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Hot pepper is among economically high value crops growing in Arba Minch areas and contributes alot to the livelihood of smallholder farmers who engaged in this on-farm business. In this important on-farm business, there are production costs related to purchasing inputs that can improve the productivity of crop and analyzing the financial profitability of the business is found to be very important. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess on-farm financial profitability of hot pepper production under different improved varieties and varied rates of NPS fertilizer at Arba Minch through partial budget analysis. The study consisted of three hot pepper varieties (Bako Local, MarekoFana and Melka Shote) and six rates of NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1). The treatments were laid-out in factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results of the partial budget analysis indicate that application of 200 kg NPS ha-1 for Melka Shote variety gave the highest net benefit (185,649.90 ETB ha-1) with a maximum marginal rate of return (5411.20%) as compared to other treatment combinations. Moreover, the net benefit curve also revealed that application of NPS fertilizer beyond 200 kg ha-1 decrease the net benefit obtained from the production of hot pepper across the three varieties. Therefore, production of Melka Shote variety with the application of 200 kg ha-1 NPS fertilizer could make the producers financially profitable and improve their income.

Soil fertility depletion is among the major impediments to sustained crop productivity because of limited application of fertilizers in Ethiopia. Crops yield can be enhanced through balanced application of inorganic and organic soil nutrients. Thus, field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of chicken manure (CM) with reduced levels of inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on garlic growth, yields and economic benefits at Debrezeit Agricultural Research Centre on two soil types (Andosols and Vertisols) in 2013/14 cropping season. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three levels each N (0, 46, 92 kgha-1), P (0, 20, 40 kgha-1) and CM (0, 10, 20 tha-1); which were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications at each site. The analysis result showed that there was a significant main effect of N, P, CM and soil type on the evaluated growth and yield traits in the experiments. Effect of the manure on growth and yield of garlic bulb were significantly higher on both soils than the mineral NP fertilizers but the highest bulb yield of garlic was recorded from Vertisols than from Andosols. The applied fertilizers interacted and significantly influenced the yield attributes of garlic on both soils. The highest bulb yield was obtained with the application of 46 kg N ha-1, 40 kg P ha-1 and 20 t CM ha-1 on Andosols and with the application of 46 kg N ha-1, 20 kg P ha-1 and 20 t CM ha-1 combination on Vertisols. There was a yield advantage of 110% and 139% due to these two combinations over the lowest yield obtained from the control plot on Andosols and Vertisols, respectively. Application of fertilizers at the combination rates of 46 kg N ha-1, 20 kg P ha-1 and 20 t CM ha-1 significantly improved bulb yield by 57% on Vertisols than the yield produced on Andosols. Moreover, the mean bulb yield produced on Vertisols was higher by 21% compared to that of Andosols. In addition, the higher economic yield and marginal rate of return was obtained by the application of 10 t CM ha-1 along with 46 kg N ha-1 and 20 kg P ha-1 on Andosols. Thus, application of 10/20 tha-1 CM saved the recommended levels of N and P fertilizers by 50%, without reducing the bulb yield and economic benefits of garlic.&nbsp

Background: Farmers are forced to store garlic bulbs for a long period due to occasional excess production or to save bulb seeds for next season planting, but the bulbs often lose their viability and vigour due to sprouting ahead of planting time. Objective: The research was conducted to evaluate the effects of three harvest stages (60, 80, and 100% top fall), two curing levels (non-cured and cured bulbs), and three storage methods (floor, shelf, and net bag) on storability of garlic variety ‘Tseday’ at Haramaya University, and Tony farm (Dire Dawa) during 2014-15. Methods: The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at both sites. Results: Significant variations in the storability of bulbs were evident due to harvest stages, curing, and storage methods. Harvesting of garlic bulbs at 100% top fall considerably increased bulb yield by about 16.74% and 8.75% compared to 60 and 80% top fall, respectively. Cured bulbs showed lower fresh bulb yield as compared to non-cured bulbs. Harvesting at 80% top fall, curing and storing bulbs on a shelf or in a net bag showed reduced weight and diameter loss of bulbs as compared to the other treatments. Bulbs harvested at 80% top fall and cured had significantly higher dry matter content than the rest. The highest sprouting percentage was recorded for 60% top fall harvested and non-cured bulbs, while the least was observed in 80% top fall harvested and cured bulbs. Conclusion: The result of this study has shown that harvesting at 80% top fall, curing, and storing bulbs on a shelf or in a net bag leads to a good yield and postharvest quality and effective storability of garlic bulbs under ambient storage conditions.

IntroductionStroke is a global health problem, causing significant morbidities and mortalities in both developing and developed countries. Patients living with chronic diseases like hypertension are at a high risk of stroke. Approximately 80% of strokes could be prevented with necessary preventive practices. There is scarce evidence in the preventive practices in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge and prevention practices related to stroke among hypertensive patients at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 hypertensive patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1st to June 30th, 2021. The study participants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. A semi-structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was entered into EPI Info version 7.2.1 and analyzed with SPSS version 23.0. Binary logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify associated factors. The level of significance was determined using the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% CI at a p-value of 0.05.ResultsParticipants in this study had adequate knowledge of stroke and good prevention practices in 40.7% (95% CI: 35.9, 45.5) and 51.7% (95 CI: 46.8, 56.5) of cases, respectively. Attending secondary education and above 4.6 (95% CI: 2.08, 10.17), knowing someone who has had a stroke 13.17 (95% CI: 7.3, 23.77), and physical activity 4.05 (95% CI: 2.23, 7.36) were all significantly associated with adequate stroke knowledge. Furthermore, educational status (attending primary education 2.61 (95% CI: 1.44, 4.73) and secondary education and above 3.75 (95% CI: 1.99, 7.05), being an urban dweller 9.65 (95% CI: 5.04, 18.44), duration of hypertension 1.9 (95% CI: 1.15, 3.14), knowing someone with a stroke 2.27 (95% CI: 1.30, 3.93), and physical activity 1.76 (95% CI: 1.03, 3.01) were associated with good stroke prevention practices.ConclusionThe proportion of participants with good-related knowledge and prevention practice is relatively good.

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of integrated postharvest chemical, packaging and storage treatments on weight loss and sugar content of cactus pear fruits. The treatments were...

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of preharvest sprays of chemicals and evaporative cooling (ZECC) on the postharvest physico-chemical quality and shelf life of tomatoes. The experiment was conducted using a combination of ten preharvest sprays of chemicals (chitosan (0.1%), chitosan (0.3%), chitosan (0.5%), salicylic acid (SA) (0.015%), SA (0.03%), SA (0.045%), calcium chloride (CaCl

Dormancy of freshly harvested garlic cloves does not allow early emergence, and preplanting garlic clove treatment is critical for more than one cycle of production in a year. This field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of treating cloves on emergence, growth, and yield of “Tseday” variety during the main cropping season of 2014/2015 and off-season of 2015/16 at Haramaya University. The experiment was arranged in a factorial combination of four (cold stored at 7°C for the duration of 10, 20, and 30 days and stored at room temperature 21°C for 30 days as control), two (whole and topped clove), and four GA3 treatment at concentration of 0, 125, 250, and 375 mg/l and distilled water treatment as second control laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The three main factors (clove type, cold storage duration, and GA3) and growing season showed significant influence on phenology, growth, bulb yield and yield components, and all size categories of cloves, while GA3 showed nonsignificant effect on days to emergence of cloves. Clove type interacted with cold storage duration and GA3, and cold storage duration interacted with GA3 significantly to influence all characters of the variety. In addition, the growing season also interacted with clove type and GA3 to influence all categories of clove size, bulb diameter, average bulb weight, and total bulb yield. The three main factors (clove type × cold storage duration × GA3) interaction significantly influenced all characteristics of the variety. However, 30 days of cold-stored and topped cloves reduced dormancy period and days to maturity by 18.84 and 19.50 days, respectively, and increased total bulb yield by 70.32% as compared to the control treatment. In addition, this treatment combination significantly increased most of the growth and bulb yield components, while the number and weight of small-sized cloves were decreased. Hence, it can be concluded that 30 days of cold storage and topping of cloves without soaking under GA3 could be recommended to enhance early emergence, good vegetative growth, and total bulb yield of the garlic variety both under rain-fed and irrigated conditions.

Post-harvest loss is the greatest impediment, which reduces tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) production in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. A research was carried out to evaluate the effect of harvesting stages and pre-storage treatments on fruit quality and shelf life of tomato, variety Roma VF. The experiment comprised three levels of harvesting stages (mature green, turning and light red) and eight levels of pre-storage treatments, viz., 500 ppm sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), 8% calcium chloride (CaCl2), 50% cactus mucilage (CM), 500 ppm NaClO+8% CaCl2, 500 ppm NaClO+50% CM, 8% CaCl2 + 50% CM and 500 ppm NaClO+8% CaCl2 + 50% CM. Treatments laid out in 3 × 8 factorial arrangements in a completely randomized design with three replications. Tomato fruits were stored for about 20 days at ambient temperatures, placed on fixed tables. Quality attributes and shelf life parameters were collected at four-day interval during 20 days of storage. The results showed that harvesting stages and pre-storage treatments indicated highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) impacts on quality and shelf life of tomato fruits. Fruits harvested at mature green stage and coated with 50% cactus mucilage significantly retained low percentage of decay (41.67%), highest marketable fruit (50%), low pH (4.25) and highest ascorbic acid (13.4 mg/100 g) during the storage period and it increased the shelf life the fruits by about 10 days as compared to the control. From the results of the study, harvesting tomatoes at mature green stages and coating them with 50% cactus mucilage can be recommended for increasing the shelf life and quality of the tomato fruits.

Chaya known as spinach tree, rich in vitamins and minerals, can grow under drought, low soil fertility conditions and tolerant to insect pest and could be used to tackle malnutrition problem in eastern Ethiopia. Thus, the first step is to establish the propagation and field establishment method. This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of rooting media, and the number of nodes and on rooting, seedling establishment and early growth of chaya at Dire Dawa in 2018 cropping season. The experiment was conducted to evaluate three rooting media (top soil, 3:2 top soil: FYM: 3:1 top soil: FYM) and cuttings with 1, 2 and 3 nodes in factorial combination in completely randomized design with three replications. Rooting media (RM) significantly influenced all growth parameters of seedlings and number of node (NoN) on cuttings significantly influenced most of the traits. Rooting media and number of nodes interacted to influence number of roots, fresh and dry weight of re-growth shoot. The highest number of roots (10.53) was registered from chaya stem cuttings with three nodes grown on rooting media filled with 3:2 top soils: FYM. Cuttings grown on 3:2 top soils: FYM media had significantly tallest re-growth stem height and highest number of leaves followed by cuttings grown on 3:1 top soil: FYM media.

Introduction:Onion is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is low owing to a number of constraints out of which soil nutrient depletion and inappropriate soil fertility management practices are the most important ones.Methods and Materials:A field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years of 2011 and 2012 using irrigation at Melkassa, Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia, to assess the response of onion to different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and to identify economical rates of the fertilizers for optimizing the yield and quality of the crop. The treatments consisted of five levels of nitrogen (0, 34.5, 69, 103.5 and 138 kg ha-1) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 46, 92, and 138 kg P2O5ha-1). The experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications.Results:The results of the study revealed that the main effect of nitrogen significantly (P≤0.05) affected most of the growth parameters and bulb characters which all attained maximum values at 138 kg N ha-1. The main effect of P significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced leaf number, leaf length, and bulb diameter. Nitrogen and phosphorus interacted to influence total and marketable bulb yields. Application of N at the rate of 103.5 kg N ha-1combined with 138 kg ha-1P2O5led to the production of the highest total and marketable bulb yield of onion. However, results of the economic analysis revealed that application of N at the rate of 103.5 kg ha-1and P2O5at 92 kg ha-1led to the highest net return.

The NP fertilizer or organic resources alone may not provide sufficient amounts or may be unsuitable for alleviating specific constraints to crop production. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Maitsebri Research Station of Shire-Maitsebri Agricultural Research Center (SMARC) to study the effect of inorganic NP fertilizers and vermicompost on growth, seed yield and yield components of red onion (Allium cepa L.) variety during 2016/17 dry season under irrigation. The treatments consisted of five NP fertilizer rates {0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended NP rates (69 kg N and 92 kg P2O5 ha-1)} and four rates of vermicompost (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 t ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a factorial arrangement using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results of the analysis revealed that the interaction effects on inorganic NP fertilizer and vermicompost significantly (P

A field experiment was conducted at Gewane Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in 2012/2013 to assess effect of farmyard manure and intra-row spacing on yield and yield components of Adama Red onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivar under irrigation. Factorial combination of four rates of farmyard manure (0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1) and four levels of intra-row spacing (7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 cm) were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant effect of intra-row spacing on most of plant growth, bulb yield and bulb characters studied was noticed. Similarly, farmyard manure showed significant effect on mean bulb weight, weight loss, and bulb rotting. The interaction effects of intra-row spacing and farmyard manure rates showed significant influence on biological, total, marketable and unmarketable bulb yields. Highest total bulb yield, 58.74 t ha-1 and marketable bulb yields 57.77 t ha-1 were obtained from plants spaced at 7.5 cm and plots received 30 t ha-1 farm yard manure. The highest weight loss and bulb rotting were observed at wider intra-row spacing (15 cm) and highest farmyard manure application, which was 30 t ha-1. Intra-row spacing of 7.5 cm and 20 t ha-1 farmyard manure rate gave good marketable bulb yield and better storage life under the study area. Key words: Bulb yield; farmyard manure; intra-row spacing; storage life.

The reaction of eighteen hot pepper genotypes to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica populations from Ethiopia was evaluated under glasshouse condition. In addition, a laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the effect of root exudates on hatching of the nematode populations. None of the pepper genotypes were found immune. However, ‘Acc.003’ and ‘Melka Awaze’ were found resistant, while ‘Oda Haro’ was susceptible to all populations tested. The hatching assay indicated that the root exudates had no significant effect on cumulative hatching. However, the time in which half of the population hatched varied significantly among the genotypes. After validation under field condition, the genotypes that were found resistant to both M. incognita and M. javanica could be used in areas infested with species complex in the country to enhance hot pepper productivity.

Hot pepper is one of the most important crops grown by smallholder farmers of Arba Minch Zuria district mainly for income generation. The dry fruit yield of the crop is very low in the district due to several production constraints of which the low accessibility of improved varieties and soil nutrient deficiency are among the major ones. Therefore, this experiment was conducted at Chano Mille Kebele, Arba Minch Zuria district of Southern Ethiopia during 2018/2019 cropping season to assess the effect of blended NPS fertilizer rates on growth, yield and yield components of hot pepper varieties and to determine optimum rate(s) of blended NPS fertilizer for hot pepper production for the study area. Six rates of blended NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1) and three hot pepper varieties (Bako Local, Mareko Fana and Melka Shote) were used as experimental treatments and laid-out in 3x6 factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications. The results revealed that the main effect of variety and rates of blended NPS fertilizer had a significant effect (P

Additional file 1. Table S1 Mean daily temperature values of different composting methods

The aim of the present study was to determine the integrated effect of plant extracts and hot water treatment on postharvest anthracnose and banana fruit quality. Artificially inoculated banana fruit were dipped in 10% and 20% (w/v) extracts of four plant species, viz. Acacia albida, Argemone mexicana, Dovalis abyssinica and Prosopis juliflora at room temperature (20 °C), 45 °C and 50 °C. Fruit treated separately with 20% extracts of A. albida and P. juliflora at 50 °C had reduced anthracnose incidence and severity. These treatment combinations also had the highest percentage of marketable ripe banana fruits. In conclusion, applying aqueous plant extracts at 50 °C enhanced the antifungal activity of extracts without affecting the physico-chemical properties of banana.

Shallot (Allium cepa var ascalonicum Baker) can be a substitute where bulb onion (A. cepa L. var cepa) does not do well. However, production and productivity of shallot can be limited due to poor soil fertility; lack of improved production techniques; unimproved varieties, and high post-harvest losses. Farmers in northeastern Ethiopia rarely apply fertilizers to shallot. A field study was undertaken in that region in 2007/2008 to determine effects of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and shelf-life of shallot. Treatments were 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg·ha−1 N and cvs. ‘Huruta,’ ‘Negelle,’ ‘Dz-sht-68,’ and a local landrace. Application of 150 kg·ha−1 of N increased marketable and total bulb yields by 26% over the control. The highest and the lowest marketable bulb yields were for ‘Dz-sht-68’ and the local landrace, respectively. In storage nitrogen fertilization increased bulb weight loss in all cultivars, with weight loss being highest for the local landrace. Nitrogen fertilization at 150 kg·ha−1 N increased bulb ...

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae is the most important postharvest disease of banana fruit. The present study was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of C. musae isolates to hot water treatment in vitro. The effect of hot water treatment (HWT) in vitro was determined by placing conidial suspensions and plugs of agar with mycelia of 12 single spore isolates of C. musae in hot water bath at 45, 50 and 55°C for 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 min. Percent inhibition of conidial germination and colony growth increased with increased temperature and time combinations. HWT at 55°C for 5 min had an equivalent inhibition of conidial germination and reduction of mycelial growth to that of HWT at 50°C for 17 min in the 12 C. musae isolates. Remarkable variability in thermo-tolerance was found among 12 isolates of C. musae and isolate HC2 and HC3 were found to be the most sensitive, while DL1 and DL2 were comparatively heat tolerant isolates. Key words: Banana anthracnose, Colletotrichum musae, hot water treatment, sensitive, tolerant.

Garlic is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Bulb quality is an important attribute that adds to the use and marketability of the crop. However, garlic bulb quality is constrained by several factors in the country among which imbalanced and low availability of nutrients in the soil is prominent. Therefore, a study was conducted on two soil types (Andosol and Vertisol) with the objective of elucidating the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur application on the quality of the crop. The treatments consisted of three levels of nitrogen (0, 92, 138 kg N ha-1), three levels of phosphorus (0, 40, 80 kg P ha-1), and three levels of sulphur (0, 30, 60 kg S ha-1). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications on each soil type. The results revealed that the main as well as the interaction effects of N, P, and S fertilizers on both soil types significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced bulb quality, namely, dry matter percentage, total soluble solids, pungency, bulb protein content, and bulb weight loss in storage, and concentrations of major nutrients in the bulb tissues. The bulb quality indices studied on both soil types correlated positively and significantly with each other but had a negative correlation with bulb weight loss. This result indicates favorable effects of integrated application of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur on garlic bulb quality. Combined applications of 92 kg N + 40 kg P + 30 kg S ha-1 and 138 kg N + 40 kg P + 60 kg S ha-1 led to the attainment of optimum bulb quality attributes on Andosol and Vertisol, respectively. However, it was application of 92 kg N + 40 kg P + 30 kg S ha-1 that was found to be economical for farmers. Key words: Andosol, bulb quality, inorganic fertilizer, nutrient concentration, soil type, Vertisol.

Preharvest dips of mango fruit in plant defense inducing chemicals (PDIC) integrated with postharvest treatments with inorganic salts and hot water were evaluated for the management of anthracnose on artificially inoculated mango fruit. Either of the PDICs salicylic acid or potassium phosphonate at 1000 mg L −1 combined with a fruit dip for 3 min in 3% aqueous sodium bicarbonate at 51.5 °C significantly reduced disease development as compared to other treatments and the control. This combination kept anthracnose severity (lesion development) below 5% during much of the 12 days experimental period and had the maximum proportion of marketable fruit (93.3%). The mean disease severity on untreated control fruit exceeded 30%, disease incidence reached 100% and marketability dropped to 0%. The treatments also maintained quality of mango; pH, TSS, TA, firmness and color of treated mango fruit significantly ( P

Pumpkin(Cucuribita Spp.)fruit slices were subjected to pre-drying treatments and drying using methods of uncontrolled sun and oven drying. The two-way interaction between drying methods and pre-drying treatments had significant effect on chemical qualities. Pumpkin subjected to salt solution dipping treatment and oven dried had higher chemical concentrations. Among the pumpkin fruit accessions, pumpkin accession 8007 had the superior TSS after drying. Among the three pre-drying treatments, salt solution dipping treatment had significant effect and the most efficient pre-drying treatment to retain the quality of dried pumpkin fruits without significant chemical quality deterioration. Salt dipping treatment combined with low temperature (60°C) oven air circulation drying is recommended to maintain quality of dried pumpkin slices. Integrated pre-and postharvest treatment including the genetic factor was shown to have significant effect on the drying kinetics as well as quality after drying of pumpkin.

Three commercial sugarcane varieties such as NCO-334, B52-298 and N14 were grown at Finchaa Cane Plantation, Ethiopia to determine the optimum harvest age for cane and sugar yields. Treatments consisted of factorial combination of varieties and five levels of harvest age were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The varieties differed in stalk diameter and weight, and millable stalk number. Improvements in internodes number, stalk diameter and weight were increased with harvest age whereas internodes length and millable stalk number decreased with delay in harvesting. Varieties produced better juice quality in canes harvested at 17 months. NCO-334 attained its peak superior quality at the age of 15 months. This preliminary data on some indicator quality parameters imply that NCO-334 could be harvested at 15 months age in order to maximize sugar yield. However, more experiments are required to confirm the effect of harvesting time and variety on cane and sugar yield. Therefore, more research on detecting other quality parameters focusing on cane and sugar yield is recommended.

Three processing and six fresh market tomato varieties were evaluated for yield and related traits. The tomato varieties harvested at "mature green” stage were evaluated for changes in physical quality characteristics during the storage period of 32 days under ambient conditions. Both field and storage studies were undertaken using randomized complete block design with three replications. Physical properties including average fruit weight, fruit volume, specific gravity, juice content and weight loss were assessed during the storage period. The storage room air temperature and relative humidity varied from 15.4 to 16.2°C and 34.8 to 52.4%, respectively. Tomato varieties had significant (P ≤ 0.001) effects on yield and quality. Fresh market tomato variety Fetane was the highest yielder. Marglobe Improved had the highest physical quality characteristics while Fetane showed the lowest values. The highest weight loss was obtained in Metadel compared with all other varieties throughout the storage period. Melkashola had the highest physical quality characteristics than the other two processing varieties while weight loss was almost similar with Roma VF during most of the storage periods. Fresh market tomato fruits had superior physical quality characteristics such as higher fruit weight, volume, specific gravity and juice content than processing fruit varieties. Weight loss was the lowest for processing tomatoes during storage which is an indicator of better shelf life. Key words: Tomato, pre-harvest, postharvest, yield, quality, variety.

Five hot pepper varieties were grown at Haramaya University Research Farm, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. The experiment was undertaken using completely randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications. Green peppers were stored under ambient and evaporatively cooled conditions. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were observed among cultivars and storage conditions in changes in quality of pepper. Storage at ambient conditions resulted in high weight loss and rapid deterioration in chemical composition. The highest and lowest moisture contents were recorded in Melka Eshet and PBC 600, respectively. Evaporative cooler reduced weight loss and maintained higher levels of pH, ascorbic acid and marketability. The highest weight loss was recorded in Melka Dima stored at ambient condition. The lowest weight loss and highest ascorbic acid content was obtained in Mareko Fana stored in evaporative cooler. After 16 days of storage, all pepper fruits stored at ambient condition were unmarketable while those stored in evaporative cooler were kept up to 28 days. The highest pungency level was observed in ambient storage environment than in evaporative cooler. Evaporative cooling was shown to improve shelf life by four-fold compared to the ambient condition. The shelf life of pepper was improved in all varieties tested while the quality characteristics were maintained better in Mareko Fana than in the other varieties when harvested at mature-green stage and stored under evaporatively cooled storage.

Three processing and six fresh market tomato varieties harvested at "mature green" stage were evaluated for changes in quality. The total soluble solid, titratable acidity, sugar-acid ratio, pH, ascorbic acid content, colour and firmness were assessed. The storage room air temperature and relative humidity varied from 15.4(○)C to 16.2(○)C and 34.8% to 52.4%, respectively. At harvest, Marglobe Improved had better chemical quality characteristics compared with the other five fresh market varieties while towards the end of the storage period, chemical quality characteristics were maintained better in Fetane. The highest pH and sugar/acid ratio were obtained in Metadel compared with all other varieties throughout the storage period. Among the processing tomato variety, Roma VF had better chemical quality than other two processing varieties. Melkashola had the highest total soluble solid content in the group. Although the processing varieties ripened earlier than fresh market ones, they were notably firmer with better quality. The processing types were better in their chemical quality than fresh market genotypes. The fresh table tomato varieties had higher sugar-acid ratio and vitamin C. Marglobe Improved and Metadel could be selected in favor of higher nutritional quality whereas Fetane could be considered for maintenance of better overall quality characteristics.

Storability of two tomato varieties harvested at different maturity stages was studied under ambient and in a multi-layer pads evaporative cooler in semi-arid eastern part of Ethiopia. The treatments consisted a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial combination of variety, maturity stage and storage environment. The experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The average differences in relative humidity and dry bulb temperature between ambient and inside the cooler were 54.8% and 15.1 °C, respectively. The evaporative cooler reduced dry bulb temperature by 5 °C and raised the relative humidity by 18% compared to single pad evaporative cooler. Furthermore, the temperature and relative humidity in the cooler were maintained relatively constant compared to the ambient conditions. The cooling efficiency of the multi-layer pad evaporative cooler also varied from 68.3% to 84.0%. Thus, the shelf life of tomatoes kept in the unit was substantially increased. Roma VF tomato harvested at mature green stage maintained better chemical quality and marketability during storage. Under arid and semi-arid conditions, where postharvest loss under ambient conditions is high, the multi-layer evaporative cooler could improve shelf life of tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables by reducing temperature and increasing relative humidity.

The effect of disinfection treatments, packaging, and storage environment on the quality of mango fruits (Mangifera indica L.) was studied at Dire Dawa, Ethiopia over a storage period of 28 days. Mango fruits were assessed for physiological weight loss (PWL), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), and marketability. The evaporative cooling maintained the temperature between 14·33 and 19·26 °C and the relative humidity between 70·15% and 82·4% during the storage period. The shelf life of mangoes kept in the evaporative cooling unit was increased from 3 to 28 days, compared to storage at ambient conditions. The Storage temperature greatly (probability, P

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Shebelle river basin along the Gode district is one of the most suitable areas for the production of dry bulb onion, which is an important cash crop for farmers in the study area. However, the productivity of the crop is low due to poor agronomic practices and managements. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Gode Polytechnic College demonstration farm in 2013 under irrigation to assess the effect of N fertilizer rates and intra-row spacing on bulb triats of onion (Allium cepa L.). The treatments were consisting six rates of N fertilizer (0, 46, 69, 92, 115, 138 kg ha-1) and four levels of intra-row spacing (7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 cm). The experiment was designed in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results of the analysis revealed that the interaction effects of N rates and intra-row spacing showed highly significant (P