Lentil crop has largely been affected by global climate changing, particularly, due to rainfall and temperature changing and variability. Hence, the experiment was conducted in Central Highlands of Ethiopia, namely Akaki, Chefe Donsa and Bishoftu Agricultural Research Centre, in the 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons to assess the genotypic variation of lentil for growth and yield performances. Five lentil genotypes viz. 87S-93549 X EL-103-16, 87S-93549 X EL-103-9-1, Alemaya X FLIP 88-41L-02-AK-14, Alemaya X FLIP 88-41L-02-AK-6 were arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications at all locations. The result of study revealed that the genotype 87S-93549 X EL-103-9-1 produced the highest seed yield of 1985.90 and 2500.00 kg ha-1 during 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons, respectively, at Akaki. On the other hand, the genotype Alemaya X FLIP 88-41L-02-AK-14 gave the highest seed yield (4189.1 kg ha-1) at Chefe Donsa in 2009 cropping season. The genotype X FLIP 88-41L-02-AK-14 was found to be the earliest in physiological maturity, accounting 128.75 days, and the genotype 87S-93549 X EL-103-9-1 had yield advantage of 27.6% over the local check at Chefe Donsa in the 2010 cropping season. Generally, all lentil genotypes were performed better at Chefe Donsa, followed by at Akaki and Bishoftu locations during both cropping seasons. Rainfall and temperature conditions have enormous influences on the growth and yields performances of lentil genotypes at all research locations. The study inspires other studies to be conducted on other factors than climate events thwarting the production of lentil crops in the study areas.

Policy makers need to know the relationship among energy use, economic growth and environmental quality in order to formulate rigorous policy for economic growth and environmental sustainability. This study analyzes the nexus among energy consumption, affluence, financial development, trade openness, urbanization, population and CO2 emissions in Ethiopia using data from 1970–2014. The ARDL cointegration results show that cointegration exists among the variables. Energy consumption, population, trade openness and economic growth have positive impact on CO2 in the long-run while economic growth squared reduces CO2 emissions which confirms that the EKC hypothesis holds in Ethiopia. In the short-run urbanization and energy consumption intensify environmental degradation. Toda-Yamamoto granger causality results indicate the bi-directional causality between energy consumption and CO2 emissions, CO2 emissions and urbanization. Financial development, population and urbanization cause economic growth while economic growth causes CO2 emissions. Causality runs from energy consumption to financial development, urbanization and population which in turn cause economic growth. From the result, CO2 emissions extenuation policy in Ethiopia should focus on environmentally friendly growth, enhancing consumption of cleaner energy, incorporating the impact of population, urbanization, trade and financial development.

Wood ash generated from wood industries have enormous potential which can be utilized due to its properties which influences soil chemistry and fertility status of tropical acidic soils. Field experiments were conducted on an acidic sandy loam alfisol to investigate the effects of wood ash on the growth indices and chlorophyll content of maize and lima beans intercrop during the late and early seasons of 2014 and 2015 at Akure in the rainforest zone of southwestern Nigeria. The treatments were 100% sole maize with ash, 100% sole maize without ash, 75% maize + 25% lima beans with ash, 75% + 25% lima beans without ash, 50% maize + 50% lima beans with ash, 50% maize + 50% lima beans without ash, 25% maize + 75% lima beans with ash and 25% maize + 75% lima beans without ash. Wood ash was applied at 2.4kg/plot. Wood ash increased chlorophyll content in all amended treatments except in amended 25:75% maize-lima beans intercrop and 25:75% maize –lima beans intercrop without ash, however 75:25% maize-lima beans amended with wood ash significantly (P≥0.05) recorded the highest chlorophyll content. Growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, leaf length, stem diameter, number of flowers, number of pods, weight of plant and total biomass of amended maize-lima beans intercrop were significantly (P≥0.05) increased by wood ash application. Based on experimental findings, 25:75% maize-lima beans intercrop and 75%:25% maize-lima beans intercrop amended with wood ash was concluded to be more recommendable in the study area.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 10 mM silicon (Si) application on salt stress (50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl) tolerance in Hungarian vetch seedlings (Ege Beyazi-79) based on growth parameters (shoot length and fresh weight, organic dry matter, and moisture), bioactive compounds as chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, protein, nitrate, and nutrient status. Silicon was applied to the seedlings from the leaves and NaCl from the salt soil, both of which were dissolved in Hoagland solution. The results revealed that the highest shoot length Si+100 mM NaCl was recorded and the highest fresh and dry weight was recorded with length Si+50 mM NaCl. The highest dry matter was obtained from Si and 200 mM NaCl. The highest chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, protein, and nitrate were obtained from 100 mM NaCl+Si, while the lowest chlorophyll, carotenoid, and nitrate were obtained from 200 mm NaCl and the lowest proline and protein from 100 mM NaCl, respectively. The amount of K, Mg, and S were low in NaCl doses but high in Si and Si + NaCl doses, and P was higher in all groups compared to the control. The content of Na, Co, and Se were high in all groups except Cl 50 NaCl, while Mn, Zn, and Ni were higher in Si and Si + NaCl doses. Silicon content of samples was high at higher NaCl + Si doses. The results provided by this investigating indicated that silicate concentrations positively affected the parameters examined in Hungarian seedlings, and increased the tolerance of seedlings to salt stress.

This study examined the allelopathic effect of different concentration of aqueous extracts of Parkia biglobosa stem bark on the germination and growth of weed seeds species. Seeds of Eragorastis tenella, Eragorastis atrovirens, Pannicum pedicellata, Pennisetum sub albidum, Hypharrhenia rufa and Brcichiaria brizantha were tested for plumule germination and radicle growth with three different concentrations of 1%, 5%, 10% plant extract while ordinary water was used as control. Growth parameters including germinated weeds population were measured; the highest germinated weeds population was at the control (8.06±3.97) and the least was obtained from the 10% concentration with the mean of (4.42±2.59). Weeds population decreased as the concentration increased. The highest mean of weeds height was recorded from 1% concentration (11.46±7.08) which is statistically significant while the least mean was recorded from 10% concentration (7.69±6.70) statistically not significant. The family emergence by concentration indicated that, the experiment under control had (4 families) for 1% (2 families), 5% (2 families) and 10% (4 families) emerged. The germination, radicle and plumule length were inhibited when compare with control and the inhibition was statistically not significant at.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the outcome of rice husk biochar on growth performance of moringa. The study was carried-out in a greenhouse for 52 days. Different rates of rice husk biochar (150 to 350 g) was mixed with 500 g of soil. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 treatments (each of which was replicated 3 times) was used, giving a total of 12 experimental units. Plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were assessed for each treatment. Results indicate that rice husk biochar (150 g, 250 g and 350 g) significantly increased the stem diameter of moringa as compared to that of the control 52 days after in the greenhouse. An increase in the number of leaves were observed at 150 g rice husk biochar after 40 days compared to the control. There were significant differences between treatments effects on all the parameters. Different rates of biochar certainly could constitute vital use of fertilizer to improve growth moringa in the nursery.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the traits of reproductive, milking and growth performance of Saanen and Saanen × Hair crossbreds (F1, B1 and B2) raised at the Bandırma Sheep Research Institute. The data were collected from 868 goats for reproductive performance and milk yield and from 1077 kids for survival performance between 2009-2012. Milk components (fat, protein, lactose and non-fat dry matter) of goats (n=162) and body weight changes of kid’s (n=64) were evaluated for one year in 2012. Estrus rates and survival rates were similar among all genotypes. Kidding rate was significantly higher in F1 goats than Saanen goats. Saanen goat had the lowest average mean daily milk yield compared with other genotypes. The effect of year and age were significant on milk yield. Goats in F1 and B1 genotypes had higher milk protein percentage and non-fat dry matter content in comparison with Saanen and B2 genotype. Milk fat and lactose contents were similar among genotypes. Birth weight and monthly live weight were similar between genotypes while weaning weight, six month live weight and yearling live weight were higher in B1 kids in comparison with Saanen kids. The effect of dam age and birth type were significant on birth weight, monthly live weight and weaning weight. The findings related to performance characteristics in goat genotypes investigated show that B1 genotype could be recommend for semi-intensive production system in the Western Anatolia.

The present study investigated the effects of the prebiotic inulin on the growth parameters, digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant status of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). After acclimation, fish (34±0.22 g; n = 135) were assigned into 9 tanks (15 fish per tank) and triplicate groups were fed a control diet (G-0) or diets containing 1% (G-1) or 2% (G-2) inulin. At the end of the trial (8 weeks), growth factors (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), Economic conversion ratio (ECR), digestive enzyme activities (pepsin, trypsin, amylase and lipase) and antioxidant status superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level of liver tissue were assessed. At the end of the study highest survival rate was observed in the fish fed with 1% G-1 inulin group. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities were significantly higher dietary G-1 group. Subsequently, elevated growth performance (final weight, SGR and FCR) was observed in trout fed with 1% compared to the control group. The effect of the dietary inulin on digestion was partly observed by assaying the activity of pepsin, intestinal amylase, trypsin and lipase. Apart from pepsin activity, results indicated that dietary supplementation of inulin is beneficial and may also have differential effects upon digestive enzyme activities. Antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD and CAT in liver tissue was generally higher in the supplemented inulin diets than in the control and significantly higher in the 1% inulin group. A significant decrease in MDA level of tissue was observed in all inulin supplemented groups when compared to the control group. These results indicate that inulin be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant status of rainbow trout.

Total catches of fish from the wild reached a plateau in the early 1990s. Capture fishery production for both food and non-food utilization has levelled off. There is need for aquaculture expansion and improved output. The aim of this study was to determine the most productive facility for production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis. H. bidorsalis is the most important species from the genus Heterobranchus. It is endemic to Africa. Seven hundred H. bidorsalis fingerlings were acclimatized for 7 days, 200 fingerlings were randomly selected and stocked in: Earthen ponds, Concrete tanks, and Plastic tanks labelled as T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Each treatment had two replicates, 100 fingerlings in each. The culture facilities were constructed to have water volume which was not significantly different. The earthen ponds, concrete and plastic tanks water volume was maintained at 2,320 litres, 2,304 litres, and 2,331 litres respectively. Fingerlings were fed with 2mm Coppens of 45% crude protein at 5% biomass. Feeding was carried out at 9:00 and 16:00 hours for 56 days. All treatments were given equal care. Final Standard Length, Final Total Length, Total Length Gain, Final weight Gain and Weight Gain recorded were: 13.04±0.57, 13.44±0.75, 32±0.96, 4.45±1.34, 30.36±1.13 and 23.34±2.4 respectively. Growth was significantly higher in T1. In concrete and plastic tanks, observed growth parameters recorded had the following values: 11.75±0.82 and 11.21±0.83, 12.31±0.85 and 11.95±0.89, 3.2±0.96 and 2.84±0.85, 22.24±2.78 and 21.24±5.84, and 14.85±1.7 and 14.99±1.02 for Final Standard Length, Final Total Length, Total Length Gain, Final Weight and Weight Gain respectively. There was no significance difference in growth between T2 and T3. The study did not discourage the use of concrete tanks and plastic tanks for H. bidorsalis culture, but considered earthen ponds as most ideal culture facility for yields optimization in H. bidorsalis.

Because of using sulphur free fertilizer, rice crop facing tremendous sulphur (S) deficiency throughout the world as well as in Bangladesh. However, farmers of Bangladesh often overlook the importance of sulphur fertilization on rice yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the influence of different levels of sulphur on growth, yield attributes and uptake of N, P, K and S by grain and straw of BRRI dhan41 rice variety. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replication and eight treatments including control. The result of the study revealed that the highest plant height, panicle length, filled grain was found in T1 (50% RFD of S) treatment, while the utmost number of effective tiller and straw yield was recorded in T5 (150% RFD of S) treatment. Interestingly, maximum grain yield as well as uptake of N, P, K and S by grain and straw was significantly higher in T6 (175% RFD of S) treatment. The highest grain yield of T6 treatment might be due to maximum nutrient use efficiency. However, in all cases control treatment (T0) gave the worst result. The present study clearly indicates that higher rates (175% of the recommended dose) of S along with other fertilizers may be recommended for better growth and yield of BRRI dhan41 in Bangladesh soil.