Tobacco Production Practice of Smallholder in Bilate, Wolaita and Hawassa tobacco farms, Ethiopia

This study was conducted tobacco growing farmers’ house hold in the Wolaita ,Bilatte and Hawassa tobacco farms in Southern Nations, Nationalities and peoples’ Regional state, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to investigate socioeconomic and technical factors that affect tobacco production smallholder tobacco producers at southern Ethiopia. In conducting the research, data relevant to the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Prior to interviewed back ground information and secondary data were collected from extension section of each tobacco development farm. Two peasant associations (PAs) were selected totally 30 sample farmers were randomly selected from each district based on tobacco production potential. Surveys were used to measured like area of plots with tobacco plants, household farming practiced at present and in the past, other crop species planted before, labor source, farm size and input. The findings from this study point to several recommendations for research, extension, and policy makers. The study recommended technologies to mitigate farmer’s labor shortage, regularly revised price of green tobacco price policies, good relation with local administrator and training of smallholder tobacco producers that would increase number of tobacco producers.

Increasing of wheat grain yield by use of a liquid fertilizer

Wheat is a vital crop in Georgia and in the world. Because of the increase in the rate of population growth, improving the grain yield is the way to meet food demand. Proper crop nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining the world’s food supply. Fertilizer is essential for accomplishing this.One of the most important means for increasing the wheat yield is fertilizer, especially, organic fertilizer. The present research was carried out to study the effects of different doses (150ml, 200ml and 300 ml on ha) of humic organic fertilizer “Ecorost” on yield of winter wheat cultivar “Tbilisuri 15”. The humic liquid fertilizer "Ecorost" is a peat-based organic-mineral fertilizer. The product is active and saturated due to the use of the latest technology and living bacteria found in peat. The field trials were conducted in 2017-2019 at the Experimental Site of Scientific Research Center of Agriculture in Dedopliskharo- arid region (Eastern Georgia).Liquid fertilizer was applied two times: in tillering stage in early spring and two weeks after - in stem elongation stage. Results indicated that the highest wheat grain yield (4t/ha) was achieved when the plants were fertilized with 300 ml on 1 ha ofEcorost. Applications of liquid fertilizer “Ecorost” increased grain yield of winter wheat by 16.2% in comparison with standard nitrogen fertilization. Thus, liquid fertilizer “Ecorost” had a significant effect on wheat grain yield compared to control standard nitrogen fertilizer.

Evaluation of heat tolerance potential in Capsicum annum L. genotypes under heat stress

Summer vegetables are severely affected by high temperature above threshold level which ultimately results in serious losses of their production. To cope with these economic losses different strategies had been adopted. The present study was designed to screen out heat tolerant genotypes of bell pepper. For this purpose, experiment was conducted in plant growth room in Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Ten genotypes of bell pepper (C1G3, C3G5, C7G4, V6G4, C2-E, C5G4, C43-D, C4G3, C43-A, C2G3) were brought from Ayub Agriculture Research Institute Faisalabad (AARI) and were grown. Heat treatment up to 40 ̊C was given. Data regarding agronomic traits (number of leaves, root length, shoot length, seedling dry weight, seedling fresh weight, electrolyte leakage) and physiological (Stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and water use efficiency) was collected. Proper statistical designs were used to analyze the data. The research findings proved that heat stress significantly affected physiology, morphology and mechanisms of screened genotypes which followed the order for the heat stress as C5G4, C1G3, C2G3, C43-A, C3G5, C43-D, V6G4, C4G3, C43-A and C2G3, respectively. The collective effects of all these changes under high temperature stress resulted in poor plant growth and productivity. On the basis of physical and physiological parameters, genotypes C5G4, C1G3 and C43-A were among the most tolerant group and the most resistant genotypes.

Weed Survey Associated in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in Bilatte Tobacco Farm, Ethiopia

An in-field weed survey method was conducted to estimate the most frequently, density and abundance weed species present in Bilatte tobacco farm, Ethiopia during 2014 totally covered approximately 145 hectares. During study period a total number of 14 weed species belonging to 06 monocot and 08 dicot families were recorded out of 7 families of weed reported form study site. The most predominate was shown by monocot Poaceae having 4 weed species followed by dicot family Composite having 3 weeds. The families Cyperaceous, Solanaceae and Amaranthaceous each having 2 weeds, and the family Papaverceae represented by 1 weed. Based on % of frequency Cyperus esculentus (sedges) family Cyperaceous was 99.30. The data showed that Cynodon dactylon and Digitaria abyssinica belong to family Poaceae and Cyperus esculentus family Cyperaceous were the most abundant weed with a density of 35.9, 14 and 12 of plant m-2 respectively. Relative abundance values quantify the overall weed problem posed by specie Cyperus esculentus that had higher relative abundance was 98.97. The importance value index indicated that Cyperaceous and Poaceae families can be considered the great potential to cause reduce tobacco production. Whereas, Solanium nigrum and Datura stramonium were observed with least population density 0.00 and 1.03 plant m-2, least frequently 2.7 and 13.51 %, least relative weed abundance, 0.07 and 1.03 with importance value index 2.8 and 14.8 occurring weed respectively.

Exploring Yield Potential of Raphanussativus L. By Various Organic Matter Sources

An experiment was conducted in order evaluate the influence of various organic matter sources on radish crop at Vegetable Research Farm Singri, Bhimber Azad Kashmir, during October, 2018. The experiment was replicated three times with 4 treatments (control, chicken manure, FYM and leaf compost). The lowest non-significant results for days to germination (6.00) were observed in chicken manure and highest (8.33) in control treatment. The maximum significantly high yield was obtained where organic matter sources (chicken manure, FYM and leaf compost) were applied and significantly low yield was observed in control treatment. The non-significantly high yield (4541g, 4665g and 4599g) was obtained in chicken manure, FYM and leaf compost respectively which was significantly low (3953g) in control treatments related with vegetative growth (number of leaves and leaf length) that was more where organic fertilizer was applied. It was proved that chicken manure was best for vegetative growth of radish as well as its root growth development and FYM and leaf compost results for yield was almost same and highest under the agro-climatic conditions of district Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. Pakistan.

Deposition of copper in cattle and buffaloes edible tissues slaughtered in Assiut city, Egypt

A total of 168 samples of livers, kidneys and muscles (part of the diaphragm) were screened. The samples were subjected to preparation and for measurement the level of copper (Cu) by using Atomic Absorption/Flaming Emission Spectrophotometer. Buffaloes organs showed variations in their copper content. As for liver, the mean copper concentrations were 11.52 ± 5.41 with a range varied from 2.34 to 21.88 μg/g wet weight. Whereas in buffalo kidneys copper level varied from 2.34 to 15.13 with a mean value of 5.85 ± 4.34 μg/g wet weight. Moreover, the concentrations of copper in buffalo muscles varied from1.56 to 15.50 μg/g wet weight with a mean value of 4.35 ± 3.96. On the other hand, copper in cattle liver varied in its concentrations where the mean value was 11.59 ± 5.79, with a range varied from 3.13 to 25.00 μg/g wet weight. Copper in cattle kidneys varied from 2.50 to 16.3 with a mean value of 4.18 ± 3.12 μg/g wet weight. Besides, the concentrations of copper in cattle muscles were 3.23 ± 2.48, 1.88 and 14.34 μg/g wet weight, respectively as a mean, minimum and maximum. In conclusion, 1% - 26% of the examined samples of both cattle and buffalo were higher than the results obtained by Egyptian Organization Standardization and Quality Control (2008), in addition, livers samples have high concentrations of copper than kidneys and muscles.

Species Composition and Biomass Production in Two Communal Coastal Rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

This study investigated species composition and biomass production of herbaceous plants in two communal rangelands surrounding homesteads areas. In each study area, the rangelands were divided based on the distance from homesteads into near (up to 1 km), middle (> 1–2 km) and far (> 2–3 km) sites. On each site a HVU of 50 m x 20 m was used and six 0.25 m2 quadrants were laid randomly on each HVU. Herbaceous species found within a quadrant were identified, counted and their height and tuft were measured. Herbaceous species were also harvested, bulked and placed into well labelled brown paper bags and oven-dried for 48 hours at 60 oC to determine biomass production. Herbaceous species were also classified according to their palatability ecological status and life form. Data were collected for two seasons over 2014/15 (winter and summer). A total of 20 herbaceous species were identified in the study areas. Of these 17 were grass species. The most common or dominant grass species were T. triandra, C. dactylon, E. capensis, E. plana and S. africanus. At Dyamdyam T. triandra showed the greatest frequency of occurrence at far site than middle and near homesteads sites. The frequency occurrence of S. africanus at Machibi was relatively similar in all the study sites. Density of herbaceous species was significantly lowest on near and bottom sites at Dyamdyam and Machibi, respectively. In both winter and summer, grazing site far and top from homestead had greatest (P <0.05) biomass production at Dyamdyam and Machibi respectively. The biomass production was significantly highest in the summer than the winter across the study sites in both study areas. It can be concluded that composition of herbaceous species and biomass production are significantly dependent on distance and topography from homesteads and seasons. Therefore, any rangeland management practices in communal grazing lands should consider these factors in to consideration during the planning of development progress.

Revisionary notes on family Eupterotidae (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea) with remarks on genus Eupterote Hübner and Apona Walker from India

The revision of family Eupterotidae (Bombycoidea) is very less reviewed and studied by various entomologists around the globe. Later, family name was reinstated, synonymized or re-described and remain as a mystery. The purpose of this manuscript is to know about the current status of family Eupterotidae in the present scenario. This paper is providing the review, classification, economic significance of this family along with detailed remarks on two genus namely Eupterote and Apona with special reference to their wing venation and external genitalia of their type species.