6 research outputs found
Characterization and Identification of Major Constraints and Potentials of Kiltu Sorsa Watershed, in Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia
No full textEthiopia is a country seriously affected by different natural resource degradation that included soil, vegetation, biodiversity and water degradation and climate deterioration. The study was conducted at Adola Rede District of Guji Zone, in Southern Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to document baseline information on socioeconomic aspects and to document major biophysical and socio-economic constraints and potentials of the study watershed. The survey data were collected using key informant interview, focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews and guided field observations. A total of 60 respondents were selected for semi-structured interviews by means of simple random sampling methods. The majority (65%) of the respondent households were practiced physical and biological soil and water conservation activities. However, about 35% of the sampled households were not practiced soil and water conservation activities due to lack of awareness, lack of materials and labor. In the study watershed five major constraints such as land and soil related constraints, production related constraints, institutional and infrastructure related constraints, livestock related constraints and socio-economic related constraints were identified. However, suitable agro-ecology, availability of labor force, youth and women associations and informal institutions were the major identified potentials in the study watershed. Therefore, by using the potentials/opportunities of the study watershed and through providing quality extension services and training on soil and water conservation practices it is possible to enhance farmers participation and technical limitations. Moreover, for sustainable watershed management of the study area different soil and water conservation structures are very significant in various land use system of the study watershed through active participation of the local communities
Assessment of Parkland Tree Species and Their Management Practice in Ana Sora District of Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia
No full textThe study was conducted to identify parkland tree species and their management practice by smallholder farmers in Ana Sora District of Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia. The study was conducted by using multistage sampling methods. In the first stage one district was purposively selected based on the potential of park land tree species. Then, from the district by using simple random sampling methods two kebeles were selected and purposively from 40 farm lands an assessment of parkland tree species were conducted. In this study, 31(thirty one) tree species were identified in parklands of the study area and majority of them were indigenous tree species. In terms of parkland tree species preferences, Schefflera abyssinica, Hagenia abyssinica, Millettia ferruginea, Cordia africana and Croton macrostachyus were the most preferred top five tree species of the study area respectively. This study also showed that, farmers practiced thinning, pruning and pollarding management activities for better growth of underneath crops, to transfer the biomass of the trees to the crop fields and for various products of the trees. Moreover, smallholder farmers of the study area were obtained different services and products such as bee forages, shade, construction material, soil fertility improvement and fuel wood from parkland tree species either retained or planted on their farm lands. However, parkland tree species of the study area were faced various constraints. Therefore, attention should be given on conservation of parkland tree species and farmers should be encouraged by the government through research and extension services and supplying by planting materials to improve the significant of ecological and productive role of parkland tree species of the study area
Evaluation and Promotion of Multipurpose Tree Planting in Selected Agroforestry Systems: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Bore District, Southern Ethiopia
No full textThe study was conducted in the Bore district of Guji zone, Southern Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to evaluate and promote multipurpose tree planting under smallholder farmers' of selected agroforestry systems. In this study, four multipurpose trees such as Acacia saligna, Chamaecytisus palmensis, Grevilia robusta, and Pinus patula were evaluated and promoted in home gardens, on farms, and boundary planting agroforestry systems. The growth performance results of the multipurpose trees in selected agroforestry systems showed that the survival rate of the trees was higher in home gardens followed by on-farm and boundary planting agroforestry systems. Moreover, the highest diameter at breast height and tree height growth performances were also recorded in home gardens, on farms, and boundary planting agroforestry systems respectively. Smallholder farmers used different management practices for multipurpose trees planted in selected agroforestry systems. Accordingly, farmers used pruning, hoeing, animal dung, weeding, and fencing management practices for better growth performance of the trees and to minimize the shade effect of the trees on understorey crops. Farmers' preferences for the evaluated and promoted multipurpose trees showed that Pinus patula, Grevilia robusta, Chamaecytisus palmensis, and Acacia saligna were ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively. The feedback from farmers showed that they were willing to plant different multipurpose trees if they could be encouraged and supported with planting materials and technical support. Therefore, government and non-government organizations could be involved in developing agroforestry systems, by providing good planting materials and supporting smallholder farmers' through research and strong extension services
Evaluation of Vermicompost Nutrient Composition Prepared From Different Organic Materials, in Adola Rede District, Southern Ethiopia
No full textVermicomposting is a non-thermophilic process that transforms organic waste materials into valuable fertilizer through the combined action of worms and mesophilic microbes. The objective of the study was to evaluate vermicompost nutrient composition prepared from different organic materials. The treatments were consisted of four experimental materials such as Teff straw, Haricot bean straw, mixture of Teff and Haricot bean straw and combination of green Ricinus communis and Myrica salicifolia leaves.The collected materials were chopped and added to the worm bin of shallow boxes and mixed with decomposed cattle manure in a ratio of 2:1 on weight basis. To digest the selected materials a red worm (Eisenia fetida) was used and the vermi composting process was started by releasing 150 earthworms in to the materials. The harvested vermicomposts from different materials were stored separately and finally the vermicompost nutrient composition quality was analyzed. The laboratory results showed that, the pH value of vermicompost was ranged from 8.21- 8.45 and the values of all type of vermicompost are found in suitable range for survival of earthworms and plant growth. In terms of CEC, the highest 41.43 meq/100gm was recorded in vermicompost prepared from Haricot bean straw followed by mixture of Teff and Haricot bean straw (40.72 meq/100gm). The highest 19.03% OC and 32.81% OM were registered in vermicompost made from mixture of Teff and Haricot bean straw. The maximum (1.58%) total nitrogen, 695.97 mg/kg available phosphorus and 12,594.4 mg/kg available potassium was found in Haricot bean straw. Therefore, nutrient composition of vermicompost prepared from different organic materials showed the maximum values of all necessary nutrients for plant growth. Hence, to maintain soil fertility and sustain crop production, farmers of the study area and similar agroecologies could be used for vermicompost preparation based on the availability of vermicompost materials
Phylogenetic diversity and dietary association of rumen Treponema revealed using group-specific 16S rRNA gene-based analysis
No full textTreponema spp. are a commonly detected bacterial group in the rumen that are involved in the degradation of soluble fibers. In this study, a ruminal Treponema group-specific PCR primer targeting the 16S rRNA gene was designed and used to assess the phylogenetic diversity and diet association of this group in sheep rumen. Total DNA was extracted from rumen digesta of three sheep fed a diet based on alfalfa/orchardgrass hay or concentrate. The real-time PCR quantification indicated that the relative abundance of the Treponema group in the total rumen bacteria was as high as 1.05%, while the known species Treponema bryantii accounted for only 0.02%. Fingerprints of the Treponema community determined by 16S rDNA-targeted denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis tended to differ among the diets. Principal component analysis of the DGGE profiles distinguished those Treponema associated with either the hay or the concentrate diets. Analysis of a Treponema 16S rRNA gene clone library showed phylogenetically distinct operational taxonomic units for a specific dietary condition, and significant (P=0.001) differences in community composition were observed among clone libraries constructed from each dietary regimen. The majority of clones (75.4%) had less than 97% sequence similarity with known Treponema. These results suggest the predominance of uncultured Treponema that appear to have distinct members related to the digestion of either hay or concentrate diet
Genetic diversity and diet specificity of ruminal Prevotella revealed by 16S rRNA gene-based analysis
No full text16S rDNA-based analysis of rumen Prevotella was carried out to estimate the diversity and diet specificity of bacteria belonging to this genus. Total DNA was extracted from rumen digesta of three sheep fed two diets with different hay-to-concentrate ratios (10:1 and 1:2). Real-time PCR quantification of Prevotella revealed that the relative abundance of this genus in total rumen bacteria was up to 19.7%, while the representative species Prevotella bryantii and Prevotella ruminicola accounted for only 0.6% and 3.8%, respectively. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis for Prevotella revealed shifts in community composition with diet. Analysis of 16S rDNA clone libraries showed significant differences (P=0.001) between clones detected from the sheep on the diets with different hay-to-concentrate ratios. The majority (87.8%) of Prevotella clones had < 97% sequence similarity with known rumen Prevotella. These data suggest that uncultured Prevotella is more abundant than known Prevotella and that members of this genus appear to have specific metabolic niches
