeds and the two agroecologies using SPSS version 20. From the respondents, 21.8% of the sampled households were female headed. The average number of chickens per households was 4.3. The current chicken breed composition in the study woreda was 62%, and 38% of local and Sasso respectively. The average age of local and Sasso chicken at first egg laying was 7.18and 5.14months of age, respectively. The average number of clutches per hen per year for local and Sasso chickens were 4.06 and 7.8, respectively. About 86.2% of the respondents from Sasso chicken rearers and 77% from local chicken rearers had experience of culling non productive chicken from their flock, with 79.3% of the culling Sasso chicken was caused due to sickness and 65.5% of the culling local chicken was caused by poor productivity. The overall means for egg production per hen per year for local and Sasso chicken was 52.74and 161.4, respectively. From this work, it is recommended that regular training must be given on management practices of the chicken and government should support on disease treatment mechanisms and vaccination of chickens.
BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION, MOLECULAR CONFIRMATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TEST OF Listeria monocytogenes FROM RAW BOVINE MILK COLLECTED FROM HAWASSA CITY, DALE AND ARSI NEGELE DISTRICTS OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) HABTAMU HAWAZ TAFFESE
Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most important foodborne pathogens and causes zoonotic disease due to its abundance in the environment. It is responsible for Listeriosis in humans and animals with low incidence but high fatality rate. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and molecular characterization of Listeria monocytogenes from raw cow milk. A cross-sectional study design was employed from December 2019 to September 2020. A total of 240 raw bovine milk samples were collected from dairy farms and smallholder dairy producers using a simple random sampling technique. Milk samples were collected in two season. Listeria monocytogenes isolation was performed using standard cultural procedures including Twin pack Listeria selective broth and agar medium as well as confirmatory broths like rhamnose, xylose and mannitol. Heamolysis and CAMP tests were also conducted. Molecular detection was performed by multiplex PCR by targeting five virulence-associated genes (prfA, plcA, actA, hlyA, and iapA) and by 16S rRNA genes sequence. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of L. monocytogenes was also assessed by using the standard disk diffusion method. Out of 240 raw bovine milk samples tested, 69 (28.75%) were found positive for Listeria spp. of which 17 (7.08%) isolates were identified as Listeria monocytogenes after morphological and biochemical confirmation. The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in the wet season was 9.32%, but 4.92% in the dry season. Antimicrobial resistance profiling showed that all the Listeria monocytogenes isolates were completely resistant to Nalidixic acid followed by erythromycin (88.24%), ampicillin (23.53%), chloramphenicol (17.65%), streptomycin (11.76%) and 5.88% isolate showed resistance to cefotaxime. However, all the L. monocytogenes isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, gentamicin, and sulfamethoxazole. Gene of 16S rRNA was found in all the 17 tested isolates, but hlyA and iapA were found only in the 11 tested isolates and no isolate was found to contain prfA, actA, and plcA genes. The study indicates that raw bovine milk is a significant source of L. monocytogenes and shows a potential health risk for listeriosis.
CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF BANANA PSEUDO-STEMS FOR BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2022) TEMESGEN AYELE ADE
Bio-fuels like bioethanol originated from lignocellulosic biomasses are being investigated as potential substitutes for current high pollutant fuels obtained from conventional sources. Banana pseudo-stem is one of lignocellulosic biomass, which is generated from banana cultivation. This study was carried out to Characterize and Evaluate Banana Pseudo-stems for Bioethanol Production. For this study, Giant Cavendishii (M. acuminata), Dwarf Cavendishii (M. acuminata), and William-1 (M. ‘Williams hybrid’) banana pseudo-stems were used for investigation. In this study, chemical compositions of pseudo-stems (extractives, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and ash) were determined through National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) protocol. Bioethanol was also produced from each pseudo-stem through biochemical conversion method. The production method had four major processes; pseudo-stem pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, and distillation. Some of the physicochemical properties of produced bioethanol (Viscosity, Density, Flash point, Alcohol concentration, and Calorific value) were tested. The functional group of the produced bioethanol was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. And finally, bioethanol yield of each variety was determined depending on the concentration of produced bioethanol. Each laboratory experiments were conducted for triplicate. The data analysis of experimental result was done by using statistical analysis of variance (one way ANOVA), through statistical analysis software (SAS). The laboratory result of extractives, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and ash content of the pseudo-stems were 27.25% - 31.15%, 30.11% - 36.14%, 19.32% - 23.83%, 8.81% - 9.30%, and 7.99% - 9.30%, respectively. And bioethanol yield of Giant Cavendishii, Dwarf Cavendishii, and William-1 pseudo-stem were 6.31%, 5.20%, and 4.00%, respectively. The statistical analysis software (SAS) output implied that the pseudo-stems of the three varieties have significantly different cellulose composition and bioethanol yield. As the result implied, pseudo-stem of giant cavendishii (M. acuminate) has the largest cellulose content and bioethanol yield followed by dwarf cavendishii (M. acuminata). Thus, giant cavendishii (M. acuminate) has relatively higher bioethanol potential. Therefore, giant cavendishii banana pseudo-stem is recommended to use as feedstock for bioethanol production.
CHARACTERIZATION, MAPPING, AND EVALUATION OF RECLAMATION RESOURCES FOR SOILS AROUND ABAYA AND CHAMO LAKES, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIAN RIFT VALLEY
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) AZMERA WALCHE MENGESHA
Characterizing and understanding the nature of the soil and its management are crucial for successful crop production. With this in mind, experiments were conducted to (1) characterize of soils surrounding Lakes Abaya and Chamo, (2) analyze nutrient contents and map the fertility status of agricultural soils, (3) determine the intensity and types of soils and map their spatial distribution patterns, and (4) investigate the efficacy of gypsum and farmyard manure and their combined application in reclaiming sodic soil's chemical and physical properties. The first study revealed that the soil properties in the study site were highly heterogeneous in terms of morphological, physical, and chemical characteristics. Most of the studied soils were highly alkaline (>8.5), had very high sodium content (>20 cmolc kg-1 ), very high CEC value (> 40 cmolc kg-1 ), very low TN (<0.1%), and low levels of organic carbon (0.5-1.5%) and exchangeable calcium (2-5 cmolc kg-1 ). The study recommended removing sodium and salts from the soil depth to improve the productivity of agricultural soils in the area. Applying organic amendments such as manures and crop residues was also suggested to increase fertility and organic matter content. The second study showed the soil texture in the area was mainly clay, heavy clay (Ganta Kanchama site), and sandy clay loam. The surface soil had a higher available water holding capacity than the subsurface depth, indicating more plant water storing space. The soils in the studied area had an alkaline pH, moderately (2-4 dSm-1 ) to highly saline (4-8 dSm-1 ) EC values, high exchangeable sodium percentage (50-70%), high soil CEC, low OC, very low total nitrogen content, high potassium availability (>300 mg kg-1 ), and xxiii lower calcium carbonate content. The study showed the soils of the area were fertile, however, incorporating organic matter into the soil enhances its structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, reducing salinity and sodicity. The results of the third experiment revealed that the study area has moderately (7.9-8.4) to strongly alkaline soil pH (8.5-9.0), slightly (0.75-2 dS m-1 ) to moderately saline (2-4 dS m-1 ) EC values, and a high variability in soil ESP values, indicating a strong variability in soil sodicity across different parts of the study area. Out of 2274.65 ha of the studied area, 62.28%, 26.09%, 10.99%, and 0.63% were categorized as nonsaline non-sodic, saline-sodic, sodic, and saline, respectively. The results showed that almost all salt-affected sites were situated in relatively low-lying slope (0-2 %) areas, flat to almost flat slopes. The findings suggest that the place needs specific soil management strategies to address the salinity and sodicity problems. The last study investigated the impact of amendment resources on sodic soils. A pot experiment consisting of a factorial combination of four levels of GYP (0, 50, 100, and 150%) and four levels of FYM (0, 10, 20, and 30 tons ha−1 ), with Complete Randomized Design (CRD and three replications was used. The results showed that applying gypsum (GYP) and farmyard manure (FYM) reduced exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in sodic soils. Specifically, using 10 ton FYM ha-1 and GYP at 100% GYP required (GR) rate resulted in a 99.8% decrease in ESP compared to untreated composite sodic soil. The study also indicated optimal amendment levels (combined application of 100% GYP and 10 ton FYM ha-1 ) for displacing exchangeable sodium from the exchange site using prediction models. Agglomerative hierarchical and K-means cluster analysis suggest that treatment levels and reclaimed soils with similar properties require application of comparable treatment levels and similar management. The study found that combined applications of GYP (at 100% gypsum requirement rate) and FYM (10 ton FYM ha-1 ) reduced ESP to less than 10% in agricultural soil. However, further research is needed to determine their effectiveness at the field level.
CHICKPEA WILT (FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. CICERIS) INTENSITY IN NORTH SHOA, ETHIOPIA, AND EVALUATION OF CHICKPEA GENOTYPES AGAINST THE PATHOGEN
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) Kalkidan Wudu
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) is an important pulse crop in Ethiopia. However, chickpea Fusarium wilt (CFW) is the major constraint on its production. Thus, this study was designed with the following objectives: to assess the prevalence, incidence, and association of biophysical factors with CFW in North Shoa Ethiopia and evaluate chickpea genotypes against the pathogen. For this purpose, a field survey was conducted during the 2022 main growing season. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used to analyze association of the disease with different biophysical factors. Fungal isolation was done out by placing small bits of infected root on PDA at Hawassa University Crop Protection Laboratory. Colony characteristic of the fungus were studied on PDA. The spores were obtained by growing the fungal pure culture on SNA. The pathogen was morphologically identified using appropriate identification manual. Sixteen chickpea genotypes were screened for their reaction to CFW under a lath house condition. The survey results revealed that CFW was prevalent in all the surveyed areas, with different levels of incidence. A higher CFW incidence (43.2%) was recorded at Siyadebrna-wayu district, while a lower (34.8%) CFW incidence was recorded at Ensaro district. High mean CFW incidence was recorded on chickpea sown late August (39.2), desi-type chickpea (39.7), fields previously sown with legumes (43.9),lower altitudes (40.3), pod setting stage (41.2) and weedy fields (45.8%). In the model, crop growth stage, district, previous crop, and weeding practice were significantly associated with FOC incidence. The highest (>38%) wilt incidence was highly associated with weedy fields. The fungal mycelia were white in color. The macro conidia were straight to slightly curve with three septa. While the micro conidia were oval and no septation, Based on these, the pathogen was identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (FOC). Three chickpea genotypes (DZ-2012-CK-0312 followed by FLIP12-138c and ICCMABCD-21) were moderately resistant, while nine chickpea genotypes were susceptible. The result of the current study confirmed that CFW was highly prevalent in the study areas. Thus, designing effective CFW management options by targeting important biophysical factors that influence disease pressure and using chickpea varieties that have some degree of resistance to the disease is essential. It would be better to repeat the late house experiment for one or two times and further tests under field conditions to come up with sound recommendations.
CLIMATE CHANGE, ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AND THEIR DETERMINANTS IN RURAL LOKA ABAYA WOREDA, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University college of Agriculture, 2020) ADISU PETROS DESALEGN
Many studies have shown that climate change has adverse impacts on human welfare, agriculture, natural resources and development activities in Ethiopia in general and sidama Region in particular (Deressa et al., 2011; Kassie et al.,2013; Hamesso, 2013; Seyum, 2014). The objectives of study were: 1) to explore effects of climate change and variability on agricultural based livelihood systems, 2) to analyse trends of climate variability in terms of temperature and annual rainfall in the study área, 3) to assess the existing responses and adaptation measures being practiced to climate change and variability, and 4) to identify determinants of climate change adaptation strategies. Three stage sampling technique was employed to select 188 study sample respondents. Both primary and secondary data was collected. Primary data were collected from the household survey; Key informant intervew and Focus group discation. Secondary data were reviewed from offices and published sources. Both descriptive and econometric model were used to analyze data collected SPSS version 20 and STATA 14.2 version software were used for data entry and analysis. Based on the study result 95.2% agreed the state of climate is changing, 90.4% reported decreasing rainfall, 93.9% indicate the increasing temperature. On the other hand, the households replied that extreme heat, drought, and increasing change in wind intensity, respectively. Moreover, time series data revealed that both mean rainfall and temperature were decreasing and increasing, respectively. The climate change impacts experienced by respondents in resulted reduced productivity/yield, increases pests/insects/diseases, use of traditional crop varieties decreased (, cropping pattern has changed , traditional irrigation sources like pond has reduced, and reduced cultivated land . Sample households agreed that climate change increased scarcity of forages, grass species composition, decreased productivity (mainly milk and its products), decreased livestock number, and shortage of drinking water availability. Moreover, results revealed, out of the total studied households(74.58%) agreed that climate change reduced income, while 69.17% believed it affected business items (increased price of food), and 26.34% reported climate change increased dependency on relief programs. The identified main adaptation strategies in response used by sample respondents were, crop diversification, improved crop varieties, reducing livestock number, tree plantation, crop rotation and intercropping, soil and conservations practices and non-farm incomes. According to marginal effects of MNL result the significantly determining factors for a choice of adaptation strategies were age, family size, education status of household, farm size, livestock ownership, extension service, access to credit service, climate change information and non-farm income of household. The study recommends that farmers, local government, and research institutitutions ought to work on collectivelly about the socio economic and institutional factors challenging farmers in the study area to encourage use of available opportunities to adapt and enhance their long term resilience to climate change.