East African Journal of Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Prevalence of Protein-energy Malnutrition in Children under Five Years of Age Admitted to Pediatric Wards at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Arsi Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia","authors":"Beshir Shaku Beriso","doi":"10.4314/EAJSCI.V13I1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/EAJSCI.V13I1","url":null,"abstract":"Malnutrition is a serious problem in Ethiopia as a result of which there is a high rate of mortality of children under the age of five years. The main objective of this paper is, therefore, to identify the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition and determine factors contributing to it for children under the age of five years that were admitted to Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital in Arsi administrative zone, central Ethiopia. Data were collected from 367 sample households selected randomly from a total of 6554 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that 12%, 46% and 14% children were underweight, stunted and wasted, respectively. This implied that there is less severe problem form of protein energy malnutrition status. It was also found that sex of children, educational level of parents, distance of work place of caregiver from home, age of children, age of caregiver, marital status, family size, and family income were predictors of protein energy malnutrition. In addition, educational level of parents and economy of parents were important components for ensuring good nutritional of children. Therefore, improving parents’ economy and literacy of the community (especially female literacy) is instrumental in minimizing protein energy malnutrition for under five-year children. Moreover, it is advisable if nutritional status of children be assessed periodically to monitor the situation and to take appropriate measures for combating and preventing malnutrition in children.","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"13 1","pages":"81-88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70512457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of mineral fertilizer, farmyard manure, and compost on yield of bread wheat and selected soil chemical properties in Enderta District, Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia","authors":"B. Zemichael, N. Dechassa","doi":"10.4314/eajsci.v12i1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/eajsci.v12i1","url":null,"abstract":"Soil nutrient depletion as a result of continuous cultivation of the land without adequate addition of external fertilizer inputs is one of the major problems that constrain the yield of bread wheat and sustainable productivity of the soil in Tigray Regional State. A field experiment was conducted to elucidate the effect of mineral nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (NP), farmyard manure (FYM), and compost on the productivity of bread wheat and selected soil chemical properties. The treatments consisted of three bread wheat varieties (Kakaba, Paven 76, and Mekelle I) and eight fertilizer combinations [control (0, 0), blanket recommended NP fertilizer (RNP) (41 kg N ha -1 + 46 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ), 10 t ha -1 FYM, ½ of RNP (20.5 kg N ha -1 + 23 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) + 10 t ha -1 FYM, ½RNP (20.5 kg N ha -1 + 23 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) + 5 t FYM ha -1 , 7 t compost ha -1 , ½ RNP (20.5 kg N ha -1 + 23 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) + 7 t compost ha -1 , and ½ RNP (20.5 kg N ha -1 +23 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) + 3.5 t compost ha -1 ]. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times per treatment. Data were collected on yield and yield components of the crop and selected soil chemical properties, namely, contents of soil organic carbon (OC), available phosphorus (P), total nitrogen (TN), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil reaction (pH), and electric conductivity (EC). The results revealed that the yield and yield components of wheat significantly (P ≤ 0.01) responded to application of the fertilizers. Combined application of 10 or 5.0 t ha -1 FYM with half of the recommended mineral nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (i.e., 20.5 kg N + 23 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) increased grain yield of the crop by 185 and 170%, respectively, over the control treatment. Similarly, combined application of 7.0 or 3.5 t ha -1 compost with half of the recommended mineral nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (20.5 kg N + 23 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) increased grain yield significantly by 159 and 148%, respectively, over the control treatment. The highest net benefits of 37290 ETB, 33002 ETB, and 30835 ETB ha -1 with acceptable marginal rates of return were obtained in response to applying half of the blanket recommended miner NP fertilizer (½ RNP) ha -1 + 5 t FYM ha -1 to Kakaba, Mekelle I, and Paven 76, followed by application of the full blanket recommended NP fertilizer (RNP) ha -1 and ½ RNP ha -1 + 5 t ha -1 compost. It is, thus, concluded that combined application of half of the blanket recommended NP fertilizer (20.5 kg N + 23 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) with 5 t FYM ha -1 compost led to the most economically optimum bread wheat yield as well as improved soil physico-chemical properties for sustainable production of the crop in the future. Analysis of the selected soil chemical properties at harvest indicated that, compared to the available phosphorus and total nitrogen contents of the soil in plots to which no any fertilizer was applied (control","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"12 1","pages":"29-40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41883948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic Gain of Tuber Yield and Late Blight [Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary] Resistance in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties in Ethiopia","authors":"W. Mohammed","doi":"10.4314/EAJSCI.V11I1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/EAJSCI.V11I1","url":null,"abstract":"Potato variety development for tuber yield and disease resistance has been conducted in Ethiopia uninterrupted since the first variety was released in 1987.  However, there is an information gap about the genetic progress made over time which needs a periodic evaluation of the varieties. This study was conducted to determine the rate and magnitude of progress in tuber yield and resistance to late blight of 16 potato varieties released between 1987 and 2011 and two farmers’ varieties. The varieties were planted in randomized complete block design with three replications at Haramaya, Hirna and Arberkete in eastern Ethiopia. The analysis of variance for each location revealed the presence of significant differences among the varieties in tuber yield and resistance to late blight. The mean total and marketable tuber yields increased over locations at the rate of 0.14 and 0.18 t ha -1 , respectively, and late blight severity score reduced at the rate of 0.31%  per year over the 25 years  of variety development in the country. However, the increased tuber yield varied across the locations. Late blight severity score explained total tuber yield variations between 31.39 to 80.1% across the locations. It could be concluded that most of the varieties became susceptible to late blight in favourable environments for the pathogen at Haramaya and only a few varieties (Bulle, Bubu, Belete and Gera) performed better for tuber yield and late blight resistance across all locations. What is more, the varieties released recently by different centres showed higher disease severity scores than the older varieties.","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"11 1","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4314/EAJSCI.V11I1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70511755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Physical Exercise on Physiological Changes and Performances of First Year Students at Haramaya University","authors":"Temesgen Ayaleneh, Molla Deyou, N. Bussa","doi":"10.4314/eajsci.v10i2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/eajsci.v10i2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Physical exercise is important for maintaining physical fitness and contributes positively to maintaining a healthy weight, promoting physiological well-being, and strengthening the immune system. It is a fact that many life threatening conditions can be prevented by regular exercise. This research attempted to investigate the effects of intensified physical training on physiological changes and performance efficiencies on Haramaya University first year sport science students. An informal design (i.e. before and after without control) was applied. Twenty participants were selected from first year sport science department. Ten male and ten female students participated in different physical training programs of varying intensities for 3 consecutive months, i.e. 3 days per week and 60 minutes duration per day. Pre and post training performances and laboratory tests were conducted and analyzed for performance efficiency levels and major physiological changes. Findings of this study revealed a significant effect of physical exercise on cardio vascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition as well as some physiological changes. Based on the findings, it was concluded that intensified physical training had a positive effect on performance and physiological changes of the subjects. Key words : Intensified physical training; Performance efficiency; Physiological changes","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"151-156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4314/eajsci.v10i2","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70511683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sun-Dried Bovine Rumen Content (SDRC) as an Ingredient of a Ration for White Leghorn Layers","authors":"Efrem Gebrehawariat, G. Animut, M. Urge, Y. Mekasha","doi":"10.4314/EAJSCI.V10I1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/EAJSCI.V10I1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract : Due to increasing price of conventional feeds, alternative locally available non-conventional feed ingredient is required for layers’ production. Rumen contents are abundantly available as slaughterhouse by-product and mainly considered as waste material creating environmental pollution. Therefore, a study was conducted for 90 days to evaluate effects of sun-dried rumen content (SDRC) inclusion in layer rations on egg laying performance, egg quality parameters, fertility, and hatchability, chick quality and blood parameters. Treatment diets contained T1, T2, T3, and T4 at 0, 5, 10, and 15 percent SDRC, respectively. On chemical analysis, the rumen content contained 11.18% crude protein, 1.22% ether extract, 22.99% crude fibre, 21.54% ash and 1099.32 cal/kg of DM of metabolizable energy. The daily DM intake value increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in level of rumen content. The bird fed with 10 percent SDRC diet had a high DM intake. The weight gain and egg production of the laying hens reduced significantly (P < 0.05) as the level of rumen content increased. The average egg weight increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of rumen content. The feed to gain ratio increased as the level of rumen content increased in the diet. The hen fed T2 (5 percent SDRC) had the best feed to gain ratio. Most external and internal egg quality parameters, especially yolk color, were improved when the diet contained sun-dried rumen content (SDRC). Fertility, hatchability, early and mid embryonic mortality showed no significant differences among treatments. However, chick quality parameters increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of rumen content. Mortality rate was not influenced by treatments. All blood parameters studied were within the normal range. It is concluded that under the condition of this experiment, diets up to 10% SDRC in the ration did not affect DMI, daily weight gain, egg production performances and blood parameters in white leghorn layers. Keywords: White leghorns; SDRC; Egg mass; Egg quality; Fertility; Hatchability","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"29-40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70512038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genotype x Environment Interactions for Seed Yield in Sesame in Western Ethiopia","authors":"Chemeda Daba, A. Ayana, H. Zeleke, A. Wakjira","doi":"10.4314/EAJSCI.V9I2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/EAJSCI.V9I2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: As sesame is a short day plant and sensitive to light, heat, and moisture stress the yield is not stable. The selection of stable genotypes that interact less with the varying environment in which they are to be grown is required. The extent of genotype by environment interaction indicates the likelihood of adaptation of a given genotype to a particular agro-ecology and helps to design a breeding strategy for developing varieties suitable for cultivation in a target area. The objective of the study was to assess the significance and magnitude of GEI effect on sesame seed yield and to evaluate the efficiency of the combined use of AMMI and GGE techniques to study GEI. The treatment consisted of ten sesame genotypes grown in four locations (Angar, Uke, Wama and Bako) in western Ethiopia during the 2011 and 2012 main cropping seasons (June to October). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replications. The seed yield data were analysed using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and the genotype and genotype x environment interaction effect (GGE) biplot. The AMMI analysis showed that environment, genotype, and genotype by environment interaction significantly (P < 0.01) influenced seed yield. Both AMMI stability value and the GGE–biplot indicated that EW002 (G1) and BG006 (G2) were the most stable genotypes with high seed yields. The result showed that Uke could be used as the best test location for sesame yield trial in the future. The GGE-biplot model showed that eight environments used for the study belong to three different environments. Four genotypes viz. EW002 (G1), BG006 (G2), Obsa (G8) and Dicho (G9) were identified as desirable. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that EW002 and BG006 are the best genotypes for high seed yield and stability, and could be recommended for production in western Ethiopia. Both AMMI and GGE-biplot produced similar results, suggesting that either of the two can be used at a time. Keywords: AMMI; GGE-biplot; Seed yield; Sesamum indicum L . Stability; Test environment","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"9 1","pages":"85-96"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70513858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Plant Spacing and Weeding Frequency on Weed Infestation, Yield Components, and Yield of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Eastern Ethiopia","authors":"M. Kebede, J. Sharma, T. Tana, L. Nigatu","doi":"10.4314/eajsci.v9i1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/eajsci.v9i1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Common bean is an important food and cash crop in eastern Ethiopia. However, its yield is constrained by weeds. Therefore, this study was conducted in 2012 main cropping season at Haramaya and Hirna research fields, eastern Ethiopia, to determine the effect of plant spacing and weeding frequency on weeds, yield components and yield of common bean. The experiment comprised 18 treatment combinations with three inter- and intra-row plant spacing, respectively, (30 cm × 10 cm, 30 cm × 15 cm, 40 cm × 10 cm) and six weeding frequencies (one weeding by hand- hoeing two weeks after crop emergence, one weeding by hand-hoeing three weeks after crop emergence, one weeding by hand-hoeing four weeks after crop emergence, two weeding by hand-hoeing two and five weeks after crop emergence, weed-free check, weedy check). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times per treatment. It was observed that broad-leaved weed species were dominant at both sites with relative density of 61.2 and 73.2% at Haramaya and Hirna, respectively. Interaction of sites, plant spacing and weeding frequencies significantly affected weed density and dry weight. Days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight, grain yield, aboveground dry biomass, and harvest index significantly affected by weeding frequencies. Combination of plant spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm and two weeding by hand-hoeing two and five weeks after crop emergence significantly reduced the weed dry weight by 95.3 and 95.8% at Haramaya and Hirna, respectively, as compared to the same plant spacing with no weeding throughout the season. Common bean plants weeded by hand-hoeing twice two and five weeks after crop emergence flowered significantly earlier next to plants kept weed-free. Significantly higher number of pods per plant, grain yield (2984.0 kg ha -1 ) and aboveground dry biomass were obtained at Hirna than at Haramaya. However, significantly, higher numbers of seeds per pod and harvest index were obtained at Haramaya than at Hirna. Significantly higher grain yield (2612.2 kg ha -1 ) and (2718.8 kg ha -1 ) were obtained from one weeding by hand-hoeing two weeks after crop emergence and two weeding by hand-hoeing two and five weeks after crop emergence next to weed-free check, respectively. However, the economic analysis revealed that the highest net benefit of 15924 ETB ha -1 was obtained in response to combining the spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm with twice weeding by hand-hoeing two and five weeks after crop emergence. It could be concluded that planting common bean plants at the spacing of 30 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants and weeding the crop by hand-hoeing twice at two and five weeks after crop emergence resulted in optimum growth and grain yield of the crop. Keywords: Grain Yield; Hand-hoeing; Harvest Index; Net Benefit; Weed; Weed ","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"9 1","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4314/eajsci.v9i1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70513847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Potential of Coffee Husk and Pulp as an Alternative Source of Environmentally Friendly Energy","authors":"Weldemedhin Merete, A. Haddis, E. Alemayehu, A. Ambelu","doi":"10.4314/EAJSCI.V8I1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/EAJSCI.V8I1","url":null,"abstract":"In Ethiopia enormous amounts of coffee husk and pulp are generated anually from coffee processing industries. However, they have been poorly utilized or left to decompose or otherwise dumped in the environment. Therefore, this research was conducted at Teppi and Limu coffee farms in Ethiopia to produce briquettes from coffee husk and pulp. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the energy potential of briquette produced from coffee husk and pulp and characterize their fuel properties. The coffee husk and pulp were carbonized in an oxygen-deficient environment separately by using carbonizing kiln at Jimma Agricultural Mechanization Research Centre. Then the carbonized materials were ground to fine particles and mixed with a binder and converted to briquettes by using a briquette extruder machine. Triplicate samples of the briquettes were sent to Geological Survey of Ethiopia for analysis. The calorific value of the briquettes produced from coffee husk and pulp ranged between 5041.1±168.60 and 4037.6±219.39cal/g, respectively. Further analysis showed that through conversion of the coffee husk and pulp in to briquette, annually the two farms could generate 1.3×1013cal of energy and substitutes 5,284.35 m3 of firewood or save 52.84 to 66.05 ha of tropical forests from deforestation. The results of the study have shown that briquettes produced from coffee husk have more positive attributes than briquettes produced from coffee pulp at both farms. It is concluded that briquettes produced from coffee husk and pulp could be used as an alternative source of energy and waste management option. Keywords : Briquette; Carbon Sequestration; Coffee Husk; Coffee Pulp","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"8 1","pages":"29-36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4314/EAJSCI.V8I1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70513708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of Mineral Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizers on Ware and Seed Potato Production on Alluvial Soil in Eastern Ethiopia","authors":"S. Burga, N. Dechassa, Tekalign Tsegaw","doi":"10.4314/EAJSCI.V8I2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/EAJSCI.V8I2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract : Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food security and cash crop in Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is low in the country due to a number of factors among which poor soil fertility management is a major one. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted on the main campus of Haramaya University in the 2009/10 cropping season to elucidate the effect of mineral nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on growth and tuber production of the crop. The treatments consisted of five rates of nitrogen (0, 50,100,150, and 200 kg N ha -1 ) and three rates of potassium (0, 100, and 200 kg K 2 O ha -1 ). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times per treatment. The results of the experiment revealed that nitrogen had significant main effects on all parameters except tuber specific gravity whilst potassium did not influence any of the parameters studied. The maximum marketable ware potato tuber yield (21.4 t ha -1 ) was obtained in response to the application of 100 kg N ha -1 . However, the highest yield (12.7 t ha -1 ) and number (5.2 tubers hill -1 ) of medium-sized tubers, which are appropriate for planting as seed, were attained at the rate of 200 kg N ha -1 . Thus, it could be concluded that the rate of nitrogen fertilizer required to enhance seed tuber production was found to be higher than that required to optimize ware potato production, and potassium application was not necessary to produce the crop. Keywords: Soil properties; Solanum Tuberosum L.; Tuber number; Tuber Size Distribution; Tuber Yield","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"112 1","pages":"155-164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4314/EAJSCI.V8I2","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70513746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Application on Yield Attributes, Grain Yield and Quality of Rain Fed Rice (NERICA-3) in Gambella, Southwestern Ethiopia","authors":"Shiferaw Nesgea, H. Gebrekidan, J. Sharma, T. Berhe","doi":"10.4314/EAJSCI.V6I2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/EAJSCI.V6I2","url":null,"abstract":"A field experiment was carried out during the 2008 and 2009 crop seasons at Imla, Gambella Zuria District, Gambella, southwestern Ethiopia, to establish the application rates of N and P fertilizers for rice variety NERICA-3 (Oryza sativa x Oryza glaberrima). The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four rates each of N (0, 46, 92 and 138 kg N ha-1) and P (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P ha-1) laid down in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The effects of year showed significant (P ≤ 0.05 for some and P ≤ 0.01 for most) differences for leaf area index (LAI), 1000-grain weight, plant height, panicle length and grain qualities. Similarly, the effects of N were significant (P ≤ 0.01) for productive tillers plant-1, grains panicle-1, LAI, plant height, panicle length, grain yield, crude protein, ether extract and crude fiber. Growth, yield, and quality components did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) due to application of P except crude fiber. Conversely, the effects of year by N interaction were significant (P ≤ 0.05 and/or P ≤ 0.01) for LAI, panicle length, grains panicle-1, crude fiber, plant height and ether extract. Effects of year by P interaction were significant only for crude fiber whereas the interaction effects of N by P and year by N by P on growth, yield and quality parameters were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Rice grain yield increased from 3.54 to 5.90 tons per hectare (t ha-1) with increase in level of N from the control to 92 kg N ha-1 but decreased with further increase of N. In conclusion, sensitivity analysis on coexisting changes in field prices of inputs and rice grain (±15%) showed that 92 kg N gave the highest (681.53%) marginal rate of return (MRR) followed by 23 kg P ha-1 (117.44%). Therefore, application of 92 kg N ha-1 to improve grain yield of rain fed NERICA-3 rice might be more profitable even under risky market situations in and around the study area.","PeriodicalId":33393,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Sciences","volume":"6 1","pages":"91-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70513689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}