Genotype by environment interaction and grain yield stability analysis for advanced triticale (X. Triticosecale Wittmack) genotypes in western Oromia, Ethiopia

Genotypes by environment (gxe) interactions are almost unanimously considered to be among the major factors limiting response to selection and, in general, the efficiency of breeding programs. Cognizant of this fact, 15 advanced triticale genotypes and one standard check, Dilfikir, were evaluated at Arjo, Gedo and Shambu localities in 2010 and 2011, and at Getema in 2011, to identify stable high yielding genotypes and the extent of gxe interaction. The analysis of variance using additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (ammi) model revealed highly significant (P≤0.01) variations among environments, gxe interaction and Interaction Principal Component Analysis (ipca-I) but insignificant variations among genotypes and the remaining ipcas. This implies that, the tested genotypes respond differently over environments as the test environments are highly variable. Only the first ipca-I was significant (p < 0.01) and contributed to 43.86% of the total genotype by environment interaction. It is found that genotypes tcl-70 and tcl-77 are high yielding  next to tcl-76, have ipca value closer to zero, Genotype Selection Index (gsi) of 4 each and ammi stability value (asv) of 0.124 and 0.087, respectively. Analysis using Eberhart and Russell model showed that genotypes tcl-70 and tcl-77 have regression coefficients closer to unity (bi= 1.115 and 1.013) and nearly acceptable deviation from regression (s2di = 0.297 and 0.148), respectively. However, the regression coefficients were significantly different (P≤0.05) from unity for tcl-76, tcl-67, tcl-64, tcl-60, tcl-63 and Dilfikir. Therefore, both tcl-77 and tcl-70 genotypes are proposed for possible release and are recommended for wider adaptability; the uppermost yielding genotype tcl-76, is recommended for specific environme

Revisiting the ignored Ethiopian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) landraces for genetic diversity exploitation in future wheat breeding programs

The majority of Ethiopian durum wheat are farmers’ varieties. Durum wheat varieties under production in Ethiopia are less productive due to the effect of climate change and marginalism of agricultural inputs. Recognizant to these, revisiting farmers varieties, ex-situ conserved, could be among the best options to adapt these changes. This study has thoroughly characterized a set of 49 durum wheat varieties to assess the level of phenotypic diversity through multivariate approaches for traits of importance. The study was aimed at estimating the extent of genetic diversity among the genotypes and to identify traits maximally contributing to the observed phenotypic variations. The statistical analyses have confirmed that the genotypes have shown very large (p<0.001) variations for most traits considered, except for number of effective tillers. The estimated broad – sense heritability (h2) has ranged from 20% for grain yield to 78% for spike length. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters with significant inter-cluster distances (χ2=15.51, p<0.05). The clustering revealed that the landraces are genetically far from the improved varieties. Genotypes consisted in a particular cluster are superior for a trait or more compared to the other clusters. For instance, genotypes in the first cluster are superior for grain and biomass yields. Early maturing and second high yielding genotypes were consisted in the fifth cluster. The genotype – by – traits biplot analysis has explained 82% of the total variation where 65.5% was explained by PC1, indicating that most of the observed variation is inherited. It can be concluded that the landraces are quite divergent from the improved varieties and the within landraces diversity was also high indicating that they represent important gene pool for important traits. Hence, revisiting landraces, which are Ex-situ conserved, and their exploitation in durum wheat breeding programs for grain yield improvement, earliness and other traits of importance is crucial

Identification of Feed Resources for Cattle Fattening and Chemical Composition Determination in Dessie and Kombolcha Towns, Ethiopia

This study was designed to identify common conventional and nonconventional feed resources worth of feeding oxen for cattle fattening in and around Dessie and Kombolcha towns and evaluate the sources, availability, quantity, distribution, price and limitation of different feeds. Urban and peri urban kebeles who practices cattle fattening were totally considered in both study towns. Accordingly, 3 and 6 urban, 4 and 6 peri urban kebeles were selected from Dessie and Kombolcha towns, respectively. Complete enumeration techniques were applied to select urban and peri urban kebeles. Totally, 190 and 147 cattle fatteners were selected and interviewed in the identification process of feed resources used for cattle fattening practices in Dessie and Kombolcha towns, respectively. In both study towns 42 feed resources used for cattle fattening practices were identified. The identified feed resources were characterized in to different categories according to their nature and prioritized based on availability and abundance. Further feed resources categorized in to three groups based on their importance and level of significance for cattle fattening purpose, i.e., 1 st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Fromthe totally identified feeds, nine major and highly significant feed resources,which were nominated by the respondents from both study towns, were selected and subjected for chemical analysis. The collected samples were examined to determine the DM, Ash, CP, NDF, ADF and ADL. In Dessie and Kombolcha towns, the identified cattle feed sources were poultry farms, flour factors, milling houses, micro and small food processors, local brewery houses, farmers, brewery factory, oil seed processers, pasture lands, feed traders, sugar processing factory, university and government aids. There was high seasonal variability of feed availability and distribution in both study towns. September to December relatively there was abundant feed resources. On the other hand, the feed shortage and price increased severely towards January to June. As a result, storing and saving available cattle fattening feed resources during surpluses time is crucial for proper cattle fattening practices. In addition, the government intervention is recommendable to solve poor distribution, limited access of feed resources and to decreases transportation difficulties and costs

Prevalence and factors associated with trachoma among children aged 1–9 years in Zala district, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed.Background: Trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. It is common in areas where people are socioeconomically deprived. Globally, approximately 1.2 billion people live in trachoma-endemic areas, in which, 40.6 million individuals have active trachoma and 8.2 million have trichiasis. According to the World Health Organization’s 2007 report, globally close to 1.3 million people are blind due to trachoma, while approximately 84 million suffer from active trachoma. The National Survey (2007) of Ethiopia showed a prevalence of 40.1% active trachoma among children aged 1–9 years. Trachoma is still endemic in most parts of Ethiopia. Objective: To assess prevalence of trachoma and factors associated with it among children aged 1–9 years in Zala district, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Zala district from February 28 to March 26, 2014. A total of 611 children were examined for trachoma based on the simplified World Health Organization 1983 classification. A multistage stratified sampling technique with a systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected by using a semistructured pretested questionnaire and clinical eye examination. The data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independently associated factors. Results: The overall prevalence of active trachoma cases was 224 (36.7%) consisting of 207 (92.4%) trachomatous follicles, eight (3.6%) trachomatous intense, and nine (4.0%) combination of trachomatous follicle and trachomatous intense. Inadequate knowledge of family head about trachoma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.8 [95% CI: 1.9, 4.2]); #10 m latrine distance (AOR =1.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.09, 2.4]); presence of above two preschool children (AOR =2.2 [95% CI: 1.3, 3.7]), flies on the face (AOR =6.3 [95% CI: 2.7, 14.7]), and unclean face (AOR =2.4 [95% CI: 1.5, 3.9]) were found to be independently associated with trachoma. Conclusion: Trachoma among children in Zala district is a disease of public health importance. Factors like inadequate knowledge about trachoma by the head of the family, #10 m latrine distance, presence of above two preschool children, flies on the face, and an unclean face were independently associated with trachoma among children. So strengthening of antibiotic use, face washing, and environmental improvement strategy implementation is mandatory

Research site selection for SI-FMS initiative at Basona Worena woreda

Ethiopia is among the five implementors of this initiative and the implementing team composed of individuals from various CG centres based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has made visited to the agreed project sites in Ethiopia on 30 August 2022. In north Shewa, it was agreed that Basona Worena will be the implementing site of this initiative activities. On this day, SI – MFS initiative implementing team composed of researchers from Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, ICARDA and ILRI has travelled to Debre Birhan area to select research site for integrated research efforts and technology aggregations. The objective of the site selection was to implement research interventions and improve the land, crop, and livestock productivity through sustainable intensification of the mixed farming system (SI-FMS) initiative. The team has discussed with Basona Worena Woreda of Agriculture and livestock offices to identify the specific project implementation kebele. After the purpose of the initiative was discussed site selection criteria was set to select the implementation kebele

commerciallyThe magnitude and associated factors of ocular lesions/complications among leprosy patients treated at Boru Meda General Hospital, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study design, 2021

BACKGROUND: Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is one of the world’s oldest diseases, and it is one of the major blinding diseases. Visual impairment in leprosy patients needs special consideration by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, not only preventable but also has a severe burden that affects productivity if not managed early. Nevertheless, little was understood about ocular complications and associated factors among leprosy patients in low income countries like Ethiopia, including the study locality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 423 leprosy patients at the dermatology clinic at Boru Meda Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia. The collected data were entered into EpiData v3.1 and exported to the statistical package for SPSS v.20 for statistical analysis. The odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to measure the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. p ≤ 0.05 was used to determine the level of statistical significance. RESULT: 419 leprosy patients participated in this study, accounting for a response rate of 99%. The proportion of ocular complications was found to be 69.9% (95% CI: 65.09–73.9). Age 40 years and above [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.2, 95% CI: 3.14–8.83], presence of leprosy reaction (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12–3.24), and leprosy disability grading [grade 1 disability (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.35–6.33), grade 2 disability (AOR = 3.0,95% CI: 1.36–7.08) ]were associated with the presence of ocular complication among leprosy patients. CONCLUSION: Our finding showed that the ocular complication/lesion magnitude was high. Age 40 and above, the presence of leprea reaction and disability were significant factors associated with developing ocular complications among leprosy patients. Our results emphasize the need for solid collaboration efforts and commitment to handling ophthalmologic complications among leprosy patients aged 40 and above with leprosy reactions and disabilities

Evolutionary Relationships of the Critically Endangered Frog \u3cem\u3eEricabatrachus baleensis\u3c/em\u3e Largen, 1991 with Notes on Incorporating Previously Unsampled Taxa into Large-scale Phylogenetic Analyses

Background: The phylogenetic relationships of many taxa remain poorly known because of a lack of appropriate data and/or analyses. Despite substantial recent advances, amphibian phylogeny remains poorly resolved in many instances. The phylogenetic relationships of the Ethiopian endemic monotypic genus Ericabatrachus has been addressed thus far only with phenotypic data and remains contentious. Results: We obtained fresh samples of the now rare and Critically Endangered Ericabatrachus baleensis and generated DNA sequences for two mitochondrial and four nuclear genes. Analyses of these new data using de novo and constrained-tree phylogenetic reconstructions strongly support a close relationship between Ericabatrachus and Petropedetes, and allow us to reject previously proposed alternative hypotheses of a close relationship with cacosternines or Phrynobatrachus. Conclusions: We discuss the implications of our results for the taxonomy, biogeography and conservation of E. baleensis, and suggest a two-tiered approach to the inclusion and analyses of new data in order to assess the phylogenetic relationships of previously unsampled taxa. Such approaches will be important in the future given the increasing availability of relevant mega-alignments and potential framework phylogenies

Data-driven decentralized breeding increases prediction accuracy in a challenging crop production environment

Crop breeding must embrace the broad diversity of smallholder agricultural systems to ensure food security to the hundreds of millions of people living in challenging production environments. This need can be addressed by combining genomics, farmers’ knowledge, and environmental analysis into a data-driven decentralized approach (3D-breeding). We tested this idea as a proof-of-concept by comparing a durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) decentralized trial distributed as incomplete blocks in 1,165 farmer-managed fields across the Ethiopian highlands with a benchmark representing genomic prediction applied to conventional breeding. We found that 3D-breeding could double the prediction accuracy of the benchmark. 3D-breeding could identify genotypes with enhanced local adaptation providing superior productive performance across seasons. We propose this decentralized approach to leverage the diversity in farmer fields and complement conventional plant breeding to enhance local adaptation in challenging crop production environments.publishedVersio