Effect of Palm Kernel Cake Based Diet on Libido and Semen Quality of Malin X Santa-Ines Lambs

A study was conducted for six months at the farm of the Department of Animal Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor (3' 00' N, 101' 42' E) to investigate the effect of palm kernel cake based diet on serving capacity and semen quality of Malin x Santa-lnes crossbred ram lambs. Twenty Malin x Santa-lnes crossbred ram lambs were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments namely (TI) 60% Palm kernel cake + 40% oil palm frond, (T2) 60% Palm kernel cake + 40% oil palm frond supplemented with 23 mgkg dry matter of molybdenum as ammonium molybdate ((NH4)6M07024.4H20a)n d 600mglkg dry matter of Sulfur as sodium sulphate (Na2S04) and (T3) control; 60% concentrate of corn-soybean mix + 40% oil iii palm frond. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the rams for the three dietary treatments for libido or mating behavior. All rams reached their optimum mating behavior (number of ejaculation = 6.7f1.3 and mating efficiency = 0.43kO.01) after the second month of the experiment. It was also found that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) for all the semen quality parameters among the rams under the three dietary treatments. Rams in all dietary treatments produced good semen and their sperm characteristics were within the ranges for good rams (semen volume = 0.7-2.0 ml; sperm concentration =2-5 X lo9 celldml; sperm motility > 80%; percentage of abnormal morphology 4 5%). Although there was a significant difference on the level of copper (Cu) accumulated in the liver (pc0.01) and testis (p<0.05), with highest values in rams under T1 (1089 + 189 ppm and 0.63 f 0.18 ppm, respectively), there was no symptom of toxicity observed in the rams. Therefore, it was concluded that PKC has no negative effect on serving capacity and semen quality of Malin x Santa-lnes crossbred sheep, at least for six months of the feeding period. It was also concluded that supplementing 23 mglkg dry matter of Molybdenum and 600 mgkg dry matter Sulphur to sheep fed on PKC based diet helps to protect Cu accumulation in the plasma, liver and testis of rams without negative effect on their reproductive capacity and semen quality. Even though higher serum testosterone was found in rams under diets T1 and T2 compared to T3, this did not reflect the actual reproductive level and sperm quality. Hence, it was concluded that serum testosterone level might not be a good indicator of reproductive performance of rams when blood samples are taken from conscious animals

Causes for Biodiversity Loss in Ethiopia: A Review from Conservation Perspective

Although there is ample theoretical evidence of the economic and social causes of biodiversity loss, empirical evidence for most of these relationships is fragmented, meager or non-existent.  Important biological causes for the loss of biological diversity include the loss of habitats, the introduction of exotic species, over-harvesting of biodiversity resources, and homogenization of species in agriculture. The common factor of all these elements is that they are human-driven. More research in this area is imperative. It is also most questionable and expected whether current nature-conservation directions provide sufficient answers to these root causes of biodiversity loss and are able to counteract the loss of biodiversity-related cultural values, biological species and ecosystems in an effective way. This Review paper gives the overview on the economic and social root causes behind biodiversity loss and identifies potential opportunities in Ethiopia. Furthermore, it also identifies the challenges and future directions to put into practice. The analysis is based only on theoretical considerations and overviews on current estimates. To scale up biodiversity conservation loss, better promotion with practical conservation practices, community based management approaches and sector based conservation and integration should be implemented throughout the whole resource area. Keywords: Biodiversity loss, conservation, climate change, Ethiopi

Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates and Intra Row Spacing on Growth and Bulb Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.) under Rainfall Condition

A field experiment was conducted at Shire,  Lemlem demonstration farm under rainfall condition to study the impact of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates and intra row spacing on growth bulb yields and profitability of onion (Allium cepa L.). Treatments consisted of factorial combination of four rates of N fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1) and four intra row spacing (4, 6, 8, and 10 cm). The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The result of this study revealed that the interaction effect of N and spacing affected days to maturity and plant height. The main effect of N significantly affected most of the studied parameters while spacing affected number of leaves and yield. Days to maturity of onions were prolonged in response to the increased rate of nitrogen application. Increasing nitrogen from the nil to 150 kg N ha-1 decreased bolting percentage by 62%. Increasing the rate of nitrogen from 50 to 100 kg N ha-1 increased the total bulb yield and leaf number by about 26.7% and 29% respectively. However, increasing the rate of N further from 100 to 150 kg N ha-1 tended to decrease total bulb yield by 5.3 %. Higher marketable yield of 31.455 t ha- 1 were obtained at 100 kg N ha.-1. The result of partial Budget analysis showed that 100 kg N ha-1 combined with 6 cm intra row spacing was found the best treatment than others in relation to bulb yield and economic benefits under the condition of Shire, northern Ethiopia. Keywords: Nitrogen, Intra row spacing, Onion Bombay Red, Growth and Yiel

Nursery propagation, field adaptation and carbon sequestration potential of Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistachio)

The study was conducted to assess appropriate means of nursery propagation and to evaluate field adaptation and carbon sequestration potential of Pistacia chinensis- a root stock for edible nut bearing pistachio. The trial was conducted at Debre Zeit and Wondo Genet in 2006. Matured seeds of the species with protective seed coats were sown on standard soil mixture (SSM) that comprised 3 % top soil, 2 % cow dung and 1 % sand and their germination was compared with seeds with protective seed pods that were sown on composted farm yard manure (FYM). Two independent experiments were conducted in completely randomized design with four replications, each replication containing one hundred pure viable seeds. Mean comparisons of germination percentages revealed highly significant differences between the treatments (seeds with protective seed coats sown on farm yard manure) and control groups (seeds with protective seed coats sown on standard soil mixture) at P<0.05. Thus, the most viable means of propagating Pistacia chinensis under the nursery conditions of Debre Zeit was sowing seeds with pods on farm yard manure. In a separate experiment, seeds without pods were also sown in replicates on standard soil mixture and their germination was compared with that of intact seeds (Seeds with their pods) sown on standard soil mixture. Mean comparisons of germination percentages for seeds without pods disclosed a highly significant decline as compared to the control groups i.e. intact seeds at P<0.05. Height and collar diameter of trees averaged 194.61cm and 4.82 cm for Debre Zeit and thus are found significantly different from their counterparts (141.1cm for height and 3.35cm for diameter) at Wondo Genet

A Review on the Causes for the Loss of Major Fishes and Prospects for Future Research in Ethiopia

This paper is aimed in reviewing major causes and losses on fish population in Ethiopia and set a future scenario. Rapid declines threaten the persistence of many marine fish population now days. Reductions in fishing pressure, although clearly necessary for population recovery, are often insufficient. Persistence and recovery are also influenced by life history, habitat alteration, changes to species assemblages, genetic responses to exploitation, and reductions in population growth attributable to the Alley effect. Heightened extinction risks were highlighted recently listed as endangered, on the basis of declines as high as 99.9% over 30 years. Failure to prevent population collapses, and to take the conservation biology of marine fishes seriously, will ensure that many severely depleted species remain ecological and numerical shadows in the ecosystems that they once dominated. Currently, however, about 25% of world fish stocks are overexploited or fully depleted and overcapacity in fishing fleets is the norm rather than the exception. Indeed, many experts agree that the exploitation limit of marine resources has been reached, if not exceeded, and that this overcapacity of fleets, excessive fishing quotas, illegal fishing practices and the generally poor management of most fisheries are to blame, Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change and invasive species also have an impact upon fish populations. Also, a changing environment affects stock abundance, and some stocks experience collapse from environmental causes alone. In many instances, it is quite difficult to determine the main causes of the depletion of fish stocks. Although the review concentrate in Ethiopia on overfishing of fisheries depletion and collapse, the depletion of global fish stocks cannot be attributed to fishing alone. Many scientists have done research, recommended and directed to focus on the prevention of fish losses and the sector scientists and government to discuss on the issue and set a sustainable fish management policies and Laws on future concerns. Keywords: biodiversity loss, Conservation, fish loss, population ecology

Gender analysis in selected agricultural practices in Gedeo and Halaba zones in Southern Ethiopia

Identification and recognition of gender-dis aggregated constraints, gender imbalances, differentials in gender roles, and decision-making on agriculture production, technology transfer, and input utilization are essential to the transformation of research output to benefit women and men. This study aimed to assess gender integration in selected agricultural practices and gender division of labor in the Gedeo and Halaba Zones. The study employed a cross-sectional design. The sample respondents were randomly 86 men and 69 women farmers, and a total of 155 farmers were selected to collect the data through triangulation of key informants interviews, focus group discussion, and household survey. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data analysis results in the frequency of men and women\u27s participation computed. Different gender participation factors evaluated. According to the data analysis result, the effect of community norms was assessed among 155 respondents, men 54 (34.8%), 0 (0%), and 15 (9.7%), responded as yes, no and undecided, respectively. Similarly, women participants believed that 64 (41.9%), 1 (0.6%), and 36 (23.2%), responded as yes, no and undecided, respectively. Decision-making could affect gender participation. Men 66 (42.6%), 1 (0.6%) and 20 (12.9%) responded as yes, no and undecided, respectively. Likewise, women participants believed that 53 (34.2%), 1 (0.6%) and 15 (9.7%), responded as yes, no, and undecided, respectively. Concerning care workmen 65 (41.9%), 0 (0%) and 21 (135%), responded as yes, no and undecided, respectively. Similarly, women participants believed that 54 (34.8%), 0 (0%) and 15 (9.7%), responded yes, no and undecided, respectively. Average task share of the household is 30%, 15%, 43% and 12% for men, boys, women and girls, respectively. Women and men performed a larger share of the gender role in rural households than boys and girls. The reproductive work of women in the household covered 67% of the total household care work. The gender participation index in selected agricultural practices was 0.709. However, the Participation Index of men was found to be 0.55 and that of women was 0.45. According to this statistical result, household members spent agricultural labor hours differently, as converting this labor share into daily labor hours indicated that women, men, boys, and girls are spending 10, 7, 4 and 3 hours per day on average, respectively. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 14(1): 1-9, June 202

A Study on an Integrated Water Resources Management Practice for Sustainable Transboundary River Basin Development : The Case of the Blue Nile Basin

政策研究大学院大学 / National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies博士（防災学） / Ph.D. in Desaster Management論文審査委員: Mohamed Rasmy（主査）, 小池 俊雄 , 廣木 謙三, 中山 幹康（東京大学 名誉教授）, Pressello Andreaapplication/PDF防災学プログラム / Disaster Management Programdoctoral thesi

Ethnic Identity Status Among University Students in Ethiopia

Ethnic identity is conceptualized as that part of a person’s self-knowledge defined by membership in, and emotional connection to an ethnic group, together with beliefs and emotions related to membership. The development of a strong ethnic identity has also been proven as a basis for positive attitudes toward other groups (Phinney &amp; Devich-Navarro, 1997). Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the status ethnic identity among university students in Ethiopia in light of Phinney’s ethnic identity model. To attain the purpose of the study cross sectional survey research design was employed. A total of 771 participants (484 males and 287 females) were sampled from four government universities in Ethiopia. The adapted measuring scale was the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (Phinney, 1992). The combinations of multistage cluster sampling, stratified simple random sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling procedures were employed to select the sample participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical measures (mean, SD, quartile &amp; percentile scores), frequency percentage and chi-square. The findings of the study uncovered that the target group university students in Ethiopia were labelled at ethnic identity search or exploration status. In the ethnic identity search or exploration stage, people begin to learn more about their culture of origin by actively participating in cultural activities and talking to family or friends about issues related to ethnicity (Phinney, 1993). Hence, peers, parents, counseling psychologists, elders, university staffs and management and other concerned bodies should encourage and help to construct their ethnic identity to the achieved status. Keywords: Ethnicity, Identity, Ethnic Identity, University Students DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/49-02 Publication date:June 30th 202

Status of Ethnocentrism Among Public University Students in Ethiopia

Ethnocentrism does not accept cultural diversity, and is a general intolerance to out-groups and a relative preference for one’s in-group over most out-groups. The literature suggests that ethnocentrism has the potential to lead to stereotypical prejudices and negative behaviours against out-groups or other ethnic group members (Donald &amp; Cindy, 2010). The purpose of this study was to investigate the status ethnocentrism and related factors among university students in Ethiopia. To achieve the objective of the study a cross-sectional research design was employed. A total of 771 participants (484 males and 287 females) were sampled from four government universities. The adapted measuring scale was Neuliep and McCroskey’s (1997) and Neulip’s (2002) Generalized Ethnocentrism Scale (GES). The combinations of multistage cluster sampling, stratified simple random sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling procedures were employed to select the sample participants. The data were analyzed using Descriptive Statistical Measures (Mean, SD, Quartile &amp; Percentile Scores), Frequency percentage, Chi-square, independent-t test and one-way ANOVA. The findings of the study depicted that the target group university students were labelled at lower level of ethnocentrism status. Furthermore, the findings indicated significant mean differences on ethnocentrism due to sex, place grown up and different batches of university students. However, there was no significant difference on ethnocentrism score between mono and mixed ethnic background of the participants. Finally, implications and recommendations were forwarded.Keywords: Ethnocentrism, Status, University StudentsDOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-13-03Publication date:July 31st 202