169 research outputs found
Response of maize yield to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur rates on Andosols and Nitisols in Ethiopia
No full textThe use of fertilizers in balanced and adequate amounts is a prerequisite for increasing crop productivity and production. Unbalanced plant nutrient management continues to be a major factor contributing to low maize (Zea mays L.) yields due to lack of information on the dose–responses to macronutrients on different soil types in Ethiopia. This study was carried out to quantify maize yield response and agronomic efficiency of varying application rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) under balanced application of other nutrients across two soil types in Ethiopia. Field trials were set up on 29 farmers’ fields in four districts of Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) for three consecutive cropping seasons (2014–2017). The treatments consisted of six rates of N, P and S each and eight rates of K combined with balanced application of the remaining macronutrients, zinc (Zn) and boron (B). The treatments were laid out in randomised complete blocks design with three replicates per farm. Using nutrient dose–response modelling, the agronomic optimum rates of N, P, K and S were estimated at 46, 40, 17 and 10 kg ha−1 on Nitisols, with balanced application of the other nutrients. On Andosols, the optimum rates of N, P and S were estimated at 184, 20 and 30 kg ha−1, respectively, but the optimum K rate could not be estimated. The predicted maximum yields obtained with balanced nutrient application were lower on Andosols (3397–3640 kg ha−1) than on Nitisols (4630–6094 kg ha−1). Using the Mitscherlich dose–response model, the percentage deficiencies of N, P, K and S were estimated to be 1.3–3.3 times more on Nitisols than Andosols. Consequently, agronomic efficiencies of N, P, K and S were significantly lower on Andosols than on Nitisols. It is concluded that balanced application of 46 kg N ha−1 , 40 kg P ha−1 , 17 kg K ha−1 , 10 kg ha−1 S, 2 kg Zn ha−1 and 0.5 kg B ha−1 could be recommended for maize on Nitisols in the study area. Although this recommendation may also apply to Andosol, further research is needed as the productivity of Andosols appears to be limited by constrains other than N, P, K, S, Zn and B. We also recommend a shift from the blanket fertilizer recommendations to site-specific nutrient management based on good understanding of the variations in crop response with soil type and agroecology and appropriate soil and plant analyses
Fair Trade Marketing and Its Impacts on Producers and Their Organizations
No full textkeine vorhanden
Mobile Apps for Ethiopian Commodity Exchange
No full textIn the African continent the mobile phones are already contributing theirshare in the development of the continent. Specially in Ethiopia, in onedirection, the users of mobile phones are increasing each year and mostimportantly the small scale farmers who contribute 85% of the country’spopulation are using these devices to trade their surplus products in anefficient manner and better deal thus earn good profit. In anotherdirection, Ethiopia has set up its own Commodity Exchange in 2008 sothat farmers and traders could buy and sell commodities in an efficientand transparent manner. Taking into consideration both of thesedevelopments carried out to encourage smooth trade and modernmarking strategies, this project has a target to come up with mobileapplications for the Android mobile platform and iPhone users in the firstphase of implementation. Accordingly, the app developed will help to getreal time Ethiopia commodity Exchange (ECX) market prices, commodityrelated headlines, weather forecasts and other relevant news. It willcontribute to standardize the way ECX is performing to link up differentparties specially farmers who make up majority of the country’spopulation and support the economy of the country in a great deal withthe traders. Although the mobile app developed does not have an aim tobring in significant change into the existing system at the currentpenetration of Smartphone in the country, it helps to disseminateinformation in standardized manner as in big commodity exchanges andbesides, we believe in the future it will be the convenient and widely usedmeans to reach the traders with necessary information
Optimizing Fertilizer Use within an Integrated Soil Fertility Management Framework in Ethiopia
No full textParticipatory Design Game for Urban Slum Upgrading in the context of Addis Ababa
No full textThe project uses a tangible and visual method for eliciting the shareholder’s spatial needs using a game-based approach. The design game resembles a board game in conjunction with Lego and functions on a more abstract level in relation to the built environment. The game is intended for use in a collaborative design that allows end users to collectively configure their space based on their spatial requirements and priorities which otherwise may not be met by standard conventional design in the top-down approach. The development of the design game abstracts the working spatial and social qualities of slum settlements within Ababa’s inner city (specifically kebele compound houses) and embeds them into a system of configurational elements and rules for configuring a low-rise courtyard-based incremental housing. This system of design flows a modular co-ordination system based upon a tartan grid. The end users use the game elements (boards, modules, activity cards & tokens) to configure their space based on the defined game rules. In the game play process, the stakeholders (players) will identify and weigh different domestic and commercial spaces, functions and sizes based upon their priority to form their configuration of hierarchic spatial framework and shared spaces. The method of developing the game can be replicated to create design games for different contexts. The game serves as a simulation of a design problem that facilitates trade-offs, design ideation, projection of stakeholder needs, preferences, and co-creation. At the basic level, the game can be used to collect information about end-user preferences regarding spatial configuration, the use of tokens creates a trade-off where players have to prioritize their immediate spatial needs. At a higher level, the game can be used in a bottom-up planning strategy for ideating new housing solutions and upgrading existing ones.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Building Technolog
Slow dynamic diagnosis of asphalt concrete specimen to determine level of damage caused by static low temperature conditioning
No full textThe phenomenon of slow dynamics has been observed in a variety of materials which are considered as relatively homogeneous that exhibit nonlinearity due to the presence of defects or cracks within them. Experimental realizations in previous work suggest that slow dynamics can be in response to acoustic drives with relatively larger amplitude as well as rapid change of temperature. Slow dynamics as a nonlinear elastic response of damaged materials is manifested as a sharp drop and then recovery of resonance frequency linearly with logarithmic time. In this work, slow dynamics recovery is intended to be used as a means of identifying and evaluating thermal damage on an asphalt concrete specimen. The experimental protocol for measuring slow dynamics is based on the technique of nonlinear resonance spectroscopy and is set up with non-contact excitation using a loud speaker and the data acquisition tool box of Matlab. Sweeps of frequency with low amplitude are applied in order to probe the specimen at its linear viscoelastic state. The drop and then recovery in fundamental axially symmetric resonance frequency is observed after the specimen is exposed to sudden temperature change. The investigation of the viscoelastic contribution to the change in resonance frequency and slow dynamics can help identify micro-damage in asphalt concrete samples.</p
Book Review: Africa's Elusive Quest for Development
No full textTitle of the Book: Africa's Elusive Quest for Development
Author: Mathurin C. Houngnikpo
Publisher: Palgrave (Macmillan)
Year of publication: 200
Book Review: Wildlife ecology and conservation
No full textBook Title: Wildlife ecology and conservationBook Author: Mundanthra BalakrishnanPublished by Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur/New Delhi (Published in May 2016) ISBN: 978-81-7233-974-
Cultural sensitiveness in health care delivery of Jimma University specialized and teaching hospital, South West Ethiopia, 2016
No full textCultural sensitiveness in health care delivery of Jimma University specialized and teaching hospital, South West Ethiopia, 201
Milk Production, Handling, Processing and Marketing Practices in Selected Districts in Southern Ethiopia
No full textThis study was conducted in Segen Area Peoples Zone, Southern Ethiopia, to analyze milk production, handling, processing, and marketing techniques. A total of 204 people were chosen for the study using simple random sampling technique, and data were collected utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire. During the research, both primary and secondary data were gathered. SPSS version 20 software was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics, chi square test, and analysis of variance. 85 percent of the 204 houses surveyed were male headed household while the remaining 15% were female headed. The respondents' average age was 43.8610.064 years. In the current study, the age of the respondents ranged from 23 to 80 years old. In theDerashe district, almost 36.5 percent of respondents washed their udders before and after milking, indicating that the importance of udder cleaning was higher than in other regions. The majority of those polled (83 percent) smoked milk handling equipment to improve the taste and flavor of milk and milk products, as well as to eradicate harmful bacteria and promote milk fermentation. To churn milk, 17 percent of respondents use a gourd while 43 percent use a clay pot. The primary limits discovered in the 69 percent, 3 percent, 7.5 percent, 2.5 percent, 8 percent, and 10 percent were shortage of feeds, scarcity of water, disease, lack of market and market information, poor infrastructure, absence of improved breed, and inadequate artificial insemination. Farmers' attitudes should be modified through training and other means, and powerful dairy cooperatives should be founded, mainly in rural regions, to improve milk and milk product handling procedures and reduce cultural barriers in milk marketing
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