Chemical Composition and Supplemental Effects of Levels of Euphorbia Tirucalli and Acacia Albida Pods on Feed Intake of Goats

The experiment was conducted to evaluate supplemental value of mixtures of different levels of Euphorbia tirucalli (EUt)) and Acacia albida pods (AAp) on feed intake and body weight change using twenty-five intact Abergelle goats with initial body weight (BW) of 13.9 ± 1.15 (mean ± SD). Randomized complete block design with 5 blocks were employed for the study and animals were blocked based on their initial BW. Treatments were natural pasture hay fed ad libtum alone (T1) or with 210 g/day AAp (T2), 210 g/day EUt (T5) or 140 AAp + 70 EUt g/day (T3) and 70 AAp +140 EUt g/day (T4). All animals were offered 52 g dry matter (DM)/day sesame cake. Drinking water and mineralized salt block were available free choice. The experiment had 90 days feeding time. The CP content of the AAp, EUt and hay was 17.8%, 7.4% and 7.3%., respectively. Goats in T1 consumed higher (P < 0.05) natural pasture hay (433.7 g/day) compared to the supplemented groups (321.7, 319, 315.5 and 315.9 g /day) for T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. Higher (P < 0.05) total DM intake of 561.4, 565.4, 540.9 and 531 g/day for T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively were recorded than T1 (486.5 g/day). CP intake was the lowest for T1 and increased with increasing level of AAp in diet of supplemented goats (52, 77, 71, 62 and 56 g/day). Therefore, it is concluded that AAp supplementation has better impact as compared to the sole EUt supplemented goats. Key words: Acacia albida, Euphorbia tirucalli, Goat and intake

Distribution and Socio-economic Impacts of Prosopis juliflora in East Shewa and West Arsi Zones, Ethiopia

Prosopis juliflora is exotic species which have been thought to be introduced to Ethiopia as agroforestry. Nowadays it is notorious and emerging problems to animals, native plant species and ecosystems in the country. Precise distribution and socio-economic impacts of the weed is not predictable in the study area. Thus the aim of this study was to generate information for a better understanding of the distribution and socio-economic impact of Prosopis juliflora in East shewa and West arsi Zones of the Oromia regional state. The biological data were collected along gravel and asphalt roads at interval of 10km. Relative abundance and distribution were determined. The locations’ latitude and longitude coordinates were recorded with a garmin GPS in order to map their abundance and distribution using arcGIS 9.1 software. To meet information about socio-economic impacts towards Prosopis, data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires. The study revealed that P. juliflora was observed at Fentale, Boset, and Adama districts of East shewa zone with different infestation level. However, no infestation observed in West arsi zone. Relatively high infestation level was recorded at Fentale due to regular movement of pastoralist around the district to search grass for their animals. Distribution maps showing presence or absence and abundance of Prosopis were developed. The study also revealed that P. julflora mainly spreads through animals’ dung. 90% of respondents in high infestation area stated that the important dispersal agents were mainly cattle, camels, sheep, goats and wild animals. According to 98% of respondents grass species are disappearing from highly infested area. This indicated that P. julflora is suppressing the growth of grasses under its canopy. Fifty percent of respondents in high infestation and 28% of respondents in less infested area also indicated that Prosopis encroaches grazing land, cause scarcity of animal food and forms impenetrable thickets and strong thorns which prevent free movement of livestock in searching of food and causing wounds on their skins. P. juliflora also affect human health in different ways as noted by respondents. Generally P. juliflora has significant impacts on crop production, livestock production, biodiversity and human and animal health. Keywords: Prosopis juliflora, distribution, distribution map, socio-economi

Feasibility Study of Small Hydropower Schemes in Giba and Worie Subbasins of Tekeze River, Ethiopia

The untapped small hydropower potential of Ethiopia has not been given much attention yet that can contribute for green power development in poverty reduction and sustainable development. The main objective of this research work is to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of small hydropower potential sites of Giba and Worie subbasins which are part of the Tekeze River Basin, Northern Ethiopia. Ten (10) small hydropower potential sites were verified for economic/financial feasibility analysis from Giba and Worie subbasins (20 potential sites). Rainfall records from ten stations in the Giba and six stations in the Worie catchments were used to compute the areal rainfall over the two catchments. Stream flow records from seven gauging stations in Giba and one gauging station in Worie catchments were used for hydrological analysis. The discharge for ungauged hydropower potential sites was transferred/estimated using the runoff coefficient method. Topographic map and Digital Elevation Models were used for analyzing watershed delineation, river networks, location of the potential sites and gauging stations, Thiessen Polygon network construction, area of contributing catchments and measuring civil work components using GIS and Global Mapper. The viability of the hydropower potential sites was analysed using RETScreen software. Based on the RETScreen generated results Meskila-1, Meskila-2, Meskila-3, Genfel-1, Genfel-2 and Suluh were feasible with total power of 3591kW, but Genfel-3, Genfel-4, Agulae and Giba dam site are not viable from Giba subbasin. All except site W-7 (783kW) are not viable in Worie subbasin. In general, most of the run-of-river plants are not feasible; though there is suitable gross heads for small hydropower development, there is high variability of stream flows. Keywords: Small Hydropower, Financial Parameters, RETScreen, Feasibility/viabilit

Challenges and Prospects of Utilizing Irrigation Technologies: Survey of Ganta-Afeshum Woreda, Eastern Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia

Irrigation is seen as the means of ensuring food security in Ethiopia. Thus the use of modern, advanced and resource efficient irrigation technologies is vital to increase farm output and take people out of poverty. This study is intended to examine the Challenges and Prospects of Utilizing Irrigation Technologies in Ganta-Afeshum Woreda of Eastern Zone, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. The objectives of the study is to evaluate the opportunities to use irrigation technologies , factors that influence Irrigation Technology Utilization by small-scale farmers and also looks the follow up used by the extension workers towards confirming the desirable Utilization of the Irrigation Technologies by the farmers .To serve these objectives, data was collected from 174 sample respondent farmers from four purposively selected „kabeles‟ by distributing questioner and this was also supplemented by semi-structured interview, focus group discussion and observation. Descriptive type of research was applied to analyze attained data. With regard to the prospects of effective Utilization of Irrigation Technologies, the result of the study has shown that availability of labour, agro-ecology, access to money, access to markets and support of government and NGOs were identified as major factors which can be prospect for utilization of new irrigation technologies. This study also identified that the difficulty in maintaining new irrigation technologies, lack of access to spare parts and shortage of water, lack of training, uncertainty about new irrigation inputs and lack of know-how, are the most serious challenges hindering irrigation development. In addition to that, the income possible from non-crop producing activities is found to be a major inhibitor in the development and utilization of irrigation technologies. The study also tried to assess the situation on follow-up and visits by extension agents, and found that farmers have no problem with the frequency of contact with the extension personnel, but with the timing and what occurred during the visits. Weakness of Local FTCs, Weakness of extension personnel in supporting farmers were also identified as a main hampering pointes of extension service. Therefore it would be better to exploit the opportunities and address confronts that are affecting the utilization of modern irrigation technologies

Distribution and Abundance of Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in East Shewa and West Arsi Zones of Ethiopia

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a herbaceous invasive alien weed belongs to the family Asteraceae now recognized as the major emerging problems and pose the greatest threats to native species and ecosystems in Ethiopia. This non-native species, subsequently escaping from their entry points and are spreading at an alarming rate from time to time. Precise distribution of the existing Parthenium hysterophorus is poorly understood and systematically documented. Thus the aim of this study was to generate information for a better understanding of the distribution and abundance of Parthenium hysterophorus in East shewa and West arsi Zones of the Oromia regional governmental state of Ethiopia. The biological data were collected along gravel and asphalt roads at interval of 10km. Relative abundance and distribution were determined. The locations’ latitude and longitude coordinates were recorded with a garmin GPS in order to map their abundance and distribution using arcGIS 9.1 software. The study revealed that P. hysterophorus extensively distributed in study area mainly in East shewa zone where it infest most of terrestrial habitats (Road side, Farm land, Pastoral, around habitation Waste land) and it has a potential to flood all districts not infested currently in the study area. Moreover, P. hysterophorus hinders economic development of the study area and the country at large. Therefore, proper and targeted control methods should be employed to control the further spread of invader and reduce the negative economic impact. Thus proper management action should be taken to mitigate their impact. Keywords: abundance, distribution, distribution map, Parthenium hysterophoru

Assessment of Honey Bee Flora in Eastern Zone of Tigray, North Ethiopia

This study was conducted to evaluate the existing bee flora and develop floral calendar in Eastern Zone of Tigray. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaire as well as direct observation. The total number of household head respondents was 160. Accordingly, different plant species and habit of growth (herb, shrub and tree) were identified as major bee flora. High availability of honeybee shrubs and herb plants was found from September to November while the most important trees flowered in March and May in all the districts. The high scarcity of bee forage was observed in June. Therefore, it is to be noticed that, in order to increase the honey bee yield and quality, scaling up of the coverage and management honeybee floras and considering floral calendar is critically important to the study area. Keywords: floral calendar, bee flora, honey productio

Investigation of Setting Time and Compressive Strength of Ready-Mixed Concrete Blended with Returned Fresh Concrete

The Center for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure (CSTI), in its 2012 study, estimated that out of all the concrete leaving the plant, between 2% and 7% of concrete returns to the plant unused as a returned fresh concrete (RFC). Disposal of both the truck wash water and RFC is a growing concern for the industry. Most industry personnel contacted during the investigation, agree that reusing is superior to recycling of this substantial RFC economically and environmentally. This study will determine if the reuse of RFC in subsequent batches compromises the quality of newly blended concrete. The effect of RFC on fresh and hardened characteristics of subsequent batches was studied. This research will be performed in a laboratory where setting time and compressive strength will be tested for both the control and blends of varying proportion and age of plain or retarded RFC with subsequent fresh batches. This study will discover the C1798/C1798M-16 (Standard Procedure for reusing returned fresh ready-mixed concrete) recommendation. In this procedure, it is stated RFC up to 8-hours old at 100F, treated with hydration stabilizing admixture, can be blended in up to 50% proportion with a new batch of RMC without adversely affecting the fresh and hardened characteristics of the blend. The reuse of RFC has been neither explicitly banned nor allowed by end users due to the uncertainties of the effects of the RFC on the properties and characteristics of the blend. This standard procedure has not encouraged the end users to reuse of RFC, despite its liberal allowance of reuse of RFC. Not only that, the prohibitive practices of the states of California and Iowa experience in the reuse of RFC and the limitations set by ASTM C94 reinforces the negative perception surrounding the reuse of RFC in concrete blends. A commonly used, Clark County qualified mix design No. 101, was batched both indoors and outdoors. Each batch was tested shortly after batching as a control sample. The concrete was then held for 1hr, 2hrs, 3hrs or 4hrs to simulate RFC. The simulated RFC was then mixed with newly batched concrete in various proportions. Both the control and blends were tested for slump, air entrapped, unit weight, setting time, and compressive strength as per ASTM standard and specifications. Thirty samples blended with indoor batched RFC and other 40 samples blended with outdoor batched RFC were tested in this investigation. The test results of this investigation showed that, for the mix design 101, retarded RFC up to three-hour-old and plain RFC up to two-hour-old can be used in 30% and 20% proportions respectively without affecting the fresh and hardened characteristics of subsequently blended concrete

Assessment of Hive Placement, Colony Unification and Colony Transfer of Modern Beehive Production System on Eastern Zone of Tigray Regional State, North Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess the implementation of hive placement, colony unification and colony transfer of modern honey bee producers by taking four districts of Eastern Zone of Tigray. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaire as well as direct observation. The total number of household head respondents was 160. Beekeepers were kept their hives back yard (37.5%) with no shed, inside a simple built shed (25.6%), eaves of their house (22.5%), inside the house (11.9%) and trees found near to home (1.3%). The beekeepers were also transferred their colony to the modern hive on June to August (84.4%) which is rainy season and September to December (15.6%). In addition, about half (53.1%) of the respondents were offered supplementary feeds (different powders and sugar). Majority of the beekeepers were put their hives in uncomfortable areas and transferred their colony in high rainy season that most crops are on vegetative growth stage, nectar and pollen could be washed. In general, farmers had used weak beekeeping management practices.  Therefore, in order to increase productivity and avoid absorbing, hives must be protected from disturbance and excess wind and sunlight and colony should be transfer on the season of flower abundance. Keywords: hive Placement, colony unification and colony transfer

Response of Food Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties to Rates of Nitrogen Fertilizer in Limo District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Barley is an important food crop in the highlands of Ethiopia. However, its productivity is constrained by a number of problems. Among these inadequate uses of N fertilizer and lack of using improved food barley variety are the most important ones. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in Limo district, Southern Ethiopia with the objective of evaluating vegetative growth, yield and yield components of three food barley varieties (Local variety (Darshina), HB 1307 and EH 1493) using four different rates of nitrogen fertilizer application (0, 23, 46, and 69 N kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial combinations and replicated three times. Data were collected on days to 50% emergence and heading, days to 90% maturity, plant height, spike length, number of total and fertile tillers per m2, biomass yield, straw yield, grain yield, thousand kernel weight and harvest index. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using SAS and mean differences were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The analysis of variance showed that growth, yield and yield components of all varieties increased across the increasing rate of the nitrogen fertilizer. The results also revealed that rate of nitrogen on food barley varieties had highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect on all the characters whereas grain yield, total and fertile tillers per m2 was significantly affected by both main and interaction effect except days to 50% emergence which was only significantly affected by barley varieties. The maximum grain yield (4.51 t ha-1) was obtained from variety EH 1493 at the rate of 69 kg N ha-1. However, statistically similar result was recorded from the 46 kg N ha-1 and the minimum (1.42 t ha-1) grain yield was obtained from variety HB1307 at nil rate of nitrogen application. The highest economic net return (Birr 32001 ha-1) with acceptable marginal rate of return (MRR) was obtained from variety EH 1493 at rate of 69 kg ha-1 nitrogen, thus this can be suggested as effective to maximize productivity of barley. However, to make reliable and acceptable recommendation similar experiment has to be repeated over locations and seasons of the district with the inclusion of more nitrogen rates and varieties. Keywords: Food barley, grain yield, nitrogen fertilize

Effect of Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer Rates on Yield and Yield Component of Potato (Solanum tubersum L,) at K/Awlaelo, Tigray, Ethiopia

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphorous and potassium fertilizer rates on the yield and yield components of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown on  sandy clay loam soils of K/Awlaelo Wereda, Tigray, Ethiopia during 2012 rainy season. An Improved potato variety “Gudane” was tested with four levels of phosphorous (i.e., 0, 67.3, 89.7 & 112.2 Kg/ha of P2O5) and four levels of potassium (i.e. 0, 50, 100, 150Kg/ha of K2O) in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The recommended N 110 Kg/ha rate for potato was applied as urea to all treatments equally. Data on yield attributes, marketable, unmarketable, total tuber yield, fertilizer use efficiency and soil physical-chemical were collected using standard procedure. The study revealed that the main effect of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates were significantly affected the number of stems and tubers per plant, average tuber weight, biomass yield, marketable yield, and total tuber yield of potato. Moreover, days to physiological maturity, dry matter content, average tuber weight, marketable tuber yield, total tuber yield, fertilizer use efficiency, were significantly affected by their interaction. The optimum marketable and total tuber yield 38.61&41.81t/ha respectively was obtained due the interaction effect of P*K fertilizer at the rates of 89.7 P2O5 Kg /ha of and 100 and K2O Kg /ha. Hence, 89.7 P2O5 Kg /ha of and 100 and K2O Kg /ha   is recommended to apply in order to attain higher tuber yield and yield component of Gudane variety of potato in the study area and other similar areas. Keywords: Effect, Fertilizer, Interaction, Main effect, Potassium, Potato, Phosphorus, Tuber yiel