The Impact of Commolina benghalensis Extract on Maize (Zea mays L.) Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth

The laboratory experiment were conducted at Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training College at Wolaita Soddo, Ethiopia during 2013 with the objective of investigating the impact of root and whole plant extract of Commolina benghalensis on germination and early seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Laboratory bioassay of different level water extract concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%) of weed parts (root and whole plant) was arranged in Complete Randomized Design. It was found that the reduction in germination percentage was 6.7, 25.0, 36.7 and 43.3% with 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% water extracts, respectively, over the control. The shortest (9.06cm) root length was recorded with whole plant at 10.0% water extract which did not significantly vary from the interaction of root at 10% water extract concentration. The lowest shoot length was observed with the interaction of whole plant and 10.0% extract concentration which was statistically at par with10%  root extract and 7.5% whole plant extract. The decrease in dry matter weight accumulation in maize seedling treated with 10.0% extract concentration was 37.2% over the control. The whole weed plant part was significantly reduced (11.1%) the dry matter weight than the root extract. The decrease in vigor index due to the increase in extract concentrations of C. benghalensis was 11.8, 30.2, 50.1 and 48.5% respectively, at the extract concentration of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% over the control. Keyword; Allelopathy, Commolina benghalensis, Water extract, Zea mays

Status of Wheat Rust Diseases in Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia

Hadiya Zone is one of the major wheat producing areas in Ethiopia and it is recognized as one of the wheat belts in the country. But wheat production is threatened by abiotic and biotic constraints. Among the biotic, wheat rust (stem rust, yellow rust and stripe rust) is one of the major limitations of wheat production. Even though, Hadiya zone is known in wheat production, there is no detailed information regarding the distribution, incidence and severity of wheat rust. Therefore, this study was conducted with the following objectives: to determine distribution, incidence and severity of wheat rust and to assess the reaction of varieties against wheat rust. The survey was conducted in 2017main cropping season from mid September to mid October in three districts of Hadiya zone (Misha, Lemo and Duna). A total of 72 fields were surveyed at every 5 to 10 km using vehicle odometer along the main and accessible road sides. The plant samples with in a selected field were taken in X-fashion using 0.5m X 0.5m (0.25m2) quadrats. Rusts incidence and severity were recorded from six quadrats along the two diagonals of the X axis in the field and used to calculate average values. The result indicated that, stem, yellow and leaf  rust mean incidence value 67.18%, 4.44% and 4.4% were recorded in the surveyed areas, respectively and mean severity value of 9%, 3% and 2.3% in the same order. Reaction of wheat varieties to stem rust ranges from 5.5% - 16 %. The lowest severity of stem rust was recorded on variety Digalu (5.5%) where as the highest was from local variety (16%). In general, disease severity was classified under low class. The survey work showed that if susceptible improved and local cultivars continue to grow as mono-cropping system (due to strategy of cluster farming) serious wheat rust epidemics may occur in the zones and may cause high economic loss. Therefore, it is advised to device other farming system instead of cluster farming and replacing of susceptible varieties with new resistant varieties. Moreover, the supply of fungicides in the survey area was a problem that must be solved by the concerned body. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-5-05 Publication date:March 31st 202

Vermicompostng as Advocacy for Climate Change Due to Crop Production - A Review

In sub- Saharan Africa including Ethiopia, vermicompost is painstaking a valuable or organic fertilizer in many tropical areas, but has hardly been used. Organic litters after completion of decomposition returned to the soil can preserve, improves eminence, fertility and productivity through promising effect on soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics and other processes. Vermicomposting technology for composting of organic wastes is unusually effective for reduction in the processing time of decomposition and produce good quality compost in terms of nutritional contents. Vermicomposting serves as a significant factor of integrated plant nutrient supply system for balanced fertilization along with maintaining health to sustain the productivity of soils. Organic wastes returned to soil as vermicompost contribute to reduce the fertilizer requirement of the crop. Vermicomposting increase crop yield by many fold, these increased yield directly helps in minimization of cultivable land for the objective of crop production, so this can directly help for ecological conservation.  More beneficial effects vermicomposting on yield and quality of crop are also highlighted in the review

Impacts of landscape restoration on the environment and farmers' livelihood in Hita-Borkena watershed, northeastern Ethiopia

Land degradation has been a global agenda. It has been affecting both developed and developing nations (including Ethiopia). The overall objective of the study was to assess the impact of landscape restoration (including area closure) on the environment and farmers‘ livelihood in Hita-Borkena watershed, northeastern Ethiopia. Three Landsat images (1986, 2001 and 2015) were used to detect land cover dynamics. Laboratory analysis of selected soil physico-chemical properties were made to compare the soil properties of closed/restored and open grazing areas. Household questionnaire was administered to investigate environmental problems before and after landscape restoration, the role of area closure and different conservation measures, and the impact of the restoration on farmers‘ livelihood. A total of 255 household heads were selected randomly for the questionnaire survey. This survey was also substantiated by interviewing agricultural experts, observation and reviewing reports prepared by Kalu District Agriculture Office. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze quantitative data. Besides, qualitative approach was implemented in order to analyze qualitative data. The study found out that forestlands and shrublands shrunk through 1986 – 2015, grasslands expanded mainly due to the implementation of area closure under MERET project since 2001. The study revealed that better organic matter, total nitrogen, clay and silt contents, CEC and total porosity were recorded under area closure than under open grazing land. However, both available P and K were found minimum under the former land use type. This may be due to the reason that such nutrients exist more in unavailable form or it may be because of the fact that large amount of those nutrients are extracted by the restored vegetation. The study showed that rates of soil erosion, overgrazing and illegal cutting of trees were relatively higher before landscape restoration. The respondents also appreciated the positive role of land restoration in improving the fertility of the soils of the study watershed and then the positive impact to their livelihood. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that similar restoration activities shall be implemented in similar environments in Ethiopia to improve both the environment and farmers‘ livelihoodGeographyPh. D. (Geography

Electrical resistivity tomography and magnetic surveys: applications for building site characterization at Gubre, Wolkite University site, western Ethiopia

A study aimed at evaluating the competence of the near surface formations as foundation materials has been undertaken at the site of the newly established Wolkite University Campus. Integrated geophysical surveys involving 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ert), Vertical Electrical Sounding (ves) and magnetic surveys have been used for the purpose. The ert and ves results show the presence of intermediate to low resistivity top soil, an even lower resistivity second layer of clay and/or high moisture content underlain by weathered and fresh bedrocks, and a number of vertical or near vertical discontinuities and weak zones in the site.  The magnetic anomaly plots, have mapped the weak zones resulting from subsurface structures and the Euler depth map and 2d magnetic modelling specially depicting the depth of the magnetic sources that are associated with the bedrock. The correlation of the magnetic anomaly plot and 2d inverse model resistivity sections are used for the identification of weak zones that need special building design consideration at the site. The work emphasizes the viability of high resolution electrical tomographic surveys in engineering site investigations to augment geotechnical investigations that depend on data from a limited number of points to characterize large areas and complex geologic settings

DYKE–DAVIDOFF–MASSON SYNDROME-A Rare Cause of Cerebral Hemiatrophy in a 17-Years-Old Ethiopian Patient: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare disease with unknown frequency, mainly presented with seizures, facial asymmetry, contralateral hemiparesis and mental retardation. Often, resulting from brain injury due to a multitude of causes, especially in early life, associated with birth asphyxia. Radiological findings include cerebral hemiatrophy/hypoplasia, calvarial thickening, and hyperpneumatization of the frontal sinuses.CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 17-year-old male patient who presented to Neurology Clinic with complaints of left side body weakness, walking difficulty and poorly controlled seizure for the past 6 years. Brain MRI revealed atrophy of the right cerebral hemisphere.CONCLUSION: Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome should be suspected in any patients who present with classical features and brain imaging showing hemiatrophy. Early identification andtreatment is important in such patients, as it can improve patients prognosis and quality of life

Influence of Residues Level, Parts and Duration of Decomposition of Some Major Broadleaved Weeds on Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Maize (Zea mays)

A greenhouse experiment was conducted at International Livestock Research institute (ILRI), Wolaita Soddo during 2012-13 with the objective of investigating the effect of soil incorporated Benghal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis L; Commelanaceace) and Thorn apple (Datura stramonium L.; Solanaceae) root and whole plant residues and their duration of decomposition on germination and early growth of maize (Zea mays L.). The soil was unamended and amended with the root and whole plant dry residues at the rate of (5, 10, 20, 40 g/ kg soil) and exposed for three different decomposition periods (0, 2 and 4 weeks) in Completely Randomized Design with 3 replications. None of the treatments was affects the germination of maize significantly. Whereas, the root length of maize seedling was significantly affected by the weed part, amount of residue incorporation and duration of decomposition period and the shoot length and dry matter weight of maize seedling was also significantly affected by the weed part of C. benghalensis, amount of residue incorporation due to both weeds and duration of decomposition period due to D. stramonium 10 days after maize planting. Keywords: Allelopathy, Commelina benghalensis, Datura stramonium, Zea mays, residue decomposition

Normalization of thyroid function tests among thyrotoxicosis patients attending a University Hospital in North-West Ethiopia

We would like to acknowledge the school of pharmacy and the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital for supporting us during conducting this study.Peer reviewe

Giant Pituitary Adenoma Presenting with Foster-Kennedy Syndrome in a 21-Year Old Ethiopian Patient: A Rarely Reported Phenomenon: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Disorders of the pituitary gland and the sellar region present a wide spectrum of clinical problems. A variety of lesions in this area tend to present with similar problems; namely, headache, hormonal disorders, and loss of vision. Benign adenomas of the pituitary gland are by far the most common disorders of sellar region. Rarely, patients with pituitary adenoma may present with blindness in one eye and visual field cut (temporal hemianopia) in the contralateral eye. This rare clinical entity is called Foster-Kennedy Syndrome (FKS).CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 21-year-old male patient, presented with progressive visual disturbance of the left eye, associated with global headache. The headache was refractory to over-counter medications. In addition, he had history of sleep disturbance and loss of appetite. Neurological examination was pertinent for left side visual loss with optic atrophy and right eye temporal visual field cut with disc edema. Brain MRI showed 4 cm X 3.5 cm sized lobulated intra and supra sellar mass with heterogeneous contrast enhancement and minimal surrounding edema. Serum prolactin level was 6,705 ng/mL. Otherwise, the other pituitary hormones were in normal range.CONCLUSION: This case highlighted that pituitary adenoma may present with the full picture of Foster Kennedy syndrome. Therefore, we recommend considering pituitary adenoma as a possible differential diagnosis of intracranial lesions presenting as Foster Kennedy syndrome, as early detection and management could potentially salvage patients’ vision and quality of life

Sellar tuberculoma: a rare presentation in a 30-year-old Ethiopian woman: case report

Background: Tuberculosis rarely involves the hypothalamo-pitutary axis. Only 1% of CNS Tuberculoma involves sellar and suprasellar structures. It mainly presents with symptoms of chiasmal compression, hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus due to destruction of pituitary itself. Definitive diagnosis is made by tissue analysis collected by trans-sphenoidal biopsy.Case presentation: We report a 30-year-old female patient from Addis Ababa, who presented with a global headache, blurring of vision, excessive polyuria, constitutional symptoms of tuberculosis and multiple axillary lymph node enlargement. Biopsy from the axillary lymph node showed caseous granulomatous lesions and brain MRI showed mild thickening of the pituitary stalk and mildly enlarged posterior piturary lobe with hypo-sellar extension and mild communicating hydrocephalus.Conclusion: Considering the available evidence a diagnosis of systemic tuberculosis involving pituitary, lung and lymph node was made and a patient was started on anti-tuberculosis medication together with dexamethasone and carbamazepine. Following treatment initiation patient showed significant clinical improvement. After nine months of anti-tuberculosis treatment all brain MRI findings were resolved and patient become symptom free and discharged from care after one year completion of anti-tuberculosis medication.Keywords: Tuberculoma, Polyuria, Pituitary gland, Diabetes Insipidu