Diallel Analysis of White Pea Bean (Phaseolus vulegaris L.) Varieties for Yield and Yield Components

Combining ability study provides very useful genetic information about the inheritance of quantitative traits that helps to determine the type of breeding procedure to be employed to improve the crop of interest. The objective of the study was to determine the type of gene actions involved in the inheritance of the most important quantitative traits in commercial white pea bean cultivars. Forty nine entries (7 parents and 42 F2 diallel crosses) were grown in a simple lattice design with two replications at Jimma Agricultural Research Center, South Western Ethiopia. The results revealed significant mean squares in all of the characters. There were significant mean squares due to general combining ability, specific combining ability, reciprocal effects, maternal effects, and non-maternal effects in almost all of the characters. The relative contribution of specific combining ability was higher than general combining ability for all of the studied traits pod length and seed thickness.This indicating that the non-additive gene actions are influential in the expression of these traits which poses some difficulty as the non-additive gene actions are non-fixable. Thus, selfing should continue for more generation to fix the non-additive gene actions before undertaking selection.  Starlight is good general combiner for pod size, seed size, 100-seed weight and grain yield. The other genotypes may also be good general combiner for other traits because they displayed positive and significant traits. Keywords: Specific combining ability, general combining ability, reciprocal effects, maternal effects, Non-maternal effects

Heterosis and Combining Ability of Fruit and Bean Characters in Ethiopian Origin Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Hybrids

A half diallel analysis involving five parents, ten  F1 hybrids and one check hybrid was studied for fruit and bean traits to generate information on heterosis and combining ability. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at Melko, Metu and Tepi research centers. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant difference among genotypes at (p<0.05) for all fruit and bean characters. This consistent significant difference for different traits suggests the presence of genotypic difference among parental lines and hybrids evaluated. Majority of fruit and bean characteristics showed negative heterosis over mid-parent and better-parent values. This may generally suggesting dominance of the small sized fruit and bean character over large sized parents. Both the additive and non-additive gene actions were involved in the control of the characters studied for fruit length, fruit width, fruit thickness, bean length, bean width, bean thickness and 100-bean weight. Keywords: Heterosis, Combining ability, Gene action, GCA, SCA

Genetic variability in soybean (Glycine max L.) for low soil phosphorus tolerance

Assessment of the genetic variability of soybean genotypes under low soil phosphorus (P) conditions provides an understanding of the genetic potential of the genotypes to improve the crop for low P tolerance. The study was designed objectively to estimate the extent of genetic variability of soybean genotypes for low P tolerance. Thirty six soybean genotypes that were introduced from various sources were grown in simple lattice design with three replications at three locations in Western Ethiopia characterized by P-deficient-acidic soils. It was revealed that weight of 100 seeds; plant height, root and biomass fresh weight exhibited relatively high heritability and genetic advance on low P soils. Principal component analysis also revealed that the first five principal components (PCs) accounted for more than 85% of the total variation. The first principal component that contributed for 37.7% of the total variation was influenced by root fresh weight, tap root length, root volume, fresh biomass weight, days to maturity and days to flowering in the order of importance; indicating the significance of these traits for low P tolerance screening. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into four clusters. Observation of large variation and relatively high heritability indicates that selection would be effective to improve soybean varieties for performance on P stressed soils and identify low P tolerant varieties that helps smallholder farmers optimize soybean productivity on P deficient soils

Optimization of automobile active suspension system using minimal order

This paper presents an analysis and design of linear quadratic regulator for reduced order full car suspension model incorporating the dynamics of the actuator to improve system performance, aims at benefiting: Ride comfort, long life of vehicle, and stability of vehicle. Vehicle’s road holding or handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants comfortable and reasonably well isolated from road noise, bumps, and vibrations are become a key research area conducted by many researchers around the globe. Different researchers were tested effectiveness of different controllers for different vehicle model without considering the actuator dynamics. In this paper full vehicle model was reduced to a minimal order using minimal realization technique. The entire system responses were simulated in MATLAB/Simulink environment. The effectiveness of linear quadratic regulator controller was compared for the system model with and without actuator dynamics for different road profiles. The simulation results were indicated that percentage reduction in the peak value of vertical and horizontal velocity for the linear quadratic regulator with actuator dynamics relative to linear quadratic regulator without actuator dynamics was 28.57%. Overall simulation results were demonstrated that proposed control scheme has able to improve the effectiveness of the car model for both ride comfort and stability

Correlation and path analysis in black and brown seeded soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes at Melko and Modio, South-Western Ethiopia

Sixty-four soybean genotypes were evaluated to study the association among yield and related traits and determine the directions of association. The field experiment was conducted during the main cropping season in 2019 at Jimma and Bonga Southwestern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid with a simple lattice design with two replications. Data were collected on quantitative traits. Analysis of variance showed significant to highly significant differences among genotypes for all of the studied traits. Correlation analysis exhibited that grain yield was positively and significantly associated with harvest index and the number of pods per plant. Harvest index exerted the maximum positive direct effect on grain yield, followed by pod per plant, seed yield per plant at a genotypic level, and these traits could be used for selection to improve grain yield in soybean

Response of Teff ((Eragrostis tef (zucc.) Trotter) to nitrogen and phosphorus applications on different landscapes in eastern Amhara

The dynamic nature of soil fertility status across different landscapes attracted research attention in Ethiopia and the globe. Teff [Eragrotis tef] is a major staple cereal crop in Ethiopia but yields are low due to inadequate nutrient supply and other constraints. A field study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 in the Habru district of Amhara Region to determine teff yield response to fertilizer-N and -P at hillslope, midslope, and footslope positions with slopes of >15%, 5–15%, and 0–5%, respectively. N and P fertilizer rates were factorially combined in randomized complete block design with three replications in each farmer’s field. A linear mixed modeling framework was used to determine effects on grain yield due to N rate, P rate, slope, study sites, and years. Model fit was examined using Akaike’s Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion. Economic analysis was done with a quadratic response function to determine the economics of fertilizer. Yield response to fertilizer-P was affected by slope but the response to fertilizer-N was not affected. Teff yield increase with fertilizer-N application up to 92 kg ha-1 the economic optimum rate based on the yield response function for nitrogen fertilizer was 85.4 kg ha-1 to obtain maximum profit (86878.8 birr ha-1). Similarly, the optimum phosphorus fertilizer rate at the hill slope was 39.7 kg ha-1 to obtain a maximum profit of (96847.8 birr ha-1). But there was not a profitable response at the midslope and foot slope positions. Therefore, for Habru district and similar agroecologies85.4 kg ha-1 N and 39.7 kg ha-1 P in hillslopes and only 85.4 N kg ha-1 for midslopes and foot slopes are expected to give the most profitable returns to fertilizer applied for tef production

A Review on the Cooking Attributes of African Yam Bean (<em>Sphenostylis stenocarpa</em>)

African yam bean, an underutilized legume usually cultivated for its edible tubers and seeds, is known for its nutrition-rich qualities; however, the crop’s level of consumption is low. The underutilization of the crop could be attributed to several constraints, including long cooking hours of up to 24 hours. Cooking time is an important food trait; it affects consumers’ choices, nutrients content, and anti-nutrient conditions. Additionally, foods requiring long cooking hours are non-economical in terms of energy usage and preparation time. The prolonged cooking time associated with AYB places enormous limitations on the invaluable food security potentials of the crop. Therefore, the availability of AYB grains with a short cooking time could lift the crop from its present underused status. To efficiently develop AYB grains with reduced cooking time, information on the crop’s cooking variables is a prerequisite. This review presents available information on variations in cooking time, cooking methods, and processing steps used in improving cooking time and nutrient qualities in AYB. Likewise, the review brings to knowledge standard procedures that could be explored in evaluating AYB’s cooking time. This document also emphasizes the molecular perspectives that could pilot the development of AYB cultivars with reduced cooking time

Cannabinoid receptor agonism suppresses tremor, cognition disturbances and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of essential tremor

Cognitive and motor disturbances are serious consequences of tremor induced by motor disorders. Despite a lack of effective clinical treatment, some potential therapeutic agents have been used to alleviate the cognitive symptoms in the animal models of tremor. In the current study, the effects of WIN55, 212-2 (WIN), a cannabinoid receptor (CBR) agonist, on harmaline-induced motor and cognitive impairments were studied. Adult rats were treated with WIN (0.5 mg/kg; i.p.) 15 min before harmaline administration (10 mg/kg; ip) after which exploratory and anxiety related behaviors, and cognitive function were assessed using open-field behavior and shuttle box tests. Rats that received harmaline only exhibited a markedly reduced number of central square entries when compared to harmaline vehicle-treated controls, whereas those treated with WIN and harmaline showed a significant increase in central square entries, compared to harmaline only treated. The passive avoidance memory impairments observed in harmaline treated rats, was reversed somewhat by administration of WIN. The neuroprotective and anxiolytic effects of WIN demonstrated in the current study can be offered cannabinoid receptor (CBR) agonism as a potential neuroprotective agent in the treatment of patients with tremor that manifest mental dysfunctions

Effects of the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 on coping behavior under challenging conditions in mice

RATIONALE: Recent evidence suggests that in addition to controlling emotional behavior in general, endocannabinoid signaling is engaged in shaping behavioral responses to challenges. This important function of endocannabinoids is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Here we investigated the impact of blockade of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the degrading enzyme of anandamide on behavioral responses induced by challenges of different intensity. METHODS: Mice treated with FAAH inhibitor URB597 were either manually restrained on their backs (back test) or received foot-shocks. RESULTS: The behavior of mice showed bimodal distribution in the back test: they either predominantly showed escape attempts or equally distributed time between passivity and escape. URB597 increased escapes in animals with low escape scores. No effects were noticed in mice showing high escape scores, which is likely due to a ceiling effect. We hypothesized that stronger stressors would wash out individual differences in coping; therefore, we exposed mice to foot-shocks that decreased locomotion and increased freezing in all mice. URB597 ameliorated both responses. The re-exposure of mice to the shock cage 14 days later without delivering shocks or treatment was followed by reduced and fragmented sleep as shown by electrophysiological recordings. Surprisingly, sleep was more disturbed after the reminder than after shocks in rats receiving vehicle before foot-shocks. These reminder-induced disturbances were abolished by URB597 administered before shocks. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that FAAH blockade has an important role in the selection of behavioral responses under challenging conditions and-judging from its long-term effects-that it influences the cognitive appraisal of the challenge