Abstract: Wheat is one of among major staple food crop in Ethiopia. However, several wheat stem rust diseases out break had been caused significant losses of crops in many parts of the country. This research was undertaken to quantify spatial distribution and intensity of Puccinia graminis f.sp.tritici in western and southwestern Ethiopia. The disease parameters were measured from 105 farmer’s fields of 6 districts in four zones. The survey was carried out by purposive multistage sampling methods depending on the importance of the crops at areas. Stem rust was prevalent and widely distributed in all study areas. Analysis of variance indicates fields, districts, and zones significant (p < 0.01) by disease incidence and severity %. ANOVA of disease intensity with altitude, weed management, a wheat variety is grown and growth stage also significant at (p < 0.01). Disease means prevalence ranged from 66.7%-92%in zones and the lowest and the highest being at Jimma and in Assosa zones, respectively. Mean % incidence was in the range of 3.7-47.9, the lowest and the highest being in Dedo and Begi districts in a given order, with the corresponding severities of 4.866.5%. The disease was severe in mid altitude with warmer weather conditions. Correlation analysis indicates, a significant (P < 0.05) and positive association between crop growth stages and disease intensity, incidence (r = 0.10) and severity (r = 0.15) indicating that stem rust is more intense in the later wheat crop growth stages. Stepwise multiple regression in the current study indicates, the strongest predictor for disease severity was the growth stage with the highest β value which is 0.47 and with its highest shared; (0.455)2 = 20.1% and unique (0.429)2 = 18.4% contribution for disease severity. In conclusion, wheat stem rust disease was widely distributed and intense in wheat farms of the west and southwestern Ethiopia and the need to undertake regular monitoring across the study areas.Abstract: Wheat is one of among major staple food crop in Ethiopia. However, several wheat stem rust diseases out break had been caused significant losses of crops in many parts of the country. This research was undertaken to quantify spatial distribution and intensity of Puccinia graminis f.sp.tritici in western and southwestern Ethiopia. The disease parame...Show More
Abstract: Allometric models are important for quantifying biomass and carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems. Generalized allometry exists for tropical trees but species- and site-specific models are more accurate. This paper is to investigate forest inventory data extracted from the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) repository to compute the Above Ground Biomass (AGB) for five tree species namely; Terminalia Superba, Bombax Rhodognaphadon, Gmelina Arborea, Mansonia Altissima, Pinus Caribaea, Khaya Senegalensis, Khaya Grandifoliola and Shorea Robusta. Allometric models were used with the least squares’ parameter estimates derived from the Marquardt algorithm to compute the above ground biomass of the five tree species selected. Descriptive Statistics alongside selected methods in inferential and non-parametric statistics such as Runs, Normality (KS & SW), and F-tests were done. Model selection criteria such as AIC, BIC, R2, MSE, MAE and RSE were used to select the most appropriate models for modeling AGB of the selected tree species. Chave. Model (2005) fitted best the computed AGB for Bombax Rhodognaphadon and Terminalia Superba while Brown. Moist model (1989) fitted best the AGB of Gmelina Arborea, Khaya Senegalensis, Khaya Grandifoliola and Mansonia Altissima.Abstract: Allometric models are important for quantifying biomass and carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems. Generalized allometry exists for tropical trees but species- and site-specific models are more accurate. This paper is to investigate forest inventory data extracted from the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) repository to compute the A...Show More
Abstract: Pepper is an important spice used for flavoring, taste enhancer and coloring of food while providing vitamins and minerals. Despite its importance, production of hot pepper stayed due to the fact that poor varieties, poor cultural practices, the prevalence of fungal (blights) and bacterial as well as viral diseases. Hence, performance and adaptability of four improved hot pepper varieties were studied at fedis agricultural research center. Planting material for this study include Four improved hot pepper varieties (m/ fana, m/ awaze, m/ zala, and m/ shote) which are obtained from Fadis Agricultural research center and with one local check variety purchased from local market were evaluated for performance and adaptability during main rainy season of 2021 year. The analysis of variance indicated that there is statistically significant variation between varieties for all vegetative parameter studied except fruit length that shows no significant difference. The study revealed that, among the five varieties Melka fana gave maximum yield (27.33qt/ha) compared to local check followed by Melka awaze (26.67qt/ha) and Melka shote (25.33) respectively. Among the five varieties on the bases of their productivity, adaptability, resistance/tolerance to pests and diseases and farmer’s preference Melka shote and Melka awaze were recommended for further production. Since they show relatively good agronomic characteristics and farmer’s preference to utilize at green mature stage as compared to local check, Melka zala and Melka fana varieties it is better to recommend for further production.Abstract: Pepper is an important spice used for flavoring, taste enhancer and coloring of food while providing vitamins and minerals. Despite its importance, production of hot pepper stayed due to the fact that poor varieties, poor cultural practices, the prevalence of fungal (blights) and bacterial as well as viral diseases. Hence, performance and adaptabil...Show More