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Woody Species Composition, Structure and Regeneration Status in Higelely Dry Forest, Eastern Ethiopia: Implication for Conservation Priority
Befkadu Mewded,
Sisay Alemu,
Debeli Chala,
Hailu Wondu
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
36-47
Received:
17 May 2021
Accepted:
6 July 2021
Published:
15 July 2021
Abstract: Dry forests are potentially contributed for the local community livelihood, microclimate stability and biodiversity conservation. However, appropriate emphasis has not given for its sustainability management. Our study aims to study the woody species diversity, vegetation structure, and recruitment and regeneration status in Higelely dry forest of Somali National Regional State of Ethiopia for the purpose of conservation priority. Systematic sampling following the transect lines and sample plots employed to collect all necessary data. Data were analyzed using access software which was designed for the purpose of forest genetic resource conservation database and data analysis tool. Forty two woody species belongs to 21 genera and 15 families were recorded. The richest families were Fabaceae and Burseraceae (represented by 11 and 7 species each). 1112.97 individuals of woody species per ha was recorded in Higelely forest. Acacia oerfota and Acacia mellifera were the top specie with higher stem numbers per ha. More than 67% of the individuals in the forest had DBH/DSH ≤ 7.5 cm and 90% of the individuals had a height ≤ 5 m. The most ecologically important species in Higelely forest were Acacia oerfota, Acacia mellifera, and Acacia bussie. Whereas, Ipomoea donaldsonii, Commiphora africana, and Acacia drepanolobium were the most threatened species in all criteria’s of IVI, population structure and regeneration status and are the first prioritized for conservation measures. The total density of 1047.3 seedling and 3033.77 sapling individuals per ha was recorded in Higelely forest. In general, the vegetation structure, population recruitment and regeneration status of some species indicates, Higelely forest is under poor conservation status. Therefore, for the conservation of woody species in Higelely dry forest, appropriate conservation measures such as in-situ (to allow natural regeneration) and cold room seed storage methods are recommended.
Abstract: Dry forests are potentially contributed for the local community livelihood, microclimate stability and biodiversity conservation. However, appropriate emphasis has not given for its sustainability management. Our study aims to study the woody species diversity, vegetation structure, and recruitment and regeneration status in Higelely dry forest of ...
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Phytotoxicity and Iron Homeostasis Disturbance of Bismuth on IRT1 Promoter Knockout Arabidopsis thaliana
Makoto Nishimura,
Takeshi Nagata
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
48-57
Received:
16 July 2021
Accepted:
28 July 2021
Published:
4 August 2021
Abstract: Bismuth (Bi) is used in semiconductors and water pipes as a substitute for lead. The Bi concentration in the soil has not been investigated, and there is no environmental quality standard for Bi in Japan. We previously reported Bi accumulation and phytotoxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) and Solanum lycopersicum, which were presented that Bi disturb iron (Fe) homeostasis in both plants. However, the mechanism of Bi phytotoxicity remains unclear. We examined the toxic effect of Bi for the expression of Fe-related genes in A. thaliana. The microarray analysis revealed an increase of the Fe regulation cascade including the subgroup Ib transcription factor. We tried to clear the effect to Fe homeostasis using the Iron-Regulated Transporter 1 (IRT1) promoter knockout line. Bi inhibits the root growth and lateral root development, while Bi induces Fe contents. In wild type, Fe was located in the stem cell niche (SCN) without Bi condition. Fe location in IRT1 promoter knockout line was disturbed by 2 µM Bi treatment. Moreover, the cell death in root was found in 2 µM Bi treated-roots. These results suggest that Bi disturbed the Fe homeostasis, Fe overaccumulation enhanced cell death in A. thaliana, and Bi damaged SCN in the root tip.
Abstract: Bismuth (Bi) is used in semiconductors and water pipes as a substitute for lead. The Bi concentration in the soil has not been investigated, and there is no environmental quality standard for Bi in Japan. We previously reported Bi accumulation and phytotoxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) and Solanum lycopersicum, which were presented tha...
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Genetic Diversity Analysis of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes at Arsi-Robe, Southeastern Ethiopia
Gizachew Yilma Kebede,
Gebeyaw Achenef Haile
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
58-65
Received:
16 July 2021
Accepted:
27 July 2021
Published:
4 August 2021
Abstract: Chickpea is an important pulse crop in Ethiopia; however, the production of the crop is not at its potential due to many constraints of which limited availability of high yielding varieties. Thus the main objectives of this study were to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity among kabuli chickpea genotypes for yield and yield related traits. Forty nine kabuli chickpea genotypes were evaluated for 11 traits in 2019/20 at Arsi Robe using 7 x 7 simple lattice designs with two replications. The analysis of variance result showed significant differences among genotypes. Cluster analysis showed the existence of wide variability among genotypes and grouped into six clusters. Maximum inter cluster distances were observed from cluster-IV and III followed by cluster IV and V, and cluster II and IV, while minimum inter cluster distances were found between cluster II and VI followed by cluster III and VI. The first three principal components explained about 66.1% of the total variations among the 49 kabuli chickpea genotypes. The first component accounts 34.58% of the total variation. It provides better opportunity for plant breeders to select parental materials to use for crossing in the breeding program. However, it requires multi-location and year trials to verify the consistency of existing genotypic variability.
Abstract: Chickpea is an important pulse crop in Ethiopia; however, the production of the crop is not at its potential due to many constraints of which limited availability of high yielding varieties. Thus the main objectives of this study were to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity among kabuli chickpea genotypes for yield and yield related traits. Fo...
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First Report of the Smut Pathogen on Tef (Eragrostis tef) in Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
66-69
Received:
29 June 2021
Accepted:
21 July 2021
Published:
5 August 2021
Abstract: Annually both Belg and main seasons survey of tef diseases was done. In each of the 2019 and 2020 the cropping season, survey of tef diseases was done in both short rainy and long rainy seasons. The survey aimed to monitor emerging or new tef disease in major tef growing regions. During the 2019/20 and 2020/21 cropping season survey, new disease was observed in different areas. The survey aimed to collect unusual tef disease samples observed in the field and report the newly recorded disease. The samples from diseased tef varieties were collected and observed under a microscope directly without culturing because the pathogen is obligate. This disease is known to attack the reproductive organ of the tef plant before heading. The infected part of the plant was swollen and was filled with teliospores. The disease was observed on Quncho, Magna, and Boset varieties in Alaba Zone and West Arsi Zone around Negelle Arsi and Shashemene in Southern Nation Nationality and People and Oromia region, respectively. The diagnosis was easily confirmed by planting imbibed and un imbibed seeds of Quncho in a greenhouse. Imbibed seeds with teliospores of smut gave the same signs to the one observed in the field, while signs were not observed in the unimbibed seeds. The spore cells were slightly circular shapes and measure 5-10 µm in diameter was observed. On the basis of these morphological features; the disease was identified as smut. Species-level identification of this pathogen, evaluation of tef genotypes against this disease, distribution of the pathogen and host range identification is future works.
Abstract: Annually both Belg and main seasons survey of tef diseases was done. In each of the 2019 and 2020 the cropping season, survey of tef diseases was done in both short rainy and long rainy seasons. The survey aimed to monitor emerging or new tef disease in major tef growing regions. During the 2019/20 and 2020/21 cropping season survey, new disease wa...
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Progress of Soil Fertility and Soil Health Management Research for Arabica Coffee Production in Ethiopia
Anteneh Netsere,
Bikila Takala
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
70-80
Received:
23 June 2021
Accepted:
22 July 2021
Published:
6 August 2021
Abstract: Soil degradation is one of Ethiopia's most severe concerns, contributing for the country's low coffee production. Researchers have been conducted by different organizations for the past five decades to ameliorate the challenges. The goal of this review was to summarize and document major research achievements recorded so far and recommend future research directions. As a result, mixing coffee pulp and husk in the composting pile with organic elements like farm yard manure and leguminous plants generates nutritionally high-quality compost in 45 days. In terms of increasing coffee yield, decomposed coffee husk (DCH) was found to be superior to Sesbaniasesban compost. Compost application rates of 5 to 10 tons ha-1 (2 to 4 kg tree-1 in dry weight base) and an equal proportion of soil incorporation and surface (50:50%) application techniques were found to be superior in increasing coffee yield. 50% recommended NP mineral fertilizer (RMF) (172 and 77 kg ha-1 NP, respectively) + 50% recommended (DCH (10 ton ha-1 or 4 kg tree-1 on a dry weight basis), 50% RMF + 75% DCH, and Desmodiumspp (green manure crop) + RMF (172 and 63 kg ha-1 NP, respectively) significantly (P≤0.05) promote clean coffee yield at Agaro, Haru and Jimma, respectively. Forest soil or blends of top soils, compost and sand in 3:1:0 and 2:1:1 ratio, or organic manure and top soil mixture in 1:4, 2:4 and 3:4 ratios, produced strong and healthy coffee seedlings. A nursery pot amended with 750 mg P pot-1 (2.5 kg soil) and 2.31 g lime + 250 mg P pot-1 and 10 g lime + 800 mg P pot-1 produced released pure line and hybrid seedlings, respectively, with superior dry matter yield at Jimma. Similarly, at Haru, an application of 4 g pot-1 lime + 12.5 g pot-1 DCH and 18.75 g pot-1 DCH was a promising ameliorating management for acid soil for production of vigorous coffee seedlings for field planting. Future research should concentrate on evaluating other organic inputs and combined reclamation of lime-mineral fertilizer-compost, frequency of application, economic benefits, and long-term effects on soil physicochemical properties, coffee yield and bean quality, and establish cost effective soil fertility management in coffee-growing areas of the country. Furthermore, timely revision and calibration of mineral fertilizer recommendations made in the past with newly released coffee genotypes has become critical.
Abstract: Soil degradation is one of Ethiopia's most severe concerns, contributing for the country's low coffee production. Researchers have been conducted by different organizations for the past five decades to ameliorate the challenges. The goal of this review was to summarize and document major research achievements recorded so far and recommend future re...
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Integrated Effects of Vermicompost and Nitrogen on Yield and Yield Components of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) in Lowlands of Eastern Harerghe
Gebisa Benti,
Fikadu Tadesse,
Gezu Degefa,
Mohammed Jafar,
Mohammed Jafar
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
81-87
Received:
7 June 2021
Accepted:
13 August 2021
Published:
26 September 2021
Abstract: Organic fertilizers improve the soil texture, structures, aeration and allow it to hold water longer, and increase the bacterial and fungal activity in the soil. So, they not only assist your plants, they help the soil. Increasing the use of organic fertilizers and minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers lead to sustainable production of food for human being. Shifting crop production to the use of organic fertilizers can minimize the cost of purchasing chemical fertilizers. Insufficient amount of nutrients in the soil is also among the main factors which constrained productivity of the tomato. Due to this gap the experiment was conducted in Sofi district, Harari People Regional State, Ethiopia in 2016 and 2017 cropping season to investigate the effect of vermicompost and nitrogen rate on yield and yield components of tomato. Experimental treatments were vermicompost rate (0, 1.4, 2.8 and 4.2 t ha-1) and nitrogen rate (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1). A total of 16 treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement with three replications. Melkashola Variety was used for the experiment. The result showed that plant height was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the application of vermicompost while number of branches, number of clusters, number of fruits, average fruit weight and fruit yield were significantly (P<0.05) affected due to the interaction effect of vermicompost and nitrogen.. The highest plant height was rerecorded at 2.8 t ha-1 of vermicompost whereas the lowest was for the rest rates. Maximum number of clusters, number of fruits and fruit yield were obtained at combined application of 2.8 t ha-1 of vermicompost with 100 kg ha-1 N while maximum number of branches and average fruit weight were recorded at 2.8 t ha-1 with 150 kg ha-1 N and 4.2 t ha-1 with 50 kg ha-1 N respectively. Maximum economic return (461,606 birr ha-1) was also recorded at 2.8 t ha-1 and 100 kg ha-1 vermicompost and nitrogen, respectively with acceptable marginal rate of return. In general, the combination of vermicompost and nitrogen at 2.8 t ha-1 and 100 kg ha-1 was the best combination for the study area.
Abstract: Organic fertilizers improve the soil texture, structures, aeration and allow it to hold water longer, and increase the bacterial and fungal activity in the soil. So, they not only assist your plants, they help the soil. Increasing the use of organic fertilizers and minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers lead to sustainable production of food fo...
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