Effect of Water Quality and Deficit Irrigation on Tomatoes Yield and Quality in Ethiopia: A Review

Tomato is one of the vegetable crops of worldwide demand because of its various purposes including nutritional and medicinal values. It produced in Ethiopia largely for domestic consumption by small scale farmers and private producers. Tomato production and productivity affected by biotic and abiotic factors. Water quality and deficit irrigation has been considered as factor in its production, yield and quality as reported by many authors worldwide. Salinity, toxicity of heavy metals, and presence of organic matters are some concern of water quality. Irrigation management practices such as amount, time of application and frequency affected tomatoes yield and quality. Hence, based on reports of scientific findings, effects of these two factors reviewed in this paper for further information provision. Keywords: water quality, irrigation deficit, tomat

Cassava Integrated Pest Management: Review on Cassava Mosaic Disease and Mealybug

Cassava mosaic disease and cassava mealybugs are some of the economically important cassava pests. Different scientists report the impacts and possible management practices. Both pests affect cassava growth, yield and quality and being threat to food security and poverty. Most findings stated as integrated pest management is very important in controlling these pests in different cassava growing areas. This might be due to the fact that integrated pest management strategies are economically sound and environmentally friend. Therefore, status and management options of cassava mosaic disease as well as whitefly and mealybugs from different scientific findings have been reviewed in this paper. Keywords: Pest, pest management, Integration, Crop los

Review on Effect of Essential Oil on Vase Life of Cut Flowers

Longer vase life of cut flowers is preferred in flower cultivation and marketing as good quality trait for retailers and consumers. Longevity of flower shelf life has been influenced by various biotic and a biotic factors. It can be improved using different preservatives substances. Natural essential oils widely evaluated among which Thyme, Rosemary, Geranium, Mint, Eucalyptus, Ajowan, Savory, Coriander, Dill and Artemisia include some of the aromatic plants used for production of the extracts. For instance, Thyme essential oil was tested and positive responses were reported in case of Lisianthus, Gerbera, Narcissus, chrysanthemum, Alstroemeria, and carnation cut flowers vase life longevity. It was reported as vase life of Carnation cut flower improved by essential oil obtained from Artemisia, Rosemary, Coriander, and Dill. Rosemary and Pepper mint essential oils suggested as they can be used in prolonging Alstroemeria cut flowers vase life. Most studies reported usefulness of essential oils for floriculture as noble alternative substitute to other silver and chemical compounds because of their antimicrobial activities and environmental friendly nature of the extracts. Different scientific findings on application of essential oil on vase life of cut flowers reviewed in this paper. Keywords: Vase life, cut flower, essential oil, microbe

Growth and Yield Performances of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) to Intercropping Practices: A Review

Roselle is one of the medicinal plants in the world. Roselle production practice varies from one region to the other and according to the varieties and purpose of production. Hence, in order to enhance production and productivity of Roselle, growers have to be aware of the production possibilities. A world wide Roselle production possibility under intercropping practices has been reviewed for further dissemination of the information. Over all, attention should be given to selection of appropriate Roselle variety and component crop, as well as their temporal and spatial arrangements in intercropping system. Keywords: Intercropping, Medicinal plant, Roselle DOI: 10.7176/ALST/84-01 Publication date: December 31st 202

Advantage of Intercropping Roselle with Common Bean over Sole Cropping in Ethiopia

This experiment was conducted in Ethiopia, during 2017/2018 dry season to determine the  roselle-common bean advantage over sole cropping through competition indices. The experiment was carried out in a RCBD with a 2x4 factorial arrangement of two roselle varieties with four planting densities of common bean plus three sole cropping. It was replicated three times having 11 treatments (sole cropping of two roselle varieties (Hibiscus-Sudan and Hibiscus-Jamaica) and a common bean variety (Ibbado) and intercropping of the two roselle varieties with four common bean planting densities combinations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%)). Data analysis was done using SAS software version 9.3 and the differences between means were assessed using Duncan`s Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level. Partial land equivalent ratio (LER) analysis showed that there was no significant difference between two roselle varieties while partial LER of common was significantly higher when intercropped with Hibiscus-Sudan (0.51) than with Hibiscus-Jamaica (0.38). Both roselle varieties and common bean planting density did not influence total LER and monetary advantage index (MAI). However, intercropping Hibiscus-Sudan variety resulted higher yield advantage (35%) and monetary advantage (17,946 ETB) and combination of common bean with roselle at 100% planting density resulted 39% yield advantage and 21,410 ETB. Therefore, we recommend combination of Hibiscus-Sudan and 100% planting density of common bean for growers in the same agroecology with the study area for better yield and economic advantage. Keywords: Competition indices, intercropping mixture, LER DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-19-01 Publication date:October 31st 201

Factors affecting the uptake of HIV testing during antenatal care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The purpose of the study is to identify the factors that contribute to the low uptake of HIV testing by pregnant women during antenatal care visits in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study was conducted in public health centres providing Antenatal care and prevention of mother-to-child transmission services. A total of 296 pregnant women and 140 healthcare workers enrolled in the study. The study findings indicated that most of the pregnant women and healthcare workers had a good perception of the HIV counselling and testing service provided at the health facilities during ANC visits. However, the study identified lack of privacy, and an unsympathetic approach shown by healthcare workers that led pregnant women to avoid making use of the HCT during ANC visits. Similarly, shortage of time, shortage of test kits, and the lack of a private room for counselling were the challenges faced by health professionals in providing HCT services.Health StudiesM.P.

Covering Ethiopia: comparison of the Ethiopian news agency with Reuters

This dissertation examines the agendas and frames used by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) and Reuters in their coverage of issues and actors of the May 2005 Ethiopian Elections, by employing agenda-setting and framing theories. The study applies quantitative and qualitative methods and examined fifty news stories from each news agency, and forwards five main findings: One, ENA and Reuters differed in setting agendas. While ENA focused on the legitimacy, Reuters emphasised on the killings and arrests of the electoral process. Second, ENA and Reuters differed in their motives to make some actors more salient than others. Third, ENA framed Elections processes as rightful, while Reuters framed them as disfigured. Fourth, ENA framed government parties as visionary and indomitable, and the oppositions as wrongdoers. Contrastingly, Reuters framed the oppositions as victims, and the government parties as brutal actors. And finally, by so doing, both agencies reflected their respective interests.Communication ScienceMA (International Communication

Determination of Appropriate Harvesting Age for Aloe vera Yield and Yield components at Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia

Despite the fact that Aloe vera is an important medicinal plant in Ethiopia, an appropriate harvesting age is not known. This study was conducted to determine Aloe vera harvesting age for better yield and yield components. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) design and consisted of three replications and five treatments (12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 month after transplanting). Data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS computer software version 9.3 and differences between means were assessed at 5% probability level. Results of the experiments showed that all parameters were significantly affected by harvesting age treatments except jell weight. The highest significant plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf number per plant, leaf weight per plant, single leaf weight were obtained harvesting at 20 month after transplanting treatment while the lowest significant values were obtained from plots harvested at12 month after transplanting. Even though statistically not significant, increase in harvesting from 12 month to 20 month after treatment, jell weight per leaf was increased by 30.18%. Hence, weighting Aloe vera until 20 month after transplanting was recommended for higher yield and yield components for growers in same agro-ecologies with the study area. However, further scientifically sound agronomic studies should be carried out to broaden our understanding of the time of aloe vera harvesting age. Keywords: Aloe, harvesting age, leaf yield DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-23-04 Publication date: December 31st 2019

Advantage of Intercropping Roselle with Common Bean over Sole Cropping in Ethiopia

This experiment was conducted in Ethiopia, during 2017/2018 dry season to determine the  roselle-common bean advantage over sole cropping through competition indices. The experiment was carried out in a RCBD with a 2x4 factorial arrangement of two roselle varieties with four planting densities of common bean plus three sole cropping. It was replicated three times having 11 treatments (sole cropping of two roselle varieties (Hibiscus-Sudan and Hibiscus-Jamaica) and a common bean variety (Ibbado) and intercropping of the two roselle varieties with four common bean planting densities combinations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%)). Data analysis was done using SAS software version 9.3 and the differences between means were assessed using Duncan`s Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level. Partial land equivalent ratio (LER) analysis showed that there was no significant difference between two roselle varieties while partial LER of common was significantly higher when intercropped with Hibiscus-Sudan (0.51) than with Hibiscus-Jamaica (0.38). Both roselle varieties and common bean planting density did not influence total LER and monetary advantage index (MAI). However, intercropping Hibiscus-Sudan variety resulted higher yield advantage (35%) and monetary advantage (17,946 ETB) and combination of common bean with roselle at 100% planting density resulted 39% yield advantage and 21,410 ETB. Therefore, we recommend combination of Hibiscus-Sudan and 100% planting density of common bean for growers in the same agroecology with the study area for better yield and economic advantage. Keywords: Competition indices, intercropping mixture, LER DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-19-01 Publication date:October 31st 201

Khat Use Is Associated with Impaired Working Memory and Cognitive Flexibility

Rationale Khat consumption has increased during the last decades in Eastern Africa and has become a global phenomenon spreading to ethnic communities in the rest of the world, such as The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Very little is known, however, about the relation between khat use and cognitive control functions in khat users. Objective We studied whether khat use is associated with changes in working memory (WM) and cognitive flexibility, two central cognitive control functions. Methods Khat users and khat-free controls were matched in terms of sex, ethnicity, age, alcohol and cannabis consumption, and IQ (Raven's progressive matrices). Groups were tested on cognitive flexibility, as measured by a Global-Local task, and on WM using an N-back task. Result Khat users performed significantly worse than controls on tasks tapping into cognitive flexibility as well as monitoring of information in WM. Conclusions The present findings suggest that khat use impairs both cognitive flexibility and the updating of information in WM. The inability to monitor information in WM and to adjust behavior rapidly and flexibly may have repercussions for daily life activities