Bako Agricultural Research Center Research Articles

Registration of <i>Wama</i> Finger Millet (<i>Eleusine corocana</i> L.) Variety

Finger millet is one of the major cereal crops in western Ethiopia including Bako areas where the present study conducted. Wama is a common name of a finger millet (Eleusine corocana L.) variety with pedigree name of KNE # 392. It was selected out of finger millet breeding lines introduced from Kenya and released in 2007 by the Bako Agricultural Research Center for western Ethiopia. Wama was tested at on-stations of Bako, Billo-Boshe and Gute and their respective on-farms. It exceeded the standard check, Boneya by 10% in grain yield. Results of yield stability study revealed that Wama was a stable variety. It has brown seed color, larger seed size and larger harvest index than Boneya. Wama is also moderately resistant to diseases such as head blast, smut and leaf spot. The breeder seed of Wama is maintained by the Bako Agricultural Research Center.Keywords: Finger Millet; Variety Registration; Wama

Immune Response in Holstein-Zebu Cross and Zebu Calves Vaccinated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) at Bako Agricultural Research Centre, Western Ethiopia

Background: Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin (BCG) currently remains the only licensed vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate immune responses in calves vaccinated with BCG in western Ethiopia. Methods: Twelve Holstein-zebus cross breed calves (six vaccinated with 0.5ml of 1 x 106 CFU of BCG and six controls) and nine pure zebu calves (five vaccinated with 0.5ml of 1 x 106 CFU of BCG and four controls) were used in this study. Immune responses were monitored for 23 weeks post vaccination using gamma interferon (IFN-γ) assay and comparative intra-dermal tuberculin test to assess cellular response, and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) to measure antibody response. Results and interpretation: IFN-γ response was observed starting from week 2, attaining its peak at week 4 post vaccination after which a fall in the response of IFN-γ was observed attaining a constant concentration from week 8 onwards. The mean IFN-γ response (OD450nm: Mean ± SEM, 0.205 ± 0.018) in vaccinated calves was significantly (tcal=2.85, P<0.05) higher than the non-vaccinated calves (Mean ± SEM, 0.168±0.008) at 4th week post vaccination. Within the vaccinated group, the mean IFN-γ response was significantly (tcal=3.01, P<0.05) greater in cross breed (Mean ± SEM, 0.217 ± 0.021) than in zebu breeds (Mean ± SEM, 0.194 ± 0.015) at 4th week post vaccination. On the other hand, no detectable antibody response was observed in vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves while the mean of skin thickness following skin test was significantly (P<0.05) higher in vaccinated calves than in non-vaccinated calves 23 weeks post vaccination. Conclusion: BCG induced IFN-γ responses in both Holstein-zebu cross and zebu calves although stronger IFN-γ response was observed in Holstein-zebu cross breed as compared to the response in zebu, which could suggest the possibility of using BCG for the control of bovine tuberculosis in Ethiopia.

Registration of dano and lalo sorghum (&lt;i&gt;Sorghum bicolor&lt;/i&gt; (l.) moench) varieties

Dano and Lalo are common names for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) with pedigree names of BRC-378 and BRC-245, respectively. They were developed and released by Bako Agricultural Research Center for western Ethiopia. At early breeding stage, Dano and Lalo were tested for three years at three locations and the mean grain yield of Dano was comparable with all location means of every season. In multi-location trials, Lalo was the best with 3.5 ton/ha grain yield. The mean yields of Dano and Abamelko were 2.7 and 3.2 tons/ha, respectively. Results of stability studies showed that Dano had above average and Lalo had good general adaptability. Dano and Lalo have maturity that is synchronized with that of the locals compared to that of standard check, which is earlier than the locals. Dano has good popping character, attractive seed color, stays green naturally and has potential for animal feed. Dano and Lalo have moderate resistance to anthracnose and leaf blight with uniform agronomic traits.

Crop Variety Registration: I. Registration of \'Arjo-1\' and \'Bariso\' Field Pea (&lt;i&gt;Pisum sativum&lt;/i&gt; L) Varieties

Arjo-1 and Bariso are common names for the field pea (Pisum sativum L) varieties with the pedigree names of EH90025-1 and EH90011-1-2 respectively. They were developed and released by Bako Agricultural Research Center for western Ethiopia. Arjo-1 and Bariso were evaluated for six years (1999-2004) at Arjo, Gedo and Shambu stations and had better mean grain yield than the standard check, Tegegnech. Arjo-1 and Bariso were resistant to ascochyta blight and powdery mildew. The result of multi-location trials showed that Arjo-1 and Bariso had above-average grain yield performance across tested locations and years. Yield stability was studied for Arjo-1 and Bariso and they were stable in grain yield performance. East African Journal of Sciences Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 86-91

Advances in Improving Harvest Index and Grain Yield of Maize in Ethiopia

The local maize varieties are inefficient in transferring assimilates to the ear sink and as a result they are low yielding. To replace these low yielding local varieties by high yielding ones, different breeding methods have been used in Ethiopia. This study was undertaken to compare improved maize varieties released in Ethiopia for their harvest index and other important agronomic traits. Twelve improved maize varieties which were released from 1970s to 1990s in Ethiopia and 8 breeding populations were tested in a randomized complete block design at Bako Agricultural Research Centre under sub-optimum and optimum soil fertility conditions in 1997 and 1998. The analysis of variance for harvest index and other important agronomic traits showed significant differences (P -1 (EAH-75) to 7.2 t ha -1 (BH-660). All the varieties released in the 1990s had a better harvest index than the old maize composites, indicating the breeding progress made was successful for both grain yield and harvest index. Further progress in maize breeding to improve harvest index and grain yield would be possible with the use of refined breeding methods and tools. Keywords : Genotype; Grain Yield; Harvest Index; Maize Varieties; Zea mays L. East African Journal of Sciences Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 112-119

Response of Anchote (Coccinia Abyssinica) to Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Rates and Plant Population Density in Western Oromia, Ethiopia

A comparative study of organic and inorganic fertilizer, and intra-row and inter-row spacing experiments were conducted at Bako Agricultural Research Center for three consecutive years (2002-2004) to determine optimum nutrient supply and plant population, respectively, for anchote production. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The fertilizer study consisted of four nitrogen levels: 0, 46, 92 and 138 kg N ha-1 and three phosphorous levels: 0, 20 and 40 kg Pha-1 in a factorial arrangement along with farmyard manure (FYM) at rates of 5, 8 and 10 t ha-1. The spacing study was conducted using three intra-rows: 10, 20 and 30 cm and four inter rows: 40, 60, 80 and 100 cm. Analysis of variance showed highly significant difference among N rates with respect to root length and root yield. Similarly, P and FYM supply resulted in highly significant difference in root yield. Apparently, application of 5 and 8 t ha-1 FYM resulted in an improved root yield of 44% and 63% over control, respectively. The supply of FYM was found to be superior over inorganic fertilizer supply perhaps due to its merits in improving soil structure, organic matter and enhancement of nutrient uptake. Intra-row spacing affected root yield highly and significantly while inter row spacing affected root yield and average root weight per plant. The reduction of intra-row spacing from 30 cm to 10 cm resulted in increase of total tuberous root yield by 137%. Reduction of inter row spacing from 100 cm to 40 cm resulted in high total tuberous root yield by 37.4%. From the present findings, therefore, 5-8 t ha-1 FYM or 46/20 kg ha-1 N/P and 40-60 cm inter row and 10 cm intra-row spacing are recommended for high yield of anchote production and enhancement of soil structure and its nutrient contents for the western sub-humid zones of Oromia, Ethiopia. Keywords: Anchote; Farm Yard Manure; Inorganic Fertilizer; Root Yield; Spacing East African Journal of Sciences Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 120-126

Genotype × cropping system interaction in climbing beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown as sole crop and in association with maize ( Zea mays L.)

The selection of cultivars for the predominant cropping systems of small farms in the tropics depends to a large extent on the information obtained by testing their performance across the different systems. The main objective of this experiment was to measure the genotype × cropping system (G × CS) interaction for yield and selected agronomic traits of climbing beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown as sole crop and intercropped with two morphologically contrasting maize ( Zea mays L.) cultivars. A secondary objective was to identify the most efficient and productive bean–maize intercrop combinations. Seven climbing bean genotypes were grown as sole crop and intercropped with two maize varieties, BH 140 (Mix. 1) and Guto (Mix. 2), in a factorial arranged Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at Bako Agricultural Research Center in western Ethiopia. Main effects due to genotype and cropping system (except days to flowering) were significant for all bean traits considered. The genotypes × cropping system interaction terms were also significant for the number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, harvest index and seed yield. While bean seed yield significantly correlated with the number of seeds per pod (in Mix. 1) and with harvest index (in both mixtures), positive and significant correlations occurred with the number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight under sole cropping system. The correlation between bean seed yields of Mix. 1 and Mix. 2 and between Mix. 2 and sole crop were positive and significant. No such relationship was found between Mix. 1 and sole crop. The results suggest that selection of suitable climbing bean cultivars for intercropping with maize varieties predominantly grown in the area should be made under the associated culture of the two crops. Intercropping contributed to a significant reduction in seed yield of the bean genotypes due mainly to its adverse effects on the numbers of pods per plant and seeds per pod. The index tLER 1 identified most bean–maize genotype combinations of Mix. 2 as biologically more efficient system than Mix. 1. On the other hand, tLER 2 values of more than 1.00 for all treatments of Mix. 2 demonstrated higher overall productivity of the intercrop system when the bean genotypes were grown in association with a late-maturing and high yielding maize hybrid BH 140.

Sero-prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and its potential risk factors in selected sites of Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a disease of cattle caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. Mycoides small colonies and it is one of the most important threats to cattle health and production in Ethiopia, such as at livestock farm of Bako Agricultural Research Center (BARC) an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia occurred in May, 2011 and many animals were affected and died before the disease was identified. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in the selected districts of Western Oromia Zones as well as to assess the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease. Therefore, a cross-sectional study design was conducted from November 2013 to March 2014 in three selected districts from three Western Oromia Zones. A total of 386 sera were examined for the presence of specific antibodies of the disease by using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). In this study, districts, peasant associations, age, sex, breed and body conditions were considered as risk factors. Thus, the overall seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in this study was 28.5%. The seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia at districts level were 40.3%, 19.0 % and 5.7 % in Gobbu-Sayyo, Bako-Tibbe and Horro district, respectively. There was a statistically significant variation (p &lt; 0.05) in prevalence of the disease among the districts. However, age, sex, breed and body condition were not significant (p &gt; 0.05) with the serostatus of the animal. In conclusion, the present study indicated that the overall prevalence of CBPP in Western Oromia Zones was high, This warrants the need of the institute to follow appropriate preventive and control measures to stop further spread of the disease and appropriate controlling and prevention should be designed in general as a country level and further study should be done in the future to know the temporal pattern of the disease.Keywords: Seroprevalence, CBPP, Risk factors, cELISA, Western OromiaZones, Ethiopia