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Low-cost Rice Husk Ash and Silica for Chromium Ion Sorption from Aqueous System: Characterisation and Kinetics
Adelagun Ruth Olubukola Ajoke
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, May 2021
Pages:
72-78
Received:
29 March 2021
Accepted:
20 April 2021
Published:
29 April 2021
Abstract: Several materials have been developed and used to remove Chromate (VI) from industrial wastewater before discharge into the environment because of its toxicity and lethality. In this study, low-cost adsorbents (rice husk ash (RHA) and silica (RHS)) were prepared from rice husks purchased locally from a rice mill industry and characterised. While the crystallinity and mineralogy of the adsorbents were analysed using powdered XRD crystallography, analysis of the physico-chemical properties was performed using standard procedures. Elemental analysis (CHN) was done using Perkin Elmer CHN elemental analyser and FTIR Spectrometer was used to determine the functional groups on the surface of the adsorbents at room temperature. The prepared samples were used as adsorbents for the removal of chromate (VI) ion in a batch sorption process with reaction conditions vis–a-viz adsorbent dosage = 0.5 g, adsorbate volume = 500 ml, adsorbate solution concentrations: 10-200 mg/l, time = 4 h, temperature = ambient temperature. The residual Cr (VI) concentration in the solution was analyzed spectrophotometrically at λ = 540 nm following the 1,5–diphenylcarbazide procedure. Results obtained for the characterisation of the adsorbents were similar and comparable with what obtained in literatures. Physico - chemical analysis revealed a high ash content of 89% and silica content of 95.83%. XRD analysis for the rice husk ash samples reflected the presence of cristobalite (SiO2) in amorphous form and a characteristics broad peak at 2θ angle = 26.5°. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of silanol groups (Si-OH), silicic acid (Si-O-Si-OH) in the ash and Si-O-Si and Si-O) in the silica. The results of effect of time-concentration experiments of chromium ion sorption by the adsorbents revealed that Cr (VI) ion sorption was both time and initial solution concentration dependent with over 80% removal achieved within the first 30 min of contact for both adsorbents as the initial chromate concentration was increased. Kinetic modeling of the process showed up for pseudo second order, hinting on chemisorption as the mechanism of interaction.
Abstract: Several materials have been developed and used to remove Chromate (VI) from industrial wastewater before discharge into the environment because of its toxicity and lethality. In this study, low-cost adsorbents (rice husk ash (RHA) and silica (RHS)) were prepared from rice husks purchased locally from a rice mill industry and characterised. While th...
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Phenotypic Diversity of Ethiopian Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Accessions Collected from Limmu Coffee Growing Areas Using Multivariate Analysis
Lemi Beksisa,
Tadesse Benti,
Getachew Weldemichael
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, May 2021
Pages:
79-85
Received:
17 April 2021
Accepted:
11 May 2021
Published:
20 May 2021
Abstract: Forty seven Coffea arabica L. germplasm accessions collected from Limmu district were field evaluated from 2004/5 to 2013/14 with two commercial check varieties at Agaro Agricultural Research sub center in single plot. The objective of the experiment was to assess the variability among the accessions using quantitative traits. Data for about eight quantitative traits were recorded only once in experimental period, while the yield data were recorded for six consecutive cropping seasons. Cluster, genetic divergence, and principal component analysis were used to assess the variability among the genotypes. The results revealed that average linkage cluster analysis for nine traits grouped the germplasm accessions in to three clusters. The number of accessions per cluster ranged from three in cluster III to 25 in cluster II. The clustering pattern of the coffee accessions revealed that the prevalence of moderate genetic diversity in Limmu coffee for the characters studied. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters II and III; whereas the minimum inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters I and II. The study highlighted the possibility of using accessions of the distant clusters as potential candidates for the genetic improvement of Limmu coffee through hybridization. Moreover, the principal component analysis showed that the first four PCs extracted about 82% of the total variance of the 49 coffee germplasm accessions and also confirmed moderate diversity among the germplasm accessions since the entire variation cannot be explained in terms of few PCs. This, in turn, indicates that the involvement of a number of traits in contributing towards the overall diversity.
Abstract: Forty seven Coffea arabica L. germplasm accessions collected from Limmu district were field evaluated from 2004/5 to 2013/14 with two commercial check varieties at Agaro Agricultural Research sub center in single plot. The objective of the experiment was to assess the variability among the accessions using quantitative traits. Data for about eight ...
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Evaluation of NPSB Fertilizer Levels on Yield and Yield Components of Open Pollinated Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties Under Irrigated Condition in South Omo Zone
Awoke Tadesse,
Muhaba Sultan
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, May 2021
Pages:
86-94
Received:
31 March 2021
Accepted:
2 June 2021
Published:
10 June 2021
Abstract: Maize is a significant cereal crop in Ethiopia. However, the yield of this crop is limited due to lack of varieties and blended fertilizer for varieties and site specifications. The use of exact amount of fertilizer based on crop requirement has significant importance for sustainable crop production. A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of NPSB blended fertilizer rate for maize yield production in Dasenech and Nyangatom districts in the lowland area of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia during the 2019/2020 cropping season. The experiment was factorial with three maize varieties (Melkassa-6Q Melkassa-4 and Melkassa-2) and four NPSB blended fertilizer rates including kg ha-1 (none fertilizer, 50NPSB, 100NPSB and 150 NPSB). Factorial combinations were used as twelve treatments laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth, yield and yield components parameters were recorded and carried out statistical analysis The result of analysis of variance revealed that the interaction effect of varieties and blended fertilizer rate highly significant difference in grain yield. The result showed that the highest grain yield (3913.3 kg ha-1) and net benefit (49,229.6 Eth-birr ha-1) with MRR of 2525.83% were obtained from Melkassa-2 variety treated with 100 kg ha-1of NPSB fertilizer rates at Dasenech location. Whereas, at Nyangatom location, the highest grain yield (4906.7 kg ha-1) and net benefit (62640.45Eth-birr ha-1) with MRR of 2926.2% were obtained from similar Melkassa-2 variety treated with 100 kg ha-1 of NPSB fertilizer levels s. Therefore, based on the result recorded from this study Melkassa-2 varieties treated with 100 kg ha-1 of NPSB blended fertilizer can be suggested as profitable for the production of maize at both districts of the study areas and their similar soil conditions and agro-ecology.
Abstract: Maize is a significant cereal crop in Ethiopia. However, the yield of this crop is limited due to lack of varieties and blended fertilizer for varieties and site specifications. The use of exact amount of fertilizer based on crop requirement has significant importance for sustainable crop production. A study was undertaken to investigate the effect...
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Study of Blood Serum Biochemical Profile and Pathological Changes in Haemonchosis Experimentally Induced in Goats
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, May 2021
Pages:
95-104
Received:
21 May 2021
Accepted:
7 June 2021
Published:
15 June 2021
Abstract: Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) parasite causes various functional derangements in the host body. This experimental study was established to appraise the remedial effect of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit’s ethanolic extract (BAF-EE) on experimentally induced haemonchosis in goats. Blood serum biochemical parameters and pathological changes were perused. Twelve male goats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, G1 (infected-untreated), G2 (infected- BAF-EE treated), G3 (infected-albendazole treated) and G4 (uninfected-BAF-EE treated). Experimental infection was conducted with a single oral dose of 10x3 infective third larval stage (L3) of H. contortus at 0-time, whereas treatment with BAF-EE and albendazole was given at a single oral dose of 9g and 5mg/kg body wieght respectively in the 5th week post infection (PI). Blood samples were drawn on zero time, 3rd week PI and then biweekly till the 9th week for serum biochemical analyses. At the end of the experiment, all animals were slaughtered to estimate histopathological alterations in the abomasal and hepatic tissues. Serum biochemistry of infected animals showed significant depression of total serum protein (TP), albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and calcium (Ca) levels compared to uninfected goats. Significant elevation was observed in values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT), cholesterol, urea and creatinine of infected animals, while no significant differences were recorded in levels of inorganic phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Histopathological studies conducted on abomasa of infected-untreated animals revealed inflammation, necrosis, petechial hemorrhages and intense cellular infiltration. Liver showed bile duct hyperplasia, degeneration of hepatocytes and cell infiltration. Histopathological alterations in tissues of infected – treated animals were lower in intensity than those of infected-untreated goats. Results of the present experiment demonstrated that BAF-EE has an anti-parasitic and hepatoprotective effects as well as it improves serum biochemical alterations and oxidative stress in goats infected with H. contortus parasite. The present findings nominate the use of this plant as a novel safe natural anthelmintic agent.
Abstract: Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) parasite causes various functional derangements in the host body. This experimental study was established to appraise the remedial effect of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit’s ethanolic extract (BAF-EE) on experimentally induced haemonchosis in goats. Blood serum biochemical parameters and pathological changes were per...
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Performance and Adaptability Evaluation of Improved Onion Varieties (Allium cepa L.) for Bulb Yield and Some Agronomic Traits
Awoke Ali Zeleke,
Demis Fikre Limeneh,
Dasta Tsagaye Galalcha,
Gizaw Wegayehu Tilahun,
Nimona Fufa Hunde,
Fekadu Gebretensay Mengistu
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, May 2021
Pages:
105-109
Received:
9 April 2021
Accepted:
10 June 2021
Published:
16 June 2021
Abstract: Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world including Ethiopia. The field experiment was conducted in Arsi zone at Kulumsa Agriculture Research Center and Ziway Dugda districts under irrigation condition. A total of five improved onion varieties were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications with the objectives of studying the performance and adaptability of improved onion varieties for bulb yield and yield related traits in 2017 during off season. The combined Analysis of variance (variety by location) revealed that significant difference between improved onion varieties for maturity date, marketable and unmarketable bulb yield tons per hectare, bulb length in centimeter, and bulb weight in gram was observed. But non-significant difference for plant height in centimeter, total bulb yield tons per hectare and average bulb diameter in centimeter were observed between improved onion varieties. Except variety Adama Red all the tested improved onion varieties (Melkam, Nafis, Nasik Red and Bombay Red) was well performed and adapted. These varieties were gave more than 40 marketable bulb yield t ha-1. So those improved onion varieties were recommended for the study area and areas of similar agro- ecological zones under off season growing condition.
Abstract: Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world including Ethiopia. The field experiment was conducted in Arsi zone at Kulumsa Agriculture Research Center and Ziway Dugda districts under irrigation condition. A total of five improved onion varieties were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications with the ...
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GGE Biplot Analysis of Genotype x Environment Interaction and Bean Yield Stability of Arabica Coffee (Coffee arabica L.) Genotypes in Southwestern Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, May 2021
Pages:
110-115
Received:
6 May 2021
Accepted:
24 June 2021
Published:
29 June 2021
Abstract: Coffee is the main Ethiopia’s most important agricultural export crop, which is providing about 25-30% of foreign exchange earnings. The estimation of stability performance of the cultivars becomes most important to detect consistently performing and high yielding genotypes. Eleven Arabica coffee genotypes were evaluated in southwestern part of the Ethiopia across four locations for two consecutive years (2014/15 - 2015/16). The objective of the study was to estimate the presence of the interaction between genotypes and environments; and the stability performance of the coffee cultivars for its bean yield. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated twice in each testing location. Genotypes were evaluated by Genotype main effect and genotype x environment interaction (GGE) biplot. The combined analysis of variance indicated that genotypes, environments and GEI showed highly significant (p<0.01). Total variation explained was 41.63% for environments, 9.31% for genotypes and 32.32% for genotype by environment interaction (GEI). This obviously shows that the effect of the genotypes to the total variance was minimal when compare to the environment and the GEI. GGE biplot grouped the environments into four clusters with five genotypes being the winners in different group of environments. Top yielding cultivars namely; L52/2001 and L55/2001; and E6 (Jimma 2015/16) were identified as an ideal genotype and environment, respectively. In this study, stable genotypes, suitable environment for each of the coffee genotype and environment similarity based on bean yield were identified.
Abstract: Coffee is the main Ethiopia’s most important agricultural export crop, which is providing about 25-30% of foreign exchange earnings. The estimation of stability performance of the cultivars becomes most important to detect consistently performing and high yielding genotypes. Eleven Arabica coffee genotypes were evaluated in southwestern part of the...
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