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Review Article
Associations of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) for Enhancements in Soil Fertility and Promotion of Plant Growth: A Review
Leta AjemaGebisa*
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
72-80
Received:
10 September 2024
Accepted:
27 September 2024
Published:
18 October 2024
Abstract: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi are used for soil fertility enhancements and stimulating plant growth in which they association with other organisms like terrestrial plants. Mycorrhizas create an association between fungi and the roots of plants. Therefore, the review was made to point out important fungal species involved in fungal plant interaction and their major roles in agriculture as well as ecosystem. 80% of plants form associations with mycorrhizal fungi. The fungal are used to use their different organs like chain, arbuscular, vesicle, supportive cells and spore to interact with the other plant/ plat’s organ. The mycorrhizal fungi can be categorized into two principal classifications based on their anatomical interactions with the roots of host plants. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Ectomycorrhizal fungi utilize two distinct strategies for nutrient acquisition. The main categories of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal associations are linear or coiling and of ectomycorrhizal associations are epidermal or cortical. The rhizospheric and endophytic microbes promote plant growth as inoculated with crop. AM fungi as an obligate symbiont share a distinct feature called arbuscules as a site of nutrient exchanges between host and fungi. Arbuscules developed between cell wall and plasma membrane of root cortical cells and differentiated from plant plasma membrane by periarbuscular membrane. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an indispensable role in augmenting plant nutrient acquisition, enhancing plant resilience and tolerance to various environmental stresses, improving soil fertility and structure, and providing numerous beneficial effects. AMF engage in interactions with other soil microorganisms, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, resulting in a synergistic effect that promotes plant growth and offers protection against pathogens associated with Rhizobia. Both AMF and Rhizobia utilize the same signaling pathways, which facilitate their association with host plants and enable nitrogen fixation within the soil ecosystem. A positive relationship has been established between AMF colonization and the diversity of soil microbial communities. Nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, mycorrhizal fungi, and root nodule symbioses typically exhibit synergistic interactions concerning infection rates and their effects on mineral nutrition and plant growth, thereby significantly enhancing the status of soil fertility, particularly with respect to soil quality characteristics.
Abstract: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi are used for soil fertility enhancements and stimulating plant growth in which they association with other organisms like terrestrial plants. Mycorrhizas create an association between fungi and the roots of plants. Therefore, the review was made to point out important fungal species involved in fungal plant interaction ...
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Research Article
Effect of NPS Rate and Rhizobium Inoculation on Yield and Yield Components of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgari L.) at Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
81-92
Received:
11 November 2024
Accepted:
25 November 2024
Published:
23 December 2024
Abstract: Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated pulse crops in most developing countries. However, its cultivation is constrained mainly by low soil fertility and lack of improved agronomic practices. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Rhizobium inoculation, NPS fertilizer rate, and their interaction effect on grain yield and yield components of common bean and to recommend the appropriate combination that can maximize the productivities of common bean in the study areas. Six levels of NPS rates (0, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg ha-1) and three levels of Rhizobium strains (un-inoculated, BH429 and BH-A-15) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in factorial arrangement. The collected data were analyzed by SAS software. Main effect of rhizobium strain exerted significant effect on effective branch/plant, however, NPS levels significantly influenced days to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity, nodule/plant, effective branch/plant, pod/plant and grain yield. The main effect of experimental location imposed significant effect on most of agronomic parameters including pod/plant and grain yield. Significantly higher mean grain yield was recorded at Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center and Igu experimental locations compared to Sago, which had the lower mean value of grain yield. Application of NPS rate with rhizobium strain affected number of effective branch/planr, while the interaction of NPS rate with location influenced number of days to 90% maturity, effective branch/plant, pod/plant, seed/pod and grain yield. Significantly higher mean grain yield was obtained by applying 100, 125 and 150 Kg/ha of NPS at Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center and Igu, by applying 125 and 150 Kg/ha of NPS at Sago. Based on partial budget analysis the highest net benefit (Birr 31792.34 ha-1) was obtained from combined application of 100 kg blended NPS ha-1 with un-inoculated strain which had 811% marginal rate of return. Hence, application of 100 kg NPS ha-1 without inoculation of the strain was recommended for common bean productivity enhancement in the study area.
Abstract: Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated pulse crops in most developing countries. However, its cultivation is constrained mainly by low soil fertility and lack of improved agronomic practices. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Rhizobium inoculation, NPS fertilizer rate, and their ...
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Research Article
Effect of Fungicides and Application Methods for the Management of Pepper Wilt Complex Diseases in Ethiopia
Adina Getinet*,
Desalegn Yalew
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
93-97
Received:
29 November 2024
Accepted:
11 December 2024
Published:
27 December 2024
Abstract: Pepper Wilt complex disease is one of the devastating soil-borne diseases, due to which 68-70% yield loss is recorded. Effects of different fungicides and application methods on wilt incidence and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were tested for two years at Fogera and for one year at Dera districts of South Gondar zone Ethiopia. Effects of fungicides viz. copper oxychloride (Isacope 50WP), mancozeb + metalaxyl (Omaxim), thiamethoxam + metalaxyl + difenoconazole (Apron Star 42WS), copper hydroxide (Sinoko) and application methods viz. seed +seedling treatment, seed + seedling treatment followed by spraying at crown region of the plant on wilt disease incidence and pepper yield were studied at Fogera and Dera districts of South Gondar zone Ethiopia. The fungicides were applied at the rates of 3 kg/ha, 2 kg/ha, 20 g/ha and 2.5 kg/ha for Isacope 50WP, Omaxim, Apron Star 42WS and Sinoko, respectively. The seeds of pepper treated with fungicides and untreated were sown in seedling bed. The 45-day old seedlings were uprooted from the seed bed and subjected to the seedling treatment in different fungicides for 30 minutes and were planted in field. The spraying of the fungicides at crown region of the plant was done at 15 days interval after the initiation of wilt disease. The data on wilt incidence and yield were recorded in each treatment. The price of pepper was assessed from the local market and the total price of the yield obtained from each treatment was computed on hectare basis. Input costs like fungicide and labor were converted into hectare basis according to their frequencies used. Based on the obtained data from the above-mentioned parameters economic analysis was performed. The result of the experiment indicates that, during 2020 year, the highest disease reduction (61.11% and 51.39%) over check and maximum dry pod yield (21.95 q/ha and 48.46 q/ha) was observed with T6 (seed treatment+ seedling treatment +foliar spraying with fungicide Omaxim (mancozeb + metalaxyl) at Fogera and Dera, respectively. Similarly, highest disease reduction (26.66%) and maximum green pod yield was observed in T6 at Fogera during 2021 year. Moreover, economic analysis revealed that T6 (application of seed treatment+ seedling treatment + foliar spraying of fungicide Omaxim within 15 days interval) is effective treatment.
Abstract: Pepper Wilt complex disease is one of the devastating soil-borne diseases, due to which 68-70% yield loss is recorded. Effects of different fungicides and application methods on wilt incidence and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were tested for two years at Fogera and for one year at Dera districts of South Gondar zone Ethiopia. Effects of fun...
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Research Article
Trait Correlations and Path Analysis for Kernel Yield Improvement in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes
Sintayehu Gedifew*
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
98-104
Received:
16 November 2024
Accepted:
5 December 2024
Published:
27 December 2024
Abstract: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), or peanut, is a self-pollinating legume valued for its oil-rich kernels and nitrogen-fixing roots. Given the limited availability of enriched germplasm in Ethiopia, indirect selection through association studies is pivotal for identifying traits linked to high kernel yield. This study evaluated fifteen groundnut genotypes using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications to analyze correlations and path coefficients for yield improvement. Significant differences among genotypes were observed for key traits, including days to flowering and maturity, number of mature pods per plant, 100-kernel weight, and kernel yield, indicating the presence of variability among the genotypes in terms of these traits. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative phenotypic correlation between kernel yield and days to maturity, but positive correlations with number of mature pods per plant and number of kernels per pod. The result revealed that late maturing genotypes produce high number of pods in turn exhibit higher kernel yield than early maturing ones. Genotypic correlations reinforced these findings, highlighting number of mature pods per plant as a critical determinant of yield. Path coefficient analysis indicated that the number of mature pods per plant had the highest direct positive effect on kernel yield, suggesting that enhancing this trait could significantly boost productivity. These results underscore the importance of selecting for high number of mature pods per plant in groundnut breeding programs to enhance kernel yield.
Abstract: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), or peanut, is a self-pollinating legume valued for its oil-rich kernels and nitrogen-fixing roots. Given the limited availability of enriched germplasm in Ethiopia, indirect selection through association studies is pivotal for identifying traits linked to high kernel yield. This study evaluated fifteen groundnut gen...
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Research Article
Genetic and Phenotypic Correlation Estimation for Growth Traits of Holstein Friesian X Boran Crossbred Dairy Cattle in the Central Highland of Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
105-110
Received:
24 November 2024
Accepted:
10 December 2024
Published:
27 December 2024
Abstract: Genetic factors are unique to each population and might vary over time as a result of selection and management strategies. As a result, this study sought to explore the genetic and phenotypic relationships of growth traits in Holstein Friesian (HF) x Boran (Bo) crossbred dairy cattle raised at the Holetta Agricultural Research Center (HARC) dairy farm. The performance data of 14,062 crossbred calves gathered over 22 years (1997-2018) were evaluated. The significance of fixed factors, such as year of birth, season of birth, calf sex, and genotype, was assessed using the General Linear Model (GLM) approach in SAS software (9.0). The Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AI-REML) technique was used with WOMBAT software to assess genetic and phenotypic relationships for growth traits while fitting an animal model. The most significant direct genetic correlation was identified between yearling weight and post-weaning average daily gain, with a value of 0.944±0.02. This was followed by a correlation of 0.84±0.04 between weaning weight and six-month weight. In contrast, birth weight exhibited weaker genetic relationships with weaning weight (0.07±0.11) and pre-weaning average daily gain (0.10±0.12). The genetic correlations among various growth traits ranged from 0.94±0.02 to 0.07±0.11, whereas the phenotypic correlations spanned from 0.93±0.04 to -0.03±0.04. Early selection in calves is advantageous because the largely moderately positive genetic correlations imply little genetic antagonism and show that choosing for one trait is likely to enhance other growth traits.
Abstract: Genetic factors are unique to each population and might vary over time as a result of selection and management strategies. As a result, this study sought to explore the genetic and phenotypic relationships of growth traits in Holstein Friesian (HF) x Boran (Bo) crossbred dairy cattle raised at the Holetta Agricultural Research Center (HARC) dairy f...
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Research Article
Distribution and Importance of Barley Diseases in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
111-116
Received:
5 December 2024
Accepted:
18 December 2024
Published:
31 December 2024
Abstract: Barley is an important commodity, mostly used as feed for animals, malt and food for human consumption. Diseases are considered as the most important biotic factors that limit the production of the crop in Ethiopia in general and South Gondar zone in particular. However, the statuses of barley diseases distribution and importance have not well studied in this area. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify the distribution and importance of barley diseases in the study area. Field surveys were carried out at the period of 2021 and 2022 main growing season in major Barley growing districts of South Gondar zone. Survey results revealed the prevalence and intensity of different diseases of Barley across the districts at different levels. Among 93 observed fields, Net blotch was the most prevalent (77.52%) while the maximum severity up to 75% was recorded for scald and highest disease incidence up to 25% was recorded for smut. Therefore, initiation of integrated diseases management option at hot spot area of each disease was suggested, in addition to continuously evaluating the new sources of Barley genotypes for further breeding program.
Abstract: Barley is an important commodity, mostly used as feed for animals, malt and food for human consumption. Diseases are considered as the most important biotic factors that limit the production of the crop in Ethiopia in general and South Gondar zone in particular. However, the statuses of barley diseases distribution and importance have not well stud...
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Review Article
Genetic Merits of Ethiopian Barley Landraces in Developing Variety for Moisture-Stressed Environments: A Review
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
117-122
Received:
30 November 2024
Accepted:
20 December 2024
Published:
31 December 2024
Abstract: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop grown in diverse agro-ecological zones worldwide, ranging from lowland (in regions facing moisture stress) to highland areas. Ethiopian barley landraces are known for their resilience to these stresses, and they possess valuable genetic traits that make them a potential resource for developing drought-tolerant varieties. This review highlights the genetic diversity of Ethiopian barley landraces and their role in improving barley's resilience to moisture stress, which is increasingly important in the face of climate change. The genetic traits of Ethiopian barley landraces, such as drought resistance, water-use efficiency, and yield stability under water-limited conditions, are central to their ability to thrive in challenging environments. These traits have evolved over centuries, allowing Ethiopian barley to adapt to the country’s diverse agro-ecological zones. With Ethiopia recognized as a center of genetic diversity for barley, the local landraces represent a critical genetic reservoir for breeding drought-tolerant varieties that can withstand the unpredictable rainfall patterns associated with climate change. Conventional methods, such as hybridization and selection have shown success in improving drought tolerance by incorporating desirable traits from landraces into elite cultivars. Despite the considerable potential of Ethiopian barley landraces, several challenges hinder their full utilization. These include genetic erosion due to the widespread adoption of modern cultivars, the impacts of climate change on traditional growing conditions, and limited research infrastructure. Addressing these challenges will require collaborative efforts between farmers, researchers, and international organizations to conserve and exploit the genetic resources of Ethiopian barley. By doing so, Ethiopia can enhance the development of drought-resistant barley varieties that will contribute to global food security in the face of changing climate conditions.
Abstract: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop grown in diverse agro-ecological zones worldwide, ranging from lowland (in regions facing moisture stress) to highland areas. Ethiopian barley landraces are known for their resilience to these stresses, and they possess valuable genetic traits that make them a potential resource for developing...
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