Rain Season Research Articles

Stem cuttings assessment for domesticating the medicinal melliferous plant, Combretum micranthum G. Don. in the Republic of Benin

Combretum micranthum is a medicinal and melliferous plant from the dry tropical regions where it is threatened with extinction and it urges to develop suitable methods for its sustainable domestication. The challenges of producing seedlings from the seeds of the species make stem cutting, a potential approach for its domestication and this research evaluated the possibility to use such cuttings for seedlings production at a nursery located in the northern part of the Republic of Benin by determining the most effective season to harvest the stem cuttings, the parts of the branch which could yield the best rate of vigorous seedlings and the optimal transplantation time. An experimental dispositive of 4 plots of 35 cuttings of 25 cm long of the categories named A, B, C and D from the base to the apex of the branch was repeated in two seasons. The first trial consisted of cuttings harvested during the end of the dry season and the second trial was carried out with cuttings that were harvested at the heart of the rainy season. The results showed that the dry season cuttings yielded the best vigorous seedlings rate (46% against only 6% for those harvested in the rainy season). Basal cuttings of the dry season had the best survival rate at 49% while apical cuttings from the same season had the best vigorous seedlings rate at 43% versus 23% for the basal cuttings. Intermediate cuttings yielded low vigorous plantlet rates. The optimum nursery time was 90 days regardless of the harvest season. Dry season stem cuttings, based on basal and apical cuttings were the best approach for domesticating C. micranthum. The technology did not require any root activator and the vigorous seedlings were available during the relevant reforestation rain season. Keywords: Forestry, medicinal plant, melliferous plant, non-timber product, nursery, seedling, stem cutting.

Indigenous and improved adaptation technologies in response to climate change adaptation and barriers among smallholder farmers in the East Wollega Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

Agriculture is the foundation of economy for Ethiopia. The majority of people in the study area rely on rain-fed subsistence agriculture for their livelihood. As a result, smallholder farmers were more susceptible to climate change due to their reliance on a single rain season and lack of climate change adaptation technologies. The sustainability of food crop production, which employs the majority of the labor force in the nation, is threatened by climate change. The study's objectives were to look at indigenous and improved adaptation technologies in reaction to local climate change effects and barriers to adaptation among smallholder farmers. A closed-ended, semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather the data from 400 smallholder farmer household heads. An analysis of the variables influencing farmers' decisions regarding climate change adaptation was conducted using binary logistic regression model. The fitness and accuracy of the model were examined using an omnibus test of model coefficients. The study's findings showed that absence of crop insurance, a lack of training and demonstration, a lack of non-farm employment, a lack of weather forecasting and early warning, shortage of finance, the high price of farm inputs, and reliance on a single rain season were the main barriers preventing farmers from adapting to climate change. The most popular indigenous adaptation techniques used by smallholder farmers included mixed cropping of local variety, reducing social and religious rituals, mixed farming (local crop and livestock), and reducing the amount of food consumed. The primary improved adaptation strategies used by the farmers included the use of chemical fertilizers, various agrochemicals, and soil and water conservation methods. The binary logistic regression model's findings showed that access to extension services by household heads significantly and favorably influenced farmers' decisions to scale back social and religious rituals, reduce food consumption, sell livestock, and adopt improved mixed farming as a means of adapting to climate change. Farm experience significantly influenced the farmers’ decision to practice improved mixed farming; access to the market significantly affected farmers’ decision on soil and water conservation practices; and the age of the respondents significantly influenced the farmers’ decision to practice improved crop variety as a response to climate change adaptation. The study's conclusions showed that a number of factors limited farmers' attempts to adapt to climate change. The study recommends that decisions regarding adaptation plans should concentrate on reducing these barriers.

Relationship of the Seasonal Vegetation Indices against the NDVI and LST in the Region of Kamuku Game Reserve and Kwiambana National Park, Nigeria

While it is anticipated that there would be some similarities amongst spectral Vegetation Indices (VIs) because the majority of the indices use the red and NIR bands, it is also expected that there would be some variances. The NDVI, derived earlier by Rouse (1973), and is the commonly used VI, there have meagre understanding of the relationship between the NDVI and another VIs. Similarly, investigations on the correlation between LST and other VIs (other than NDVI) in both dry and raining seasons have not been adequately explored. This motivated the study to determine the seasonal correlation of some spectral VIs against the NDVI and LST over the forest reserve area. The study investigated two categories of VIs: slope-based and distance-based. It derived spectral VIs from Landsat 8 images for dry (January) and raining (August) seasons; and estimated LST from MODIS. The findings showed that the ARVI, GNDVI and TVI not only showed resemblance in appearance with the NDVI in both seasons, but also had a high coefficient of correlation: ARVI = 0.973, 0.964; GNDVI = 0.919, 0.879; TVI = 0.779, 0.716. Based on this finding, the ARVI, GNDVI and TVI can be used to supplant the NDVI for biomass related studies in the study area. The study further revealed that the LST-VIs relationship was negative for both dry and rainy seasons, except for the distance-based VIs (DVI, SAVI, MSAVI) that specifically had a positive correlation with the LST. The LST was strongly correlated with the GNDVI, TVI, NDVI, ARVI (0.664 ? r ? 0.598). However, the strength of the correlation for the LST-VIs in the raining season was very weak (0.003 ? r ? 0.245). The study concluded that the correlation of the LST versus the ARVI, GNDVI, NDVI, and TVI can be used for climate related studies.

Bivariate Discrete Time Series Model for Assessing the effects of Rainfall and Temperature on Road Accidents: The case of Morogoro and Pwani Regions in Tanzania

In this article the contributions of weather on the occurrences of road accidents in Tanzania particularly for Morogoro and Pwani Regions is discussed. The correlation between road accidents and weather variables have indirect relationship taking into consideration that the later affects other factors like humans (drivers and other road users), state of vehicles and infrastructure before contributing to the incidence of road accidents. A bivariate discrete time series BINAR(1) model is formulated, and contribution of weather variability conditions in determining and forecasting road accidents is assessed using real data from Tanzania Meteorological Authority and Tanzania Police Force. The results show that, the contribution of weather variables specifically rainfall and temperature on road accidents vary either positively or negatively depending on the particular situation. Therefore, model properties are used to obtain correlation of these factors to road accidents as well as forecasting road accidents. It is not straight forward that increase (decrease) of rainfall or temperature lead to rise (decline) of road accidents. This indicates that, there might be other factors contributing to road accidents that need to be considered for achieving minimal if not zero road accidents. Therefore, we recommend the Government of Tanzania through the Tanzania Police Force to strictly enforce road safety laws and other necessary bylaws as well as providing education about road safety regulations to all road users. This will result to road accidents to be reduced significantly during rain and dry (high temperature) seasons.

Genotype × Environment Interaction Influence Secondary Metabolite in Cowpea Infested by Flower Bud Thrips

Secondary metabolites are among the major contributors of host-plant resistance. Cowpea produces secondary metabolites that are known to enhance resistance to insect pests including flower bud thrips. However, environmental conditions tend to affect the production of secondary metabolites, thereby affecting the response of the host plants to insect pest. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the genotype × environment interaction on the production of secondary metabolites and flower bud thrips resistance in cowpea. Six cowpea genotypes were evaluated for flower bud thrips damage and the contents of flavonoids, antioxidants, phenolics, proteins, lignin, tannins and reducing sugars in four environments with varying temperatures and rainfall patterns. The data collected were subjected to the analysis of variance and genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) analysis. Flower thrips damage, and the contents of flavonoids, antioxidants, lignin, tannins and reducing sugars varied significantly (p < 0.001) among genotypes. Genotype Sanzi produced high levels of antioxidants, while TVU-9820 led in phenolic concentrations respectively. Metabolite contents were significantly (p < 0.001) different among environments, with the long rain season of field experiments led to increased production of flavonoids, proteins, lignin and tannins. A resistant genotype, TVU-3804, produced relatively stable contents of flavonoids, antioxidants, phenolics, proteins and reducing sugars across environments. In this study, the environment influenced the concentration of the metabolites, which in turn affected the cowpea’s resistance to flower bud thrips.

Analisis Daya Saing pada Usahatani Padi Tadah Hujan dan Usahatani Padi Irigasi di Klaten

One of the strategic agricultural development programs is food self-sufficiency. This self-sufficiency is called rice self-sufficiency because rice is the main food ingredient in food self-sufficiency. Rice is a strategic food crop for the creation of rice self-sufficiency in in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze competitiveness based on competitive, comparative, and sensitivity advantages in rainfed and irrigated rice fields in Klaten district. The method used in determining the sample was done by purposive sampling. Data analysis used the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) method and sensitivity analysis. The results showed that the rainfed lowland and irrigated rice fields in Klaten Regency had competitive and comparative advantages. The sensitivity analysis saw that when there was a 20 percent decrease in output in rainfed rice, it was no longer competitive because the PCR value became 1,01 from 0,80 while irrigated rice fields remained competitive with a PCR value of 0,71 from the previous 0,56. For rainfed lowland rice farming, it is necessary to have additional technology to increase production during a longer dry season or lower rain intensity so that production does not decrease due to water shortages in rainfed rice fields which make it unable to compete competitively and comparatively.

Coexistence in scarcity: Small mammals and seasonality in the Caatinga

Species coexistence involves resource partitioning, even if indirectly. These resources can fluctuate over time especially in highly seasonal environments such as Caatinga, the largest tropical-dry-forest in South America, that has a long dry season and short periods of rain. Here, we describe the diversity of small mammals in a well-preserved area of the Caatinga, quantifying richness, diversity and evenness. Our aim is to assess coexistence analysing community structure spatially (mobility and vertical use) and functionally (functional richness, evenness and divergence), evaluating the influence of seasonality on these parameters. We monthly live-trapped small mammals for five nights during one year. We recorded five small mammal species (marsupials and rodents). Capture success were higher during the dry season and the abundance of marsupials was correlated with precipitation and water balance. The most scansorial species explored the ground more than usual during the dry season. The community presents low functional richness and evenness, but high divergence and in the dry season this is emphasized. The community is spatially and functionally well structured, with well discriminated exploration of resources, but it is still impacted by the strong seasonality of the biome, reflected on the differential use of vertical strata and abundance data across seasons.

Spatio-temporal variability and trends of hydroclimatic variables at Zarima Sub-Basin North Western Ethiopia

Globally, hydroclimatic variables have been changed due to human activities and have an impact on agricultural production and water resource management. This study investigated the spatio-temporal variability of hydroclimatic variables in Zarima subbasin using rainfall and temperature data from 1984 to 2018 and stream flow data from 1990 to 2014. The data were analyzed using the coefficient of variation, standardized anomaly index, Mann–Kendall trend and Sen’s slope estimator test. The results showed that rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures of the Zarima subbasin varied spatially and temporally. The annual and Kiremit season rainfall and stream flow showed low to moderate variability (CV < 30%) whereas Bega and Belg season rain fall and stream flow showed high degree of variability (CV < 40%). The annual and Kiremit season rainfall showed relatively higher variability along the northern border of the subbasin. However, maximum temperature showed less degree of variability (CV < 10%) over the subbasin, whereas the annual and seasonal minimum temperatures showed less to moderate variability (CV = 2–28%). The minimum temperature showed moderate variability around the south east lower border of the subbasin on the annual time scale and the north east part of the subbasin during the Kiremit season. The Bega and Belg seasons mean minimum temperatures showed less to high degree of variability (CV = 0–40%). The south east lower part of the subbasin showed moderate to high variability during the Bega and Belg seasons. Results of a standardized anomaly index of the rainfall, temperature and stream flow confirmed that the sub basin experienced fluctuations between dry, wet, cool and warm years. The spatial representation of annual rainfall showed a statically significant increasing trend in some parts of the subbasin and an insignificant increasing trend in the majority of the subbasin up to 300 mm per decade, while the Bega and Belg seasons showed statistically insignificant increasing and decreasing trends. Kiremit season rainfall showed heterogenous results in both statistics and trend direction. The mean annual maximum showed an increasing trend from 0.35 to 0.9 °C. The Bega, Belg and Kiremit seasons' maximum temperatures increased by a range of 0.35 to 0.95 °C; 0.4 from 1.2 °C and 0.1 to 0.55 °C pre decade respectively. While the annual minimum temperature increased by 0.05 to 0.5 °C and decreasing trend by 0.1 to 0.3 °C around the south eastern part of the subbasin. The Bega and Belg season minimum temperatures increased up to 0.5 °C and 1 °C and temperatures decreased in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 oC per decade. The Kiremit season minimum temperature increased by a range of 0.05 to 0.5 °C. The annual, Bega, Belg and Kiremit season stream flow increased insignificantly by 0.32, 0.31, 0.02 and 0.68 mm3/s respectively. In general, the subbasin experienced hydroclimatic variability which affects the life of the people, agricultural production and the economy of the area. This needs further investigation for planning and management of water resource management for the success of future water resources projects.

Preliminary inventory of the small mammal fauna of the Yok Don National Park (Dak Lak province, Vietnam)

Three short surveys of mammals were held in 2007 (June, beginning of rain season) and 2012 (May, low season, and December, beginning of dry season) in Yok Don National Park (Vietnam, Dak Lak Province) under the aegis of Joint Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Centre. Occurrence of 23 small mammal species was revealed including 13 species new to Dak Lak Province. The latter are represented mainly by bats of which the most important records are Murina harrisoni, Pipistrellus paterculus and Hesperoptenus tickelli, and also by rats (Rattus cf. andamanensis, Berylmys bowersi) and white-toothed shrew Crocidura phanluongi. Tree-shrew (Tupaia belangeri) was the most abundant non-volant mammal during the survey. On the whole, the micromammalian fauna of Yok Don seems to be strongly underestimated.

Current climate change impacts and risks reviewed in Africa by giving especial emphasis in Ethiopia: Short review

Climate change is a long-lasting change in the weather arrays across tropics to polls. It is a global threat that has embarked on to put stress on various sectors in the world. Climate change represents a major threat to Africa. The climate change grave consequences of a temperature increase above 1.5°C, Rainfall patterns are disrupted, glaciers are disappearing and key lakes are shrinking. In all Africa in general, and east Africa in particular is the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts under all climate scenarios. Despite that Africa having contributed the least to global warming and having the lowest co2 emissions, the continent faces exponential collateral damage, posing systemic risks to its economies, infrastructure investments, water and food systems, public health, agriculture, and livelihoods, threatening to undo its modest development gains and slip into higher levels of extreme poverty. By 2030, 108-116 million people be exposed to sea level rise risk and Drought. Similarly Ethiopia faces numerous development challenges that exacerbate its vulnerability to climate change, including high levels of food insecurity and ongoing conflicts over natural resources. Climate resolvase projects solve problems of increases in temperature, erratic rainfall and unpredictability of seasonal rain, drought and other extreme events. Therefore it is timely call to control and work on climate smart agriculture and adaptability practices that Climate change would have not negative impacts on agriculture, livestock, water and human health in Ethiopia. Thus the present reviews aims to point out climate impact and risk management with organizing publication from concerned scholars so that make easy for researchers, implementers and police makers working on climate resilient and mitigation as well as to support researcher for father gaze ring information about disaster of climate change.

On the Predictability of the Extreme Drought in East Africa During the Short Rains Season

AbstractMany parts of East Africa experienced extremely dry conditions during the short rains season of October–December 2021. It was predicted a few months before by the ensemble seasonal prediction system based on the SINTEX‐F climate model. The analysis of co‐variability of inter‐member anomalies has revealed that the 2021 negative Indian Ocean Dipole was responsible for these unusually dry conditions over East Africa. We also show that a hybrid statistical‐dynamical framework is more skillful than the SINTEX‐F model at predicting drought in East Africa on longer lead time, which may help people to take necessary mitigation measures to reduce the devastating impact of the drought.

Plum rain enhances porewater greenhouse gas fluxes and weakens the acidification buffering potential in saltmarshes

Seasonal rainfall, locally known as plum rain, is a potentially important driver of greenhouse gas dynamics in saltmarshes, but no studies of its effects have been reported. We quantified porewater exchange and related greenhouse gas fluxes in a saltmarsh over a spring-neap-spring tidal cycle (30 tidal cycles) during the plum rain season. Radon-traced porewater exchange rates were found to be 15.5 (pre-rain) and 24.8 (plum rain) cm day−1, which released CO2 and CH4 to surface waters with the fluxes (mmol m−2 day−1) of 77.7 and 0.28 during the pre-rain period and 132.3 and 0.63 over the plum rain period, respectively. The large amounts of soil CO2 export through porewater exchange during the plum rain significantly increased the CO2 inventory and reduced the pH from 8.06 to 7.86 (median) in saltmarsh surface water. The result suggests that plum rain-derived porewater exchange with lower pH values may contribute to coastal acidification.

Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) diversity along a rainy season and edge effects in a riparian forest in Southeastern Brazil

AbstractKnowledge on the distribution of mosquito communities over time and across human‐modified landscapes is important in determining the risk for vector‐borne disease. The diversity of mosquitoes along a rainy season and edge effects were evaluated in a riparian forest in the Cerrado biome, Southeastern Brazil. Mosquito communities were sampled with Shannon traps in three distinct habitats (forest interior, forest edge and pasture) throughout an entire rainy season, comprising five sampling months (December 2015 to April 2016). A total of 13 549 mosquitoes belonging to 54 species were sampled. Mosquito species richness and abundance were greater in February, which coincided with the middle of the rainy season and just after the months with greater rainfall. Mosquito species richness did not differ among habitats for any particular month. In February, month when 74% of individuals were recorded, mosquito abundance was lower in the pasture compared with the forest edge and interior, which did not differ statistically from each other. Four of the six most abundant mosquito species (which account for 93.5% of the sampled individuals) had more individuals collected in the forest edge, and 28 species were more abundant at the edge compared with 15 species in the forest interior. Months with high rainfall probably allowed the availability and maintenance of high‐water level in breeding sites leading to a further increase in mosquito populations. While the pasture did not seem to have the ideal abiotic conditions and/or resources (e.g. food and breeding sites) for mosquito species, edge effects appear to favour mosquito populations. Therefore, the risk of mosquito‐borne diseases is expected to be greater in the middle of the rain season at the riparian forest‐pasture edge, when and where a greater number of disease‐vectoring species are present.

Trends of Rainfall Pattern in the Island Province of Catanduanes, Philippines

The Island of Catanduanes is located in the eastern most fringe of Luzon considered to be the doorstep of typhoon path. The rainfall in the province is important in producing agricultural food to make life in the province sustainable. Hence, it is necessary to establish how the effect of climate change variable on the availability of water in the island, so that impending extreme drought or flooding will be mitigated. In addition to that, Climate change in the island has an impact on human activity, and a treat from flooding of variable weather pattern like seasonal monsoon rain and inter tropical convergence zone develop near the island.&#x0D; Using the data from the PAGASA-DOST, Climatology and Agro meteorology Division (CAD) of April 2020, from the Virac Doppler and Radar Weather in Catanduanes. Synoptic data were used to evaluate the rainfall for the last 30 years. The rainfall pattern caused by the southwest monsoon (Habagat) most from June to September gives an average of 73.08mm for 3 decades. Northeast monsoon (Amihan) usually arrives on November and ends on March having an average rainfall of 103.78mm for 3 decades.&#x0D; It has been shown that the rainfall is increasing every year, the annual rainfall trends will increase of up to 10.76mm in the next 10 years. Studying the rainfall pattern and temperature will give us more precise assessment of the climatic condition in the island and give the community and the government the proper information for mitigating and planning on how we can handle climate change.

Prediction and analysis of seasonal rain attenuation in the South-western region of Nigeria for future microwave applications

The demand for good quality satellite signals in earth-space communication multimedia services has continuously increased due to the expansion of service providers for various telecommunication companies and internet network providers such as MTN, ETISALAT, GLOBACOM, and AIRTEL. Therefore, a radio engineer needs continuous information on the statistics of rain-induced attenuation to overcome the degradation of satellite signals due to heavy rain downpours. In the present study, an algorithm for the future prediction of rain attenuation based on the Feed Forward Neural Networks (FFNN) prediction model is presented. The seasonal assessment of rain rate and rain attenuation is also investigated for five stations (Okitipupa, Ikole-Ekiti, Ile-Ife, Ogbomosho, and Sagamu) covering the Southwestern region of Nigeria using the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) satellite observations data. The study revealed that the intensive season exhibited the highest rainfall regime compared to the pre-monsoon, cessation, and dry seasons, which implies maximum rain attenuation during the intensive period of the year. The results of this study would be helpful for radio engineers to plan future link budgets for the provision of adequate signals for link availability.

Debris Flow Hazard Assessment in District Chitral, Eastern Hindu Kush, Pakistan

The aim of this study is debris flow risk zonation using geological and hydrometeorological indicators in district Chitral, Hindu Kush Region Northwest Pakistan. The research is based on secondary data. Multi criteria Analysis (MCA) in Geographical Information System (GIS) environment was used to achieve the objective of the study. The geological and hydrometeorological parameters were analyzed by making five classes of each parameter. The classes are ranked as most favorable and least favorable with numerical weights. The weights were assigned in accordance to their importance in debris flow occurrence. Then weighted overlay analysis techniques were applied to develop composite map representing the importance of each factor. Debris flow risk zonation map was resulted into four classes very high risk zones, high risk zone, moderate zone, low risk zone. The geology of the study area is diverse with frequents earthquakes. Similarly the forest cover is decreasing due to anthropogenic activities. The area is also characterized by long cold winters with frost action. These factors are destabilizing the slope. During summer season rain storm event results high surface runoff and peak discharge in the perennial and non-perennial channels which results flood and debris flow. These events result human life loss and disruption. The main villages located in very high risk zone are Mulkoh, Mastuj, Reshun, Shegram, Terich Gol, Rogar, Asurat, Boni, Brep and Rech Tockhow. They have been frequently affected by hazard in the past decade. Out of the total area, very high risk zone is expanded over 8%, high risk zone is expanded over16%, moderate risk zone is 29% and the rest is low risk zone. This study has highlighted the risk zones which will help disaster management authorities and policy makers to reduce the risk of debris flow in future.

The Space Conceptual Models and Water Vapor Characteristics of Typical Rainstorms during Plum Rain Season

Based on conventional observation data from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and reanalysis data from the American National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) between 2012 and 2021, combined with the meteorological analysis, composite synthesis, and water vapor trajectory analysis, the weather circulations of typical rainstorms during the 10 years can be divided into 4 categories: Static Front Pattern (SFP), Subtropical High Edge Pattern (SHEP), Northeast Cold Vortex Pattern (NCVP), and Low-Level Vortex and Shear Pattern (LLVSP). The SHEP and SFP rainstorms have the characteristics of long duration and wide range, while the NCVP rainstorms are characterized by mobility and disaster weather accompaniment. The daily precipitation of LLVSP cases has extremity feature. The occurrence and development of rainstorms are well coordinated with the systems on lower levels. The main water vapor channel in lower layers of the SFP cases is from the South China Sea, while it is from Bohai for the NCVP cases and the Bay of Bengal for the SHEP and LLVSP cases. The main water vapor channel in middle layers is from the Bay of Bengal because of the affection of the southwest air flow. The south boundary of the MLYRB is the most important water vapor input boundary, followed by the west boundary, while the East and North boundaries are the outflow boundaries. During the rainstorms, the low-level water vapor is exuberant with low-level water vapor convergence much stronger than the high-level divergence. Among the four types of rainstorms, the NCVP cases provide the most abundant low-level water vapor convergence, resulting in the strongest short-term precipitation among the four types. Combined with water vapor transportation and convergence, the refined spatial conceptual models of the four types of rainstorms can better judge the process intensity and falling area and provide reference for disastrous weather forecast and early warning.

Among-years rain variation is associated with flower size, but not with signal patch size in Iris petrana.

Among-years rain variation is associated with flower size, but not with signal patch size in Iris petrana.

Performance Evaluation of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) Variety for Registration in the Lowland Areas of Ethiopia

There were few released pigeon pea varieties in Ethiopia. This study was primarily conducted to diversify the availability of varieties, thus addressing socioeconomic cross-cutting issues. From eight pigeon pea genotypes after continuous evaluation, one variety, including the local check, was promoted with the objectives of evaluating the agronomic performance and registering a new variety in lowland areas of Ethiopia. The study was carried out during the main rain seasons of 2018-2019 to enhance pigeon pea productivity in the study area. A plot size of 10 meters by 10 meters was used in six locations. The spacing between rows and plants was 1.2 and 0.5 meters, respectively. Accordingly to the simple descriptive statistics, there were variabilities in the studied traits among the tested pigeon pea genotypes. The yield advantage of 39% was recorded for the test variety, Ashenafi (ICEAP00554), over the local check, which gave an opportunity to select the best-adapted material for the test and similar agroecologies. From the current study, an average yield of 1.83 t/ha was recorded across locations for a candidate variety, Ashenafi (ICP00554). The grain yield of the local cultivar had a mean of 1.04 t/ha. As a variety, Ashenafi (ICP00554) took the shortest duration to 75% flowering and 90% maturity (115 days and 171 days), respectively. In contrast, the local cultivar (Humbo local) took a long duration to 75% flowering and 90% maturity (164 days and 221 days), respectively. As a variety, Ashenafi (ICP00554) had superior performance over the local cultivar in terms of grain yield and earliness for flowering and maturity. Based on the overall performance, Ashenafi (ICP00554) was selected and registered. Therefore, this variety is recommended to popularize and thereby enhance pigeon pea production.

Climate Change and Environmental Influence on Prevalence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in West Pokot County, Kenya.

Kala-azar is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania species transmitted by sand fly. In Kenya, kala-azar is endemic in thirty subcounties spread over in eleven counties in the arid zones. Climate change-influenced seasonal weather variability and environmental alterations remain important determinants of many vector-borne diseases. The present study focused on climate change and environmental influence on kala-azar in West Pokot. A descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective research design was adapted. Study area was purposively selected. Locations were randomly selected, and households were systematically selected. Three hundred sixty-three household questionnaires, eleven key informant interviews, and five focus group discussions were undertaken. Secondary data were obtained from Kacheliba subcounty hospital records. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24 was used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed to establish connection for interpretation. Kala-azar cases have been on the rise on aggregate and surge towards the end of dry season and just after the rains. Significant environmental factors included the presence of seasonal rain water pathways and rock piles around houses (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI = (2.3-9.6), p < 0.05), presence of acacia trees in and around homesteads (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI = (2.5-28.6), p < 0.05), presence of anthills around the homesteads (AOR = 5.2; 95% CI = (1.2-23.4), p < 0.05), and presence of animal shed within compound (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI = (0.96-8), p < 0.05). Climate change-induced seasonal weather variability, increased temperature and reduced precipitation as well as environmental alterations influence kala-azar occurrence in West Pokot. Community sensitization on disease prevalence, clearing of vector predilection sites, and improving community environmental risk perception are imperative to promote prevention.