Erythrina brucei: Propagation attributes, leaf nutrient concentration and impact on barley grain yield

Erythrina brucei Schweinf. emend. Gillett (Papilionaceae),a tree species that is endemic to Ethiopia, is known to possess useful agroforestry attributes, but these attributes have not been quantified. To achieve this, propagation of the species, growth rate of young trees and their impact on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and leaf-nutrient concentrations were examined. Germination of seeds planted in plastic pots varied from 73 to 93%, and direct seeding in the field yielded 83%germination. Branch cuttings obtained from 2 to 3-year-old stock plants (n =150) resulted in 70 to 80% rooting within 8 to 12 weeks after setting cuttings into the rooting medium. Considerable nodulation occurred on leaves one year after planting out seedlings and stecklings. Leaf concentrations of Mg, N,P, and S were significantly lower in nodulated than in the non-nodulated leaves. On the other hand, leaf Fe concentration was higher in nodulated than in the non-nodulated leaves. There was no significant difference in Ca and K contentsbetween the nodulated and non-nodulated leaves. E. brucei-treatment significantly increased tiller and seed numbers, as well as seed weight. However, thousand-grain weight and grain size were similar in harvests from E. brucei-treated and the control plots. The results indicate that the species is easy to propagate by seed and vegetative means, grows fast, is desirable for intercropping, and has relatively high leaf-nutrient concentration.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Allometric equations for biomass estimation of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) grown in indigenous agroforestry systems in the Rift Valley escarpment of southern-eastern Ethiopia

Enset (Ensete ventricosum), commonly known as false banana, is a large thick, single-stemmed, perennial herbaceous banana-like plant growing in the wild of sub-Sahara Africa, Madagascar and parts of Asia. In Ethiopia it has been domesticated and serves as a food plant. While the productivity and management of enset for food (pseudostem and corm) has been studied, little attention has been given to total biomass production and associated carbon sequestration. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate allometric models for estimating above and belowground biomass and organic matter contents of enset grown in indigenous agroforestry systems in Rift Valley escarpment of south-eastern Ethiopia. Biomass harvesting of 40 plants was carried out at altitudes from 1900 to 2400 m.a.s.l. The mean plant dry weight was 9.4 ± 0.84 kg and organic matter content 94 %. Pseudostem biomass accounted for highest (64 %) of total biomass, followed by corm (24 %) and foliage (12 %). Basal diameter (d ₁₀) was the best predictor variable for total and all biomass components (Spearman r = 0.775–0.980, p < 0.01). The power model using d ₁₀ and height (H) (Y = 0.0007d ₁₀ ^2.571 H ^0.101; R ² = 0.91) was found to be the best performing model (highest ranking over six good-of-fit statistics) for predicting total biomass. Model performance decreased in the order pseudostem > corm > foliage biomass. The models presented can be used to accurately predict biomass and organic matter of enset in the agroforestry systems of Rift Valley escarpments Ethiopia.     

Occurrence of concurrent infectious diseases in broiler chickens is a threat to commercial poultry farms in Central Ethiopia

Commercial poultry production is one of the flourishing ventures of animal production in Ethiopia. It has been providing to the demands of proteins at least to the urban population, though concurrent health constraints are hampering its intended potential. This study reports the influence of infectious diseases in commercial broiler farms in central Ethiopia. In this study, clinical signs, gross lesions, laboratory tests (serology, bacterial culture, histopathology and parasitology) and farm management data were used to identify major causes of outbreaks in an age specific manner in broiler chickens in three poultry farms in Debre Zeit, Central Ethiopia. The outbreaks detected in the farms were due to mycoplasmosis, salmonellosis, colibacillosis, coccidiosis and infectious bursal disease. It is observed that the occurrence of concurrent diseases in the farms significantly affects the productivity and health status of broilers. The risk factors that predispose birds to the various infections in the different farms studied were also recorded. In addition, recommendations were also provided.     

Ectoparasites are the major causes of various types of skin lesions in small ruminants in Ethiopia

Ectoparasites are the major causes of skin lesions in animals. Clinical, skin scraping examination, and histopathological studies were conducted to identify and characterize skin lesions in small ruminants caused by ectoparasites. Mange mites, lice, sheep keds, and ticks were collected from the skin of affected animals for species identification. Skin biopsies were collected from affected part of the skin and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathology. Of 1,000 sheep and 600 goats examined, 815 (81.50%) sheep and 327 (54.5%) goats were infested with one or more types of ectoparasites. Sarcoptes scabiei var ovis, Demodex ovis, Psoroptes ovis, Bovicola ovis, Melophagus ovinus, and Amblyomma variegatum and other tick species were identified from sheep. S. scabiei var caprae, Demodex caprae, Linognathus stenopsis, and A. variegatum and other tick species were identified from goats. Gross skin lesions or defects observed on the skin include stained and ragged wool, loss of wool/hair, nodules, crusts, lichenification, and fissuring. Microscopic evaluation of H and E stained skin sections revealed lesions in the epidermal layer such as hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and melanin inconsistency on the basal cells of the epidermis. Follicular keratosis, perifolliculitis, frunculosis, perivasculitis, and aggregates of inflammatory cells (of acute and chronic type) with fibrosis were experiential in the dermal layer of the skin. Most of the skin lesions caused by ectoparasites are overlapping. Thus, ectoparasites control program should be executed to reduce skin lesions as skins are the major export commodity of the country.     

Millettia ferruginea from southern Ethiopia: Impacts on soil fertility and growth of maize

Growing agricultural crops under Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Baker, a tree that is endemic to Ethiopia, is an age-old practice in the country, but the beneficial effects of the tree on crops have not been scientifically quantified. To achieve this, four isolated and nearly identical Millettia trees growing on similar site conditions were selected and canopy coverage of each tree was divided into four radial transects. Four plots of 0.5 × 0.5 m were established on each radial transect at 0.5 to 1, 2.5 to 3, 4.5 to 5, and 6.5 to 7 m away from the tree bases. The control plot was established at 29.5 to 30 m. Composite soil samples from each of the four plots located at a comparable distance and at two soil depths, 0 to 10 and 20 to 30 cm, were collected and analyzed. The level of surface soil P, organic C, exchangeable base-forming cations and cation exchange capacity were all significantly higher (P < 0.000 to P < 0.015) under the trees than in the open field. Nutrient levels declined with depth and increasing distances from the tree trunk. Soil pH values did not show significant horizontal or vertical variations in all the soil samples analyzed. Maize plants grown on soils collected from underneath Millettia trees resulted in significantly better growth responses and higher dry matter yield as compared to the control (P < 0.001). Socioeconomic studies indicated that Millettia trees have good standing in the region both because of their desirable biological characteristics and because of their economic benefits.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Longevity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus procera</Emphasis> seed lots under different storage conditions: implications for ex situ conservation in seed banks

Juniperus procera Endl. is economically important timber species, but its populations are extremely small and fragmented in its natural habitat, thus, calling for immediate ex situ conservation. Here we examined the effects of seed sources and storage temperature on the longevity of Juniperus procera seed lots through collection and preservation of seeds in seed banks. Seeds were collected from nine sites across the species natural distribution in Ethiopia and stored in four warehouses: modern cold room (5℃), mud house (15℃), concrete block house (17℃ or corrugated iron house (20℃) for 42 months. Every three months, a random sample of stored seeds were drawn and tested for germination. A highly significant variation (p < 0.01) in germination of stored seeds was observed among different storage environments, seed lots, and duration of storage. Over the storage period, seeds stored in the cold room had the highest mean percentage germination, followed by the mud house, corrugated house and blocket house. The cold room (41%) and the mud house (38%) maintained the same level of germination as the intitial germination of the seedlotds (42%). The variation in longevity of stored seeds was significnatly correlated with the initial germination of seed lots (r > 0.80; p < 0.01). Cold storage also resulted in enhancement of germination through its stratification effect that terminated the non-deepphysiological dormancy of juniper seeds. In conclusion, seed lots with good initial germination can be effectively stored in cold room (5℃) up to four years. In the absence of modern cold stores, mud houses can be used as a good alternative to store seeds at local level.     

Allometric equations for estimating aboveground biomass of Coffea arabica L. grown in the Rift Valley escarpment of Ethiopia

Coffee, Coffea arabica L., which is native to Ethiopia, is the world’s most widely traded tropical agricultural commodity. While much is known about the productivity and management of coffee for coffee beans little attention has been given to the plants overall biomass production and carbon sequestration. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate allometric equations for estimating the aboveground biomass of C. arabica plants growing in indigenous agroforestry system in the Rift Valley escarpment of south-eastern Ethiopia. Coffee plays an important role in providing income and in sustaining these productive systems. Biomass harvesting of 31 plants with 54 stems was carried out in a 40 km² area varying in elevation from 1,500 to 1,900 m. The stem accounted for most (56 %) of plant biomass, followed by branches (39 %) and twigs plus foliage (5 %). Plant mean biomass was 22.9 ± 15.8 kg. Power equations using stem diameter measured at either 40 cm (d ₄₀) or at breast height (d, 1.3 m) with and without stem height (h) were evaluated. The square power equation, $ Y \; = \; b_{ 1} d_{ 40}^{ 2} $ , was found to be the best (highest ranked using goodness-of-fit statistics) for predicting total and component biomass. The reliability of the prediction decreased in the order: stem > branches > twigs plus foliage. A cross-validation procedure showed that equation parameterization was stable and coefficients reliable. Our parameterized square power equation for total aboveground biomass was also found to be better than the equations parameterized by Hairiah et al. (Carbon stocks of tropical land use systems as part of the global C balance: effects of forest conversion and options for clean development activities, International Centre for Research in Agroforestry, Bogor, 2001) and Segura et al. (Agroforest Syst 68:143–150, 2006) for C. arabica grown in agroforestry systems, confirming the importance of parameterization of allometric equations with site specific data when possible.     

The significance of enset culture and biodiversity for rural household food and livelihood security in southwestern Ethiopia

The significance of enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman) for thefood and livelihood security of ruralhouseholds in Southwestern Ethiopia, where thiscrop is the main staple, raises two majorquestions. The first concerns the relatedissues of household food security andlivelihood security and the contribution of theenset farming and food system in achievingthese. The second deals with the issue ofbiodiversity in enset cultivation. What roledoes biodiversity play in food and livelihoodsecurity and how is it perceived and measured?To answer the latter question, it is necessaryto look at the issue of classification of ensetvarieties, comparing indigenous and scientificclassifications. In answering the questions, aninterdisciplinary approach is used, and bothetic and emic perspectives are applied. Agender perspective is applied as well becauseof the gendered division of labor in ensetcultivation and the gendered nature ofindigenous knowledge. The analysis draws mainlyon the findings of a recent study on ensetcultivation in Ethiopia [Negash (2001) PhD thesis,Wageningen University, The Netherlands]. Thefindings show that enset farming guaranteeshousehold food security to a large extent, butthat household livelihood security depends onthe cultivation of additional crops andhousehold ownership of livestock and otherassets. It was also found that maximizingdiversity in enset is of importance to farmers,and that the farmers' classification of ensetvarieties yields a finer grid than theclassification of enset clones on the basis ofmolecular analysis.     

Soil metal pollution as a function of traffic density and distance from road in emerging cities: a case study of Abeokuta,southwestern Nigeria

The distribution of Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Mn in the soil, and related soil properties was studied in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria. Their soil pollution source was hypothesized to be automobile traffic. Consequently, their variations were assessed as a function of traffic density, distance from road and traffic, and soil depth. Soil samples were collected from the areas of high, medium, and low traffic densities at 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 m from roadside; at depths 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm. The potential effects of these metals on environment and agricultural activities were also assessed. Results indicated that the major sources for the metals’ contamination are emissions from vehicles. High and medium traffic volume impacted more metals of the soils. Zinc, Cu, Cd, and Cr were concentrated at depths 0–40 cm, Pb, Ni, and Mn were concentrated at 0–20 cm and appeared bound to soil organic matter (SOM). Significantly lower concentrations of metals are found at distances of 100 m and beyond. Concentrations of these metals are generally low compared with standards and their uptake by crops is not probable. However, their continuous accumulation might be a threat in the future.