Study on Coccidiosis in Kombolcha Poultry Farm,Ethiopia

A study on the occurrence of coccidiosis and distribution of Eimeria species in dead chickens 1-60 days of age, at Kombolcha Poultry Multiplication and Research Center (KPMRC), Ethiopia was conducted from November 2002 to April 2003. Out of the 965 dead birds, 370 (38.34%) were found to have clinical coccidiosis. The Eimeria species identified in this study were Eimeria brunetti, E. tenella, E. acervulina and E. necatrix with prevalence rates of 45.3%, 40.8%, 9.7%, and 4.1%, respectively. In the current study, E. brunetti was reported for the first time in Ethiopia. It was noted that clinical coccidioisis was more prevalent in those between 5 and 6 weeks of age. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in clinical coccidiosis prevalence among the different age groups studied. Various managerial problems that are associated with this high prevalence of clinical coccidiosis are identified and appropriate control strategies are recommended.     

Leaf senescence induced by nitrogen deficiency as indicator of genotypic differences in nitrogen efficiency in tropical maize

Nitrogen efficiency is a complex trait. Identification of secondary plant traits correlating with N efficiency would facilitate the breeding for N‐efficient cultivars. Sixteen tropical maize cultivars differing in grain yield at low N supply (N efficiency) under field conditions in Zimbabwe exhibited a significant negative correlation between N efficiency and leaf senescence during grain filling. The same cultivars were studied for leaf senescence under N deficiency in a short‐term nutrient‐solution experiment. Leaf chlorophyll contents as estimated by SPAD values and photosynthesis rates were used as measures for leaf senescence. Cultivars differed both in SPAD values and photosynthesis rates of the older leaves during N deprivation. Significant negative correlations were found between SPAD values, photosynthesis rates in the nutrient‐solution experiment, and leaf‐senescence scores in the field experiments, and positive correlations were found between photosynthesis rates and grain yield under low‐N conditions in the field. Relationships between physiological root parameters, which were also investigated in the nutrient‐solution experiment, and N uptake or grain yield of the cultivars in the field could not be established. It is concluded, that the assessment of the capacity of a genotype to maintain a higher photosynthetic capacity of older leaves during N deficiency–induced senescence at the seedling stage is a suitable selection parameter for the N efficiency of tropical maize cultivars.     

Technology generation to dissemination: lessons learned from the tef improvement project

Indigenous crops also known as orphan crops are key contributors to food security, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable with the current trend of population growth and climate change. They have the major advantage that they fit well into the general socio-economic and ecological context of developing world agriculture. However, most indigenous crops did not benefit from the Green Revolution, which dramatically increased the yield of major crops such as wheat and rice. Here, we describe the Tef Improvement Project, which employs both conventional- and molecular-breeding techniques to improve tef—an orphan crop important to the food security in the Horn of Africa, a region of the world with recurring devastating famines. We have established an efficient pipeline to bring improved tef lines from the laboratory to the farmers of Ethiopia. Of critical importance to the long-term success of this project is the cooperation among participants in Ethiopia and Switzerland, including donors, policy makers, research institutions, and farmers. Together, European and African scientists have developed a pipeline using breeding and genomic tools to improve the orphan crop tef and bring new cultivars to the farmers in Ethiopia. We highlight a new variety, Tesfa, developed in this pipeline and possessing a novel and desirable combination of traits. Tesfa’s recent approval for release illustrates the success of the project and marks a milestone as it is the first variety (of many in the pipeline) to be released.     

Genecological zones and selection criteria for natural forest populations for conservation: the case of Boswellia papyrifera in Ethiopia

Rapid changes in land-use in the Combretum–Terminalia woodlands of northwestern Ethiopia are mainly due to the increases in commercial farming and immigration.We used integrated ecological and social data collection techniques,including subdivision of the vegetation zone,vegetation survey,focus group discussions and key informant interviews,to identify genecological zones and set criteria for selection of viable populations of Boswellia papyrifera(Del.)Hochst in Ethiopia for conservation.Interviews of senior experts were supported with a rating method and involved 43 respondents and focused on identifying and weighting criteria and indicators of selection in a participatory way to prioritize populations for conservation.Using mean annual rainfall data,we reclassified the Combretum–Terminalia woodland vegetation region into three moisture zones(wet,moist and dry),and designated them as genecological zones for B.papyrifera conservation.A total of 35 woody species were identified at Lemlem Terara site in Metema district,and the Shannon diversity index and evenness were 2.01 and of 0.62,respectively.There were 405 adult trees,and 10 saplings and3314 seedlings per ha.The trees were medium-sized with overall mean diameter at breast height(dbh) of 16.9(±9.5)cm.Seedling recruitment was poor due to grazing,crop production and fire incidences.Through a multi-criteria decision analysis,five criteria and 20 quantitative indicators were identified and weighted to prioritize populations for conservation.These criteria in their descending order of importance are(1) forest ecosystem health and vitality,(2)forest cover and population structure of B.papyrifera,(3)productive function of the forest,(4) biological diversity in the forest,and(5) socioeconomic benefits of the forest to communities.Multivariate tests in the general linear model revealed significant differences among researchers and nonresearchers in rating the criteria and indicators,but not among foresters and nonforesters.Hence,participatory multi-criteria decision analysis should involve people from various institutions to rectify decisions on conservation of the species.Careful evaluation of the investment policy environment and engaging those government bodies that are responsible to allocate the dry forests for commercial farming is recommended before the proposed criteria are applied to select populations for conservation,thus ensuring subsequent use of the outcomes of such exercises and better reconciling conservation and agricultural production increment goals.     

Agronomic management options to enhance adoption of maize–common bean–common bean sequential intercropping in southern Ethiopia

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Achieving food security is a prime strategic goal for many developing countries where subsistence smallholder farming is dominant. It is crucial to study...     

Long-term effects of bone char and lignocellulosic biochar-based soil amendments on phosphorus adsorption–desorption and crop yield in low-input acidic soils

Although the addition of biochar has been shown to reduce the phosphorus (P) adsorption capacity of soil, quantitative evidence of this has mainly been provided by incubation experiments and it is therefore essential to conduct long-term field trials to draw general conclusions. It is largely unknown whether bone char has a greater effect than lignocellulosic biochar on P adsorption–desorption processes and crop yield. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term (8 years) effect of bone char and biochar on P adsorption–desorption and crop yield in low-input acidic soils. The results showed that bone char decreased the maximum P adsorption capacity (Q_m) by 10% and increased the desorption capacity (D_s) by 150% compared with the control (i.e. without a soil amendment). The desorption ratio was highest for the bone char treatment (10.3%) and three times more than the control. Plant-available P was seven times greater under bone char than the control. There was no variation in adsorption–desorption characteristics, desorption ratio and plant-P available content between bone char and lignocellulosic biochar treatments. The average yield increment following the application of bone char and biochar was 1.7 and 1.4 Mg ha⁻¹ for maize and 1.8 and 1.9 Mg ha⁻¹ for soya bean, respectively. Despite the low application rate (4 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), these findings demonstrated that the long-term application of bone char and biochar-based amendments enhanced P availability in low-input cropping systems, mainly by altering the P adsorption and desorption capacity of soils.     

Assessment on major factors that cause skin rejection at Modjo export tannery,Ethiopia

A study was conducted from November 2009 to March 2010 with the objective of identifying the major causes of skin rejection on fresh, pickled, and wet blue skins at Modjo Mesaco Global tannery. A total of 401 fresh and 1,873 pickled and wet blue skins from the routine production system of the tannery were used. Overall, high prevalence of sheep ked (100%) followed by biting louse (64.4%), tick (50%), and sucking louse (45.8%) were observed on fresh sheep pelts, while, on fresh goat pelts, a high prevalence of sucking louse (54.5%), followed by tick (50%), and biting louse (35.5%) were observed. From the total of 90 rejected pickled and wet blue skins of sheep and goats, 98.8% were “ekek” and scratch, 85.6% sheep and goat pox, 74% poor substance, 73.3% heat, 72.2% scar, and 52.2% knife cut-in skins. Large number of skins rejections was recorded in large-sized skins (29.8%), and the lowest observed was in medium-sized skins (11.1%). There were highly statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between size and grades of shoat skins. Ekek and scratches together with sheep and goat pox were the common skin defects that hamper skin quality. However, there was no significant association (p > 0.05) between sheep and goat skins. Ekek and scratch caused high rejection of skin and entailed serious economic loss in terms of foreign exchange earning to Ethiopia. Therefore, the main causes of skin rejection and factors that cause downgrading of skin should be controlled.     

Biodiversity in Ethiopian linseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Linum usitatissimum</Emphasis> L.): molecular characterization of landraces and some wild species

Molecular characterization of germplasm is important for sustainable exploitation of crops. DNA diversity was measured using inter-retrotransposon-amplified-polymorphism and inter-simple-sequence-repeat markers in 203 Ethiopian landraces and reference varieties of linseed (flax, Linum usitatissimum) and wild Linum species. Molecular diversity was high (PIC, 0.16; GD, 0.19) compared to other reports from the species. Genotyping separated reference from landrace accessions, and clustered landrace accessions from different altitudes and geographical regions. Collections showed evidence for recent introduction of varieties in some regions. The phylogeny supported L. bienne Mill. as the progenitor of domesticated L. usitatissimum. Markers developed here will be useful for genetic mapping and selection of breeding lines. The results show the range of characters that can be exploited in breeding lines appropriate for smallholder and commercial farmers in Ethiopia, producing a sustainable, secure, high-value crop meeting agricultural, economic and cultural needs.     

Effect of stage of ripening and ethephon treatment on color content of paprika pepper

In order to determine the proper time to harvest paprika pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits to obtain maximum extractable color, two maturity indexes were evaluated. Most consistent results were obtained when fully shriveled fruits were harvested.Foliar applications of ethephon (50, 100, 200 and 500 ppm) were made on two cultivars, ‘Paprika-505’ and ‘Paprika-D.Z.’. Total extractable color and capsanthin content were determined using fully shriveled pericarp tissue. Some flower and leaf abscission was caused by treating plants with 500 ppm ethephon and leaves of plants treated with 200 or 500 ppm ethephon turned yellow. Ethephon stimulated ripening and increased the total extractable color and capsanthin levels of paprika fruits. ‘Paprika-505’ contained more total extractable color and capsanthin than ‘Paprika-D.Z.’ as a result of ethephon treatment.