Ethiopian Journal of Biological Sciences

ASSESSMENT OF COFFEE BERRY BORER, HYPOTHENEMUS HAMPEI FERRARI (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE) USING LOCALLY MADE BAITING TRAP IN MAJOR COFFEE PRODUCING AREAS OF ETHIOPIA

2023-03-27T11:24:10+00:00

Coffee represents the major source of revenue for foreign
exchange and income source for households of large number of families in
Ethiopia. However, coffee is facing a great challenge by coffee berry borer
(CBB) [Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)]. The
attention given to control this insect-pest is very low compared with other
African countries. Controlling the coffee berry borer using conventional
chemical method is difficult due to its cryptic nature in its life cycle. Mass
trapping of the insect using baiting trap method is the most promising and
relevant one. This study were conducted in selected and representative coffee
producing areas of Tepi, Limu Goma and Mizan-Aman. A total of 32 red
color local baiting trap was prepared and lured with Ethanol:Methanol (E:M)
mixture (1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and control) and releasing rate of 509.9 ± 0.06, 577.3 ±
0.02 and 580.3 ± 0.02 mg day-1
, respectively. Traps were attached to wood
stakes branches in a completely randomized block design (CRBD), 12 m
within the raw, 15 m between blocks and 1.20 m from the ground. The
efficiency of the attractant (E:M) mixtures at Tepi-Baya II, Jimma zone
(Limu-Goma II) and Mizan-Aman showed no significant difference, but all
were significantly different from the control (p<0.001). The percentage of
captured CBB with E:M (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) were 427 (93%), 413 (98.6%) and
416 (95.2%) at Tepi-Baya II; 97 (89%), 115 (100%) and 90 (93.8%) at LimuGoma II, and 137 (86.7%), 122 (97.6%) and 98 (94.2%) at Mizan-Aman,
respectively. Non-target coffee berry borer (NCBB) were not preferably
attracted by 1:1 and 1:3 than 1:2 E:M mixture across the localities. None of
the controls captured the NCBB beetles at any of the localities. The study
indicated that this trap can be used in different localities for trapping of the
female CBB as a tool to reduce the population level of CBB.

THE ROLE OF GULLELE BOTANICAL GARDEN FOR BIRD CONSERVATION IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

2023-03-27T11:29:42+00:00

This study was carried out to investigate the role of the Gullele
Botanical Garden for avian conservation. Data on bird species diversity and
abundance were collected during the dry (January to February 2021) and wet
seasons (July to August 2021). The study area was stratified into three
dominant habitat types namely nature reserve forest, modified scenic garden
and infrastructure development area. A stratified survey technique was
employed using systematically established line transects in the three habitat
types. A total of 90 bird species belonging to 12 orders and 37 families were
identified in the study area. Among the habitat types, the highest bird
diversity was observed in the modified scenic garden habitat (H’ = 3.54),
followed by the infrastructure development area (H’ = 3.29). Modified scenic
garden habitat had the highest species richness (67) followed by
infrastructure development area (58) and nature reserve forest (28).
Community similarity was high between modified habitat and infrastructure
development areas during the study. Gullele Botanical Garden supports two
endemic and 11 near-endemic bird species shared with Eritrea suggesting its
ecological importance in avian fauna conservation. This study is the first
detailed investigation regarding the diversity of bird species in the Botanical
Garden providing valuable information on the significance of managed
habitats with indigenous tree species to support different bird species.

ANALYSES OF TEN-YEAR MALARIA TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS IN RELATION TO METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES IN JABI TEHNAN DISTRICT, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

2023-03-27T11:34:14+00:00

Retrospective studies of malaria cases from health facilities
and the impact of meteorological factors provide insight into the dynamics of
malaria transmission and the effectiveness of malaria control interventions.
This study aimed to analyze inter-annual and monthly trends in malaria cases
and determine the correlations between meteorological variables and
prevalence of malaria. Retrospective data on malaria cases were extracted
from 11 health centres and 39 health posts in Jabi Tehnan district, northwest
Ethiopia, for 10 years (July 2011–May 2021). Trends in monthly and annual
malaria cases were analyzed and correlated with meteorological data. Of
1,500,868 individuals with febrile complaints examined at the health facilities
in the district, 13.4% were diagnosed as clinical malaria cases. Furthermore,
12.6% of those with febrile symptoms had malaria confirmed with
microscopy and with rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Plasmodium falciparum
comprised 56.48%, with 36.56% P. vivax, and with 6.96% mixed (P.f + P.v)
infections. There were significant variations in inter-annual and monthly
malaria cases (P<0.001; P = 0.004, respectively). Malaria cases peaked in
2011–2013, and 2015–2016, with reduced and relatively lower malaria cases
in 2017–2021. Two malaria peaks in May-June, and in October-November
were recorded. Inter-annual and monthly malaria trends were closely
correlated with relative humidity and average temperatures. Plasmodium
falciparum was predominant compared to P. vivax. Understanding trends in
malaria transmission in relation to climatic variables, and monitoring the
effectiveness of malaria control interventions are needed to reduce malaria in
the area.

ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT OF TRICHODERMA ISOLATES AGAINST FUSARIUM WILT DISEASE (FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM VASINFECTUM) OF COTTON PLANT (GOSSYPIUM HERBACEUM) UNDER IN-VITRO CONDITION

2023-03-27T11:53:50+00:00

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIVELIHOODS OF FISHERMEN AND DETERMINANTS OF FISH PRODUCTION FROM LAKE TANA AND RIFT VALLEY LAKES, ETHIOPIA

2023-03-27T12:03:41+00:00

This study aimed to identify determinants of fish production
by fishermen living around Lake Tana and the Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes,
specifically Lakes Ziway, Hawassa and Chamo over a course of one year
production (2019). The study areas were selected purposively due to their
higher total annual fish catches and fish contribution in the local and urban
communities around fish production areas and cities of Bahir Dar, Ziway
(Batu), Hawassa, Arbaminch and Addis Ababa. A total of 450 fishermen
were randomly selected for this study. The data were gathered through the
use of structured questionnaires and analysed using both descriptive and
econometric analytical methods. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation
method of linear regression technique was used to test the determinant
factors. Fishing is the first major source of income, accounting for 67%, 73%,
68.9% and 59.3% of fisher’s livelihoods, respectively in Lakes Tana, Ziway,
Hawassa and Chamo, respectively. Linear Ordinary Least Squares
Regressions analyses showed that income of petty trades, the number of reed
boats, gillnets, land owned for crop production and fishing trips were the
determinant factors significantly influencing the volume of fish produced.
The study further suggested that education and training, alternative incomegenerating activities, increased ownership of land owned, improving access
to credit services, efficient government support and better-organized
cooperatives should receive due attention to improve fish production and
sustainably manage fish resources in Ethiopia.