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Abstract Background The focus of triticale breeding in the southern Great Plains of the United States has been to increase forage yield for autumn–winter seasons when most other forage species are dormant. This study aims to estimate the trends of seasonal yield changes over time. Methods Yield trials had been conducted in a randomized complete block design for up to two decades. Seasonal yield changes over time were estimated using linear regression analysis. Results The analysis revealed a significant positive relation between autumn forage yield (relative to common checks) and calendar years when the trials were conducted. The estimated improvement of autumn forage yield was about 1.9% per year on medium and heavy soil at Ardmore, Oklahoma, and about 5.4% per year on light soil at Burneyville, Oklahoma. However, winter forage yield change was minimal and the spring forage yield increase was negative, although this decline was not significant. Total forage yield improvements were about 0.6% and 0.7% per year at Ardmore and Burneyville, respectively. Similar results were also observed when years of cultivars' introduction were used instead. Conclusions The results indicate a significant gain in autumn forage yield, but a minor gain in the total forage yield due to the yield tradeoff between the autumn and spring seasons.

Heat stress during the seedling stage of early-planted winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most abiotic stresses of the crop restricting forage and grain production in the Southern Plains of the United States. To map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and identify single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with seedling heat tolerance, a genome-wide association mapping study (GWAS) was conducted using 200 diverse representative lines of the hard red winter wheat association mapping panel, which was established by the Triticeae Coordinated Agricultural Project (TCAP) and genotyped with the wheat iSelect 90K SNP array. The plants were initially planted under optimal temperature conditions in two growth chambers. At the three-leaf stage, one chamber was set to 40/35°C day/night as heat stress treatment, while the other chamber was kept at optimal temperature (25/20°C day/night) as control for 14 days. Data were collected on leaf chlorophyll content, shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, and seedling recovery after removal of heat stress treatment. Phenotypic variability for seedling heat tolerance among wheat lines was observed in this study. Using the mixed linear model (MLM), we detected multiple significant QTLs for seedling heat tolerance on different chromosomes. Some of the QTLs were detected on chromosomes that were previously reported to harbor QTLs for heat tolerance during the flowering stage of wheat. These results suggest that some heat tolerance QTLs are effective from the seedling to reproductive stages in wheat. However, new QTLs that have never been reported at the reproductive stage were found responding to seedling heat stress in the present study. Candidate gene analysis revealed high sequence similarities of some significant loci with candidate genes involved in plant stress responses including heat, drought, and salt stress. This study provides valuable information about the genetic basis of seedling heat tolerance in wheat. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first GWAS to map QTLs associated with seedling heat tolerance targeting early planting of dual-purpose winter wheat. The SNP markers identified in this study will be used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of seedling heat tolerance during dual-purpose wheat breeding.

Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is a man-made species developed by crossing wheat (Triticum spp.) and rye (Secale cereale L.). It incorporates favorable alleles from both progenitor species (wheat and rye), enabling adaptation to environments that are less favorable for wheat yet providing better biomass yield and forage quality. Triticale has huge potential for both grain and forage production, though research to improve the crop for better adaptation and grain quality is lagging behind that of other small grains. It is also gaining popularity as a cover crop to improve soil health and reduce nutrient leaching. Because of its genetic and flower structure, triticale is suitable for both line and hybrid breeding methods. Advances in the areas of molecular biology and the wealth of genomic resources from both wheat and rye can be exploited for triticale improvement. Gene mapping and genomic selection will facilitate triticale breeding by increasing selection precision and reducing time and cost. The objectives of this review are to summarize current triticale production status, breeding, and genetics research achievements and to highlight gaps for future research.

Post-harvest losses occur during storage mainly due to spills, fungal contamination, and pest damage. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of post-harvest management and sanitation practices by grain traders on the quality of stored grains in Kenya. A total of 342 grain traders, distributed among three counties, namely Nairobi, Embu, and Machakos, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Maize and common beans were the main crops stored in trader’s stores. Most of the traders obtained grains from the retail brokers (39.9%) and most of the grain stores were rented (73.3%). Traders sold stocks of grains less than a month and in the first three months. The grain traders used mainly propylene bags (>84%) and bought new propylene bags for the new stock (51%). The highest proportion of grains was sold to individual consumers or local retailers. Grain sampling followed by sorting and drying were the main procedures carried out within the traders’ stores after receiving new stock. In case of deteriorated grains caused by fungal infection, insect, or other factors, most traders immediately sold the grains while other traders sold to animal feed manufacturers. Most traders had knowledge of grain standards, but more than 95% of them used their own standards to grade their grains, and < 3% of the traders used East African grain standards. Inspection of insects infestation in stores by traders was ranked first (95.4%) followed by rodents (71.7%) and mold contamination (42.5%). These findings highlight the intervention needed in the practices of grain traders to reduce food losses.

Pepper is an important source of income for Ethiopian smallholder farmers. However, Fusarium wilt has been hindering pepper production and productivity. This study characterized the morphological variability of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici isolates collected from potential pepper production areas of West Gojjam, Ethiopia. A total of 196 symptomatic plant samples were collected and screened. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, 67 F. oxysporum f. sp. capsici isolates were characterized. The distribution of F. oxysporum varied among districts, of which the largest number of the Fusarium isolates was recorded in Womberma (36%) and the lowest was in Burie Zuria (15%). The frequency of F. oxysporum occurrence varied in different plant parts including, roots (56.2%), stem (31.7%), and leaf (12.1%). Colony color varied from white (43.28%) to pink (10.45%). The radial growth of the colony varied from 2.5 – 4.5 cm on the 7th day of culture, of which, 6 isolates had >3 cm, 37 isolates had 3-4 cm, and 24 isolates had >4 cm radial growth. Two types of shapes were recorded with almost similar proportions (50.75% filamentous and 49.25% round). From the total 67 identified isolates, 74.6% had adherent mycelial and 26.4% of them had fluffy growth pattern. Microscopically, all the isolates produced micro- and macro-conidia. The microconidia had oval (67.16%), kidney (29.85%), and globose (2.99%) shaped morphology. The macroconidia were with curved (25) and straight (42) shaped morphology, with three to five septa. The isolates had an entire (73%) and filiform margin (27%). Further, pathogenicity and molecular characterization needs to be conducted.

Amidst the ongoing global climate change crisis, characterized by unpredictable weather patterns and increasing environmental shocks, farming communities are among the most vulnerable. This vulnerability is particularly evident in Tigray, Ethiopia. This study, which investigates the incidence of climate change and its variability in relation to risk perception and food security of farming communities in Tigray, has significant implications for future action. It uses climate and the Living Standards Measurement Study panel data. A multi-method analytical procedure is employed to assess changes in temperature and rainfall, understand farmers’ climate change risk perception, and signify the welfare effects of droughts on farmers. The study finds significant warming trends, particularly increasing warming nights, and variable but increasing rainfall trends. Farmers do perceive climate change as a reality (85.53%) and a threat to their welfare (23%). Cooperation, diversification, irrigation, wealth, drought, and access to services were identified as drivers of this risk perception. Similarly, the study found drought is a significant driver of food insecurity. Other variables associated with food security status substantially are wealth, head marital status, and non-farm participation. It concludes that climate change is a reality and a perceived risk in Tigray. It poses a threat to the lives and livelihoods of its farming communities. It is recommended that farm households’ adaptive capacity be enhanced through improved livelihood options, promotion of cooperation, development of irrigation schemes, and increased access to weather and climate information.

Poultry farming in Ethiopia is crucial for food security and income, but it faces significant challenges due to gaps in farmer awareness. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Biocheck.UGent™ biosecurity scoring system and a questionnaire to evaluate poultry farmers’ basic and practical knowledge concerning salmonellosis and mycotoxins. The questionnaire revealed substantial gaps in basic and practical knowledge regarding Salmonella spp infections and mycotoxin among 38 poultry farmers in Jimma. About 68.4% of farmers were unaware of the impact of salmonellosis on both poultry and human health. Moreover, 78.9% had limited basic knowledge of how salmonellosis affects production and the economy. Farmers also showed limited practical knowledge of farm management and hygiene practices essential for preventing Salmonella spp. infections. Regarding mycotoxins, 63.2% of farmers lacked awareness of poultry feed management, 60.5% were unaware of the health risks mycotoxins pose, and 73.7% did not recognize signs of mycotoxin contamination. Although 55.3% of farmers demonstrated acceptable practical knowledge of strategies to reduce the impact of mycotoxin contaminations, there are still concerns, particularly since 65.8% and 55.3% only showed moderate practical knowledge of feed storage and mycotoxin prevention, respectively. The overall biosecurity scores of poultry farms were below the global average, with a score of 41.7 compared to the worldwide average of 64. The overall mean score for external biosecurity was 44.9, below the global average of 63. All 3 scoring platforms and biosecurity parameters indicated that internal biosecurity was the weakest aspect, with a score of 31.6, well below the global standard of 64. The results showed a weak correlation (rₛ = 0.06) between farmers’ basic and practical knowledge scores about Salmonella spp. infections and mycotoxins. Similarly, there was a weak correlation between the poor biosecurity score of poultry farms and the basic and practical knowledge of poultry farmers on Salmonella spp. infections (rₛ = 0.17) and mycotoxins (rₛ = 0.25). In conclusion, the study found that poultry farmers in Jimma had poor basic and practical knowledge scores on Salmonella, mycotoxins, and biosecurity measures. Thus, awareness creation is paramount to improve these gaps to reduce the impact of mycotoxin contamination and poultry diseases and consequently to improve food security and food safety.

Plant-associated endophytic fungi (EFs) are emerging as a promising solution to advancing modern agriculture and fostering environmental sustainability, especially in the face of climate change scenarios. These fungi, either naturally residing in plants or introduced through artificial inoculation techniques, improve agricultural production due to their various roles in protecting and supporting host plants. The majority of EFs serve as natural biocontrol agents for a variety of agricultural pests, such as insects, phytopathogens, nematodes, and weeds. Notably, EFs produce secondary metabolites, trigger immune responses, modify plant defense gene expression, confer host plant resistance and/or tolerance, and regulate pest growth, populations, and survival to combat agricultural pests. Beyond controlling pests, EFs promote optimal plant growth, development, and resilience by aiding in the synthesis of vital compounds such as phytohormones and bioactive metabolites, nutrient acquisition, and fortifying plants against environmental stresses and climatic changes. Moreover, the mostly nonpathogenic nature of EFs, coupled with their high yield potential, environmental safety, and cost effectiveness, positions them as eco-friendly and economically viable alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals amidst rapid climate change scenarios. As a result, the promising horizon of EFs in agricultural production necessitates interdisciplinary study and microbial modulation approaches to optimize symbiotic plant-EF relationships and their potential for improved productivity. This review provides current and comprehensive insights into the practical applications and multifaceted benefits of EFs in pest management, plant growth promotion, and climate change resilience for future agricultural production improvements. The analysis reveals the potential of developing EFs into innovative bioformulations such as biofertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides, thereby paving the way for their integration into a sustainable and more resilient future agricultural system.

Sensory processing is a fundamental aspect of the nervous system that plays a pivotal role in the cognitive decline observed in older individuals with dementia. The “sensory diet”, derived from sensory integration theory, may provide a tailored approach to modulating sensory experiences and triggering neuroplastic changes in the brain in individuals with dementia. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the current knowledge regarding the sensory diet and its potential application to dementia. This review encompassed an extensive search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, covering articles published from 2010 to 2023. Keywords such as “sensory integration”, “sensory modulation”, “healthy aging”, and “dementia” were utilized to identify relevant studies. The types of materials retrieved included peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape. This article offers a comprehensive exploration of the effectiveness of sensory diets such as tactile stimulation, auditory therapies, and visual interventions, which have demonstrated noteworthy efficacy in addressing challenges linked to aging and dementia. Research findings consistently report positive outcomes, such as improved cognitive function, elevated emotional well-being, and enhanced overall quality of life in older individuals. Furthermore, we found that the integration of sensory diets with the metaverse, augmented reality, and virtual reality opens up personalized experiences, fostering cognitive stimulation and emotional well-being for individuals during aging. Therefore, we conclude that customized sensory diets, based on interdisciplinary cooperation and leveraging technological advancements, are effective in optimizing sensory processing and improve the overall well-being of older individuals contending with sensory modulation challenges and dementia.

This study aimed to analyze farmers’ perceptions of maize production constraints and determine the effects of push–pull technology (PPT) on crop yield, pest control, and improving soil fertility status. Increasing fertilizer prices and pesticide prices, FAWs (fall armyworms) and stemborers, declining soil fertility, and drought are the main maize production constraints in the area. Seventy percent of the respondents indicated that an increase in input prices such as those of fertilizer and seeds is the major constraint in the area, while FAWs (55%) and stemborers (44.3%) were ranked the third and fourth major constraints. About 67% of farmers reported that stemborer damage to maize in PPT plots was either minimal or non-existent. Fifty-five percent of farmers stated that the damage caused to maize by FAWs was low or that there was no damage in PPT plots. PPT reduced stem borer infestation from 83% to 44%. The yield gained from PPT plots ranged from 18% to 31%. Soil samples taken from PPT plots showed improved soil organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity.

A longitudinal observational study was carried out from January 2020 to July 2021 to assess the impact of subclinical mastitis (SCM) on reproductive performance and its association with uterine health of crossbred dairy cows. The California Mastitis Test (CMT) and cytobrush technique were used to screen subclinical mastitis and subclinical endometritis, respectively. Milk samples positive for subclinical mastitis were subjected to bacteriological analysis. Data from 84 clinically healthy cows collected and analyzed. The present study revealed a prevalence of subclinical mastitis of 51.2% (43 of 84). The mean days from calving to first service interval were significantly longer in subclinical mastitis positive cows than negative (control) cows (120.51 ± 24.5 and 85.15 ± 28.3, respectively) (P

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is one of the most important forage crops in the Southern Great Plains of the United States. However, it is more sensitive to cold stress than other small grains. In this study, diverse oat germplasm was evaluated for winter survival across multiple years and locations in the region. Field screening started with an observation trial of 1,861 diverse genotypes in the 2012–2013 season and was followed by four seasons of replicated trials from 2013 to 2017. Selection of good winter survivors was started in 2014–2015 season. All trials were laid out in randomized complete blocks with replications of two in 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, four in 2015–2016, and three in 2016–2017. Winter survival was scored in a 1‐to‐9 scale. Data were analysed for each year and location separately. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis were carried out on combined data of 35 genotypes that were commonly grown in each year and location. Highly significant (p < 0.001) variations were observed among genotypes, environments and genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GEI). The first three interaction principal components (IPCs) were highly significant (p < 0.001), explaining 96% of GEI. Broad sense heritability ranged from 46% to 93%, while heritability for all environments combined was relatively low (24.6%). At the end of the two cycles (2014/2015‐to‐2016/2017) of selection, mean winter survival was improved by more than 38% per cycle compared with the base population mean. Genotypes CIav 4390, CIav 6909 and CIav 7618 showed significantly higher winter survival than the standard checks Okay and Dallas. Genotypes CIav 4390 showed 20% and 35% improvement over the standard checks Okay and Dallas, respectively. Winter survival improvement in oat will remain a difficult task because of high GEI and low heritability. The identified superior genotypes will be used as crossing parents to transfer cold tolerance genes to other elite lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most principally important legume crops in Ethiopia. Its production is mainly constrained by insect pests. Dissemination of updated information on its status and addressing alternative management options are important. Main body This article reviews the research status of the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and Azuki bean beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) in chickpea, focusing on their distributions, host range, nature of the damage, biology, and their management practices. Helicoverpa armigera under field conditions and C. chinensis during storage are the most challenging insect pests of chickpea production in Ethiopia. Conclusion Managements of these two major insect pests are achieved through the use of cultural control, host plant resistance, botanical control, biological control, and chemical insecticides. Future research should focus on low-input IPM approaches that encompass all locally available and use of affordable insect pest management methods in Ethiopia.

Background: Villagization scheme was chosen as a policy option and implemented to ensure sustainable food security in Assosa zone, Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia, although it is blamed for intensifying food insecurity instead. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the food security status of households gathered in planned villages in the framework of villagization. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 344 households who were randomly selected. A questionnaire was used after exploring the perception of village communities about the nature of food security. Food security status was measured using a household food balance model (FBM) that uses calorie threshold value of 2100 Kcal/Adult Equivalent (ADE)/day. Results: There were some basic services and infrastructures in the planned villages, although most of them were supplied before the implementation of villagization scheme. The scheme did not improve the food security status of households in the villages; since about 67% of them were food insecure and only 33% were food secure. The proportion of food insecure households is much more than the recent national figure of 40%. Conclusion: In spite of the fact that some basic services and infrastructures were supplied in the planned villages, villagization did not improve the food security status of households; in contrast food insecurity remained high. The scheme was merely supplied the service and infrastructures without improving economic access to basic services and infrastructures. It is recommended to conduct a study investigating why villagization could not improve the food security status according to the intended purpose.

In this study, a nonlinear deterministic mathematical model that evaluates two important therapeutic measures of the COVID-19 pandemic: vaccination of susceptible and treatment for infected people who are in quarantine, is formulated and rigorously analyzed. Some of the fundamental properties of the model system including existence and uniqueness, positivity, and invariant region of solutions are proved under a certain meaningful set. The model exhibits two equilibrium points: disease-free and endemic equilibrium points under certain conditions. The basic reproduction number, R0, is derived via the next-generation matrix approach, and the dynamical behavior of the model is explored in detail. The analytical analysis reveals that the disease-free equilibrium solution is locally as well as globally asymptotically stable when the associated basic reproduction number is less than unity which indicates that COVID-19 dies out in the population. Also, the endemic equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable whenever the associated basic reproduction number exceeds a unity which implies that COVID-19 establishes itself in the population. The sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number is computed to identify the most dominant parameters for the spreading out as well as control of infection and should be targeted by intervention strategies. Furthermore, we extended the considered model to optimal control problem system by introducing two time-dependent variables that represent the educational campaign to susceptibles and continuous treatment for quarantined individuals. Finally, some numerical results are illustrated to supplement the analytical results of the model using MATLAB ode45.

Some plant foods evolve defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators by producing inherent chemicals as secondary metabolites such as cyanogenic glycosides, glycoalkaloids, glucosinolates, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and lectins. These metabolites are beneficial for the plant itself but toxic to other organisms, including human beings. Some of these toxic chemicals are believed to have therapeutic benefits and are therefore used to protect against chronic health complications such as cancer. Inversely, short- and long-term exposure to significant amounts of these phytotoxins may end up with chronic irreversible negative health problems in important organ systems, and in severe cases, they can be carcinogenic and fatal. A systematic literature search of relevant published articles indexed in Google Scholar®, PubMed®, Scopus®, Springer Link®, Web of Science®, MDPI®, and ScienceDirect databases was used to obtain the necessary information. Various traditional and emerging food-processing techniques have been found to considerably reduce most of the toxicants in the food to their safest level. Despite their ability to preserve the nutritional value of processed foods, emerging food processing methods have limited application and accessibility in middle- and low-income countries. As a consequence, much more work is recommended on the implementation of emerging technologies, with additional scientific work on food processing methods that are effective against these naturally occurring plant food toxicants, particularly pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Background. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) causes different types of human infections and can develop resistance to many antibiotics. There is a scarcity of data on the mecA gene and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain distribution of this organism in developing countries, such as Ethiopia. This study investigated the presence of mecA gene and MDR profile of S. aureus among patients attending referral hospitals of Amhara regional state. Methods. Of the total of 110 isolates collected from Amhara regional referral hospitals, 70 MDR isolates were further processed for isolation of S. aureus mecA gene. Genomic DNA was isolated using a Sigma-Aldrich genomic DNA isolation kit for Gram-positive bacteria. Amplification of S. aureus mecA gene was performed with the amplicon size of 533 bp. Antimicrobial susceptibility test including methicillin resistance was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Results. The majority of the isolates were recovered from patients aged less than 5 years (51; 36.7%) and the least number of isolates was recorded in age group greater than 60 years (6; 4.3%). Most of the isolates were from blood (61; 43.9%), followed by wounds (45; 32.4%). A high resistance rate was observed in penicillin (81; 73.6%), followed by cotrimoxazole (78; 70.9%), ceftriaxone (76; 69%), erythromycin (66; 60%), and tetracycline (65; 59.1%). Phenotypically, considering cefoxitin as a surrogate marker, 38 (34.5%) of the isolates were methicillin-resistant. The overall MDR isolates were 80 (72.7%). The PCR amplification result of the mecA gene was 14 (20%). Conclusions and Recommendations. High rates of MDR and methicillin-resistantS. aureus were reported. PCR amplification indicated that 20% of MRSA isolates were the mecA gene carriers. Large-scale studies for the detection of MDR strains of S. aureus including MRSA using molecular techniques should be encouraged in the Amhara region.

A cross sectional study on infectious bursal disease was conducted in apparently healthy backyard chicken at Waliso district of Southwestern Shoa, central oromia, Ethiopia from from November, 2018 to October, 2019. A total of 282 chickens were randomly selected to estimate seroprevalence of IBD infection and to identify the likely potential risk factors for the disease. Serum samples collected and serological test conducted in laboratory at National Animal Health Diagnosis and Investigation Center Sebeta, Ethopia. Out of 282 serum samples tested 224 were positive for indirect ELISA technique and the overall seroprevalence of IBDV in the study area was found to be 79.43% at individual level. Educational level of owners, kebeles and flock size significantly affect seroprevalence of IBD in the study area. The effect of difference in managements like source of replacement, frequency of house cleaning, use of disinfectant and isolation practice has a significant effect on IBDV sero-prevalence. A lower seroprevalence of IBDV was reported in good hygienic level of house (26.7%) than poor level of chicken house hygiene (96.4%) with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The seroprevalence of IBDV in the present study associated with chicken management, flock size, owner education level and other animal related risk factors for occurrence of the disease. Therefore, awareness on chicken health management, and importance of immunization would help to minimize the prevalence of the disease and play crucial role in the control of the disease. Furthermore, characterizing virus strains circulating in the area in future study is recommended.