Highland Altitude Research Articles

Registration of New Bread Wheat Variety (Gutu) for Mid to Highland Altitude Wheat Producing Areas of Ethiopia

Wheat, a staple crop in Ethiopia, is constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite efforts to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties, most have short agronomic life spans due to mainly yellow rust and stem rust diseases. Therefore, continuous breeding and selection are needed to identify new varieties with high yield potential, resistance to major wheat diseases, and adaptability to different climatic conditions. Thirty advanced bread wheat lines together with standard and local checks were evaluated using row-to-column design in three replications at six and nine locations during the 2021 and 2022 main seasons, respectively. Data such as days to maturity, plant height, yield, TKW, and test weight were taken. The yield data were exposed to statistical analysis. The new variety, EBW192345 (Kenya sunbird/2*Kachu/3/SWSR22T.B/2* Blouk#1//Wbll1*2/Kuruku) outyielded the standard check (Boru) and local check (Dandaá) by 25.43% and 51.9%, respectively. The new variety not only outyielded the checks, but it exhibited better resistance to yellow and stem rust diseases and had better performances in 1000 Kernel weight and test weight compared to the other treatments including the checks. Based on two years of multi-location data and performances on research plots and farmers’ fields, EBW192345 was released by the national variety release committee for commercial production in mid to highlands in Ethiopia during 2023.

Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular regulation mechanism of Tibet sheep tolerance to high altitude oxygen environment

As one of the most important livestock breeds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibetan sheep are of great importance to the local economy, agriculture and culture. Its adaptive mechanism in low temperature and low oxygen at highland altitudes has not been reported. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and muscle tissue of sheep at low and highland altitudes. LOC101112291, SELENOW, COL3A1, GPX1, TMSB4X and HSF4 were selected as candidate genes for adapting to plateau characteristics in Tibet Sheep. Besides, glutathione metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, nucleotide excision repair, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, protein digestion and absorption, thyroid hormone synthesis, relaxation signaling pathways may play important roles in the adaptation to plateau hypoxia, and cold tolerance. Structural analysis also showed that sequencing genes related to the adaptation mechanism of Tibet sheep to highland altitude. This study will lay a certain foundation for Tibet sheep research.

Evaluation Of Nearly Zero Energy Residential Buildings Design Strategies In Three Climatic Zones In Jordan

Designing zero or near zero-energy residential buildings will considerably help in reducing the general energy consumption. Geographically, Jordan retains three different altitude zones with unique climatic conditions for each which imperatively entails deploying different approaches to attain near zero-energy houses. This study aims to investigate the best economic feasible design strategies that possibly lead to near zero-energy residential buildings. Based on the most common detached house design-layout and materials on each zone, three case study houses were designed. The research methodology was based on three levels of efficiency. By using Design Builder, each efficiency level was examined by three design strategies: passive, active, and renewable energy design strategies in order to improve the energy performance of the buildings. The results showed that implementing the three levels concurrently would result in achieving the nearly zero-energy houses with efficient cost and less than 10 years payback period. In the high-land altitude zone, the annual consumption of power was reduced from 79.1 kwh/m2 to -13.6 kwh/m2. For the medium altitude zone, the annual consumption dropped down from 78.8 kwh/m2 to -16.5 kwh/m2. Finally, the annual consumption of electricity in the low-latitude zone decreased from 75.7 kwh/m2 to -21.1 kwh/m2.

Morphological and morphometric features of indigenous chicken in Southwest Ethiopia

Morphological and morphometric characterization of indigenous chicken ecotypes were carried out in West-Omo zone of Southwest Ethiopia. Nine qualitative and fifteen quantitative traits were observed/ measured from 660 matured chickens of both sexes. The data was analysed using SPSS version 21 and SAS version 9.1. Majority of the qualitative and quantitative traits were significantly influenced by sex and agro-ecological zones. The predominant plumage color, feather distribution, shank color, skin color, ear-lobe color, eye color, head shape, comb type, and feather morphology were red (38.4%), normal (96.2%), yellow (45%), white (48.8%), red (42.1%), red (28.6%), flat plain (94.4%), single (64.7%) and normal (100%). The body weight of matured male chickens in highland, mid-altitude and lowland agro-ecologies was 2.1±0.02 kg, 2.2±0.05 kg, and 2.0±0.03 kg, respectively, while females weighed 1.4±0.01 kg, 1.5±0.00 kg, and 1.4±0.01 kg in highland, mid-altitude, and lowland agro-ecologies, respectively. Males were also superior to females in terms of body length (BL) values of 42.0 ± 0.19cm and 37.7 ± 0.06cm, respectively. The prediction of body weight could be based on regression equation y = -1.02 + 0.10 CC (chest circumference) for male and y= -1.26 + 0.07BL of hen in highland altitude, y = -1.06+ 0.11 CC of male and y= -0.78+ 0.05 BL of hen in mid-altitude and similarly y = -0.90 +0.10 CC in lowland male and y= -1.33 + 0.07 BL of lowland hen. Therefore, chest circumference for males and body length for females were the best variables to predict the body weight of chickens than other variables. The current finding shows there was heterogeneity in a population of indigenous chickens in the studied agro-ecology. This gives an opportunity for genetic improvement of indigenous chickens within a population.

Modelling of solar thermal energy for household use in equatorial latitude by using the F-Chart model

The Andean Equatorial Region, due to its geographic location, shows great potential for using solar energy. Solar thermal energy is of interest in the residential sector in Ecuador and other Andean countries as a method to avoid fossilderived fuels consumption. However, previous learnings of the operation of solar water heating systems in other latitudes cannot be used in the conditions of Ecuador. Thus, the performance of the solar thermal energy systems in this geographic region deserves further study that consider typical high levels of cloudiness and fast climate oscillations. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of the orientation of solar thermal plates on their energy efficiency and model the behaviour of these systems to predict their operation under Equatorial Andean climate conditions. For the F-Chart calibration different slopes angles were used, according to the typical roofs slopes in Cuenca, Ecuador. Results showed a monthly solar fraction, contributed by an evacuated tube collector is 26% higher than the flat plate collectors. The results also depict that, in the conditions of Cuenca, the greater solar water heating occurs when the collector is inclined 14° and facing towards the south. These findings can be used to predict the best operational conditions for using solar thermal energy collectors to produce hot water in the residential sector under equatorial highland altitude conditions.

Assessment of the Prevailing Chicken Egg Storage Materials and Length at Rural Household in Different Agro Ecology of Eastern Ethiopia

Assessment of the prevailing chicken egg storage materials and length at the rural household in different Agro ecological zone of Eastern Ethiopia were conducted to assess the existing local egg storage facilities and length under the rural farmers. From two zone representing Eastern Ethiopia and the lowland, midland and highland altitude, proportionally 10 districts of 30 rural kebeles were selected using probability proportional to sample size. From each selected rural kebeles, ten farmers were purposely selected. A total of 300 chicken owner were interviewed by structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. The majority of the respondents (98%) in Eastern Ethiopia stored eggs for both marketing and incubation in lowland (86.4%), midland (69.3%) and highland (91.2%) using plastic (28.8%), basket (28.4% and (34.1%) followed by basket (25.4%), pot made of clay/ cow dung (23.9% and 23.8%) along with coffee hulls and dried grass as bedding materials respectively. Mostly, eggs produced at home was used for incubation in lowland (75.9%), midland (76.9%) and highland (73.9%); not experienced for home consumption except for household of better economic status and at the festivity in a year, and to some extent purchased eggs from known neighbor where their qualities were evaluated by shaking and sun candling in lowland (53.8%) and midland (46.7%) and sun candling in highland (51.4%). Hatching eggs were stored more than a week in mid (43.1%) and highland (44%) and about a week in lowlands (48.2%) until the required number of egg was produced for incubation by broody hen. Most of the respondents (78%) were select incubating eggs based on size in lowland (44.9%) and color and size in mid (45.7%) and highland (54.4) preferably large size and white eggs. The common hatching materials used in the area was pot in lowland (61.1%), mid (40%) and highland (53%). Due to suitable weather condition, better hatchability, less disease and parasite infestation and better feed resource availability, most of the respondent (70%) performed incubation during the dry season. Generally, rural poultry producer used different egg storage and hatching materials for different duration, they may influence the quality of eggs for uses that require further investigation to evaluate and recommend the best methods of storage material and duration across different agro ecology and provision of successful training for rural poultry producer; women, on modern egg storage and incubation for improvement of poultry production.

Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Gimbo District, Southwest Ethiopia.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a highly contagious disease of cattle which is one of the great plagues which continues to devastate the cattle herds on which so many people are dependent in Africa. Cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to August 2016 to determine the seroprevalence of CBPP in cattle and associated risk factors in Gimbo district, Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 384 serum samples were collected and tested for the presence of specific antibodies against Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony (MmmSC), using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association between risk factors and seroprevalence of CBPP. An overall seroprevalence of CBPP was 8.1% (31/384) and it was ranging from 0% to 20% across different Peasant associations (PAs). The seroprevalence of CBPP among adult animals was 8.5% (25) and in young 6.6% (6), in good body condition animals 6.6% (18) and in poor 11.5% (13), in dry season 11.9% (20) and in rainy 5.1% (11), and in highland altitude 2.5% (3), midland 3.8% (5), and lowland 17.4% (23). Among the potential predisposing factors assessed, altitude was found significantly (p = 0.02, OR = 7.3) associated with the seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and other risk factors had no significant (P > 0.05) influence. The present study showed that the overall seroprevalence of CBPP in Gimbo district was high and this indicates a need for intervening and implementing control measures to prevent further spread of the disease in the district through the use of better and coordinated vaccination program.

The life-history traits in a breeding population of Darevskia valentini from Turkey

We investigated the age structure, body size, longevity and growth in a breeding population of Darevskia valentini inhabiting highland altitude in Balahor, Turkey. According to the skeletochronological analysis (n= 25; 14 ♂♂ , 11 ♀♀ ), the estimated ages ranged from 3 to 9 years (from 4 to 7 in males and from 3 to 9 in females). The maximum life span was 7 years in males and 9 years in females. The age at maturity was found to be 3 years in both sexes. The mean age and SVL were not statistically different between sexes. For both sexes, we found a significant positive correlation between body size and the number of LAGs. The growth coefficient (k) was lower in females (0.30) than in males (0.76) while asymptotic SVL was higher in females (70.06) than in males (60.55). Growth rates were found to be significantly different between both sexes (females grew faster than males). However, a low level of female-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD) was observed in the population.

Ixodid ticks infesting cattle in three agroecological zones in central Oromia: species composition, seasonal variation, and control practices

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the species, prevalence, and seasonal variation of ticks on cattle in central Oromia. In addition, questionnaire survey was used to assess the control practices of ticks in central Oromia. During the study period from August 2008 through April 2009, a total of 10,440 adult ixodid ticks were collected from a total of 918 cattle (153 cattle during dry and wet seasons from each of three agroecologies) in three agroecological zones during wet and dry seasons. A total of seven species of ixodid ticks belonging to four genera were identified during the wet period, whereas similar numbers of genera but six species of ixodid ticks were recorded during the dry season. Amblyomma, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus, and Hyalomma tick genera were identified during the two seasons. Five different species of ticks were identified from the highland altitude. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of Boophilus decoloratus (88.2 %) was identified during the wet season, Hyalomma truncatum (1.5 %) was with the least proportion. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (50.8 %) was the most abundant during the dry period, whereas Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (5 %) was with smallest proportion. In the midland, a total of six species of ticks were identified. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of Amblyomma variegatum (76.6 %) than the other species was recorded during the wet season in the midland. But Rhipicephalus pulchellus (0.05 %) was collected with the lowest proportion. R. e. evertsi (46.3 %) was the most abundant tick species during the dry season, whereas R. pulchellus (0 %) was with lowest proportion. In the lowland, a total of seven species of ticks during the wet and six during the dry season were identified. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of A. variegatum (30.3 %) was recorded during the wet season, whereas R. pulchellus (1.4 %) was identified with the lowest proportion in the lowland. R. e. evertsi (24.8 %) was the most abundant tick species during the dry season in the lowland, but R. pulchellus (0 %) was with the lowest proportion during the same season in the lowland. Results of the study revealed that the highest mean total tick burden was recorded during the early rainy season than the dry season from the end of March to April. And the lowest mean tick count was recorded during the early dry and the late dry season during December and February, respectively. The overall tick count across seasons showed significant variation (F = 114 and p = 0.000). The questionnaire survey on the tick control practices has revealed that (90 %) diazinon and (57.3 %) cypermethrin were the commonly used acaricides with a frequency of one to three times per year during the peak of tick infestation. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that ixodid ticks occur with high prevalence and burden and still play major roles in reducing productivity of cattle and cause health problems of cattle in central Oromia. Further studies on the role of ticks in the transmission of pathogens to cattle, other animals, and zoonotic pathogens to man in Oromia are urgently needed.

CHESTNUT IN BRAZIL: RESEARCHES AND PERSPECTIVES

Among fruit crops that can be seen as having potential in Brazilian farms, is the Portuguese chestnut or European chestnut. First chestnut trees were introduced in Brazil brought by Portuguese colonizers around 1530. Nevertheless, due to its climatic requirements, very few survived, if any, except those taken to higher lands or to the South of the country, places with mild temperatures. In the beginning of the 1970's, introductions were realized through the Instituto Agronomico, a government research agency, mainly from C. crenata species and its hybrids (C. crenata × C. sativa), that was less demanding for chill temperatures during winter season. Other informal introductions occurred through the action of immigrants coming from Iberian Peninsula, Italy and Japan. In Brazil, chestnut adapted well in highland altitude and in mountain regions of South and Southeast climates. Since its introduction in Brazil, chestnut plants were propagated through seeds, increasing population variability due to its highly heterozygous status. At Sao Bento do Sapucai (22°41'S, 45°41'W, 886 m), by the end of the 1960's, about a thousand chestnut plants were cultivated and half of these plants were composed of early productive trees that can be harvested from the middle of November. Present efforts with this crop include activities aiming to produce quality nursery plants and to develop technology adapted for chestnut crop under Brazilian conditions for growers from Southeast and South regions of Brazil. As a result, grafted hybrid chestnut plants of cultivars 'KM2', 'Tamatsukuri' and 'Taisho-wase' with high adaptation to tropical and subtropical conditions, and medium to large size nuts of various flavors are distributed. Depending on the hybrid, harvest can extend from November to May.

Analysis of genetic diversity and structure in Ethiopian populations of Phytolacca dodecandra using RAPD.

The genetic diversity and structure in 17 wild populations (249 individuals) of Phytolacca dodecandra (endod) sampled along altitudinal gradients of 1600-3000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) in Ethiopia was studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). A total of 70 polymorphic loci (P) scored from 12 RAPD primers were used to calculate different diversity indices within and between populations, habitats, geographical regions, climatic zones and altitude groups. The number of polymorphic loci and overall Shannon information measure (H) in the populations varied from 30 to 55 and from 0.228 to 0.418, respectively. In general, differences in population variability were found significantly correlated to effective population size. Both P and H were significantly higher in an undisturbed than in a disturbed habitat, and in the lowland and central-highland than in the highland altitude group. However, for both parameters the differences were not statistically significant between regions and climatic zones. Genetic distance between populations varied from 0.301 to 0.628. Cluster analysis performed using the genetic distance matrix revealed a clear separation of the highland populations (2501-3000 m.a.s.l.) from those of the lowland/central-highlands (1600-2500 m.a.s.l.) irrespective of their geographical regions and climatic zones. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that differences in habitat, geographical regions and climatic zones explained 4.6%, 2.5% and 4.6%, respectively. But none of these differences were significant. Altitude explained 17.2% of the total variance and was highly significant. The data, therefore, clearly indicated the association of genetic structure in endod with altitude. The proportion of RAPD variation found among populations (21.2-35.0%) was somewhat intermediate between values reported for selfing and outcrossing species. The fixation index (FST) values (0.350 to 0.384) indicated very high genetic differentiation among populations.