Soil test crop response based phosphorous calibration study on maize at Abay Choman district, Horo Guduru Wollega zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Soil test crop response-based P calibration study can give farmers more economic use of fertilizers and better soil management practices. In a view of this, the trial was done in the Abay Choman district on ten experimental farmers’ fields in the first year of the experiment (2018/19 cropping season) to determine the economic rate of N and on twenty farmers’ fields in the second and third years of the experiment (2019/20 and 2020/21 cropping season respectively) to determine phosphorus critical level and requirement factor. In the first year of the experiment, the treatments were combined in factorial with four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 40 kg/ha) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 46, 92 and 138 kg/ha). While experiments in the second and third years of the experiment were six levels of Phosphorus 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kg/ha. The treatments were laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Representative soil samples were taken before planting and analyzed. Experimental sites that have a pH of < 5.5 were amended using the lime application before the setup of the experiment. Soil test results of the study sites before planting indicated that pH values of most soils were strongly acidic (<5.5) and available phosphorus of experimental soil ranged from 3.22 to 13.62 pp. The main effects of both N and P significantly influenced the mean grain yield of maize, but their interaction was not significant with a grand mean of 76.53 qt/ha during the N determination trial. Economic analysis using partial budget analysis showed 92 kg/ha of N was economically optimal for the production of maize in the Abay Choman district. The study also showed that P- the critical value (12 ppm) and P- the requirement factor (10.55 Kg P/ha) were determined for the phosphorus fertilizer recommendation in the study area. Thus, the farmers in the area might be advised to use soil test crop response-based fertilizer recommendations to increase the productivity of maize in and around the study district

Community Engagement of Adventist Higher Educational Institutions: A Case Study

Abstract This case study looked into the community engagement practices of six Adventist higher educational institutions (AHEIs) in Southern Asia-Pacific Division. Findings showed that AHEIs were engaged with their communities, that they faced some challenges, and that they tried to resolve them. Action plans were drawn for a more effective implementation of community service programs

Alternative medicine and herbal remedies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A systematic review

Objectives: To systematically review and discuss the current evidence from placebo-controlled clinical trials that investigated the use of alternative medicines and herbal remedies in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)- based systematic review using specific keyword combinations was conducted on the PubMed and Scopus databases. Randomised controlled trials investigating herbal medicine in at least one group and using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) as an outcome in patients primarily diagnosed with ED were included for review. Results: Following the literature search, screening and eligibility analysis, a total of 42 articles were included. The 42 articles were categorised as single herb extractions (n = 14), combination herbal formula (n = 5), combination of herbal formula and non-herbal nutraceuticals (n = 7), non-herbal nutraceuticals (n = 5), acupuncture and moxibustion (n = 2), diet and nutrition (n = 3), exercise (n = 5), and topical treatments (n = 1). Based on the results, Korean ginseng, Pygnogenol and Prelox, Tribulus terrestris, Lepidium meyenii, L-arginine, acupuncture and lifestyle interventions were the more predominantly investigated treatments interventions for ED. Conclusions: Panax ginseng, Pygnogenol, Prelox and Tribulus terrestris have promising evidence as herbal products, alongside L-arginine as a nutritional supplement, for ED based on IIEF outcomes, and warrant further clinical investigation. The mechanisms of action remain unclear, but each of these appears to in part increase nitric oxide synthesis. Importantly, improved diet and exercise should be considered, particularly in patients with obesity or diabetes mellitus

On-farm demonstration of improved field pea varieties in selected districts of bale highlands, Oromiya national regional state, Ethiopia

On-farm demonstration of improved field pea varieties was conducted in Goba, Sinana and Agarfa districts of Bale zone. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate recently released Hortu variety along with standard check. The demonstration was under taken on single plot of 10m x 10m area for each variety with row planting, recommended seed rate of 75 kg ha-1 and fertilizer rate of 100 kg ha-1 NPS. Mini-field day involving different stakeholders was organized at each respective site. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers’ preference to the demonstrated varieties was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise ranking methods. The demonstration result revealed that Hortu variety performed better than the standard check Harena variety with an average yield of 36.30 qt ha-1 and 31.42 qt ha-1, respectively. Hortu variety had 15.53% yield advantage over the standard check. Furthermore, farmers selected this variety. Thus, Hortu variety was recommended for further scaling up. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(1): 4-7, June 202

On-farm demonstration of improved field pea varieties in selected districts of bale highlands, Oromiya national regional state, Ethiopia

On-farm demonstration of improved field pea varieties was conducted in Goba, Sinana and Agarfa districts of Bale zone. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate recently released Hortu variety along with standard check. The demonstration was under taken on single plot of 10m x 10m area for each variety with row planting, recommended seed rate of 75 kg ha-1 and fertilizer rate of 100 kg ha-1 NPS. Mini-field day involving different stakeholders was organized at each respective site. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers’ preference to the demonstrated varieties was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise ranking methods. The demonstration result revealed that Hortu variety performed better than the standard check Harena variety with an average yield of 36.30 qt ha-1 and 31.42 qt ha-1, respectively. Hortu variety had 15.53% yield advantage over the standard check. Furthermore, farmers selected this variety. Thus, Hortu variety was recommended for further scaling up

On-farm demonstration of improved emmer wheat varieties in bale zone, Oromiya national regional state, Ethiopia

On-farm demonstration of improved emmer wheat varieties was conducted in Sinana and Goba districts of Bale Zone. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate recently released Haydaro variety along with standard check. The demonstration was under taken on single plot of 10 m x 10 m area for each variety with the spacing of 20 cm between rows and recommended seed rate of 150 kg ha-1 and fertilizer rate of 100 qt ha-1 NPS. Mini-field day involving different stakeholders was organized at each respective site. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers’ preference to the demonstrated varieties was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise and simple ranking methods. The demonstration result revealed that Haydaro variety performed better than the standard check of Sinana 01 variety with an average yield of 33.5 qt ha-1, while that of the standard check was 27.2 qt ha-1. Haydaro variety had 23.16% yield advantage over the standard check. The farmers in all districts selected this variety. Thus, Haydaro variety was recommended for further scaling up in the selected area. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(1): 1-3, June 202

On-farm demonstration of improved faba bean varieties in bale and west arsi zones, southeastern oromiya, Ethiopia

On-farm demonstration of improved faba bean varieties was conducted in Adaba and Dodola districts of West Arsi Zone and Sinana, Goba and Agarfa of Bale Zone. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate recently released Aloshe variety along with standard check. The demonstration was under taken on single plot of 10m x 10m area for each variety with the spacing of 40 cm between rows and recommended seed rate of 180 kg ha-1 and fertilizer rate of 100 qt ha-1 NPS. Mini-field day involving different stakeholders was organized at each respective site. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers’ preference to the demonstrated varieties was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise and simple ranking methods. The demonstration result revealed that Aloshe variety performed better than the standard check of Mosisa variety with an average yield of 35.97 qt ha-1, while that of the standard check was 28.50 qt ha-1. Aloshe variety had 26.21% yield advantage over the standard check. This variety was selected by farmers in Adaba, Dodola and Agarfa. Thus, Aloshe variety was recommended for further scaling up in the area it was selected. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(1): 8-11, June 202

On-farm demonstration of improved faba bean varieties in bale and west arsi zones, southeastern oromiya, Ethiopia

On-farm demonstration of improved faba bean varieties was conducted in Adaba and Dodola districts of West Arsi Zone and Sinana, Goba and Agarfa of Bale Zone. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate recently released Aloshe variety along with standard check. The demonstration was under taken on single plot of 10m x 10m area for each variety with the spacing of 40 cm between rows and recommended seed rate of 180 kg ha-1 and fertilizer rate of 100 qt ha-1 NPS. Mini-field day involving different stakeholders was organized at each respective site. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers' preference to the demonstrated varieties was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise and simple ranking methods. The demonstration result revealed that Aloshe variety performed better than the standard check of Mosisa variety with an average yield of 35.97 qt ha-1, while that of the standard check was 28.50 qt ha-1. Aloshe variety had 26.21% yield advantage over the standard check. This variety was selected by farmers in Adaba, Dodola and Agarfa. Thus, Aloshe variety was recommended for further scaling up in the area it was selected

On-farm demonstration of improved emmer wheat varieties in bale zone, Oromiya national regional state, Ethiopia

On-farm demonstration of improved emmer wheat varieties was conducted in Sinana and Goba districts of Bale Zone. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate recently released Haydaro variety along with standard check. The demonstration was under taken on single plot of 10 m x 10 m area for each variety with the spacing of 20 cm between rows and recommended seed rate of 150 kg ha-1 and fertilizer rate of 100 qt ha-1 NPS. Mini-field day involving different stakeholders was organized at each respective site. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers’ preference to the demonstrated varieties was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise and simple ranking methods. The demonstration result revealed that Haydaro variety performed better than the standard check of Sinana 01 variety with an average yield of 33.5 qt ha-1, while that of the standard check was 27.2 qt ha-1. Haydaro variety had 23.16% yield advantage over the standard check. The farmers in all districts selected this variety. Thus, Haydaro variety was recommended for further scaling up in the selected area