Northwestern Amhara Research Articles

Unveiling wheat rust epidemics: A long‐term surveillance study in Ethiopia's North Western Amhara region

AbstractWheat is one of the most significant food security crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of wheat is far below its potential due to many challenges. Wheat disease epidemics, typified by wheat rusts, are among the most important challenges, causing large‐scale production losses that put farmers’ income and food security at risk. We analysed and presented the long‐term and comprehensive wheat rust surveillance results to better understand the past rust disease occurrences, ultimately contributing to future wheat production and rust control strategies. A total of 1140 wheat fields have been surveyed from 2009 to 2021 throughout four administrative zones of the North Western Amhara region. We identified spatial and temporal trends in the distribution and status of wheat stem rust (Sr), yellow rust (Yr) and leaf rust (Lr) using a combination of different statistical tools and data‐analysis methods. The results of the study indicated that 52.5%, 11.3% and 3.4% of the wheat fields were infected with yellow, stem and leaf rust, respectively. Even so, the distribution and intensity of wheat rust disease vary across locations, elevations and cultivated varieties. The associations between altitude and disease prevalence show a linear correlation. We also identified hotspots of yellow and stem rust, which will be used by the country's wheat rust disease early warning system. In order to reverse low varietal diversification in the farmer's field, it is necessary to work with all stakeholders involved in the wheat production sector in a better synergy.

Seroprevalence, Serotyping, and Associated Risk Factors of Foot and Mouth Diseases in Bovine in Western Amhara Regional State, North Western Ethiopia

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is the most contagious disease of animals. The disease affects domestic cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, deer, and is characterized by fever, lameness, and vesicular lesions on the tongue, feet, snout, and teats. The study aimed to determine seroprevalence of FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease), to identifay type of serotypes and to know associated risk factors. A total of 389 sera samples were collected from cattle in four districts of the north western Amhara region and subjected to a 3ABC enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. The overall seroprevalence of FMDV was 5.66% (22/389); (95%; CI: 3.34% to 7.98%). The 22 positive samples were subjected to solid phase competitive ELISA to identify specific serotypes. The occurrence of FMD was higher in Adet (OR= 12.8), greater in the semi-intensive than extensive production systems (OR=10.4) and highly occurred in the cross breed than local breed cattle (OR=3.56). Serotypes identified in the four districts were type O, SAT2, and A. This study revealed that FMD is a prevalent and endemic disease. Thus, awareness creation to the stakeholders on the control and prevention of a disease is required. Further epidemiological investigation and vaccine trials should be conducted.

Identifying Major Determinant Nutrients for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Growth and Tuber Yield in North Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Identifying Major Determinant Nutrients for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Growth and Tuber Yield in North Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Determine the perceived level of involvement and factors affecting diabetes management by community pharmacy professionals at drug retails in northwestern amhara region, Ethiopia

BackgroundPharmacists in community drug retail outlets (CDROs) have significant involvement in diabetes prevention and management by providing more direct interventions in medication education, preventive measures, and disease management. This study examined the perceived level of involvement of community pharmacy professionals (CPPs) in diabetes management at CDROs in Northwest Ethiopia. MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among CPPs in Northwest Ethiopia between September 1 and 30, 2022. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26 was used to analyzed the data, which had been gathered using a self-administered structured questionnaire. An independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the mean perceived involvement score difference between CPPs. The association between CPPs’ involvement and other sociodemographic variables was examined using linear regression analysis. At a 95% confidence interval (CI), a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsThe study included 184 (94.3%) of 195 CPPs approached. The overall mean perceived involvement score of CPPs in diabetes management was 3.80 ± 0.63 out of 5. CPPs with a bachelor's degree or higher [β = 3.065, 95% CI: 2.704, 3.641; p < 0.001], CPPs with a higher monthly income (≥5000 ETB) [β = 0.242, 95% CI: 0.112, 0.596; p = 0.034], and those who provided more than 8 hours of service per day [β = 0.163, 95% CI: 0.051, 0.332; p = 0.043] had higher perceived involvement in the management of diabetes compared with their counterparts. ConclusionsThis study found that most CPPs had a high level of perceived involvement in diabetes management. Higher educational backgrounds, a higher monthly salary, and working longer hours were associated with an increased level of perceived involvement. Promoting the educational background of CPPs may be crucial to enhance their active involvement in the management of diabetes.

The Efficacy of Selected Insecticides Against Wheat Aphids on Irrigated Wheat in North Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Aphid infestations cause significant losses in wheat production. The experiment was conducted at the Koga irrigation site during 2021 to evaluate the efficacy of commercial insecticides for the management of wheat aphids. Seven types of insecticides with unsprayed control were laid in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The result showed a reduced aphid infestation with maximum grain yield were from dimethoate, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalotrin, profenfos + lambda-cyhalothrin, imidacloprid + lambda-cyhalothrin, and profenofos-sprayed plots. However, the greater net benefit and marginal rate of return were provided by the applications of imidacloprid and dimethoate insecticides. The economically feasible insecticide application can be considered as an effective aphid management practice in wheat production.

Decision on Market Participation of Rice Producers in Fogera District, Northwestern Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The recent studies indicated, determinants of rice market participation need further investigation in Fogera district. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify determinants of rice market participation decision and the quantity of rice marketed by rice producers. To achieve these objectives, both primary and secondary data were collected in 2018/2019 farming season. Both descriptive statistics and double hurdle econometric model were used to analyse the data of 212 sample rice producers. From the sample rice producers, 78.3% were market participants and the remaining 21.7% were non participants. The results of the study indicated, market distance was significantly and negatively influencing the probability of rice market participation, while credit use, production and market information were significantly and positively influencing the probability of rice market participaton. Where as, education level, credit use, production, labor and rice land size were significantly and positively influencing the quantity of rice marketed supply. The finding of this study emphasis the importance of socio economic, institutional and market factors related to yield enhancing rice technologies, use of credit and having access to market information. Therefore, development interventions could focuss on improving such socio economic, institutional and market determinants to make farmers’ rice market participation wider. Keywords: Double hurdle, Ethiopia, Fogera, Rice DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/120-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2022

FARMERS DECISIONS AND DETERMINANTS OF CROP ROTATIONS WITH LUPIN: THE CASE OF WEST AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Using lupin as a break crop and for soil fertility improvement is one of the practices to enhance productivity and improve soil fertility in Ethiopian conditions. However, the use of this practice by smallholder farmers is limited. Therefore, the major objective of this study was to empirically examine factors influencing farmers’ decision to allocate land for lupin crop production as a break crop in North Western Amhara Region of Ethiopia. In this study, stratified sampling procedure was used to select 253 sample households from four Districts (137 household who use lupin in their crop rotations and 116 that do not). The required data were collected using interviews with a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing farmers’ decision to allocate land for lupin production as a break crop. The results of the logit regression analysis indicate that family size, total farmland holdings and contacts with extension workers were the most important factors influencing the decision of the farmer to practice crop rotation with lupin. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the human capital through training and providing extension service to bring farmers’ awareness to practice improved technologies and best indigenous knowledge.

Incidence of human rabies virus exposure in northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia

BackgroundClinical Rabies is a widely distributed almost 100% fatal viral zoonotic disease. Most human rabies cases occur in developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa. It can be prevented by immunization, post exposure prophylaxis. Ethiopia is assumed to be among African countries with high incidence of human rabies exposure cases. However, there is limited documented data on the incidence of human rabies exposure in the study area in particular and in Ethiopia in general. Thus, this study aimed to determine the Incidence of Human Rabies Virus exposure in Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia.MethodsRetrospective cross-sectional study was conducted during August and September, 2017. The study was conducted at Addis Alem Hospital, a district level hospital in Bahir Dar. Data on human rabies exposure cases registered from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017 were collected from anti-rabies post exposure prophylaxis registration log book. Data was collected using a structured data collection questionnaire developed for this purpose. Descriptive statistics was used to describe relevant variables.The resultsA total of 924 human rabies exposure cases was recorded. The overall human rabies incidence per 100, 000 population was 6.5 in 2015 and 7.5 in 2016. Males (55.2%, 510/924) and children of age less than fifteen (46.3%, 428/924) were most affected groups. The majority of human rabies exposure cases (71.9%, 664/924) were from rural settings. Dogs were the principal sources of exposure (96.3%) followed by cat (1.5%) and donkey (1.3%). High incidence rate of rabies exposure was reported during spring (360, 39%) and summer (244, 26.4%) seasons. There was significant difference between rural and urban exposure cases (p = 0.001) in respect to the time of arrival to the hospital.ConclusionTaking these into account, a significant proportion of the population was exposed to rabies virus during the study years. There was high human rabies exposure rate in children and in the rural community.This shows the need for organizing preventive and control strategies and to build community awareness.

Assessment of Spatial Soil Erosion Susceptibility Based on the CORINE Model in the Gumara-Maksegnit Watershed, Ethiopia

Soil erosion is one of the major environmental threats in the northwestern Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to assess the spatial heterogeneity of soil erosion risk within the Gumara-Maksegnit watershed (57.3 km2) using the Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) soil erosion assessment method to determine the most endangered areas. The model is simple and robust and consists of six steps overlaying combinations of soil texture, depth, stoniness, climatic and land-use/land-cover information with GIS support. The CORINE model was used to produce potential and actual soil erosion maps. The potential soil erosion map consists of the erosion risk of the land without considering current vegetation, but can be expanded to consider current land cover. The potential soil erosion risk map showed that a small part of the watershed (6.63 %) had low risk, 17.92 % had moderate risk and a large part of the study area (75.45 %) had high potential erosion risk. Meanwhile, the actual soil erosion risk map showed that a small part of the watershed (11.92 %) had low risk, 20.85 % of the area had moderate risk, and a large part of the study area (67.23 %) had high actual soil erosion risk. Low soil erosion risk areas were located in the southern part of the watershed, high erosion risk areas were found in the northern, northwestern and eastern part of the watershed, while moderately risky areas were randomly distributed throughout the watershed. Overall, the CORINE model can play a role in soil and water conservation by identifying highly endangered areas.

Population dynamics and performance of exotic versus indigenous chicken population in the selected districts of North Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Sisay T, Alemayehu K, Wuletaw Z. 2017. Population dynamics and performance of exotic versus indigenous chicken population in the selected districts of North Western Amhara, Ethiopia. Trop Drylands 1: 90-99. Chicken in Ethiopia contributes, respectively, 98.5% and 99.2% of the national egg and chicken meat production. The total chicken population is estimated to be 56.87 million of which 95.86, 2.79 and 1.35% are indigenous, crossbred and exotic breeds, respectively. The objective of this paper was to quantify the population dynamics and performance of exotic versus indigenous chicken population in the selected districts of northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia. Banja and Burie districts and six Kebeles (three/district) were purposively selected. A total 180 respondents were selected by systematic and simple random sampling techniques for the survey. On the other hand, a total of 90 exotic chicken owners were purposively selected for monitoring and evaluation. GLM procedure of SAS (2002) was used to quantify the fixed effects of agroecology and breeds on the egg production performance. The results revealed that the majorities (91.12%) of distributed exotic chickens were kept in traditional/backyard production system. The overall mean egg production for exotic chickens (141.58±11.5) was too low. Significantly, the mean number of clutch per year per hen of Bovans Brown chicken was higher (4.51±0.11 days) than Bovans white breeds (3.5±0.10 days). Shortage at first egg was attained from midland of Koekoek chicken breed (5.38±0.24 months) than from highland (6.54±0.10 months) in Bovans Brown chicken. A highly significant difference in mortality was observed between Bovans Brown (89%) and Koekoek breed (32.4%), respectively due to traditional farmers' management practice. Distribution of different exotic chicken genotypes in the region is increasing from time to time for the upgrading of local chicken ecotypes but, the survival, productivity and population size of exotic and their crosses were too low. On the other hand, the population size of the indigenous chicken and its productivity remains almost constant. Causes of chick mortality in the study area were disease and predator which need to be considered in the development plan of the districts. This is due to the inappropriate production system, genotype, and management. Therefore, production and productivity will be increased through the selection of indigenous chicken ecotypes and crossbreed or upgrading by introduction exotic cocks, pullets and or fertile eggs of high egg producing strains with an appropriate production system and management in respective production system.

Conformation traits of dairy cattle populations in selected Districts of Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia

Mammo M, Alemayehu K, Tassew A. 2017. Conformation traits of dairy cattle populations in selected Districts of Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia. Biodiversitas 18: 1669-1679. The study was conducted in three selected districts of northwestern Amhara. The objective was to quantify the characteristics of conformation traits of dairy cattle populations at smallholder farmers' level. 279 cattle keepers were selected for measurement of conformation traits. About 105 indigenous cattle from each district and 42 crossbred female cattle were considered for measurement. SPSS (2007) was used to analyze qualitative data and SAS (2014) for quantitative data. The results revealed that the conformation trait measurements (cm) of indigenous cattle had significant variation (P&lt; 0.001) on neck length for dairy type (54.07 ± 4.80) and meat type (51.96 ± 4.05) traits. The width at the point of the shoulder was 7.72 ±1.96, 6.60 ± 1.68 and 5.35 ± 1.61 for meat type, dual type and for dairy type cattle, respectively. A male cattle had significant variation over female except neck length. All qualitative traits were laid intermediate levels (4-6 point) except crossbred which was 63.64 %. About 30% of dairy type cattle had high rear udder depth and 43.33% dairy type cattle had strong central ligament. Crossbred cattle had 42.1% sickled rear leg. In general, about 57.5% dairy type cattle and 95.2% crossbred cattle have very angular shape as 75% of meat type cattle lack angularity. From this research, it could be concluded that there were significant differences of conformation traits between dairy type and beef type cattle from the cattle population considered in the study for developing specialized dairy or beef breed types. As well as indigenous dairy type cattle are comparable to other known dairy cattle breeds like Kanan, Fogera and Barka. However, farmers did not exercise in developing product specific and specialized breeds with their corresponding production system than multipurpose. Thus, selection and appropriate planed breeding program is crucial for future dairy cattle genetic improvement to match genotype and environment and meet producers’ production objectives. Hence, conformation traits can be a vital tool to make decisions on cattle selection and breed improvement.

Characteristics of Agricultural Landscape Features and Local Soil Fertility Management Practices in Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia

Characteristics of Agricultural Landscape Features and Local Soil Fertility Management Practices in Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia

Phenotypic characterization, population structure, breeding management and recommend breeding strategy for Fogera cattle (Bos indicus) in Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia

SummaryThe study was carried out in selected districts in the Northwestern Amhara, from October 2012 to May 2013. The objective of the study were to undertake on-farm and on-station phenotypic characterization of Fogera Cattle in comparison with two different local cattle population, to characterize the population structure and to identifying trait preferences, breeding management and to recommend breeding strategy for Fogera cattle. Both purposive and random samplings were employed. Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, field observations, census data, direct count and body measurements. About 126 smallholder farmers were interviewed. About 21 quantitative and 17 qualitative phenotypic data types were also generated from 332 cattle. The Effective population size (Ne) and rate of inbreeding (ΔF) were calculated from the counted population structure data. Both GLM procedures of SAS and descriptive statistics of SPSS software's were employed for data analyses. The results indicated that Fogera cattle were kept mostly for milk (97.62 percent). The main threats identified for the survival of Fogera cattle were scarcity of feed resources and interbreeding with other indigenous cattle, which are less demanding in terms of feed. Fogera cattle population has specific morphological appearance. Generally about 65.2 percent of male pure-Fogera cattle population are having large hump and large dewlap (93.5 percent) with cervico-thoracic (82.6 percent) hump position and long tail (97.8 percent), respectively. The coat pattern of male pure-Fogera cattle is dominated by the spotted coat pattern (82.6 percent) with 43.5 percent white black and 39.1 percent black white coat colour. Female Fogera cattle have medium (94.4 percent) hump size at cervico-thoracic positions (73.2 percent), large dewlap (62.7 percent) and long tail which is well below the hock (91.5 percent). The coat pattern of female pure-Fogera cattle is dominated by white spotted (80.3 percent) with 43.0 percent white black and 33.1 percent black white coat colour Most of the quantitative traits were highly significantly (P≤ 0.001) affected by breed type. Except horn length and horn space all of quantitative traits for both sexes of pure-Fogera cattle from on-station were significantly (P≤ 0.05) larger than those of the on-farm. The average linear body measurement taken on a total of 46 male pure-Fogera cattle populations were 42.68 ± 0.56 cm (mouth circumference), 16.35 ± 0.72 cm (horn length), 37.04 ± 1.16 cm (dewlap width) and 129.17 ± 1.33 cm (height at wither). The average linear body measurements for female pure-Fogera cattle were 38.23 ± 0.18 cm (mouth circumference), 13.81 ± 0.37 cm (horn length), 27.20 ± 0.42 cm (dewlap width) and 123.68 ± 0.52 cm (height at wither). The population structure were dominated by Pure-Fogera constituting 37.02 percent, Interbred with Fogera (33.71 percent) and non-Fogera (29.23 percent). The effective population size of pure-Fogera cattle was 4295, with 9016 total population. The average inbreeding level for the population was 0.012 percent. Inbreeding is at a low level and the effective population size is large. The calculated parameters indicate satisfactory genetic diversity in Fogera cattle. Milk yield, colour, power, body size and growth rate of Fogera were the most dominant traits perceived to be good by the respondents. The special qualification of this breed is to live at high amount of flooding areas with adapting other very challenging environment. Pure breeding of pure-Fogera, interbred with Fogera and non-Fogera type of breeds was used for breeding practice with natural mating. The Andassa Research Center established in 1964 as Fogera cattle population improving centre, but according to different source, population viability and population structure indicated that the population are not viable and highly admixture with other indigenous cattle breeds. According to this in order to improve the population status of Fogera cattle we recommended control with open-nucleus breeding strategy. So in order to minimize the risk status of this breed and conserve for the future generation any responsible agent should be given priority.

Predicting the spatial distribution of soil erodibility factor using USLE nomograph in an agricultural watershed, Ethiopia

Soil erosion in the northwestern Amhara region, Ethiopia has been a subject of anxiety, resulting in a major environmental threat to the sustainability and productive capacity of agricultural areas. This study tried to estimate soil erodibility factor (K-factor) using Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) nomograph, and evaluate the spatial distribution of the predicted K-factor in a mountainous agricultural watershed. To investigate the K-factor, the 54km2 study watershed was divided into a 500m by 500m square grid and approximately at the center of each grid, topsoil samples (roughly 10 to 20cm depth) were collected over 234 locations. Sand, silt, clay and organic matter (OM) percentage were analyzed, while soil permeability and structure class codes were obtained using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) document. The resulting coefficient of variation (CV) of the estimated K-factor was 0.31, suggesting a moderate variability. Meanwhile, the value of nugget to sill ratio of K-factor was 0.32, which categorized as moderate spatial autocorrelation. Prediction accuracy and model fitting effect of the Gaussian semivariogram approach was best, suggesting that the Gaussian ordinary Kriging model was more appropriate for predicting K-factor. The resulting value of the mean error (ME) was 0 and the mean squared deviation ratio (MSDR) was nearly 1, which indicates the Gaussian model was unbiased and reproduced the experimental variance sufficiently. The values of K-factor were smaller (0.0217 to 0.0188) in the northern part and gradually increased (0.0273 to 0.033MghMJ−1mm−1) towards the central and south of the study watershed.

The Effect of Crossbreeding on Performance of Crossbred Dairy Cows and Indigenous Cattle Genetic Resources in the North Western Amhara, Ethiopia

The Effect of Crossbreeding on Performance of Crossbred Dairy Cows and Indigenous Cattle Genetic Resources in the North Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Ectoparasites of Sheep and Goats in North-West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study on ectoparasites of sheep (n=738) and goats (n=492) was conducted in Northwestern Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia from October 2009 to April 2010 to determine the prevalence of major ectoparasites of sheep and goats and the associated risk factors. Out of the clinically examined animals, 331(44.9%) sheep and 214 (43.5%) goats were infested with one or more ectoparasites. Ectoparasites identified in sheep were Damalinia ovis (30.9%), Mellophagus ovinus (10.8%), ticks (3.9%), Linognathus species (3.1%) and flea (1.1%). Among goats, Linognathus species, ticks, flea and demodectic mange were identified with respective prevalence of 27%, 17.7%, 2.6% and 2.2%. Sheep in midland were 3.7 and 2.3 times more at risk for Damalinia ovis infestation than sheep in highland and lowland, respectively and also goats in midland were 1.8 times at risk for Linognathus species than lowland sheep (P &lt; 0.05). Sheep poor in body condition were 1.9 times more at risk for Damalinia ovis than good body condition sheep and goats poor in body condition were 3.5 times more at risk for Linognathus species than good body condition goats (P&lt; 0.05). Age and wool length of sheep were important predictors for the presences of Mellophagus ovinus on highland sheep. The prevalence of Mellophagus ovinus was significantly higher in young and long wool sheep than in adult and short wool sheep (P &lt; 0.05). The observed overall prevalence is generally high which may result in enormous economic losses through decreased production and productivity, damages to the skin and deaths of the animal which requires an immediate attention and professional intervention.Key words: Ectoparasites, Ethiopia, Goat, Prevalence, Risk factors, Sheep.

English

&nbsp; A study was conducted at Northwestern Ethiopia, during 2010 main cropping season. Fifteen maize genotypes were evaluated at four locations that differ in soil type, altitude and mean annual rainfall. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Stability parameters that are useful tools for identification of genotypes with specific and wide adaptations, and contrasting the role played by genotype, environment and G x E interaction in multilocational variety trials were considered and analyzed. The highly significant G x E interactions indicated that genotypes performance was inconsistent across testing locations and need to be tested in several locations in order to select stable genotypes. Jibat-851, Wonchi and BHQPY-545 exhibited high mean grain yield across environments and average responsiveness with high degree of stability indicating general adaptability and thus can be recommended for north western Amhara region and for areas with similar environments. The best genotype with respect to location Adet was Gibe-1 while Wonchi was the best genotype for Merawi area. Phb-3253 performed well at Motta, while Phb-30G19 and Jibat-851 performed well at Finoteselam. Therefore, these genotypes can be recommended according to their specific adaptation area.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key&nbsp;words:&nbsp;Genotype&nbsp;by&nbsp;environment&nbsp;interactions,&nbsp;grain&nbsp;yield,&nbsp;maize,&nbsp;stability &nbsp;

Plant community and ecological analysis of woodland vegetation in Metema Area, Amhara National Regional State, Northwestern Ethiopia

We studied woodland vegetation in broad-leaved deciduous woodlands of Metema in northwestern Amhara regional state, Ethiopia to determine plant community types and species distribution patterns and their relationships with environmental variables, including altitude, pH, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity (EC), and moisture. We used a selective approach with a systematic sampling design. A total of 74 quadrats, each 25m × 25m at intervals of 150–200 m were sampled along the established transect lines. For herbaceous vegetation and soil data collection, five subquadrats each 1m × 1m were established at the four corners and the center of each quadrat. Three community types were identified using TWINSPAN analysis. All three community types showed high diversity (Shannon-Weiner index), the highest in community type II at 3.55. The highest similarity coefficient was 0.49 (49%) between community types II and III, reflecting 0.51 (51%) dissimilarity in their species richness. The canonical correspondence ordination diagram revealed that the distribution pattern of community type I was explained by moisture while that of community types III and II was explained by EC and altitude and moisture, respectively. Altitude was the most statistically significant environmental variable, followed by moisture and EC in determining the total variation in species composition and distribution patterns while pH and cation exchange capacity were non significant. In conclusion, we recommend that any intervention should take into account these three discrete community types and their environmental settings to make the intervention more successful.

Floristic diversity, regeneration status, and vegetation structure of woodlands in Metema Area, Amhara National Regional State, Northwestern Ethiopia

We studied woodland vegetation in broad-leaved deciduous woodlands of Metema in northwestern Amhara regional state, Ethiopia Our objective was to describe plant species composition, diversity, regeneration status, and population structure by a selective approach with a systematic sampling design. A total of 74 quadrats (each for 25 m × 25 m, spaced at intervals of 150–200 m) were sampled along established transect lines following the homogeneity of the vegetation. Vegetation data including cover-abundance, height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and numbers of seedlings and saplings of woody species were analyzed using Excel spreadsheet, Shannon Weiner diversity index, and PAST version 1.62. A total of 87 vascular plant species of 74 genera and 36 families were recorded. The dominant family was Fabaceae represented by 16 (18.39 %) species of 13 genera. Shannon Weiner diversity and evenness were 3.67 and 0.82, respectively, which showed that the area was endowed with rich floral diversity evenly distributed. The vegetation structure, as quantified by cumulative diameter class frequency distribution, plotted as an interrupted inverted-J-shape pattern with a sharp decrease in the 2nd diameter class. This indicated poor vegetation structure. The diameter classes frequency distributions of selected species plotted in four general patterns i.e., interrupted Inverted-J-shape, J-shape, Bell-shape and Irregular-shape. In conclusion, although the area showed high floral diversity and evenness, woody species including Sterculea setigera, Boswellia papyrifera, and Pterocarpus lucens showed lowest recruitment of seedlings and saplings.

Management of snout beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on maize using Dynamic 400 FS in north-western Ethiopia

Despite the huge role maize plays as a staple food crop in Ethiopia, soil dwelling snout beetles, among other constraints, are upsetting its production. The pests have created an emergency management situation in north-western Amhara, Ethiopia. To alleviate this constraint, the insecticide Dynamic, along with the standard insecticide (check), Cruiser and others, was evaluated in the field against snout beetles in 2010. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The highest rate of ‘Dynamic (4 ml/kg seed)’ performed close to the standard check, Cruiser, in terms of maize stand count, maize seedling damage, snout beetle population and grain yield. Mean grain yield levels ranged from 2270 kg/ha for the untreated check to 4600 kg/ha for plots treated with the highest rate of Cruiser (3 ml/kg seed). Higher rate of Cruiser application gave the highest grain yield advantage, i.e., 103% (or 2330 kg/ha) over the untreated control. The second highest yield advantage (90% or 2050 kg/ha) over the control was obtained from the highest rate of Dynamic application (4 ml/kg seed). Therefore, Dynamic is recommended for immediate application at the higher rate of 4 ml/kg seed against snout beetles.