Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Effects of Integrated Soil Acidity Reclamation Measures on Soil Properties and Barley (Hurdium vulgarae) yield in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Mulu Araya — 2024-12-11

Soil acidity is a major constraint in the Ethiopian highlands, affecting about 43% of the farmlands is severely limiting barley yields. The study assessed the effects of agricultural lime, compost, and chemical fertilizers on soil properties and barley yield in Jeldu district. Six soil reclamation treatments, combining lime, compost, and chemical fertilizers were tested along with no-input and conventional practice controls. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results demonstrated that combining lime (7 t ha⁻¹) and compost (2.5 t ha⁻¹), as well as the integration of lime with mineral fertilizers, boosted barley grain and biomass yields by three to four times higher compared to conventional mineral fertilizers alone. These improvements were linked to enhanced soil properties, including increased soil porosity, available water content, pH, available phosphorus, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable calcium and magnesium. The treatments improved soil properties by up to 202%, while reducing bulk density and exchangeable acidity by up to 70% and 97%, respectively. The benefits of these integrated practices were several times greater compared to the control treatment with no inputs. In conclusion, these findings highlight that combining lime along with compost and chemical fertilizers is the most effective strategy for reclaiming acid soils and improving barley production. By addressing the pressing issue of soil acidity through sustainable practices, this study underscores the importance of integrated nutrient management for achieving long-term agricultural resilience and food security in the Ethiopian highlands.

Effect of Substituting Concentrate Mix with Alfalfa on Performance of Afar Goat Fed on Panicum Grass Hay as a Basal Diet

Anwar Seid Hassen — 2024-12-11

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of substituting concentrate mix with Alfalfa hay on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Afar goats and its economic feasibility. Twenty five yearling intact male Afar goats with an initial body weight of 14± 2.25kg (mean± SD) were used for this experiment. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design. The experimental animals were grouped into five blocks of five animals based on their initial body weight and the animal in each block were randomly assigned into one of five treatment diets. The experiment lasted for 115 days, including a feeding trial and a digestibility trial, following adaptation periosd of 15 days and 3 days for experimental diet and fecal sample collection, respectively. The concentrate mix was prepared by mixing wheat bran and Noug seed cake in the ratio of 2:1. All experimental animals were fed panicum grass hay ad libitum as a basal diet, supplemented either with100% concentrate mix (T1), 25 % Alfalfa hay + 75% concentrate mix (T2), 50 % Alfalfa hay + 50% concentrate mix (T3), 75 % Alfalfa hay + 25% concentrate mix (T4) or 100 % Alfalfa hay (T5). The supplement was offered at the rate of 300 g/head/day on DM basis, twice a day at 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM in two equal portions. Basal diet and total dry matter intake were not affected (P>0.05) by experimental diets. However, supplement intake was higher (P < 0.05) in goats supplemented with 75% concentrate mix with 25% Alfalfa (T2). The average daily gain (83.3 g/day) achieved in treatment groups T1 and T2 was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to the other treatment groups. Except for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF), the apparent dry matter and nutrient digestibility were not affected (P>0.05) by the substitution of the concentrate mix with alfalfa hay. The substitution of the concentrate mix with alfalfa affected (p<0.05) only the hot carcass weight and the dressing percentage based on slaughter body weight. The highest economic return of 1054 ETB per goat was obtained from the goats supplemented with a diet comprising 25% alfalfa mixed with 75% concentrate mixture (T2) In conclusion, the supplementations of Afar goats either with sole concentrate mix or 25% alfalfa + 75% concentrate mix resulted in greater intake, apparent digestibility, weight gain, hot carcass weight and net benefit compared to other treatments

Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Goat Types in Kellem Wollega Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Ayantu Mekonnen — 2024-12-11

The current study was conducted to phenotypically characterize goat types found at Sayo, Gawo Qebe and Dale Wabara districts of Kellem Wollega zone, Oromia region. The study districts were selected purposively based on goat population potential. Three PAs from Gawo Qebe, three PAs from Sayo and two PAs from Dale Wabara were selected purposively based on targeted indigenous goat population potential and agro-ecology. A total of 468 mature goats (332 females &136 males) were identified and used in the current study. Body weight, linear body measurements and field observation were used to capture data. Data were analyzed by using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). The primary reason for keeping goats in all districts was income generation followed by meat for home consumption. Appearance, growth rate, and coat color were the most preferred attributes in breeding buck selection. Feed shortage, predator and disease were the main goat production constraints in the areas. The overall mean dominant coat color type in the current study areas was grey (22.6%) followed by black (21.8%). The most common head profiles obtained were straight (75%), concave (14.7%) and convex (10.3%) for males. About 78.3% and 78.2% of male and female goats had semi-pendulous ear orientation, respectively. The highest positive correlation (r=0.89) was observed between body weight and chest girth; indicating that chest girth can be the best trait to predict body weight. In general, the study's breeding goals must be taken into account for genetic improvement, and constraints identified must be addressed. Additionally, molecular characterization is required to clearly understand the genetic relationship of goats in the study areas.

Farmers’ Perceptions of Agricultural Lime Technology, Contributions, and their Determinants in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Mamaru Tesfaye — 2024-12-11

Soil acidity poses a significant challenge to agricultural production in Ethiopia, with over forty-three percent of farmland affected, leading to low crop yields. Agricultural lime is widely recognized as an effective solution for addressing soil acidity. This study aims to evaluate the perception of smallholder farmers and factors influencing the adoption of agricultural lime technology in key intervention sites where research centers and other organizations have implemented interventions. A sample of 162 households from three study sites was chosen using a multi-stage random sampling method. Data was collected through structured interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The Likert scale and ordered probit model were utilized to assess farmers' perceptions and determinants of agricultural lime technology adoption, respectively. The results revealed that the majority of farmers had a positive perception of the benefits of ag-lime technology. Farmers also demonstrated a good understanding of soil acidity issues on their farms, as well as the causes and potential mitigation strategies across all sites. However, significant challenges were identified, including limited availability of lime, accessibility, sustainability, and a lack of soil acidity testing services. The study also highlighted a strong and positive demand for lime technology, suggesting a need to strengthen the supply side by enhancing the capacity of private and public lime enterprises in terms of production and delivery. Therefore, it is recommended that stakeholders focus on variables that have shown a positive and significant impact on lime technology adoption to increase participation and effectively address soil acidity issues. By addressing these challenges, adoption of ag-lime technology could help improve crop productivity in areas prone to soil acidity

Adoption of Multiple Agricultural Technologies among Smallholder Farmers in Major Tef Growing Areas of Central Ethiopia

Mekonnen Hailu — 2024-12-11

The adoption of agricultural technologies has become an important issue in the development agenda for Ethiopia, especially as a way to tackle poverty and low agricultural productivity. Using the household survey data from 240 sample respondents from Minjar Shenkora and Ada’a woredas, this study analyzes the factors that facilitate or hinder the probability and level of adoption of technologies, and intensity of technology adoption. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric model namely, multivariate probit model, ordered probit model, and Tobit model. The model results showed that both the probability and the level of adoption of agricultural technologies are significantly affected by education level, household size, extension contacts, access to credit, farmers’ confidence, farmers’ membership in cooperative, farmers’ perception on economic return, farmers’ perception on participation in extension service provision, and the average distance to output market and extension office. The estimated result of Tobit model also indicated that education level, household size, extension contacts, access to credit, farmers’ membership, and farmers’ perception on economic return significantly influence the adoption and intensity of use of improved technologies. Therefore, it is crucial to engage all actors in the R&D at the various levels and promote the multiple combinations of agricultural technologies through devising possible interventions for those factors that impede the uptake of the technologies.

Genetic Variability and Quantitative Traits Inheritance in Different Origins of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes

Tewodros Tesfaye — 2024-12-11

Evaluation of phenotypic variability, heritability, and genetic advancement in germplasm collections is important for both plant breeders and germplasm curators to optimize the use of the variability available. A total of 300 sesame germplasm collected from diverse ecologies of Ethiopia and germplasm introduced from different African and Asian countries, including 16 released varieties, were planted at the Gondar Agriculture Research Center, Metema, and Tach/ Armacho trial sites using alpha lattice design in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 cropping seasons.

Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among germplasm for the twenty-two characters studied except for the number of secondary branches, petiole length at the middle leaf, mean capsule width, and mean capsule thickness. This indicated the existence of much genetic variation among germplasm for most characters studied. High heritability combined with high genetic advance was recorded for plant height, primary branch, petiole length of top leaf, days to flower initiation, days to 50% flowering, pod bearing zone, seed yield per plant, and bacterial blight reaction indicating that these characters are controlled by additive gene effect and thereby phenotypic selection of these characters would be effective for further breeding purpose. The results obtained in this study would facilitate the improvement of climate-friendly sesame varieties through breeding and conservation of sesame genetic resources

Replacement of Fishmeal with Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) Larvae (BSFL) Enhances the Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Fry in Tanks

Aschalew Lakew — 2024-12-11

Due to the rising cost and limited availability of fish meal (FM), researchers have focused on exploring alternative animal feed sources such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in aquafeed industry. This study investigated the effects of replacing FM with full-fat BSFL on the growth of Nile tilapia fry at inclusion levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, hereafter designated as BSFL0%, BSFL25%, BSFL50%, BSFL75% and BSFL100% respectively. A total of 500 healthy Nile tilapia fry (mean weight =2.7±1.1 g) were randomly stocked into 10 plastic tanks (50 fry per tank; two replicates per treatment) and fed for 150 days. Fish were fed three times daily and weighted biweekly to monitor growth performance and adjust the feed offered for the fish. Water quality parameters including temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were monitored using a real-time IoT device known as SynWater which is SYNELIXIS innovative solutions. Nile tilapia fry fed on BSFL100% showed significantly higher fish weight (74.52±1.32) compared with BSFL25% and BSFL50% (p < 0.05), but no significance difference was obtained among BSFL100%, BSFL75% (65.98±1.54) and BSFL0% (61.2±2.08). Regardless of BSFL inclusion levels, all measured water quality parameters remained within acceptable ranges for optimum Nile tilapia fry growth. A simple economic analysis showed that the BSFL100% diet significantly reduced the feed cost and increased the profit index by 52% compared with the FM control diet (BSFL0%). This study demonstrated that BSFL can fully replace FM without adversely affecting the growth of Nile tilapia or the water quality parameters. Future research should focus on optimizing BSFL production techniques in order to promote low-cost insect-based protein diets for livestock and fish production in Ethiopia

Characterization of Ethyl Methanesulfonate (EMS)-Induced Mutants in Durum Wheat: Dose-Response Analysis and Mutagenic Effects Assessment

Daniel Hailegiorgis — 2024-12-11

This study aimed to identify the optimal dosage of ethyl methanesulfonate to achieve at least 50% seed germination and a 30% survival rate in durum wheat, and to investigate phenotypic variations in subsequent mutant generations. The study employed response surface methodology to optimize EMS mutagenesis conditions, analyzing three variables: imbibition time, ethyl methanesulfonate concentration, and ethyl methanesulfonate exposure duration, each at three distinct levels. The optimal conditions were determined to be a 4-hour imbibition period followed by an 18-hour exposure to a 0.7% ethyl methanesulfonate solution. Under these conditions, 10% of the M₁ generation and 3% of the M₂ generation exhibited phenotypic variations. Common morphological abnormalities observed included altered spike morphology, abnormal leaf coloration, and irregular leaf morphology. These findings contribute to the practical methodologies used in the field of plant genetics and crop improvement, particularly for generating genetic variability in cereal crops. Additionally, it provided valuable insights into the optimal conditions for inducing mutagenesis in durum wheat, which can be applied in Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) and eco-TILLING experiments.

Communication Tools for Effective Transfer of Aquaculture Technologies: The Case of Wonchi District, South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Yared Mesfin Fikadu — 2024-12-11

The main purpose of this paper is to find out which communication tools are best suited for effective transfer of selected aquaculture technologies in Wonchi district of South west Shewa Zone. The study involves a sample of 30 farmers including adopter and non-adopters of aquaculture technologies. Data was collected using pairwise and matrix ranking techniques followed by focus group discussion. Meanwhile, a test of appropriateness of selected communication tools: video, oral lecture and demonstration were used to ultimately provide training on selected aquaculture technologies. An evaluation was then done based on feedback given from the participants. As a result, videos were found to be the most versatile tools for effective transfer of aquaculture technologies, followed by demonstration and lecture methods. By virtue of the fact that experiences on best practice of small-scale aquaculture are missing, videos recorded from better performing locations elsewhere outside Ethiopia are preferable in the short run. However, using a mix of videos followed by practical demonstration would improve effectiveness of aquaculture focused technology transfer programs.