Tannery wastes water treatment using Moringa Stenopetala seed extract

High amount of heavy metal ions like Cr in the environment has been harmful for animal and human health. Bioadsorption of Cr from tannery wastes would be an alternative method to the chemical treatment in tannery industries. Hence, in this study the efficiency of Moringa  stenopetala seed extract to adsorption Cr from tannery waste water was investigated. The influence of solution pH, adsorbent concentration, initial concentration of Cr, contact time and temperature on the efficiency of Moringa stenopetala seed extract for the adsorption of Cr from tannery effluent was studied. Results obtained revealed that in strongly acidic condition Moringa stenopetala seed extract was less efficient to remove Cr. However, the result of the present study showed that Moringa stenopetala seed extract at a concentration of 1g/100 ml and pH of 9.5 decreased the concentration of Cr in tannery waste by 99.86%. In addition, the adsorption data was correlated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherm models. Among models studied Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm was the best fit with correlation coefficient of 0.958. Moreover, thermodynamics parameters, such as Gibbs free energy (ÄGo), enthalpy (ÄHo), and entropy (ÄSo) were calculated. Results indicated that the bioadsorption of Cr by Moringa stenopetala seed extract was  spontaneous, feasible and endothermic. The results of this study proved that Moringa stenopetala seed extract can be used to remove Cr from tannery effluent.KEYWORDS: Moringa stenopetala, Cr, tannery, pH, temperature, concentratio

On-farm phenotypic characterization and performance evaluation of Bati, Borena and short eared Somali goat populations of Ethiopia

The objectives of this study were to describe the production systems, the morphological features, and growth and reproductive performances of Bati (Central Highland ecotype), Borena (Long eared Somali ecotype) and Short-eared Somali indigenous goat populations in their home tract, Ethiopia. The study covered Bati and Kalu districts for Bati goats in Oromiya and South Wollo zones (Amhara Region), respectively; Yabello for Borena goats in Borena zone (Oromia Region); and Shinille and Erer from Siti (the previous Shinille zone, in Somali Region) for Short-Eared Somali goats. For production systems description and morphological characterization of the three goat breeds a total of 601 heads of adult goats comprising 162 Bati (128 females and 34 males), 246 Borena (201 females and 45 males) and 193 Short-eared Somali (139 females and 54 males) were selected. In addition, flock monitoring were carried out and two PAs for each goat population were selected and a total of 125 household flocks (46 Bati, 48 Borena and 31 Short-Eared Somali) were monitored (beginning of April, 2013 to end December, 2013) to generate growth performance data. In terms of number, goats were the predominant species in all surveyed areas. The average (±SE) goat flock size (44.02±3.33) owned per household of Siti was significantly (p0.05),whereas Short-eared Somali goats remained significantly (p<0.05) lower for most of the body measurement characteristics. Average live weight of Bati, Borena and Short-eared Somali does were 33.97±0.4, 31.49±0.36 and 24.67±0.28kg, respectively and the corresponding values for bucks were 41.30±0.85, 40.04±1.21 and 30.62±0.67kg. Correlation coefficient was consistently highest between live weight and chest girth in both sexes across the goat populations. As a result, the stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that chest girth was the single variable of utmost importance in the prediction of live body weight except for Short-eared Somali bucks, where body condition accounted the larger variation in body weight. Though K-Nearest Neighbor Discriminant Function Analysis classified most individuals of both sexes into their source population in all areas, the highest hit rate was found in Borena does (96.02%) and in Short-eared Somali bucks (94.4%). The canonical discriminant analysis depicted the largest Mahalanobis' distance between Borena and Short-eared Somali goats while the least differentiation was observed between Bati and Borena goats. Non-genetic factors (sex and parity of dam) and genetic factor (goat ecotype) had significant (p<0.05) effect on the average live weight and daily weight gain of young goats at different ages. However, type of birth had non-significant effect on daily weight gain of all goat types and on live weight of Short-eared Somali kids at different ages (birth, 30, 90 and 180 days). Bati kids had the heaviest overall live weight at birth (2.70±0.05kg) followed by Borena (2.42±0.05 kg). Therefore, the growth performance of these goat ecotypes is encouraging and can be further improved genetically through selection

Evaluation of two estrus synchronization protocols in dairy cattle at North Shoa zone Ethiopia

This study was initiated to change the hesitation of the farmer on the effectiveness of estrus synchronization under their (Ethiopian small holder) livestock management system using two synchronization protocols. Non-pregnant animals with normal reproductive tract and that fulfilled the preconditions for estrus synchronization were considered for treatment & assigned into two synchronization protocols (single PGF2α injection; and double PGF2α injection). Among 94 (27 heifer and 67 cows) synchronized cows using one and two injections of PGF2α protocols 26 heifers and 63 cows (89/94.7%) were exhibited estrus by visual observation and rectal palpation the remaining 5 (5.3%) did not illustrate heat. The overall pregnancy was 59.6 % with overall birth 94.3 %. High pregnancy was obtained in the double injection of PGF2α treatment group (63.1 %) than animals treated with one shot protocol 55.8 % there were statistically significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). Higher pregnancy was obtained from cross breed animals than local breeds. More over most of the animals come to estrus greater than 96 hrs. There was also significant difference between technicians on detecting the CL and conception. The estrus response, conception rate, pregnancy rate and calving rate was higher in both protocols so producers or farmers can use either the two protocols to achieve remarkable result but tight follow-ups and more resources are need to be exploited at farmer level

Husbandry practices and phenotypic characteristics of indigenous goat populations in Ethiopia.

Abstract: The present study was conducted with the objective to characterize the husbandry practices and phenotypic characteristics of mature Bati, Borana and Short-eared Somali goats kept under traditional management systems so that the information generated can be used in designing breeding programs. The study was covered five districts in four administrative zones of Ethiopia representing Bati (in Oromia Zone) and Kalu (in South Wollo Zone) for Bati goats; Yabello (in Borana Zone) for Borana goats and Shinille and Erer (in Siti Zone) for Short-Eared Somali goats. A total of 345 households interview was made and phenotypic measurements were taken on 601(468 females and 133 males) heads of adult goats with 4 pair of permanent incisors (PPI). However, because of difficulty of finding adequate number of 4PPI sample males, measurements were taken from 2PPI and above males. In this study, in number, goats accounted for 72.01, 50.93 and 47.38% of other livestock species in Siti, around Bati and Borana, respectively. The least square mean (±SE) of goat flock size (44.02±3.33) per household in Siti was significantly (p0.05),whereas Short-eared Somali goats remained significantly (p<0.05) lower for most of the body measurement characteristics. The canonical analysis done on phenotypic measurements also put Bati and Borana goats closer by discriminating Short-eared Somali goat populations. The similarities between Bati and Borena goats and significance divergence of Short-eared Somali goats in phenotypic measurements suggested that the need of further molecular characterization study to validate information from phenotypic characterization. Correlation coefficient was consistently highest between live weight and chest girth in both sexes across the goat populations. Hence, linear measurements could be valuable to estimate live body weight for those farm communities where sensitive weighing scales are not readily available

Evaluation of Two Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Dairy Cattle at North Shoa Zone Ethiopia

This study was initiated to change the hesitation of the farmer on the effectiveness of estrus synchronization under their (Ethiopian small holder) livestock management system using two synchronization protocols. Non-pregnant animals with normal reproductive tract and that fulfilled the preconditions for estrus synchronization were considered for treatment & assigned into two synchronization protocols (single PGF2α injection; and double PGF2α injection). Among 94 (27 heifer and 67 cows) synchronized cows using one and two injections of PGF2α protocols 26 heifers and 63 cows (89/94.7%) were exhibited estrus by visual observation and rectal palpation the remaining 5 (5.3%) did not illustrate heat. The overall pregnancy was 59.6 % with overall birth 94.3 %. High pregnancy was obtained in the double injection of PGF2α treatment group (63.1 %) than animals treated with one shot protocol 55.8 % there were statistically significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). Higher pregnancy was obtained from cross breed animals than local breeds. More over most of the animals come to estrus greater than 96 hrs. There was also significant difference between technicians on detecting the CL and conception. The estrus response, conception rate, pregnancy rate and calving rate was higher in both protocols so producers or farmers can use either the two protocols to achieve remarkable result but tight follow-ups and more resources are need to be exploited at farmer level

Evaluating Plant Leaf Tinctures against Maize Weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.) in Stored Maize (Zea mays L.) under Laboratory Conditions

Maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) are commonly stored grain pests of economic importance in several parts of Africa. A huge amount of synthetic pesticides is being used for the management of crop pests, which have many negative effects on the biotic and abiotic components of the environment. Plant-derived pesticides, on the other hand, are safe for the environment, affect only target insects, have a low application cost, and are easily biodegradable. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of ethanol leaf tinctures of four selected botanicals against S. zeamais: Brucea antidysenterica (J.) (Waginos), Croton macrostachyus (Hochst.) (broad-leaved croton), Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) (Boston fern), and Carica papaya (L.) (papaya). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four different concentrations (0 mL, 2.5 mL, 5 mL, and 7.5 mL) and four plant leaf tinctures in three replicates. A random sample of 300 g of clean maize seed was treated with the four selected botanicals in plastic jars covered with a muslin cloth. Twenty adult maize weevils were introduced into each disinfected, treated, and untreated maize grain. The mortality rate, grain damage, and F1 progeny emergences were assessed and analyzed using SPSS software version 25. The highest (100%) mortality rate of S. zeamais was recorded for maize seeds treated with the leaf tincture of B. antidysenterica, followed by maize seeds treated with the leaf tincture of C. papaya (97.5%) at an application rate of 7.5 mL/300 g. The mean weight loss of the seeds showed a significant variation between the treatments. The mean weight loss of the seeds in the control (8.96%) was higher than the total mean weight loss treated by all plant leaf tinctures (3.66%). The emergence of F1 progeny of S. zeamais on maize grains showed significant differences among the treatments. The highest emergence (100%) of F1 progenies was recorded for the control treatment followed by C. macrostachyus (16.65%) at a rate of 2.5 mL/300 g maize grain treatment. The study concluded that B. antidysenterica and C. papaya tinctures had the potential to control the infestation of maize grains by S. zeamais

Extraction and Characterization of Fiber from the Stem of Cyperus Papyrus Plant

Owing to environmental concerns caused by the use of synthetic fibers, there is an urgent need to find new eco-friendly fibers. In addition, conventional cellulosic fibers are becoming costly due to an increase in production cost, therefore, sustainable alternative sources of eco-friendly fibers need to be explored. This study investigates the extraction and characterization of fibers from the Cyperus papyrus plant and evaluates its potential as textile fibers. Cyperus papyrus plant fibers were extracted using water retting and alkaline extraction methods and their mechanical, physical, thermal, and chemical properties were studied. The fiber’s chemical composition was established and alkaline extracted fibers contained 61.82% cellulose, 11.82% hemicellulose, 23.6% lignin, 3.86% ash, and 2.75% extractive while the water-retted fibers contained 57.98% cellulose, 13.45% hemicellulose, 25.42% lignin, 6.07% ash, and 3.15% extractive. The fineness of the extracted fibers was 8.38 and 7.31 Tex for water-retted and for alkaline extracted fibers, respectively. The average tensile strength of the extracted fibers ranged from 26.25 to 31.05cN/Tex. The average elongation of the fibers was between 2.02% and 2.79% while its thermal degradation temperature was as high as 150ºC. Compared with conventional fibers, the extracted fibers have the potential of replacing them based on the properties studied

People's attitudes and perceptions towards area enclosure in Ethiopian central rift valley: Implications for land restoration and livelihood improvement

Land degradation is a common environmental problem affecting the ecological functions and ecosystem services leading to biodiversity loss and impoverishment of rural livelihood. This study explores people's attitudes and perceptions in central rift valley, Ethiopia. We interviewed 384 households using semi-structured questionnaires, conducted focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results showed that 92.1% of the respondents were aware of the role of area enclosure in degraded land restoration; 94.5% had a positive opinion of the establishment of new enclosures; 94.5% agreed to maintain the existing enclosures whereas 88.1% support the expansion. The benefits gained from the enclosure increased significantly with increased vegetation cover (OR = 41.961, P < 0.001). An improvement in the local communities' attitude towards the area enclosure is directly correlated with the economic benefits they obtain from the enclosures. Our results showed that farmers were optimistic to perceive that area enclosure plays a positive role to restore degraded lands thereby improving the livelihood of the local community. We found that the socioeconomic profile of farmers affects their attitude, and perception of the role of area enclosure to improve and restore the degraded area