Lowland Bamboo Research Articles

Rhizome Propagation Methods of Lowland Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) in Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Bamboo is a plant species that has a range of economic, environmental, and sociocultural importance. Bamboo can be propagated through sexual and asexual propagation methods. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. This study aims to evaluate different rhizome cutting materials that are relatively suitable for large-scale plantations. The materials for propagating bamboo by vegetative means are whole or portions of the rhizomes, each with a single culm having two to six basal nodes, preferably 1- to 2-year-old culms from the peripheral portion of the clump having 2, 4, 6 basal nodes and 1.5-2 cm, 2-4 cm, and 4-6 cm in diameter. The design of the experiment is a split plot design with three replications and nine plots. This experiment is laid in 1029 m2 (21 m x 49 m). The size of each plot is 45 m2 (15 m by 5 m), and the distance between plots and plants in plots is 2 m. The number of nodes is assigned in the main plot, and the diameter of the planting material is assigned in the subplot. There are a total of 9 treatment combinations and a total of 108 planting materials. Significantly higher (P = 0.01) mean survival rate (59%) was observed in the planting material with two basal nodes and 2-4 cm diameter and the planting material with six nodes and 2-4 cm diameter. Further research is crucial to devise effective vegetative propagation methods for large scale plantations without compromising the survival capability of the planting materials.

Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro land suitability evaluation in the Kurar watershed, Abay Gorge, Upper Blue Nile River Basin, Ethiopia

O. abyssinica, known in Ethiopia as lowland bamboo, is a solid-stemmed clump-forming bamboo species widely distributed in the western dry regions of Ethiopia. The versatility of the species means that it has enormous potential for land restoration in arid and semi-arid areas, in addition to bringing socio-economic benefits. It also displays remarkable adaptability, allowing it to thrive in the challenging ecological conditions of areas such as the Abay Gorge. The Abay Gorge, situated within the Upper Blue Nile River Basin of Northwestern Ethiopia is characterized by problems associated with soil erosion and land degradation. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate and recommend a suitable spatial analysis for the adoption and development of lowland bamboo (O. abyssinica). Fifteen primary influencing factors were chosen according to the needs of O. abyssinica, the accessibility of data, and the financial implications associated with data analysis, particularly the expenses related to soil laboratory testing. Eight composite soil samples were taken directly by dividing the watershed into two categories (upper and lower catchment areas). These composite soil samples were analyzed. Data analysis was performed via Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in conjunction with Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) analysis and the use of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS). The spatial analysis employed in this study was a weighted sum overlay analysis, which was applied by considering the criteria weight assigned to each factor. The analysis revealed that 21.2 % (666.5 ha) of the total area was highly suitable for the growth and development of O. abyssinica. About 56 % (1753 ha) of the land was moderately and marginally suitable for the desired land utilization type. However, 23 % (723.8 ha) of the study area was unsuitable for O. abyssinica. O. abyssinica has the potential to rehabilitate large parts of challenging areas such as the Abay Gorge due to its naturally invase rhizomes and drought-tolerance. It can also be introduced into agroforestry systems and used as living fences for villages.

Development of site-specific allometric equation and predicting aboveground biomass of natural and plantation forests of Oxytenathera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro, Northwestern Ethiopia

Bamboo is an ideal plant for commercial production due to its rapid growth rate, high biomass production, low cost of production and environmental friendliness. Although Ethiopia has the highest bamboo cover in Africa, allometric equations for estimating its biomass are scarce. Most allometric models developed to date have been largely concerned with trees and shrubs. The objective of this study was to generate species- and site-specific allometric models that could be used to estimate the total aboveground dry biomass and culm dry biomass of lowland bamboo in northwest Ethiopia. Three power form-based allometric models were created using diameter at breast height (DBH) and culm height (H) as independent variables. One hundred and eight Oxytenathera abyssinica culms were used to predict the total aboveground biomass and culm biomass. Model one (M1) was the best model to predict the culm and total aboveground biomass of the species, regardless of forest type. The allometric models may provide useful information about aboveground biomass and culm biomass estimation methods to forestry professionals, bamboo producers and other stakeholders, and could help in the calculation of the country’s contribution to global carbon sequestration and trade.

Micro Clonal Propagation Protocol for Lowland Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) and Adapted the Propagated Seedling in the Dryland Areas of Abay Valley, Ethiopia

Micro Clonal Propagation Protocol for Lowland Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) and Adapted the Propagated Seedling in the Dryland Areas of Abay Valley, Ethiopia

Culm Density and Biomass Variation across Forest Type and Age Gradient of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro, in north-western Ethiopia

Lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) forest resources are most promising in Northwestern Ethiopia. The area's surrounding bamboo forest is significant both environmentally, economically, and socially. Nonetheless, no particular research has been done to ascertain the differences in biomass for the various sections of bamboo in both plantations and natural bamboo stands. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the culm density and biomass variation across forest type and age gradients of Oxytenanthera abyssinica stand in Pawe, northwestern Ethiopia. One hundred eight (108) bamboo culms (54 from the plantations and 54 from the natural bamboo stands) were sampled destructively. After that, each of the specimens was divided into three sections (leaf, branch, and culm). The fresh weight of the sample and the total fresh weight of each portion were ascertained instantly. Then, samples were brought to the testing center for dry weight analysis, bundled in a paper bag. The data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis employing R software. As the result showed, the mean height and diameter for the plantation stand ranged between 9, 13.2 m, 3.4 cm, and 6.4 cm, respectively, and the natural bamboo forest has mean height and diameter ranging between 6.35 and 12 m and 2.0 and 4.4 cm, respectively. The mean density of 0.51 g/cm3 for plantations and 0.41 g/cm3 for natural bamboo forests was recorded. Compared to natural forests, managed bamboo forests (stands) exhibit an increase of 17% in overall biomass production. While density rose with age, the medium-aged bamboo group in both forest types accumulated more above-ground biomass than the younger and older age groups

Historical Trend Analysis and Future Projections of Rainfall in Amhara, Ethiopia

Understanding rainfall trends & projections is essential for water resource management. This study showed historical (1981-2020) and future (2021-2100) rainfall amounts and trends across 71 grid points separated by 0.44o in Amhara and Amhara’s five rainfall regimes (A3, A4, A5U, A5L, A6). Ground and satellite merged historical data from Ethiopia Meteorology Institute (EMI) and the Rossby Centre Regional Atmospheric Model (RCA) forced by an ensemble of the best-performed Global Circulation Models (GCMs) in Amhara, HadGEM2-ES of UK and MPI-ESM-LR of Germany, in three Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios, RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 from CORDEX project were the basis of dataset. Amhara’s annual, seasonal, and monthly historical rainfall trends mostly increased. During Jun-Sep (Kiremt), lower rainfall receiving regimes (A6, A5L, A5U) had a significant increasing trend (~ 4 mm/year), while wetter regimes (A3 & A4) had a non-significant increasing (< 1 mm/year) and decreasing (~ -0.5 mm/year) trends, respectively. Generally, compared to the climatology, the annual and Kiremt rainfall in Amhara is projected to increase in the near-term (2021-2040) and mid-term (2041-2060) and decrease in the long-term (2081-2100); Oct-Jan (Bega) rainfall is projected to increase in all future terms and all RCP scenarios while Feb-May (Belg) rainfall will be abrupt

Adaptation and Growth Performance of Different Introduced Lowland Bamboo Species in Central Tigray, Ethiopia

Aim of study: The study was performed to evaluate the growth performance and adaptation potential of different exotic lowland bamboos, as well as identifying and providing the best-performing species. 
 Area of study: The study was conducted in Agbe, Tanqua Melashe district Central Tigray between June 2018 and December 2021. 
 Material and methods: The study focused on six different exotic lowland bamboo species, which are Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus membranaceos, Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa bambos, and Guadua amplexifolia. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. An analysis of variance was used to analyze the collected data.
 Main results: The selected bamboo species somehow had problems with survival and adaptability except for Bambusa bambos, Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus membranaceos, and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii species. Between species’ parameters, such as root collar diameter, culm diameter, culm height, and number of culms, the outcome had a significant difference at (p

Lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) deforestation and subsequent cultivation effects on soil physico-chemical properties in northwestern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, bamboo thickets and woodlands play an important role in soil-water conservation and climate change mitigation in arid and semi-arid regions. However, bamboo mass flowering, rapid demographic changes and expansion of agricultural investments into bamboo dominated areas have led to deforestation and land degradation. This study assessed the effects of deforestation and subsequent cultivation on soil physical and chemical properties along a chronosequence of closely located agricultural lands with different times (1, 3, 5 and 7 years) since conversion from natural lowland bamboo forest. Soil samples (n = 90) were taken from both natural bamboo forests and adjacent agricultural lands at two soil depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm). Cation exchange capacity (CEC), K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and available P varied significantly among cultivation periods and soil depth, while soil pH and Na+ varied with soil depth (P < 0.001). Soil C and total N contents (g/kg) in the 0–20 cm soil layer declined significantly and exponentially with increasing years under cultivation. Conversion of natural bamboo forest to cropland during the past seven-year period significantly increased soil pH with soil depth, while CEC declined throughout the cultivation period and with soil depth. In general, the results revealed that conversion of natural lowland bamboo forest and subsequent cultivation of the soil had negative effects on the measured soil physico-chemical properties.

Transcriptome-wide identification and expression analysis of the NAC gene family in lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A.Rich) Munro)under abiotic stresses

NAC (NAM, no apical meristem, ATAF and CUC) is one of the largest gene families of the plant-specific transcription factors (TF). NAC TFs have immense involvement in plant growth and developmental processes and have particular importance in enhancing plant resistance to multiple abiotic stresses. NAC members have unique structural makeup and a range of biological activities. Despite their enormous roles in plants, comprehensive study on identification, characterization and expression profiling of NACs under abiotic stress is lacking in Lowland bamboo [Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A.Rich) Munro]. Thus, this study aimed to identify NAC members, characterize their protein properties, construct their phylogenetic relationships and more importantly, establish their expression profiling under abiotic stress. From this abiotic stress-induced transcriptome, 220 lowland bamboo TFs with intact and complete NAC DNA binding domains (PF01849) were identified. Following their identification, analysis of functional annotation, protein characterization, phylogenetic relationships and expression profiling were conducted. The analysis presented up-regulation of 142 unigenes in response to abiotic stress, the association of 26 unigenes directly to stress response and the involvement of 92 unigenes in genetic information processing and 29 in environmental information processing according to KEGG analysis. These results suggest the most likely involvement of NACs in lowland bamboo stress response and adaptation. As a species best survived in a moisture-stressed environment, this study has provided valuable information that could shed light on further functional analysis research efforts aiming to exploit NACs in developing stress-resilient bamboo and related plants.

Adaptation and Growth Performance of Lowland Bamboo Species at Fedis District East Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

A study was conducted to evaluate adaptation and growth performance of four lowland bamboo species at Fedis district, East Haraghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia for four years (June 2019 - June 2022). Four lowland bamboo species were tested in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on growth parameters: survival rate, new emerging shoot, internodes length, number of nodes, culm height, culm diameter and its root culm diameter were measured and recorded at interval of three months during data collected. Results revealed that there were highly significant (p<0.05) variations among lowland bamboo species at the study area. Among the species tasted, <i>Dendrocalamus hamlitonii </i>and<i> Dendrocalamus memebranceous</i>, were showed the highest performance and have better survival percentage than <i>Oxythenantera abyssinica</i>. <i>Dendrocalamus hamlitonii</i>, and <i>Dendrocalamus memebranceous</i> are the fastest growing species of bamboo and have better survival percentage. However, <i>Oxythenantera abyssinica</i> have medium survival percentage than Dendrocalamus asper which have lower survival. Generally, among the species tested <i>Dendrocalamus hamlitonii</i>, <i>Dendrocalamus memebranceous</i> showed faster growth performance and <i>Oxythenantera abyssinica</i> was showed better performance at Fedis condition, but <i>Dendrocalamus</i> asper showed lower performance. With respect to new emerging shoot, internodes length, number of nodes, culm height, and culm diameter at breast height and its root culm diameter, <i>Dendrocalamus hamlitonii</i>, <i>Dendrocalamus memebranceous</i> and <i>Oxythenantera abyssinica</i> were significantly higher than Denderocalamus asper. Based on this, three bamboo species <i>Dendrocalamus hamlitonii</i>, <i>Dendrocalamus memebranceous</i> and <i>Oxythenantera abyssinica</i> are best performed introduced bamboo species for promotion in the study area. Therefore, the best performed species should be demonstrated and popularized around Fedis and in areas that have similar soil and climatic conditions. So, based on these results we recommended <i>Dendrocalamus hamlitonii, Dendrocalamus memebranceous </i>and <i>Oxythenantera abyssinica</i> for different production and constriction since they have a good quality of internodes length, ability to emerge new shoots, culm height and diameter. It is better to use for soil and water conservation purpose on degraded area rehabilitation. Since bamboo gives seed once in 40 years which is a big challenge in expansion of the resource, he need further study on bamboo propagation method. These species could be promote for various end uses like human food (<i>D. hamiltonii </i>edible shoot<i>) </i>and animals feed, for industrial purposes, and for carbon sequestration (because of their high biomass).

Preparation and characterization of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals from Oxytenanthera abyssinica (Ethiopian lowland bamboo) cellulose via citric acid anhydrous hydrolysis catalyzed by sulfuric acid

Preparation and characterization of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals from Oxytenanthera abyssinica (Ethiopian lowland bamboo) cellulose via citric acid anhydrous hydrolysis catalyzed by sulfuric acid

Oxytenanthera abyssinica A. Rich. Munro species-site suitability matching in Ethiopia

Oxytenanthera abyssinica (Lowland bamboo) is vital to the lowland environment, for restoration, biodiversity conservation as well as a substitute source of woody raw materials and non- wood products to rural and urban people, forest industries, construction and energy sectors. The species grows in lowland areas thriving on unproductive soils, even tolerating rocky outcrops, high temperature and low rainfall areas. Bamboo rhizomes are effective in protecting topsoil on steep slopes and river banks. In Ethiopia, the bulk (~85%) of lowland bamboo species is concentrated to the western part of the country, to the Benishangul- Gumuz Region, and less known to other parts with similar agroclimate. The present study aims at assessing environmental parameters for species-site suitability and matching to the potential regions where the species can thrive and produce biomass to provide the economic and ecosystem benefits at wider scale over the country. Climate, terrain and soil data collected from field survey coupled with growth parameters measured at introduced new sites indicated that O. abyssinica is versatile species, can thrive well in other areas in the country with similar edaphic and climatic conditions and altitudinal gradient as in its native range. Therefore, cognizant on the stated results, disseminating the species with seed collection and also /training and making aware communities on vegetative propagation techniques along with the potential uses is recommended to new potential areas in Ethiopia.

Experimental Investigation on Effect of Partial Replacement of Cement with Bamboo Leaf Ash on Concrete Property

Ethiopia’s construction industry is aggressively expanding than ever before. Cement is the most essential and expensive material in this regard. Cement takes 10%–15% by volume of concrete. Nowadays, the construction industry is challenged by the scarcity of cement and price escalation of the cement market. However, scholars try to replace cement with pozzolanic material. Besides this, they investigated that bamboo leaf ash possesses pozzolanic properties. Ethiopia has about 850,000 hectares of lowland bamboo, so it is good to utilize bamboo leaf ash as a replacement material for cement. In this study, the capability of lowland Ethiopian bamboo leaf ash as a partial substitute for cement in C-25 concrete production with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% replacement of OPC by BLA with 0.49 percent water-to-cement ratio was investigated. This study examines the chemical properties of BLA, physical properties of cement paste, workability, compressive strength, water absorption, density, and sulfate attack of concrete. The chemical composition of bamboo leaf ash was examined, the summation of SiO2, AlO3, and FeO3 is 76.35%, and the ash was classified class N pozzolan. The normal consistency percentage of water increases as the BLA replacement amount increases, and both initial and final setting time ranges increase as the BLA replacement amount increases. The compressive strength of concrete for 5% and 10% BLA achieves the target mean strength (33.5 MPa) on the 28th day, and on the 56th day, 5% and 10% replacements increase the concrete strength by 1.84% and 0.12%, respectively. The water absorption and sulfate attack have significant improvement of the BLA-blended concrete on 5% and 10% BLA content. According to the findings, bamboo leaf ash potentially substitutes cement up to 10%. The outcome of the study will balance the cement price escalation and increase housing affordability without compromise in quality.

CpDNA-Gene-Sequence-Based Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Gene Flow Analysis of Ethiopian Lowland Bamboo (Bambusinea: Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro)

Background. As a member of Poaceae and subfamily Bambusoideae, Ethiopian lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) is one of the most important nontimber forest resources or a potential alternative to wood and wood products. Ethiopia contributes 86% of the total area of bamboo on the continent, Africa, and 7% of the world. O. abyssinica in Ethiopia accounts for 85% of the total national coverage of bamboo. Several studies have been performed on the genetic diversity and population structure analysis of various bamboo species throughout the world but almost nothing in Ethiopia and O. abyssinica. Methods. Young fresh leaves of O. abyssinica from thirteen natural lowland bamboo growing areas across the country were collected. DNA was isolated using a modified CTAB DNA isolation method. Three cpDNA gene sequences (matK, ndhF3, and rps16) were used for the study. PCR products were analyzed, purified, and pair-end sequenced to calculate AC/GC content, average number of nucleotide differences (k), nucleotide diversity (π) and population mutation rates per 100 sites ( θ w ), InDel (Insertion-Deletion), DNA divergence, gene flow, and genetic differentiation. Results. Metekel Zone was found to have extremely higher k, π, and θ w . Higher frequency of genetic differentiation was found between Metekel Zone vs. the distant populations. Higher frequency of gene flow was found between Assosa Zone vs. Oromia populations. Kurmuk haplotype from gaps or missing data considered and Bambasi haplotype from not considered has descendants around them. Conclusion. Using sequences of cpDNA genes, populations of O. abyssinica collected in Ethiopia show clear diversity based on their geographic location. Metekel Zone was found to have the most diverse population, Assosa Zone has been found to be the source of evolution of O. abyssinica, and Gambella population shows a difference from other O. abyssinica populations.

Evaluation of Lowland Bamboo Propagation Techniques in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Bamboo has diverse utility ranging from construction to delicacy in Asia and Africa, and also several desirable qualities that make it a useful resource compared to many other plants. For example; it uses as food and feed preservative, construction, medicine purpose, natural conservation, charcoal and energy, arts and culture, aesthetic value, financial return and environment protection. Bamboo has additional unique characteristic that a fast growing plant than any other tree species and starts to give utility within three or four years of planting time in the exception of bearing fruits. To give fruit full seed takes a long time that after 50 years old. So to get its utilities has to be raised through various propagation methods. In this trial; propagations with culm cut, offsets cut and branch cut on Dendrocalmus membracius, Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Oxytenanthera abyssinica bamboo species had been executed in RCBD design with three replications, respectively. So that in this experiment, among the methods of bamboo propagation technique; offset cutting (bamboo rhizome) followed by branch cut had been recommended based on consideration of giving adequate planting materials. The outcomes showed highly significant difference at (p<0.001) level between and within treatments as well as interaction effect based on the given parameters. Regardless of this fact; the highest mean value discovered under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii bamboo species with culm cut planting followed by Dendrocalmus memebranceous with branch cut planting, while the least mean value was recorded under Oxytenanthera abyssinica with culm cut planting based on number of new emerging bamboo shoot parameter. Based on root collar diameter, Length of shoot and number of node parameters, the highest mean value recorded under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Dendrocalmus memebranceous with offset cut planting, while the least mean value was recorded under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii with branch cut planting, respectively (Table 2). Despite this fact, the recommend that with offset cut plating for Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Dendrocalmus memebranceous of bamboo species followed by Oxytenanthera abyssinica. The Culm cut planting parts designated higher mean value for Dendrocalmus hamlitonii bamboo species only, while branch cut planting designated higher mean value for Dendrocalmus memebranceous bamboo species only (Table 2). Generally, the study was propagations of lowland bamboo species (Dendrocalmus membracius, Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Oxytenanthera abyssinica) with culm cut, offsets cut and branch cut techniques under Mechara and for related agro ecology zones is trustworthy so, the research advocated these technologies with further economic and livelihood benefits for different stakeholders through expanding the plantation materials with full package.

Genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow analysis of lowland bamboo [Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro] in Ethiopia.

Bamboo, a member of subfamily Bambusoideae in the grass family (Poaceae), is one of the most important nontimber forest resources and a potential alternative to wood and wood products. Ethiopian lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) is an economically and ecologically important species which accounts about 85% of total bamboo coverage in the country. This species is experiencing population decline due to a number of anthropogenic factors. As a foundation step, genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow analysis of various O. abyssinica populations found in Ethiopia are studied using inter‐simple sequence repeat markers. One hundred and thirty isolates of bamboo belonging to 13 geographically diverse populations were collected for DNA extraction and analysis. Heterozygosity, level of polymorphism, marker efficiency, Nei's gene diversity (H), and Shannon's information index (I) analysis, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), analysis for cluster, principal coordinates (PCoA), and admixture analyses were performed based on the markers banding pattern. The results indicated high genetic variation (84.48%) at species level. The H, I, observed and effective number of alleles at the species level were 0.2702, 0.4061, 1.8448, and 1.4744, respectively, suggesting a relatively high level of genetic diversity. However, genetic differentiation at the population level was relatively low. Using grouped populations, AMOVA revealed that most (61.05%) of the diversity was distributed within the populations with F ST = 0.38949, F SC = 0.10486, and F CT = 0.31797. Cluster analysis grouped the populations into markedly distinct clusters, suggesting confined propagation in distinct geographic regions. STRUCTURE analyses showed K = 2 for all populations and K = 11 excluding Gambella population. Using these markers, we found strong evidence that the genetic diversity of the lowland bamboo is associated with distinct geographic regions and that isolates of Gambella Region, with their unique genetic origin, are quite different from other bamboos found in the country.

Socio Economic Contribution of Lowland Bamboo (Oxythenanthera Abyssinica) in Pawe District, Ethiopia

The Study was conducted in Pawe district, Benishangul-Gumuz National Regional State, northwestern Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to evaluate socio-economic aspects of low land bamboo (Oxythenanthera abyssinica). For this study, two villages were selected based on random sampling technique., Data were collected from a total of 136 households. Households were selected using simple random sampling technique. The collected raw data were systematically coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A weighed direct matrix likert scale ranking of species was used to evaluate low land bamboo and others tree species based on multipurpose value. Inferential statistical, linear regression model was employed to find out the relationship between incomes generated from Low Land Bamboo and some selected socioeconomic factors (independent variables). The study result indicated that Out of the sampled households, 50 % and 37.5% of the respondents ranked Mangifera indica and Lowland bamboo (Oxythenanthera abyssinica) first and second, respectively while Melia azedirachta L. and Cordia africana were preferred third (8.1%) and fourth (2.9%), respectively. Among the socio-economic characteristics considered land holding size was positively and highly significantly related to income generated by households (p &lt; 0.01). Therefore, the policies and strategies that improve the welfare of rural people especially the poor and the land less HHs and use of bamboo for natural resource conservation should be given attention. Additionally, government and NGOs should support and encourage cultivation of lowland bamboo and lowland bamboo based activities as part of the diversified livelihood strategies. Keywords: Low Land Bamboo, socio economics, income. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-9-03 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Socio Economic Aspects of Lowland Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica )

Bamboo Plays a vital role in environmental amelioration, biodiversity preservation, and soil conservation and protects other plants from frost, wind and water erosion and itself from freely moving speedy winds and frost. It also contributes to flood management, wastage disposal, waste purification and ecological sanitation as well as recharging groundwater. Bamboo sequesters up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per hectare and it release 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees. Despite the large area coverage, economic, social and conservation significance of bamboo in Ethiopia, information about production, utilization and its use as forage for livestock is limited. Therefore, the present review was conducted with the objectives of generating holistic information socio-economic aspects of the indigenous low land bamboo species. The primary use of raw bamboo material is for housing, fencing, household equipment’s and amenities. The majority of rural families are entirely dependent on raw bamboo for household furniture and as a source of domestic energy and Bamboo is the main material for the construction of house, animal sheds fences, fuel wood and beehives in Asossa Zone, Benshangul-Gumuz Region. In addition, for Jeblawi people of Mandura district in this Region, the shoots of bamboo are very important for their delicious nutritional food sources. Keywords: socio economic, oxytenanthera abyssinica DOI: 10.7176/JPID/54-04 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Genome-wide analysis and expression profile of bZIPs transcription factor gene family in Ethiopian lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) in response to osmotic and salt stress

Genome-wide analysis and expression profile of bZIPs transcription factor gene family in Ethiopian lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) in response to osmotic and salt stress

Evaluation of untreated and urea molasses-treated finger millet (Eleusine coracana) straw and lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) leaf hay on nutritive values and the performance of Gumuz sheep in Ethiopia.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of untreated and urea molasses-treated finger millet straw and lowland bamboo leaf hay feeding on nutrient utilization, growth and carcass characteristics of Gumuz sheep. Twenty yearling intact male sheep with initial body weight of 21.6 ± 1.31kg (mean ± SD) were purchased from local market and were used for 7- and 90-day digestibility and feeding trials, respectively. The sheep were grouped into five blocks of four animals and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. The treatment diets were untreated finger millet straw (UFMS) + 150g wheat bran (WB) and noug seed cake (NSC) mixture (T1), untreated lowland bamboo leaf hay (ULBLH) + 150g WB and NSC mixture (T2), urea molasses (UM)-treated finger millet straw (TFMS) + 150g WB and NSC (T3), and UM-treated lowland bamboo leaf hay (TLBLH) + 150g WB and NSC mixture (T4). Water and salt were given freely throughout the experimental period. Data were analyzed using ANOVA procedure of SAS software. The result of the experiment indicated that better CP was recorded in T4 (21.8%) than other treatments. The total DM intake of sheep was significantly (p < 0.001) higher for T2 = T4 > T3 > T1. Significantly higher (p < 0.001) CP intake was recorded in T4 than T3. Similarly, significantly higher CP digestibility was recorded in groups assigned in T4 than other treatments. UM treatment significantly improved (p < 0.05) the FMS than LBL in most of nutrients. Moreover, significantly (p < 0.001) higher ADG was recorded for T2 and T4 than T3; treatment on FMS did not show significant (p > 0.05) effect. T4 and T3 were similar and significantly higher in most of the carcass parameters except in hot carcass weight. In conclusion, UM treatment could be taken as an option to improve nutritive value of locally available lowland bamboo leaf hay and finger millet straw.