Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Carcass composition and sensory and chemical attributes of beef from local cattle breeds in North-West Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Firew Tegegne — 2024-06-27

This experiment quantifies the carcass composition and the sensory and chemical attributes of beef from four local cattle breed types in selected districts of North-West Amhara, Ethiopia. Forty matured intact bulls were fattened using two treatment feeds with Diet-1 (60:40), and Diet-2 (70:30) concentrate: roughage ratio of the daily dry matter intake of the animals. Carcass data was collected from the meat of 24 slaughtered animals through direct trait measurements, using panelists, and sample proximate analysis. The GLM of SAS (version 9.0) was used to analyze the data fitting breed and treatment feeds as fixed effects. The overall mean values of Total Leg (30.09±0.50), Total loin (12.19±0.39), Total rack (8.08±0.27), Total breast and shoulder (8.27±0.26), Total Shoulder and Neck (30.06±0.78) were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the breed type that cattle from Yilmana Desna area performed the best. Besides, meat quality traits of juiciness, tenderness, and overall acceptability (P<0.05), were best for Denbecha cattle breed types. The overall moisture content of the meat (69.78±0.32) was significantly (p<0.05) different between the breeds. Overall, the examined cattle breed types have acceptable sensory and chemical qualities of meat. Future research should quantify the sensory and chemical qualities of meat from these cattle breeds under different ages, animal physiology (intact and castrated bulls), sex, and dietary supplement levels.

Effects of integrated fertilizer application on soil properties and yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) on Nitisols in Pawe District, Northwestern Ethiopia

Seble Getaneh — 2024-06-27

In many parts of Ethiopia, the primary challenge limiting crop productivity is the depletion of soil fertility. Despite being one of Ethiopia's primary cereal crops, the yields of maize are currently believed to be low owing to low soil fertility, continuous farming, and poor crop management. A field experiment was carried out on the Nitisols of Pawe Research Station in northwest Ethiopia during the 2020-21 cropping season to evaluate the effects of the integrated application of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on soil properties and maize yield. The treatments were a factorial combination of four levels of FYM (0, 5, 10, and
15 t ha-1) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 34.5, 69, and 103.5 kg ha-1) in the form of urea. Besides, 46 kg ha-1 P2O5 fertilizer was applied for all treatments. The experiment was arranged in RCBD with three replications. The result showed that combined applications of FYM and N fertilizer significantly (p < 0.05) improved the soil pH, soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable calcium. The combined application of 10 t ha-1 FYM and 69 kg ha-1 N recorded the highest maize grain yield (10,035.8 kg ha-1) and thousand-grain weight (415.97 g), while the interaction of 103.5 kg ha-1 N and 15 t ha-1 FYM produced the highest biomass yield
(25.83 t ha-1). The combined application of 10 t ha-1 FYM and 69 kg ha-1N is therefore recommended for economical production (net benefit of 81,258.7 ETB ha-1 and acceptable MRR of 497.96%) of maize and soil fertility improvement in the study area and areas with similar agro-ecology.

Assessment of watermelon production, marketing and consumption in the Central Rift Valley areas of Ethiopia

Habtamu Tegen — 2024-06-27

Although the Central Rift Valley areas of Ethiopia are the dominant watermelon production, there is limited information on its production practices, market values and consumption. Hence, documenting the existing watermelon production experience is necessary to adopt watermelon farming in the new potential areas of the country including the Amhara region. Therefore, a survey using semi-structured questionnaires was performed to assess the production practices, market values, and consumption of watermelon in the Bora and Lumme districts of the Awash River basin in 2019. From 133, 47, and 147 questionnaires of producers, wholesalers/retailers, and consumers, 102, 43 and 137, respectively were valid to generate information. According to the responses, most watermelon has been produced under a receding farming system compared to irrigation and rain-fed conditions. Farmers allocate up to 5 ha farm size for watermelon production which implies watermelon farming in the areas is substantial. Farmers have gained a gross benefit of 30,000-400,000 ETB ha-1 with a productivity of 16 to 40 t ha-1. Farmers implemented diverse agronomic practices such as spacing, seed and fertilizer rates, pesticide application, methods and frequency of irrigation. Such diverse agronomic practices in turn results in variations in yield and economic returns among farmers. Shortage of agricultural input, improper agronomic practices, lack of extension services, and market linkage were identified as major constraints of watermelon production in the survey areas. On the other hand, the availability of ample water sources, low capital investment, high demand for watermelon in the market, the proximity of the areas to central and roadside markets and relatively longer shelf-life of the fruit compared to other fresh fruits and vegetables were the major opportunities for the production of watermelon in the area. The return generated from watermelon marketing was considerable for women who were dominantly involving in the marketing segment. There was good experience for watermelon consumption in the survey areas which indicates the due attention of the society to the nutritional and health benefits of the crop. Generally, the high price and bulkiness of the fruit negatively affect the extent of marketing and consumption. The study confirmed that optimization of proper agronomic practices such as planting density, nutrient management, integrated pest management and close involvement of stakeholders throughout the value chain is vital to exploit the potential benefit of watermelon thereby improving the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers in the study area and other areas where watermelon production is emerging.

Comparative assessment of air quality in Epe, and Olusosun dumpsites of Nigeria

Chinenye Lilian Okafor — 2024-06-27

A comparative assessment of air quality in Epe and Olusosun dumpsites was carried out with a view to understanding if the historical background of dumpsites had an influence on their perceived impacts on the environment as well as their emission concentrates. Primary data was collected through questionnaire administration and the use of portable emission monitoring instruments. A total of 120 copies of self-designed interview questions were administered for the study but 116 were retrieved from both dumpsites and considered valid for the analysis. On the other hand, data collection with a portable air quality monitor was carried out during the month of October 2022. Sampling was done between 10 am and 1 pm. A 60-minute exposure time was observed with each of the instruments (AEROQUAL 500 Series) to measure Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Oxides of nitrogen (NOx), Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and Carbon monoxide (CO) and sizes of suspended particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10.0) were measured using handheld particulate matter monitoring equipment (AEROCET 531S by Met One Instruments). Within this time belt, the readings were taken three (3) times and averaged to get a value for the time belt using descriptive statistics. The result indicated high concentrations of CO2, CH4 and PM during the early hours of the day and gradually decreased as the day went by at both dumpsites. The concentration of SO2 was
higher at Olusosun dumpsite on day 5 when temperature and relative humidity were high from 12 noon. NOx was detected at both dumpsites at a minimal concentration. In conclusion, higher concentration levels recorded in all analysed gas samples collected from the Olusosun upland dumpsite suggested that the only historical component that could have influenced the dumpsite was “the age of dumpsite” since it is way older than the Epe wetland dumpsite. The topographical nature of the dumpsites (upland and wetland) appears not to have an impact on the air quality values measured. The perception of residents in both dumpsites showed that they were concerned about living and carrying out daily operations in and around the dumpsites.

Growth, yield and grain quality responses of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) cultivars to irrigated and rain-fed production systems at Debre Zeit, central Ethiopia

Firew GebreMariam — 2024-06-27

Wheat production under the irrigation production system is a recent event in Ethiopia. There is limited information on the comparative advantage of the irrigated over rain-fed production systems on yield and grain quality of wheat. Thus, these researches were conducted to evaluate the performance of durum wheat cultivars under irrigation and rain-fed production systems. The treatments consisted of twenty durum wheat cultivars. The experiments were conducted in irrigated and rain-fed conditions for two consecutive years 2020 and 2021. Each experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. After the variance
homogeneity test combined analysis over the production years within the production systems was conducted. The effects of production systems on the tested parameters were evaluated by pair-wise T-test analysis. The combined results over 2020 and 2021 years indicated that the tested cultivars significantly affected the growth, grain yield and quality of durum wheat in each of the production systems. In each production system combined over the production years, the cultivars Mangudo, Tesfaye, Utuba, Tate, and Hitosa recorded the highest grain yield while the cultivars Bakalcha, Toltu, Bullalla, Fetan, and Utuba registered the higher grain protein content. The cultivar Utuba combined over 2020 and 2021 years recorded the highest grain yield with greater grain protein content in the rainfed as well as in the irrigated production systems. According to the results of the pair-wise T-test analysis, the irrigated production system increased the plant height (8.5%), productive tillers per plant (45.6%), spikelet per spike (25.8%), kernel per spike (42.1%), grain yield (40.9%), biomass yield (36%), thousand kernel weight (25%) and hectoliter weight (39%) of durum wheat compared to the rain-fed system. The irrigation production system was superior in most of the parameters of durum wheat compared to the rain-fed. Mangudo, Tesfaye, Utuba, Tate, and Hitosa could be promising cultivars for rain-fed as well as for irrigated systems for enhancing the grain yield of durum wheat in the study area and areas with similar agro-ecological conditions.

Smallholder Farmers’ Perception of Agro-ecological Practices and its determinants: Insights from RIPAT Project in Ruangwa District, Tanzania

Nickson, J. Ringo — 2024-06-27

It is recognized that using agro-ecological practices can guarantee sustained agricultural production, which satisfies the necessary amount of food demand. To persuade farmers to adopt agro-ecological practices, it is imperative first to understand their perception of agro-ecology approach. This study aimed to analyze farmers' perceptions of agro-ecological practices and their determinants, using data that were collected from 126 RIPAT and 126 non-RIPAT farmers who were randomly selected in Ruangwa District, Tanzania. Results revealed a significant difference in perception between RIPAT and non-RIPAT farmers. Most RIPAT farmers perceived agro-ecological practices more likely than their counterpart due to training that increased their awareness. The majority in both groups of farmers perceived the relative advantage of agro-ecological practices, particularly in environmental protection and human health and nutrition, but also considered its implementation as labor-intensive and timeconsuming. Unlike non-RIPAT farmers, RIPAT farmers perceived agro-ecological practices as compatible with their social values, farming experience, and demands, and farmers can try to implement them to enhance agricultural production. The results of binary logistic regression showed that exposure to the RIPAT approach, access to information, income, and access to credit were significantly influencing farmers’ perception of agroecological practices. Awareness of agro-ecological practices, which could be brought about by training, increases the likelihood of positive perception of the same. Therefore, the study recommends more agro-ecological training programs to enhance farmers’ awareness and knowledge which in turn could influence their perception resulting in enhanced adoption of agro-ecological practices for sustainable food production.

Effect of stocking density on the physico-chemical characteristics of pond water and survival rate of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Haimanot Mulugeta — 2024-06-27

The quality of culture water is an important parameter in fish farming as it is the major factor that affects the survival, growth, reproduction and health of the culture animal. With fish stocking density, the physical and chemical characteristics of pond water changes frequently to the extent that affects the performance of the fish. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the physico-chemical characteristics of pond water and the survival rate of Nile tilapia. The study was conducted at the Fishery Research Center in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, from February to August 2021. Throughout the culture period, the physical water quality parameters of each treatment were recorded twice a day and the measurements of fish growth and chemical parameters of pond water were taken every month. Data recorded during the experimental period was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and the variation between the different means was compared using the SAS software version 9.4. The result of this experiment indicated the existence of significant differences in most water quality parameters at different densities of fish stocking. There was also a difference in the survival of the experimental fishes between treatments. However, the difference in fish survival was not significant and there was no problem on the welfare of fishes. Temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity, and salinity ranged between 22.07 °C to 29.43 °C, 3 mg/L to 8.15 mg/L, 6.4 to 10.39, 178 µS/cm to 241µS/cm, and 0.035 psu to 0.12 psu respectively. Secchi depth and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) ranged between 22 cm to 39 cm and 0.0153µg/L and 0.0513 µg/L respectively. The differences in DO, pH, conductivity, secchi depth, and chl-a between treatments were significant with stocking density (p < 0.05). The variation in the level of ammonia was highly significant (p < 0.001) between treatments and water quality deteriorated with density. However, the mean ranges of Physico-chemical water quality parameters were at the recommended range for tilapia culture and hence the survival rate of O. niloticus at different stocking densities was higher. For the sake of getting higher production per unit area, it is recommended to stock 7 fishes/m².

Cryopreservation and artificial insemination in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822): A review

Gashaw Tilahun — 2024-06-27

Despite the high potential for the production of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and its market demand there exists a serious lack of fish fingerlings to supply for producers and (re)stock water bodies. Unlike other species, the traditional method of obtaining C. gariepinus milt is sacrificing the male, removing its testes and macerating over the stripped and collected eggs. This is a loss for a farm as male brood stock is going to be killed every time. The C. gariepinus fish shows seasonal gonadal maturation that is usually associated with the rainy season as the hormonal level increases during this season. Recent efforts are becoming successful in multiplying C. gariepinus artificially by fertilizing the striped eggs with preserved sperm. The preservation of sperm is a means to ensure year-round availability and supply of fingerlings and overcomes the scarcity of seed. Fish sperm can be preserved in dry ice, freezing the semen and storing the frozen semen in liquid nitrogen (cryopreservation). The preservation period of fish male gamete is usually short, compared to mammals due to its biochemical structure and temperature exposure effects on the sperm cells. Hence, the paper focuses on reviewing the efforts so far made on the preservation of male C. gariepinus and the use of the preserved semen for insemination. It also addresses the methods to evaluate the quality of sperm, milt collection and preparation as well as the amount of sperm used to fertilize an egg. The aim of this review is to gather the efforts made so far on the amount of sperm required and
parameters considered while evaluating the sperm, cryopreservation and artificial insemination in C. gariepinus and provide the available information for the hatcheries to have an alternative means of getting milt without sacrificing broods in the hatchery. Milt can be collected easily by dissecting the selected and matured testes with scissors, removing the two testes, cutting each testis into smaller pieces and squeezing it in a loosely woven cloth. This milt can, then, be placed in a freezer and the frozen semen can be preserved in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 ⁰C. The ratio of semen to egg in C. gariepinus fish is recommended at 6 to 24x103 semen to an egg. Cryopreservation of C. gariepinus semen in liquid nitrogen invariably helps to conserve the genetic resources of desirable male fish for future use any time when the females are ready.