Research Article
Vegetables Production and Management Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities by Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia
Dawit Milkias, Sura Degefu
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 49-55.
DOI: 10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.001
The production of vegetables is very important to Ethiopia's economy and various types of vegetables can grow in Ethiopia. However, despite the existing potentials, smallholder vegetable farms are based on low input–low output production system in the country. The production is run by smallholder farmers and is located on a relatively small part of land. In the same way, there is inadequate knowledge on improved vegetables production practices, challenges and opportunities by smallholder farmers in the country and public research on vegetable crops was negligible. To this end, this review was aimed to assess practices of vegetable production and management, challenges of vegetable production and management and opportunity of vegetable production by small holder farming household. The review found that, vegetable production practices and management are not the primary activity for the majority of smallholder farming households in the country; rather, they are seen as a supplement to the production of major crops. It was mainly based on traditional farming system. Further the review found out that, lack of access to credit, limited supply of improved seed, marketing and market information, appropriate management techniques, appropriate disease and insect pest control measures, outbreak of new disease and pest are among the main challenges of vegetable production in the country. This is mainly because of the limited resource allocation to research and development including the extension services. Finally, the review recommends that, in promoting vegetable producer households, diversified and intensified agricultural farming, and problems related to extension service and research, credit service, disease and pest control, market and marketing information, and provision of modern agricultural inputs should be addressed by concerned bodies.
Research Article
Egg Quality Parameters Evaluation of Indigenous and Sasso Chicken in Sidama Region, Ethiopia
Legesse Tunsisa, Sunkurta Digesa
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 56-60.
DOI: 10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.002
A study was conducted at Aleta Wondo district of Sidama Region to evaluate quality parameters of eggs collected from indigenous and Sasso chickens reared under a traditional management system. About 100 eggs from each chicken type were collected from households who keep indigenous or Sasso chicken. Eggs were transported to Hawassa university poultry farm for quality parameters analysis. External and internal egg quality analysis was done according to laboratory procedure. Collected data was analyzed using SAS (Version 9.0). Results indicated that eggs collected from Sasso chicken showed superiority over indigenous chicken’s eggs for egg weight, egg length, egg width, shell weight, shell thickness and surface area. There is no significant difference on shape index and shell percentage of eggs collected from indigenous and Sasso chickens. Shape index recorded was 72.66 and 74.04 for indigenous and Sasso chickens respectively. Albumen weight was statistically higher for eggs collected from Sasso chickens (P<0.0001). Eggs from indigenous chickens have superiority over Sasso’s eggs for yolk ratio, Haugh Unit and yolk albumen ratio. However, there is no significant variation on albumen height, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk color, yolk diameter and yolk index. It can be concluded that Sasso chicken produce heavier eggs than indigenous chicken. Yolk related parameters are similar for indigenous and Sasso chicken eggs produced at traditional management system.
Research Article
Effects of Rhizobium Strains on Seed Yield and Yield Related Traits of Chickpea (Cicer aritienum L.) Varieties at Ambo, Ethiopia
Berhanu Soboka, Wassu Mohammed, Chaluma Tujuba
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 61-70.
DOI: 10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.003
The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a significant legume food crop in West Showa that farmers exploit to generate revenue and sustenance. Nevertheless, two major obstacles to production are the scarcity of high-quality seed and the poor fertility of the soil. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate how Rhizobium inoculation affected yield, growth, and its constituent parts. Four Rhizobium strains (Cp11, Cp17, Cp41, and control) x four varieties (Eshete, Dimtu, Teketay, and Local) organized in factorial combinations were assessed using a randomized complete block design with three replications. All phenology and growth parameters, yield components, seed yield, and productivity indices were significantly influenced by both variety and Rhizobium strain, with the exception of crop phenology and hundred seed weight, which were not significantly influenced by Rhizobium strain. Plant height and the number of pods per plant were significantly impacted by the interaction between the R strain and variety. Four types yielded seed with a range of 2013.89 to 2777.78 kg ha-1, whereas inoculation procedures produced seed with a range of 2152.78 to 2690.97 kg ha-1. The Teketay variety and seeds infected with the Cp17 Rhizobium strain produced the best seed yield. Higher grain yield index per day, Rhizobium sensitive or infection index, yield index, and seed production efficiency were also seen in Teketay variety and seeds infected with Cp17 Rhizobium strain. The largest seed yield was produced by the Teketay variety inoculated with the Cp17 Rhizobium strain, and in most cases, the enhanced varieties' seeds inoculated with the Cp17 strain also produced high yields.
Research Article
Research on Nutritional Composition of Tomatoes Fruit (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Grown in Vietnam
Le Van Trong, Le Thi Lam, Lai Thi Thanh
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 71-75.
DOI: 10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.004
Tomatoes are consumed worldwide as fresh vegetables because of their high content of essential nutrients. Some physiological and biochemical indicators of ripe tomatoes grown in Vietnam were analyzed to determine the nutritional components. Research results show that tomatoes should be harvested 46 days after anthesis (DAA) to ensure the yield and nutritional value of the fruit during storage. At this time, the fruit contains many main nutrients such as reducing sugars, vitamin C, amino acids, organic acids, mineral elements.
Review Article
Mechanism of Plant Resistance to Insects, Weeds and Pathogens
Esuyawkal Demis
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 76-85.
DOI: 10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.005
Plants are primary producers and a food source for many heterotrophic phytophagous organisms. They are affected by different biotic and abiotic environmental stress. Insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other pests are biotic factors that significantly reduce crop productivity. Naturally, plants protect themselves from pest attacks by developing different morphological, structural, and biochemical defense mechanisms. However, our understanding of these defensive mechanisms is still limited. Hence, the objective of this paper is to review the mechanism of plant resistance to insects, weeds, and pathogens to know the relevant defense or resistance mechanisms of plants against pests. Many morphological characteristics contribute to plant resistance to insect pests. These include trichomes, surface waxes and hardness of plant tissues, thickening of cell walls and cuticles, the rapid proliferation of tissues, anatomical changes in plant organs, and color and shape of plant parts. The chemical composition of the host plant affects the behavior and adaptation of the herbivore and the host plant. These chemicals can be physiological inhibitors or nutritional deficiencies. Secondary metabolites are compounds that decrease the palatability of the plant tissues in which they are produced but have no effect on a plant's regular growth and development. Plants defend themselves against pathogens by a combination of weapons termed host resistance which is a structural and biochemical defense mechanism and they also defend from weeds by producing allelochemicals. Thus, plants have developed multiple resistance mechanisms to protect against pests. These resistance mechanisms could be an important tool for pest management by reducing the dose of chemicals used in pest control, resulting in a minimal effect of the chemicals on the environment. Also, these resistance mechanisms are compatible with other control methods that act as one of the components of integrated pest management methods to reduce the damage caused by pests.
Review Article
Advancing Agricultural Sustainability: Vermicomposting as a Biochemical Pathway for Improved Soil Health and Climate Resilience
Guta Amante
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 86-94.
DOI: 10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.006
This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of vermicomposting in sustainable agriculture, emphasizing its biochemical processes and impact on soil systems. Beginning with the concept, the document delves into the intricacies of the vermicomposting process, including the selection of suitable earthworm species for vermiculture. It further examines the biochemical transformations that occur during vermicomposting, such as the optimization of the carbon to nitrogen ratio, alterations in organic carbon content, and the modulation of soil pH and electrical conductivity. The accumulation of heavy metals and the transformation of nitrogen and phosphorus are also discussed, alongside the process of humification. Subsequently, the profound effects of vermicompost on soil properties, highlighting its influence on physical characteristics, organic matter content, mineralization, and nutrient dynamics, as well as the enhancement of humus content was deeply reviewed. The document also investigates the implications of vermicomposting on plant growth and yield, providing insights into its potential to increase agricultural productivity. Additionally, the review addresses the impact of vermicomposting on greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring its significance in the context of climate-smart farming practices. Arising from detailed synthesis of the findings, vermicomposting is a pivotal component of climate-resilient agriculture, offering a pathway to healthier soil ecosystems and a sustainable future.
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