Evaluation of Chickpea Varieties Growing on Residual Moisture of Vertisols in Southern Ethiopia

Vertisols are suited to dry-land crop production in semi-arid environments since the residual moisture in the soil can support crop growth after the end of the rainy season. However, traditional cropping systems seldom utilize residual moisture of Vertisols for crop production. Farmers need suitable crop species to sustain and enhance their production under such soil and climatic conditions. Chickpea is the strategic crop well adapted to Vertisols and derives most of its water requirements from the residual soil moisture. Yet, different chickpea varieties found to adapt and produce different yields at different locations. The experiments were conducted for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) on farmers training centers in two districts of Southern Ethiopia. Six released varieties; Arerti, Habru, Yelibe, Naatolii, Fetenech, Kutaye and a Local check were used for the experiment. The trials were laid in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Data were collected on phenological traits, growth and yield attributes, and grain yield. The results showed that there was significant variation among the tested chickpea varieties in all the agronomic traits recorded. Varieties Arerti and Habru revealed superiority in grain yield, pod setting, hundred seed weight and biomass over the Local check across locations. Based on yielding performance and farmers’ preference, varieties Arerti and Habru are recommended for production in the selected districts and similar agro-ecologies in southern Ethiopia.

Effect of Phytase Transgenic Corn Supplemented in Feed Diets on the Utilization of Calcium and Phosphorus in Bama Boars

The study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition and the efficacy of phytase transgenic corn. Ten-month old castrated Bama boars and replicated a 6×6 Latin square design were used to evaluate the effect of phytase on utilization of calcium of phosphorus. Six-dietary treatments included: Phosphorus adequate control diet (PC), PTC0 (low-phosphorus diet), PTC500 (lowphosphorus diet with 500 FTU phytase/kg in PTC), PTC1000 (low-phosphorus diet with 1000 FTU phytase/kg in PTC), PTC5000 (low-phosphorus diet with 5000 FTU phytase/kg in PTC), microbe500 (low-phosphorus diet with 500 FTU phytase/kg from Aspergillus Niger). Contents of the proximate components, minerals, vitamins and amino acid of PTC did not differ from CC. The PTC has lower concentrations of phytate phosphorus than CC, the apparent digestibility of calcium and phosphorus of the PTC0 group is lower (p<0.05). No obvious dose-dependent relationship about the apparent digestibility of calcium and phosphorus showed among PTC500, PTC1000 and PTC5000. Therefore, the nutritional compositions of PTC had substantial equivalence to that of control corn except for phytate phosphorus concentrations, the PTC addition can improve the apparent digestibility of phosphorus and calcium and reduce the excrement of inorganic phosphorus, PTC might be an economically efficient way to decrease environment pollutions.

Stress Effect Induced by Microplastics Coupled with Acid Rain, on Garden Cress, During Short and Long Time: Two Exposures in Comparison

Aim: Plastics, and acid rain, are the results of the anthropogenic activities; although, the injuries caused by acidic precipitation to plants are well known, what happen if acid rain is coupled with microplastics pollution? Methods: In this experiment, we simulated, under controlled condition, a contaminated area from four different kinds of Microplastics (MPs): Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinylchloride (PVC), commercial mixture (PE + PVC) and Polypropylene (PP) subjected to acidic precipitation on Lepidium sativum, both in short then long exposures. At the end of experimentation were analysed: i) plant biometrical parameters (percentage inhibition of seed germination, plant height, leaf number and fresh biomass productions); and ii) oxidative stress (e.g., levels of hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, and ascorbic acid). On plant subjected to long exposure are quantified also: lipidic peroxidation through Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, Aminolevulinic Acid (AlA), pigments (Chl-a, Chl-b, carotenoids) and soluble sugars. Results: Our results suggest that root system is more sensitive to MPs coupled with acid rain then above ground biomass. Furthermore, in short exposure toxicity begin with PE+ treatments to shift towards PVC+ toxicity in long exposure at radical level. Conclusion: Our experiment demonstrates that different kinds of microplastics supplied with acid rain are able to interfere in different ways both in short and in long exposure, but also at shoot and root levels, on garden cress.

Efficacy of Different Fungicides Against Rhizome Rot Disease of Ginger Under Farmer Field Condition in Salyan, Nepal

A study was conducted from March to August 2020 to evaluate the effectiveness of different fungicides for the management of rhizome rot disease in ginger. The field experiment was conducted under Randomized Complete Block Design with four replication and five treatments; Carbendazim 50% WP @ 1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% WP @ 2.5gm/litre, Metalaxyl 8% WP + Mancozeb 64% WP @ 2gm/litre, Carbendazim 50% WP @ 1gm/litre, Trichoderma viride @ 5gm/litre and control. The height of pseudo stems, leaf number, germination percentage, tiller number, disease incidence, disease severity and percentage of disease control was recorded during field experiment. There was no significant effect of pre sowing rhizome treatment in height of pseudostems, leaf number and germination percentage. The highest tiller number (3.40) was found with Carbendazim 50% WP @1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% @ 2.5gm/ litre treatment and lowest tillers number (2.95) was found with control. The highest disease incidence (34.37) and severity (30.03) was found in control plot whereas the lowest disease incidence (2.58) and disease severity (2.46) was found with Carbendazim 50% @ 1gm/litre treatment + Mancozeb 75% @ 2.5gm/litre. Similarly, the highest percentage disease control (85.61) was found with Carbendazim 50% @ 1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% @ 2.5gm/litre treated rhizome and the lowest (54.14) was found with Trichoderma viride @ 5gm/litre treatment. Therefore, seed treatment with Carbendazim 50%WP @ 1gm/litre + Mancozeb 75% WP @ 2.5 gm/litre is found effective among other fungicides in Bagchaur-3, Salyan and is recommended for enhancing tiller and reducing rhizome rot disease incidence and severity in ginger.

Agricultural Bio-Stimulant Activity of Fish Protein Hydrolysate from Common Silver Belly (Gerres subfasciatus)

Taking into account of using the fish industry wastes and for expanding the incentive to a few under used fish species, protein hydrolysates from fish proteins are being set up by a few specialists everywhere throughout the world. Fish Protein Hydrolysates (FPH) are breakdown results of enzymatic transformation of fish proteins into smaller units like peptides, which typically contain 2-20 amino acids. Their worth has been expanded by utilizing them as fluid bio compost, feed supplement and bioorganic fertilizer. From the research carried out at our laboratory, Dry fish silver belly with both microbe and enzyme acquired from cultural broth of lactobacillus species, catalyst papain demonstrated positive upgrade of development and advancement of plants tested. In view of the yield of FPH concentrates from both microbial and enzymatic hydrolysis, the pace of seedling life list in Urad dhal, green gram and okra got higher in 0.1-0.5% convergence of dry fish hydrolysate from lactobacillus treated than in the control variation. With respect to the seeds of urad dhal, green gram and okra, the germination rate and seedling energy list from treated seeds surpassed control by 19.11-128.71%. The positive effect of dry fish protein hydrolysate by microbial procedure on germination rate, seedling life record rate in 3 kinds of seeds is the reason for the improvement of protein hydrolysate item for application in crop creation utilizing dry fish squanders. The Seedling grown in 0.5% concentration of fish hydrolysates showed significant increase in seedling vigour index of Urad dhal (13.29 ± 0.12 %), Green gram (14.1 ± 0.17%) and Okra (5.39 ± 0.43 %) was recorded through one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). By HPLC determination amino acid results determined that protein hydrolysates process can be stopped on 7th day (643.56ppm) whereas @ 10th day amino acid decreased (326.24ppm). Results suggest that probiotic assumes a superior job in dry fish protein hydrolysates than compounds when contrasted and yield and prudent astute.

Changes in Hepatic Metabolism of Rattus norvegicus Infected to Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda) and Exposed to Glyphosate-Based Herbicide

Helminth infection associated with exposure to pesticides has received little attention regarding its effect on the human population and on farm and wild animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects a glyphosate-based herbicide on the hepatic and glycemic metabolism of Rattus norvegicus (Wistar) infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Experimental groups were orally infected with 50 L3 larvae of A. cantonensis and exposed to the herbicide after and before the infection. Biochemical serum analyses were carried out to determine the levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin (TB), total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, glucose and hepatic glycogen. All exposed groups showed an increase in the concentration of glycogen, AST, ALT and TB, the last ones suggesting liver tissue damage. Exposure to the herbicide caused hyperalbuminemia as an antioxidant response to the herbicide. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how glyphosate-based herbicides can change the hepatic metabolism the vertebrate and to influence the parasite-host relationship.

Effect of Antioxidants on Pig Semen Cryopreservation to Preserve Sperm Fertility after Thawing

Boar semen cryopreservation has a high potential in the swine industry, allowing the large-scale use of genetically superior animals, improving efficiency, product quality, helping to reduce the risk of disease spread and gathering needs from the market. From a genetic point of view, semen freezing is desirable for genetic diversification, favouring a more efficient reproduction as well as the constitution of germplasm banks, including for repopulation in case of disease outbreak. However, freezing this semen for long periods for practical use is limited by the reduced viability and fertilization potential caused to sperm during the cryopreservation process and consequently low conception rates and smaller litters after artificial insemination. In part, the decrease in the fertilizing power of frozen spermatozoa may be associated with oxidative damage due to excessive formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), osmotic stress and cell damage due to ice formation during cryopreservation. To suppress the damage caused by ROS, the present study was conducted to determine the impact of supplementation with three antioxidants, these being ascorbic acid, a-tocopherol and reduced glutathione, evaluating the parameters of semen quality, viability, total and progressive motility, vigour and agglutination rate after thawing. For this purpose, semen was collected from five boars, each being collected three times, at weekly intervals, always at the same time. Immediately after harvesting, the macroscopic (colour, appearance, and volume) and microscopic evaluation of the semen (mass motility, concentration, progressive individual motility, spermatic vigour and spermatic morphology) were evaluated. Subsequently, the semen was placed at 15°C for two hours and centrifuged at 800 x g for 10 minutes also at 15°C, removing the supernatant. For the freezing medium, a base medium consisting of a commercial MR-A extender, supplemented with 3% v/v glycerol, 10% v/v egg yolk and 0.20% w/v Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) was used. The nine treatments used in the study were, respectively, ascorbic acid at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400μL, a-Tocopherol at concentrations of 200, 400 and 800μM and reduced Glutathione at concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/l and numbered as T1 to T9, respectively. In the control group, semen was frozen in a medium without adding any antioxidant. The semen belonging to the different treatments and to the control was placed in 0.25ml insemination French straws and incubated at 6°C for two hours. The subsequent freezing was carried out in nitrogen vapours (-120°C) for ten minutes and immersed in liquid nitrogen after this period. After 7 days, the semen was thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 20 seconds, the straws dried on paper, placed on a microscope slide heated to 37°C and evaluated according to the parameters described above. Regarding the comparison between the different treatments, it was observed that the sperm viability obtained in the treatments with ascorbic acid as well as glutathione reduced, was not statistically different from the control group. Higher values of ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione reduced sperm viability after thawing. As for the use of a-tocopherol at a concentration of 400μM, the best results of the entire study were obtained, with sperm viability of 31.52% (±1.50). Regarding sperm motility and agglutination rate, a-tocopherol also showed the best results at the concentration of 200μM, in which the mean sperm motility was 2.57 ± 0.15 and 2.07 ± 0.15, respectively. The results of the present study allow us to infer that the addition of 200μM or 400μM of a-tocopherol to the swine semen-freezing medium has a positive effect on sperm viability parameters after thawing.

Analyzing the Impact of Climate Change on Cotton Yield Using Spatial Analysis and Statistical Modeling in the Indus River Basin, Pakistan

Cotton is an excessive growing fiber crop in the world. In Pakistan, climate warming is hurting the cotton crop. To identify countermeasures of climate change impacts on crop production, it is needed to explore the changes in crop yield and their relationship to climate change. This study, we conducted spatial analysis of cotton yield and climate data in the Indus River basin in Pakistan from 1989- 2018. We analyzed the trend in cotton production indices and climate variables using the Mann-Kendal nonparametric test, and the impact of climate change on cotton yield through Pearson’s correlation and best-subset multivariate linear regression model. Sunshine hours positively impacted on cotton yield, but an increasing trend in average temperature, minimum temperature and air relative humidity in main crop areas had a negative impact on the cotton crop. Our results illustrate the relationship between the cotton yield and climate change variables on regional basis in the Indus River basin, Pakistan. This research could provide a reference for understanding the intolerance of cotton in the Indus River basin, Pakistan to climate change.

Response of Lettuce Germplasm to Salt Stress at Different Developmental Stages

Salinity is one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses leading to considerable yield and economic losses worldwide. Lettuce is a relatively salt sensitive species, thus placing the interest in the release of salt-tolerant cultivars to enhance production in saline soils. This study aimed at investigating the response of lettuce germplasm to salt stress at the germination and at the whole plant level and to examine possibilities of early selection for salt tolerant genotypes. Fifteen lettuce commercial varieties were initially screened for salt tolerance on the basis of seed germination and seedling growth potential under salt stress conditions (0, 50, 100, 150 mM NaCl). The in vitro evaluation revealed the existence of considerable genetic variation related to salt tolerance at germination and allowed for the classification of genotypes into tolerant, moderately tolerant and sensitive to salt stress. Based on this classification, six cultivars were assessed at the whole plant level using plant height, chlorophyll content and fresh and dry biomass weight as evaluation criteria. Overall findings point to the existence of a satisfactory association of genotype performance between germination and later growth stages, thus suggesting the feasibility of screening for salt tolerance at early growth stages. This approach may considerably upgrade the efficiency of selecting suitable germplasm material for cultivation in saline soils or introgression into relevant breeding programs.

Morphological Characterization of High Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration Bio-fortified lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris) in Nepal

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris) is the wonderful, most popular & preferred food legume of Nepalese people and commonly grown in the rice and maize based cropping system. Morphological characters have been frequently used in order to know the diversity in germplasm collections. The main objectives of the study were to characterize the bio-fortified lentil accessions using morphological markers and select the DUS accession for using targeted the best utilization in hybridization program. Plant breeders can use these morphological variations to make decision regarding the choice for selecting superior genotypes for improvement or to be utilized as parents for the development of future cultivars through hybridization. Furthermore, important morphological markers like, plant type, foliage color, testa color, testa pattern and cotyledon colors can also be used for testing hybridity and keeping genetic purity at genetic level. The information obtained by the identification keys at seed and plant levels may be useful for discrimination and verification of varieties, hybridity testing and maintenance of genetic purity at genetic level during seed production and certification programme. Out of 25 lentil accessions, 18 accessions were observed as erect and compact growth habit, 22 accessions had green stem color, 21 accessions had dense leaf pubescence and dark foliage, 7 accessions had prominent tendril, 3 accessions had white blue veins flower and 4 accessions had large seeded accession.