Effect of breed and other animal-related factors on conception rate to artificial insemination with frozen semen in mares in Ethiopia

Equine reproduction is unique by having long behavioral estrus and differences in time of breeding between breeds and individuals of mares. An experimental study was conducted at the Balderas Sport Horses and Recreational Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from January to June, 2018, to evaluate conception rate to frozen semen in local and exotic crossbreed mares. Mares were teased to characterize estrus behavior and examined by ultrasound in determining imminent ovulation. Inseminations were done post ovulation within an average of 6–9 h using frozen-thawed semen. The overall conception rate to frozen semen was 15/21 (71.43%) with 8/11 (72.73%) in crossbreed and 7/10 (70%) in local breed mares. Age and body condition score (BCS) of animals had no significant effect on conception rate to AI with frozen semen. A slightly higher conception rate was obtained when ovulation was from the right ovary than when ovulated from the left ovary. A higher conception rate was obtained when the diameter of the preovulatory follicle was ≤ 45 mm than above diameter. The conception rate increased significantly with increased number of services/conception with an overall mean ± (SEM) of 2.2 ± 0.2 services/conception. A more number of services/conception were required for local breed (2.7 ± 0.2) than crossbreed mares (1.8 ± 0.3) and again for lower body condition scores than higher condition scores of mares. In conclusion, the increased number of services improved the conception rate with significant difference between breed of mares, whereas good management of mares for improved body conditions could be required to decrease the number of services per conception.

     

Evaluation of Faba Bean Varieties against Chocolate Spot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis fabae</Emphasis> Sard) Disease at Farta,South Gondar,Ethiopia

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important food legume crop in Ethiopia, and its production and productivity are decreased by biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses, chocolate spot disease is the major and the most destructive disease in faba bean-growing areas. A field experiment was conducted at Farta to evaluate the genetic variation of faba bean varieties to chocolate spot, and for yield and yield components during the 2014 and 2015 main cropping seasons. A total of 13 improved faba bean varieties and one local check were sowed in three replications using a randomized complete block design. The chocolate spot disease incidence and severity were taken four times in 10-day intervals. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) among faba bean varieties on disease incidence and severity. The disease incidence was lower on varieties Obse and Moti. The severity of chocolate spot was lower on varieties Obse, Tumsa, and Degaga. Varieties Obse, Degaga, and Tumsa significantly reduced the severity of chocolate spot disease by 8.89, 6.85, and 5.91%, respectively, over Bulga 70 and Adet-Hana. Varieties Obse, Degaga, and Tumsa significantly reduced the AUDPC of chocolate spot disease by the amount of 229.63, 214.81, and 187.96% over variety Bulga 70, respectively. The highest yield (t/ha) was obtained from variety Degaga (1.55) and Tumsa (1.30). Thus, to conclude and recommend that variety Degaga and Tumsa are moderately tolerant or less susceptible to chocolate spot disease than other varieties with a better yield.