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Ethiopian Journal of Biodiversity - EthJBD
Vol 3 - No 2
Research Articles
Nowadays, the development of multidrug-resistant human pathogenic microorganisms and the emergence of new diseases are the most challenging problems in public health care across the globe. Therefore, the objective of this study was to isolate and identify the antimicrobial properties of endophytic and rhizospheric fungi associated with some medicinal plants. A total of 150 plant parts and 50 soil samples were collected from five medicinal plants. In vitro antimicrobial activities were tested against common resistant pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Candida albicans). A total of 582 fungal isolates were obtained. Accordingly, 78 (19.89%) isolates displayed antimicrobial activities by agar plug diffusion method. Ethyl acetate extracts of isolate 30CRS showed higher significant (p≤0.001) inhibition zones against E. coli (30.33 ± 0.57 mm), E. faecalis (25.33 ± 0.28 mm) and S. aureus (18.33 ± 0.57 mm) than the positive control, whereas fungal isolate 37BRaL showed significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) inhibition zone against S. aureus (19.16 ± 0.28 mm) and C. albicans (26.83 ± 0.76 mm). The mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) result was 3.125 – 50 mg/ml for gram-positive bacteria, 6.25 – 50 mg/ml for gramnegative bacteria and 12.5 – 50 mg/ml for C. albicans. The minimum bactericidal concentration ranged from 6.25 – 50 mg/ml, while the minimum fungicidal concentration ranged from 12.5 – 50 mg/ml. The potent isolates (30CRS) and (37BRaL) were identified as Penicillium simplicissimum and Talaramycetes flavus var. flavus using Biolog microbial identification system. This research has confirmed the potential of endophytic and rhizospheric fungal species against resistant clinical isolates.
Keywords: Endophytic fungi, Medicinal plant, Multidrug-resistant, Rhizospheric fungiEnset is a multipurpose crop that supports the livelihood of over 20 million people in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the diversity and challenges of enset landraces in Enemorina Eaner Woreda. Six rural kebeles were purposively selected for the study based on their enset cultivation potential. A stratified and systematic sampling methods were used to select a total of 364 farmers for the household survey. Data were obtained through households and key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation. Shannon diversity indices and both descriptive and inferential statistical means were used to analyze the data. A total of 50 enset landraces were identified, of which 11 had medicinal importance. Enset occupied about 17% of the cropland area share in the Woreda, whereas the mean Shannon diversity and evenness indices were 2.61 and 0.78, respectively. The diversity of landraces among households was found to be significantly different (P<0.000) among agroclimatic zones as well as wealth groups. Wild animal pests, enset bacterial wilt, introduction of commercial crops, and labour constraints were identified as major challenges to the sustainability of enset production and landrace diversity. Furthermore, eucalyptus plantations occupied about 24% of the major cropland area share, posing a threat to enset sustainability. The establishment of an appropriate land use policy at national level, and effective collaboration of the local community, government, and academia in searching for technologies to are recommended to alleviate the observed threats and establishment of in-situ conservation sites at different agroclimatic areas of the country. Keywords: Distribution, Diversity, Enemorina Eaner, Enset, Enset landraces.><0.000) among agroclimatic zones as well as wealth groups. Wild animal pests, enset bacterial wilt, introduction of commercial crops, and labour constraints were identified as major challenges to the sustainability of enset production and landrace diversity. Furthermore, eucalyptus plantations occupied about 24% of the major cropland area share, posing a threat to enset sustainability. The establishment of an appropriate land use policy at national level, and effective collaboration of the local community, government, and academia in searching for technologies to are recommended to alleviate the observed threats and establishment of in-situ conservation sites at different agroclimatic areas of the country.
Keywords: Distribution, Diversity, Enemorina Eaner, Enset, Enset landracesThis study was undertaken in Wachale district of North Shewa Zone with the aim to assess species composition, aboveground biomass production and nutritive values of indigenous forage species across three grazing types. Six free grazing, four controlled grazing and four enclosures areas were selected purposively from three kebeles. One transect with a length of 100 meters was laid on each management type from which forage samples were collected at every 25 m interval. Five plots of size 0.5m x 0.5m each were assigned along each transect. A total of 70 plots (30 plots for free grazing, 20 plots for controlled grazing and 20 plots for enclosure areas) were used throughout the study. A total of 16 indigenous herbaceous forage species were identified of which 11, 13 and 16 were found from free grazing, controlled grazing and enclosure areas, respectively. The highest relative frequency was obtained for Andropogon abyssinicus, 21.23% from free grazing, 20.82% from controlled grazing and 19% from enclosure. Dry matter yield was the highest (P<0.001) in enclosure followed by controlled grazing. The metabolizable energy (6.64 MJ/DM) and in vitro digestibility (44.29%) of Sporobolus africanus were lower (P<0.05) than Andropogon abyssinicus, Pennisetum thunbergii, Eleusine floccifolia and Cyperus rotundus values. The indigenous forage species in the study area were found to be poor in terms of diversity, composition yield and quality. It can be concluded that enclosures could be considered as better grazing management options in terms of maintaining species diversity, and dry matter yield.
Keywords: Dry matter yield, Grazing management types, Indigenous forage, Species compositionIn Ethiopia, both two- and six-rowed barleys can grow in the highlands. However, the country is not self-sufficient in malt barley production to satisfy the growing demands of malt factories, and it depends on imports from other countries. Little effort has been made to study the potential of Ethiopian six-rowed barley genotypes for malt quality traits. Hence, a two-year (2017/18-2018/19) experiment with 12 six-rowed type barley genotypes including one two-rowed malt barley standard check (IBON174/03) was conducted in Bekoji, Holata and Kofale research plots to assess the potential of six-rowed barley genotypes for malt quality. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Malt quality data were collected and the data was analyzed using R statistical software, R version 4.1.3 (2022-03-10), agricolae package. Tukey HSD means comparison showed that the 2.8-mm slot sieve test (42.57%) and the dry matter-based crude protein of barley line 17148-16 (11.8%) are significantly greater than the check but the fine grind hot water extract of the line (79.8%) is slightly greater than for the check (78.25%). Therefore, the findings from the two-year experiment in the three locations indicated that the six-rowed barley line 17148-16 fulfilled the malt quality requirements and can be used in the future malt quality improvement of six-rowed barleys in Ethiopia.
Keywords: Line 17148-16, malt quality, six-rowed barleys, Tukey HSD.Eucalyptus species are the dominant plantation species with greater economic and environmental values in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, little is known about the carbon stock of Eucalyptus species and hence, this study was aimed at estimating the carbon stock of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis stands under Kibrit plantation forest. Systematic random sampling was used and a total of 60 plots (10 m×20 m size) were systematically established. Trees ≥ 5 cm Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) were measured. Within each sample plot, (1 m×1 m) subplots were designed for litter and soil sample collection. Species specific allometric equations were used to estimate the tree biomass. Soil organic carbon determination was done using the Walkley Black method. The mean total carbon stock (biomass plus soil organic carbon) was significantly higher (P< 0.05) in E. grandis (351.72 ± 72.72 t/ha) compared to the adjacent E. camaldulensis stand (192.16 ± 24.9 t/ha). The mean total biomass carbon stock was also significantly higher in E. grandis (267.78 ± 73.1t/ha) than in E. camaldulensis stand (105.52 ± 22.8 t/ha). The mean total soil organic carbon stock was 83.94 ± 1.5 t/ha and 86.64 ± 6.2 t/ha for E. grandis and E. camaldulensis stands respectively. This study indicated the presence of significant difference in carbon storage potential between the two stands and, therefore, planting E. grandis is rewarding in terms of climate change mitigation.
Keywords: Biomass carbon, Eucalyptus plantation, Kibrit plantation, Soil organic carbonReview Articles
This review paper presents the prominent steps to develop a set of principles for breeding criteria as a step wise application of Community Based Conservation and Breeding Program (CBCBP) in Ethiopia. Sheep and goats are an important commodity for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and are considered a crucial source of cash income. They are sources of meat, milk, wool, hides, and manure. The 2021 national average sheep and goat populations in Ethiopia were 96.4 (range 95.3–97.7) million. Nine sheep and eight goat breeds are identified in the country. However, scientific breeding, conservation, and production activities are lagging. To maximize conservation and productivity of small ruminants in Ethiopia, stakeholders need to take action on limitations and leverage on available opportunities urgently. Thus, this paper provides a set of principles to guide the establishment of CBCBP to contribute to the sustainable production of sheep and goats in the country. Improving management includes increasing the efficiency of production, controlling the use of resources, and maintaining animal health and welfare. Selecting breeding stock requires assessing genetic parameters and economic value of traits to be included in the breeding program which uses a recorded data in the selection process. Moreover, facilitating marketing through the value chain can add value to the sustainability of the sector. Steps required for the successful implementation of sheep and goats conservation and improvement through participation of the community were also addressed.
Keywords: Breeding, Community based, Conservation, Goat, Production, Selection, Sheep