Authors:Geletaw Kebede Abstract: Infestation of potatoes with phythophthora infestans ,also known as ‘’potato late blight ‘’ is the most devastating potato disease world wide. Its occurrence often results in huge economic losses for potato producers. Current control measures involving extensive use of fungicides come with environmental costs. Efforts have been made to develop commercial potato varieties with increased resistance to p.infesting (the causal agent of late blight )using a variety of approaches .Due to the remarkable ability of p.infesting to over come resistance ,potato breeders have not yet succeeded in developing commercial potato varieties with resistance that is lasting. One approach where genetic engineering is used to ‘stack’ genes with broad spectrum resistance to p.infesting in commercial potato varieties ,has been recently been employed as a means to create genetically improved potato varieties with more durable resistance. DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/12-18-01 Publication date:September 30th 2021 Issue No:Vol. 12
Authors:Temesgen Disassa Marru Abstract: Understanding the major causes of agricultural land degradation is a fundamental step for finding possible solutions to mitigate farmland degradation. This article is focused on studying the causes of agricultural land degradation and identifying possible policy responses as well as directions to overcome the farmland and related resources degradation challenges. This study employed multiple data sources and a combination of policy documents, spatial data and information from the field through structured observation were utilized. Based on the land policy analysis, the major bottlenecks on efficient and effective implementation of the policy directions and legal frameworks were lack of awareness and sense of ownership; specific land use policy; institution responsible for land administration and use, to support and coordinate stakeholders efforts; mechanisms to build the capacity of implementers, beneficiaries, and how to disseminate the information for the public; attention for research and development to prepare land use plan in line with the dynamism of land use and cover change. Rights to use of common-pool resources were also a neglected aspect of land policy. Particularly in the Benshangul-Gumuz region, the majority of the local communities depend on common-pool resources such as forest lands, rangelands and wetlands for their livelihoods. On top of this, there were some constraints in the legal frameworks of the region: enforcement mechanisms for violations of the provision on land management are referred to relevant institutions and bodies; customary land right is not properly recognized in proclamations; and the ceiling for holding size not determined based on the in-depth study of the agro-ecological conditions, farming practices and customary landholdings system in the region. Thus, policymakers need to consider these drivers and make sound decisions during decision makings. Keywords: Land policy, legal framework, land degradation, and large-scale commercial farming DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/12-18-02 Publication date:September 30th 2021 Issue No:Vol. 12
Authors:Alemayehu Kumsa Abstract: The pre-extension demonstration of fodder oat technology with its full agronomic practices was done to demonstrate and popularize the newly released oat variety and thereby create awareness for farmers and agricultural extension agents. Two improved fodder oat varieties (Bate and Bonsa) were demonstrated on purposely selected AGP II districts namely; Boneya Boshe, Wayu Tuqa, Guto Gida, Diga, and Horro districts of East and Horro Guduru Wollega zones, respectively. One peasant association (PA) was selected purposely from each district based on forage production potential and compatibility with AGP II criteria. The experiment was demonstrated on a simple plot with a size of 10 x 10 m. Forage dry matter and grain yield data, and farmer perceptions and preferences were collected and analyzed by simple descriptive statistics and pair-wise ranking technique. The varieties showed remarkable variation in their dry matter and grain yield potential across the testing areas. The average dry matter yield performance of the Bate (4.67 t/ha) variety obtained from the farmer's field was relatively higher than Bonsa (4.19 t/ha) variety used as a standard check. Similarly, the average grain yield performance recorded for Bate (31.24 qt ha-1) variety was also higher as compared to Bonsa (25.02 qt ha-1) variety. Based on the procedure of variety evaluation and selection criteria, farmers set their criteria to evaluate, rank, and select the best variety following the real situation existing. Thus, against each of the criteria and weight attached, Bate variety was selected and ranked first for its high dry matter and grain yield, tolerance to disease and lodging, and leafiness as compared to Bonsa variety. Therefore; it is important to scale up this variety on a larger scale to improve the availability of quality feed and boost the production and productivity of livestock in the area. Keywords: Bate, demonstration, Farmers’ preference, fodder oat, herbage dry matter DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/12-18-03 Publication date:September 30th 2021 Issue No:Vol. 12
Authors:T.I. Imalerio, O.A. Babalola, N. O. Alu, G.O. Oyerinde, A.C. Egba, S.C. Okenu, P. O. Oketa Abstract: Cyclic Voltammetry is an Electro-chemical process used in the development Energy Storage cells and general electrochemistry. In this report we present the use of an Atmega 326 microcontroller to prepare a Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) implementation system. The modular design incorporated a software pulse - width - modulated triangular wave generator, level shifter circuits, a three - electrode electrochemical tank driver circuit and PLX-DAQ-Excel digital Data Acquisition system. The system measured a 266.1 Ω carbon resistance as 262.7 Ω. It also effectively isolated the cathodic redox potential peak (750 mV) and anodic peak (520 mV) of a 1.5 mM Potassium Ferricyanide in 0.1M Potassium Nitrate at room temperature. A specific capacitance of 11.45 F/g was obtained for a 4.4 cm2 coconut shell derived screen printed activated carbon electrode. The design is suitable for basic CV studies in Electrical Energy Storage Devices development. Keywords: Microcontroller, Cyclic Voltammetry, Potentiostat, Level – shifter circuits, Potassium ferricyanide, Energy Storage Devices. DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/12-18-04 Publication date:September 30th 2021 Issue No:Vol. 12
Open Access journal
