Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research

Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease that causes high economic losses in cattle production due to its association with abortions, stillbirths, infertility, and reduced milk yields. However, the epidemiology of bovine leptospirosis in Ethiopia is poorly understood. From October 2020 to October 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of serovar Hardjo in cattle in southwest Ethiopia, as well as the associated risk factors. To test for the existence of L. Hardjo antibodies, blood samples were taken from 461 cattle. Indirect ELISA was used to identify the presence of antibodies against L. Hardjo in sera samples. We conducted a multivariable random-effect logistic regression analysis to identify potential risk factors associated with L. Hardjo seropositivity. An overall L. Hardjo seroprevalence of 24.7% (95% CI: 20.2–48.8) and 53.5% (95% CI: 45.7–90.5) was recorded at the animal level and the herd level, respectively, in the study areas. This study revealed six factors influencing L. Hardjo seropositivity in cattle herds. Large herds had twice the odds of seropositivity (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.8) compared to small herds. Co-grazing cattle exhibited higher odds (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2–4.1) of seropositivity. Extensive management systems significantly increased the odds (OR = 10.3, 95% CI: 1.7–61.8) compared to semi-intensive systems. Highland cattle had higher odds (OR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.4–10.3) than lowland cattle. Older cattle (OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 2.4–8.9) were more likely to be seropositive. At the herd level, extensive management (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3–5.8) and large herds (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3–4.7) increased the risk of seropositivity. Herds with sheep/goats (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3–4.1) were also at higher risk, highlighting significant L. Hardjo seropositivity risk factors in cattle herds. The study findings showed that leptospirosis was highly prevalent across the study areas. As a result, use proper management, raise zoonotic awareness for leptospirosis, and conduct molecular bovine leptospirosis research in study areas were recommended.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form beneficial partnerships with most plant species, helping to improve crop resilience in tough environmental conditions. This paper analyzed how different genotypes responded to AMF inoculation, focusing on root colonization percentage (RCP) and the impact of AMF on above-ground agronomic traits. However, RCP alone may not fully explain genotype variation, and AMF effects cannot be judged solely on above-ground traits. This research aims to explore the variation in ninety tef genotypes under AMF conditions and assess how AMF and genotypes affect root and shoot morphology traits. Genotypes were sorted into six cluster groups, showing varied responsiveness to AMF, with RCP ranging from 25.03 to 72.29%. Despite similar RCP, variations in morphological traits were observed, and groups with lower RCP exhibited important traits not found in those with higher RCP, indicating RCP alone cannot indicate genotype variability. Wider Mahalanobis distance (D²) between clusters IV and VI, I and VI, and V and VI were crucial for developing different varieties and advancing root traits through hybridization. Among the tested genotypes, Wehni and Tsaeda zezew, followed by Gureaza, exhibited higher scores for plant height (PH), panicle length (PL), shoot biomass yield (SBY), root length (RL), and specific root length (SRL) compared to Simada. However, Wehni, Tsaeda zezew, and Gureaza showed similar results for days to maturity (DM), grain yield (GY), harvest index (HI), root dry weight (RDW), and root depth distribution (RDD) but differed from Simada genotype. Moreover, the inoculated Wehni genotype increased in days to panicle emergence (DPE) by 72%, DM by 84.11%, PH by 73.93%, PL by 73.68%, SBY by 144.17%, GY by 254.58%, HI by 133.33%, RL by 74.16%, RDW by 216.92%, SRL by 220%, and RDD by 93.28% as compared to the non-inoculated Simada. Improved performance of inoculated genotypes despite genotype variability could be because AMF enhances nutrient and water uptake by increasing root and shoot growth and the inherent growth strategy of the genotypes. Small-seeded crops planted shallowly benefit from AMF, which promotes deeper root growth for better nutrient and water uptake.

Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) is a versatile oil crop cultivated for vegetable and oilseed production. Despite the availability of numerous landraces, a comprehensive understanding of their phenotypic diversity remains limited, hindering breeding efforts to improve the crop. This study evaluated 386 Ethiopian mustard accessions for 21 agromorphological and six physiological traits over two growing seasons using an augmented block design. This comprehensive analysis aimed to uncover the extent of phenotypic variation within the germplasm collection and identify promising genotypes with desirable traits for breeding. Significant variation (p≤0.001) was found among accessions, highlighting their substantial phenotypic diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the top 5 components explained 61.23% of the total variation, providing insights into the major contributors to phenotypic variability. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into four distinct clusters, with the highest intercluster divergence (18.21) observed between clusters 3 and 4. This suggests the potential for selecting diverse genotypes across phenotypic groups, which could be valuable for broadening the genetic base of breeding programs. Cluster 2 exhibited the highest intracluster distance (6.71) and mean genetic distance (5.23), implying extensive agromorphological and physiological variability, valuable for breeding to develop cultivars with diverse traits. Overall, this study identified several superior performing genotypes: acc-192, acc-386, acc-1, acc-192, acc-377, acc-1, acc-235, acc-294, acc-302, acc-112, acc-331, acc-152, acc-55, and acc-72 characterized by high seed yields and oil content. These accessions are promising candidates for further improvement and incorporation into breeding programs. These findings reveal extensive genetic diversity in Ethiopian mustard and provide valuable insights for future breeding programs, highlighting the potential of conserving genetic resources to enhance the crop’s performance, adaptability, and versatility, ultimately supporting sustainable agriculture and alternative energy development initiatives.

This study aimed to enhance the characteristics of low-fat Cheddar cheese using X. americana seed mucilage as a fat substitute and to evaluate the Cheddar cheese’s characteristics, antidiabetic and cholesterol lowering roles using an in vivo method. Low-fat Cheddar cheese with 0.72% fat content was produced with addition of 0.84% of X. americana seed mucilage. A full-fat and low-fat Cheddar cheeses were used as a control for comparison. Mucilage added low-fat Cheddar cheese had a higher total bacterial count (8.25 × 10⁶ CFU/ mL) than the full-fat Cheddar cheese (3.60 × 10⁶ CFU/ mL) at 60 days of repining period. It also had the highest water-soluble nitrogen (18.01%), total free fatty acids (2.65%), and titratable acidity (3.54%) at the 60 days of ripening period. Whereas, the full-fat Cheddar cheese had more palmitic acid (36.05 g/ 100 g) than the mucilage contained low-fat Cheddar cheese (17.28 g/ 100 g). This shows that full-fat Cheddar cheese could relatively increase low density lipoprotein cholesterol and contributes to cardiovascular diseases. The in vivo study revealed that the mucilage added low-fat Cheddar cheese had beneficial antidiabetic and cholesterol lowering roles. Compared to the control Cheddar cheeses, addition of mucilage enhanced the texture, color, and sensory qualities. Therefore, utilizing X. americana seed mucilage as a fat substitute in low fat Cheddar cheese can be a potential alternative in cheese industry. Graphical Abstract

Orphan crops are crops that are of substantial importance to food security and economic growth at a local or regional scale, yet lacking investment in crop improvement and seed systems development. Tef is an example of such an orphan crop. It is vital to economy and food systems in the Horn of Africa, yet investment in breeding and agronomy is very limited. Since almost 20 years, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture has invested in tef, supporting work to both develop and disseminate improved varieties to farmers in Ethiopia. To date, this has led to the release of four improved varieties. As the project also invested in the development of seed systems for improved tef varieties, it allowed us to monitor seed production and variety adoption over time. The data obtained from seed production monitoring over 7 years and 4 varieties from both formal and informal seed systems shows a total of 1227 tons of tef seed from improved varieties delivered to farmers in Ethiopia. Assuming an average genetic gain of 0.4 tons per hectare, this suggests that the value generated to farmers and local value chains from tef breeding and seed systems development exceeds the investment by an order of at least 2.5. With this paper, we want to make a case for more long-term investment in breeding and seed systems development and stimulate replication of the approach to other orphan crops. We further want to call for a continued investment in tef crop improvement and seed systems development.

Understanding the microbial ecology of landfills is crucial for improving waste management strategies and utilizing the potential of these microbial communities for biotechnological applications. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive taxonomic and functional profiling of the microbial community present in the Addis Ababa municipal solid waste dumpsite using a shotgun metagenomics sequencing approach. The taxonomic analysis of the sample revealed the significant presence of bacteria, with the Actinomycetota (56%), Pseudomonadota (23%), Bacillota (3%), and Chloroflexota (3%) phyla being particularly abundant. The most abundant KEGG categories were carbohydrates metabolism, membrane transport, signal transduction, and amino acid metabolism. The biodegradation and metabolism of xenobiotics, as well as terpenoids and polyketides, were also prevalent. Moreover, the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) identified 52 antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) subtypes belonging to 14 different drug classes, with the highest abundances observed for glycopeptide, phosphonic acid, and multidrug resistance genes. Actinomycetota was the dominant phylum harboring ARGs, followed by Pseudomonadota and Chloroflexota. This study offers valuable insights into the taxonomic and functional diversity of the microbial community in the Addis Ababa municipal solid waste dumpsite. It sheds light on the widespread presence of metabolically versatile microbes, antibiotic resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, and pathogenic bacteria. This understanding can contribute to the creation of efficient waste management strategies and the investigation of possible biotechnological uses for these microbial communities.

Despite devoting significant efforts to develop and implement policies aimed at enhancing the sustainability of its food systems, promoting resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Ethiopia encounters constraints with these approaches. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in wheat cluster farming in the Lemu-Bilbilo and Hetosa Districts of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. The study utilized cross-sectional data and a multistage sampling procedure to select a total of 381 respondents from the two districts of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. The study employed a binary probit regression to achieve the research objectives. The study indicates that sex of household head, farm size, household head education level, access to credit, membership in farmer’s cooperative, access to information from government extension, access to information on climate, and farmers climate perception were significant and positively affecting cluster farming participation, whereas distance from the nearest market and off-farm activities participation had a negative relationship with cluster farming participation decision. Cluster farming practices provide a practical means of lessening the effects of stresses related to climate change. Therefore, to increase participation in cluster farming, it is essential to strengthen efforts to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts among farming communities. The study also recommends that institutional and governmental support is essential in the areas of cooperatives, education, extension services, credit availability, climate-related information, and infrastructure development, especially in the area of market accessibility. Furthermore, the issue of gender differences in CF involvement should be addressed by policy and development initiatives.

Bread is one of the most convenient foods available, yet it is highly susceptible to microbial attacks. It loses its organoleptic freshness after storage due to a variety of changes. Bread spoilage results in significant financial losses for both manufacturers and consumers. The bread industry has long sought an affordable approach to increase the shelf life and guarantee the safety of their bread. One such treatment is the replacement of hazardous chemical preservatives. Nonetheless, recent research has explored some previously uncharted ground. Other techniques for preserving bread have shown promise, including active packaging, modified atmospheric packaging, and bio-preservation. Furthermore, certain plant extracts and essential oils have shown positive effects in reducing the growth of fungi on bread and other baked items. This study summarizes the results of many experiments on biopreservation of bread and offers suggestions for possible uses of these methods.

Due to its ability to simultaneously solve issues with agricultural production and marketing, contract farming is seen as a means of transforming agriculture in developing nations. The study’s particular objectives were to identify the variables influencing smallholder farmers’ choices to engage in contract farming and how those choices affected smallholder farmers’ earnings in Ethiopia. A three-stage sample process was employed to randomly choose 380 respondents, of which 237 were party to the dairy contract, and 143 were not. This study used the Endogenous Switching Regression model to analyze the effect of dairy contract farming on the smallholder farmer income. According to the Endogenous Switching Regression results, smallholder farmers’ distance from dairy contract farming harms their participation. In contrast, smallholder farmers’ participation in dairy contract farming positively impacts factors like sex, family size, education, land size, breed type, and frequency of extension contact. Accordingly, there was an 18% increase in the difference in gross farm income between participants and non-participants, which is 4967.49 Ethiopian birr. Based on our findings, we highly recommend that government officials support contract farming as a solution to the distance and centralization that farmers face and practice in all agricultural production produced by farmers to improve their standard of living since dairy is vulnerable to disease as a highly perishable food with high moisture content.

Bean anthracnose, caused by Colletothricum lindemuthianum , poses a significant threat to common bean production in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the pathogenic variability and race structure and distribution of bean anthracnose in four selected zones (Metekel, Sidama, Wolaita and Halaba) of Ethiopia. Field surveys were conducted at 5–7 km intervals, focusing on diseased plant parts of common bean. The severity, incidence and prevalence of bean anthracnose were assessed and determined, and a total of 74 bean anthracnose isolates were obtained for further analysis. The isolates were tested on the 12 standard differential cultivars. The results revealed a wide range of pathogenic variability, with severity ranging from 0% to 24.1%, incidence from 0% to 87% and prevalence from 0% to 100%. The 74 isolates were classified into 32 distinct pathogenic races with 20 of them being newly identified races specific to Ethiopia. Dibate district had the highest number of races (12), whereas Sodo_Zuria and Borecha district had only one. Race 128 was widely distributed, and race 3770 was the most virulent, infecting 8 of the 12 differential cultivars. Around 14% of the isolates were virulent to one differential cultivar, whereas 4.1% to eight cultivars. These findings have important implications for developing resistant cultivars by deploying resistance genes into an improved cultivar and ensuring sustainable common bean production in Ethiopia and other related countries.

A field experiment was conducted in Ethiopia to investigate the impact of different irrigation water levels on common bean yield and water productivity under limited water resources. The experiment involved 7 moisture levels ranging from 100 to 35 % of crop evapotranspiration. The results showed that grain yield decreased as water stress increased, with the highest grain yield of 3004 kg ha-1 achieved at 100 % ETc and the highest water productivity of 1.16 kg m-³ at 35 % ETc. Dry biomass, harvest index, and 1000 seed weight were also affected by water stress. However, the grain yield obtained with 75 % ETc did not differ significantly from the yields obtained with 85 or 100 % ETc. Similarly, the weight of 1000 seeds and pods per plant did not significantly differ between 75, 85, and 100 % ETc. The water productivity observed at 75 % ETc was significantly higher than at 85 and 100% ETc. Therefore, the study suggests that the common bean variety SER-119 can be irrigated at 75 % ETc to increase water productivity without a significant reduction in yield and yield components in a water-stressed environment.

Ethiopia is among the many developing nations that prefer surface irrigation over underground and pressured irrigation systems due to its lower cost and energy consumption. This paper reviews the effects of furrow features, including length, flow rate, and influence on farm water productivity and yield gap. The furrow irrigation method can be highly effective when used correctly, but it can also be quite ineffective when used incorrectly. High efficiency can be attained if the design parameters of a furrow irrigation system, such as field length and flow rate, infiltration characteristics, and field slope, as well as its operational and management parameters, such as application depth, and frequency, are properly maintained. Over-irrigation in a furrow irrigation system can lead to a variety of detrimental consequences on crop productivity and the environment, including water runoff, reduced efficiency, deep percolation, waste of energy and resources, crop damage, and increased salinity. Therefore, checking the moisture content of the soil frequently to prevent over-irrigation by visual examination or soil moisture monitors, carefully planning furrows depending on soil type, crop requirements, and topography as well as gathering runoff water and reusing it improved farm irrigation water management in furrow irrigation system to reduce the yield gap and increase water productivity.

The urgency of addressing environmental challenges has become more apparent than ever in recent years. Using existing renewable resources and reducing environmental impacts is critical for boosting economic growth and sustainable development. Ethiopia has limited access to modern bioenergy because of insufficient biomass data and policy gaps. This study estimated the theoretical potential of forest residue biomass resources for modern bioenergy production in Ethiopia. A combination of forest statistics data, publicly available data, literature models, and standard procedures was utilized. Ethiopia generates approximately 16.4 million dry tons of recoverable forest residue biomass each year. This indicates that the theoretical energy potential of forest residue available in Ethiopia is about 1.8–4.93 billion liters of ethanol each year, equivalent to 172%–469% of the country’s gasoline consumption. Alternatively, the same amount of residue could generate 1.23–3.29 billion liters of biodiesel (biomass to Fischer–Tropsch) each year, accounting for 40%–107% of the country’s biodiesel consumption. The theoretical estimations also show that the recoverable forest residues have the potential to produce about 12.7–34 TWh of electricity. This could significantly improve remote rural household electrification while decreasing the country’s reliance on fuel wood biomass for traditional biofuels by 26%. The findings indicate that generating modern bioenergy from forest biomass residue has the potential to contribute to Ethiopia’s energy mix, boost rural power access, and open new avenues for socioeconomic development. Finally, it can be concluded that the study findings reported in this study are useful to energy professionals, researchers, and policymakers interested in biomass fuel.

Orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties that mature and harvest sooner play an important role in addressing food and nutrition demands in areas where irregular rainfall makes sustainable production challenging. A national variety trial was conducted in 2021 and 2022 during the main cropping season using ten OFSP genotypes in three locations in Sidama, South, and Oromia regions of Ethiopia, namely Hawassa, Arbaminch, and Koka, respectively. The objective of this study was to develop and select early-maturing and high-yielding OFSP genotypes for short-term harvesting (3–4 months). The field trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on root yield and yield-related traits, sweetpotato virus disease reactions (SPVD), root dry matter (DMC), and beta-carotene contents (BCC) and were subjected to analysis of variance. A genotype plus genotype by environment interaction (GGE) bi-plot was also used to determine genotype stability. The results showed the presence of highly significant (p<0.001) differences among locations and genotypes, reflecting the existence of differential responses among genotypes in varied locations. Based on combined analysis, G3 (13NC9350A-9-3) outperformed the other genotypes for most of the traits considered, except for DMC, i.e., which has an equivalent to the check variety (Alamura) and showed a yield advantage of 41.4% over it. The GGE biplot also revealed that the G3 was the vertex genotype with the consistent performance in all environments. It had a low score of 1.39 on the 1–9 scoring scale, indicating that it falls within the resistant range, with adequate levels of BCC (5.5 mg/100 g) and DMC (30.0%). Furthermore, G3 is an early-maturing variety, which allows other crops to be grown in double and relay cropping systems. Therefore, based on its outstanding performance, G3 is recommended for verification and release for cultivation in mid- to low-land areas in Ethiopia.

Providing an accurate amount of water to crops based on their requirements is the primary objective of irrigated agriculture. The crop evapotranspiration and coefficient of tomato were measured using non-weighing lysimeters. The trial was conducted at the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center’s experimental farmland in Ethiopia. The soil water balance approach was applied to compute tomato crop evapotranspiration, whereas the reference evapotranspiration was computed using the Penman-Monteith method. The crop coefficient was calculated using the ratio between the measured crop evapotranspiration and the reference evapotranspiration. A total of 590.4 and 413.3 mm of tomato seasonal evapotranspiration was recorded in the experimental years 2022 and 2023, respectively. The mean crop evapotranspiration for tomatoes over the two experimental years was 501.83 mm. The mean locally produced crop coefficient values were 0.63 for the initial, 1.18 during the mid, and 0.94 at the end of the season. The FAO-adjusted Kc values were 1.12 during the mid and 0.86 at the end of the season. The FAO-adjusted crop coefficient values differed from the crop coefficient values developed. Hence, to ensure efficient irrigation scheduling and planning, measuring the crop evapotranspiration and coefficient for optimal crop production under specific climatic conditions is vital.

Avocado fruit is rich in essential nutrients, highly productive, and are recommended for combating malnutrition. This study focuses on the levels of essential macro- and micronutrients, seasonal patterns in commercial avocado varieties, and the soil nutrient status of avocado farms in Mojo and Melkassa, Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from commercial avocado farms in Mojo, and avocado leaf samples from the Hass, Fuerte, and Ettinger varieties were collected from both Mojo and the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center. The soil analysis from the Mojo avocado fields revealed high CEC (31.05–38.40 meq/100 g soil), a neutral to alkaline pH (7.49–7.78), low TN (0.06–0.10%), low to medium OC content (0.67–1.59%), medium Cu and Mn levels (0.67 ppm–0.85 ppm and 1.27 ppm–2.02 ppm, respectively), and very low Fe and Zn levels (0 ppm and 0.10 ppm–0.34 ppm, respectively). The concentration of nitrogen in the leaf tissue of the Hass variety at the Mojo site generally decreased from February to July but was consistent at the MARC site. Among the three avocado varieties (Hass, Fuerte, and Ettinger), the Hass variety exhibited the highest nitrogen levels, followed by Fuerte and Ettinger. The Pearson correlation analysis of avocado leaves reveals synergistic relationships between Mn, Cu, and Ca, as well as antagonistic interactions between TN and Zn and competition between Zn and Fe offering insights for optimizing nutrient management and promoting healthy avocado growth.

Irrigation water management is crucial for enhancing wheat production in Ethiopia, especially in lowland regions like Amibara, where salinity and improper irrigation practices affect crop yields. This study was conducted at Werer Agricultural Research Center to determine the optimal irrigation frequency and amount that enhances water use efficiency (WUE) and wheat yield. The experiment used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments: 35mm every 6 days, 45mm every 8 days, 60mm every 10 days, 70mm every 12 days, and irrigation based on an Allowable Soil Moisture Depletion Level (ASMDL) of 50%. Bread wheat (Ga'ambo 2 variety) was grown, and agronomic data were collected over two years. Results indicated that the treatment of 35mm every 6 days achieved the highest grain yield (4104.74 kg/ha) and WUE (0.90 kg/m³), closely followed by the 45mm every 8 days treatment (3743.35 kg/ha and 0.78 kg/m³). Both treatments were statistically similar in terms of yield and WUE. The ASMDL and treatments with longer irrigation intervals (60 mm/10 days and 70 mm/12 days) resulted in significantly lower yields and WUE, demonstrating the critical role of more frequent irrigation in maintaining optimal soil moisture and mitigating salinity effects. The findings suggest that applying 45mm every 8 days provides a balanced approach, maximizing yield while offering practical labor and time savings compared to the more frequent 35 mm/6-day schedule. These results are essential for improving irrigation strategies in Ethiopia’s lowland wheat production areas, contributing to the country’s goal of wheat self-sufficiency. Further research is recommended to validate these findings under farmer-managed conditions and explore their long-term impacts on soil health and water resources.