Journal of Science and Sustainable Development

Status of Selected Properties of Soils and the Response of Malt Barley (Hordeum distichum (L.) to Lime and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates at Chaliya and Jaldu Districts, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Achalu Chimdi — 2024-12-02

Soil acidification and unavailability of phosphorus (P) are among the major problems limiting the productivity of crops in most highlands of Ethiopia. To improve these conditions lime and P fertilizer application is an important strategy. Accordingly, these field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of agro-lime and P fertilizer rates on the yield of malt barley and their influence on soil properties. Experimental treatments comprised four levels of agro-lime (0, 1.1 2.2 and 3.3 t ha-1) and four levels of P2O5 (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) that was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. The results showed that the soils of the two sites were categorized as clay loam in texture and suitable for the production of malt barley. On contrary to this, pre-sowing soil analysis showed very low available phosphorus and acidic soil pH in both sites. The highest values of grain yield of malt barley 4.97 and 4.68 t ha-1 was obtained as a result of the application of 3.3 t ha-1 of lime rate and 90 kg P ha-1 fertilizer at Jeldu and Chaliya, respectively. Hence, the application of lime at the rate of 3.3 t ha-1 and 90 kg P ha-1 could serve as a reference for better malt barley production for the study areas. Nevertheless, the most generalized recommendation should be suggested after inclusion of economic analysis.

Importance of seed-borne inoculum level on the development of common bean bacterial blight disease and associated yield loss of common bean in the central rift valley of Ethiopia

Ararsa Leta — 2024-12-02

Common bacterial blight (CBB), caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap) is one of the major constraints to common bean production worldwide, with up to 40% yield loss. Xap is a seed-borne pathogen, and the worldwide distribution of the disease it causes can be attributed to transport on or within the seed. However, the relationships between seed inoculum level and disease developed in the field and associated yield loss have not been investigated so far in Ethiopia. Therefore this study aimed to determine the relationships of seed inoculum level with seedling infection, disease intensity and yield loss. The experiment was carried out during the 2015 main growing season at two sites of Malkassa Agricultural Research Center trial site. The experimental design was a split-plot, with the seed infection type as the main plot and the infection level as a subplot. Treatments were sown onto 2m * 2m (4m2) plots and each treatment was replicated three times. Germination and seedling infection were recorded 10 and 21 days after sowing respectively. After that, disease incidence and severity records were taken at 35, 49, 63 and 77 days after planting. At harvest, yield component and yield data were recorded from the net plot. All the data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS and treatment means were separated using the LSD test. The results of the study revealed significant differences among seed infection-type treatments for most of the parameters measured. Seed infection levels were also significantly different for all disease and yield and yield component parameters at both locations. From the results, it can be concluded that infected seeds were effective sources of initial inocula for common bacterial blight disease development in the field. Hence the production and use of disease-free seeds can be implemented as effective disease management strategies where environmental conditions permit common blight outbreaks.

Land Use and Land Cover Change and Its Impacts on the Ecosystem Services in Guder River Sub-Basin, Ethiopia

Henok Sirna — 2024-12-02

In developing nations, land use and cover, change rates have doubled due to rapid population expansion, economic growth, and agricultural development. This study aimed to analyze the impacts of land use and cover change on ecosystem services in the Guder River sub-basin. Satellite imageries from the United States Geological Survey for 1990, 2000, and 2020 were used to detect and classify land use and cover types using Remote Sensing, ERDAS, and ArcGIS software. Ground truth data were gathered using GPS. The areas of different land use and cover types were analyzed using ArcGIS's geometric tool and the ecosystem values were calculated by multiplying the global biome coefficients by the area of each land use type. The study identified six land use types: grassland, forestland, cultivated land, settlement shrub, and barren lands. The results revealed significant changes in land use and land cover types over the study period compared to 1990. In 2020, the grassland, forestland, and shrubland areas decreased by 64.62%, 36.50%, and 15.20%, respectively. Conversely, cultivated land increased by 48.20%, settlement land by 386.66%, and barren land by 1644.1%. These changes in land use and land cover types led to a decrease in the overall ecosystem services (ESV) value between 1990 and 2020. The degradation of grassland, forestland, and shrubland significantly decreased the ESV by 64.7%, 36.47%, and 15.07%, respectively, while the expansion of cultivated land ESV increased by 48.21%. The total ESV across the study river basin decreased from $15.62 million in 1990 to $11.11 million in 2020, a 28.87% reduction. The study highlights the urgent need for land use planning and administration strategies to mitigate these impacts and promote sustainable land management in the sub-basin.

Physicochemical Analysis of Wastewater as Performance Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Plant of Debre Berhan Dashen Brewery

Balkew Zewge — 2024-12-02

Impact of socio-economic factors on members’ sales volume to cooperative societies: The case of selected districts of Southwest Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Teshale Likassa Chibsa — 2024-12-02

Multipurpose Agricultural cooperatives are believed to play a crucial role in curbing the lack of modern inputs and access to markets by providing services ranging from making credit and modern inputs available to creating market opportunities and selling members’ output. This study aimed to identify demographic, social and economic factors that affect members' Sales Volume in Multipurpose Agricultural Cooperative Societies. This research was conducted in two selected Districts of the Southwest Shewa Zone of Oromia National Regional State to identify the Impact of socioeconomic Factors on Members' Sales Volume in Multipurpose Agricultural Cooperative Societies: In Some Selected Districts of the Southwest Shewa Zone. The main participants/target populations of the study were Members of Multipurpose Agricultural Cooperative Societies found in Bacho and Waliso districts. For the sake of achieving the objectives of this study, different-stage sampling procedures were followed to select four Multipurpose Cooperative Societies and a total of three hundred fifty-one (351) respondents. A random sampling technique has been used to select a sample of respondents. A multiple linear regression model and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The result of this study indicated that the sales volume of members of Multipurpose Cooperative Societies was significantly influenced by educational level, family size, duration of membership, household land size, agricultural inputs credit and production capacity. Therefore, the study recommended that cooperatives should not set the purchase prices below the market prices, they should try to follow the market price every time and create awareness for members about engagement in other agricultural activities and the advantages of selling their products to cooperatives.

Intensity of Chickpea Dry Root Rot [Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi.) Goid] and Its Association with Biophysical Factors in Chickpea-producing Regions of Central Ethiopia

Solomon Tamiru — 2024-08-30

The Effect of the Student Team Achievement Division (STAD) Learning Method on the Students’ Reading Comprehension and Attitude: Fresh Man Students of Oromia Police College in Focus

Guluma Miressa Chalchissa — 2024-12-02

The student team achievement division (STAD) cooperative learning method allows learners to work together toward common learning goals rather than individual learning. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the STAD learning method on EFL Oromia Police College first-year students’ reading comprehension in the academic year 2023-2024. Two groups took part in the study: the control group (N = 20) and the experimental group (N = 21). Students in the experimental group participated in the STAD cooperative learning method for 12 days, whereas the students in the control group were taught by the usual method, which is mostly whole-class teacher-centered and later divided into the traditional group work method. After administering the pretest and posttest of reading comprehension, the independent sample t-test was used to test the research hypothesis. Thus, a reading comprehension posttest was given from the content taught at the end of the instruction to gather data to ascertain whether there was a substantial difference in the student's achievement or not. To determine whether there was a significant difference in student’s posttest at alpha 0.05 levels, independent and paired samples t-tests were used. The finding of this study showed that there is a significant difference between the control and experimental groups, which is reported as t (8.025), P =.000 <0.05. Finally, the students who participated in the STAD method had a positive attitude toward the use of STAD in improving reading performance. Therefore, the student team achievement division (STAD) learning method had a positive effect on the student’s reading comprehension.

Analysis of Health Science Students` Academic English Language Needs: The Case of Samara University

Tessema Gilo — 2024-12-02

The objective of this study was to investigate the English language needs of health science students at Samara University. The study is significant because it looks into the English language skills that health science students require for academic success. This would help determine the type of English language instruction that health science students will require in their academic fields of study. Hence, 131 students from the Health Science College in the academic year 2021/2022 were chosen using a stratified sampling technique, along with, two English language course instructors and, six subject area instructors from Samara University, Ethiopia. To attain this purpose, a mixed-methods research approach was used. The data for this study were collected using a questionnaire, interviews and observations. The quantitative data was analyzed quantitatively by using descriptive statistics, mean and percentage via SPSS 25 version computer software, whereas qualitative data analysis was carried out using descriptive and theme-based procedures and was qualitatively interpreted. The coding and analysis were carried out using the NVivo version 10 computer software. This study found out why each English language skill is used in the health science academic field of study. The findings also showed that during their internship program, health science students prioritize Basic English language skills, specifically writing and speaking. Therefore, it is recommended that for health science students, English language courses should be designed throughout the undergraduate program taking into account students’ academic field of study.

Analysis of Mecha Oromo Safu-Moral system: Anthropological Linguistics Perspectives

Samuel Leykun — 2024-12-02

The main purpose of this article is to analyse Mecha Oromo Safu as reflected in their language use and their culture. The data were gathered from some elders and community leaders selected purposely and by the researcher himself as he is native to the community. These data were collected through an open interview with the informants and through elicitation by the researcher. The major research methodology is qualitative and the research design is ethnographic. The findings and the conclusion were that safu themes: some linguistic expressions such as narration, and proverbs; cultural themes such as wisdom to lead, keep and empower the communities and harmony with nature. And thereby recommended the Oromo intellectuals should study these safu principles, and document and work collaboratively with the community and government so that they can be used in curriculum and social problem-solving strategies.

Oromo Indigenous Parental Values, Practices and Child Behavioural Outcomes

Ejigu Olana — 2024-12-02

Oromo indigenous parenting practices have a significant role in influencing children's behaviour and subsequent personality development. The main objective of this study is to investigate the role of Oromo Indigenous Parental Values, Practices, on Child Behavioural Outcomes. The study investigates the characteristics of Oromo Indigenous Parenting (parental values and practices) and their impact on child behaviour. The research follows qualitative approach. Data were qualitatively collected and organized from primary sources through interview and Focus Group discussion. Finding shows that in Oromo culture, parenting is not solely the responsibility of the biological family; it also involves extended family members, neighbours, and the community. Parents desire for their children to be confident, cooperative, socially conscious, and self-controlled. Children are encouraged to participate in age-appropriate activities and are expected to be disciplined. ‘Safuu’ disciplines and protects children from exploitation, forced labor, and physical punishment, among other things. As a result, Oromo people's child-rearing approaches are supportive rather than punitive. There are several indigenous knowledge practices within family to support positive parenting, promote children’s’ physical, social and cognitive development. For instance, folktales like diraamaa ijoollee and durdurii (children's folktales), mammaaksa (proverbs), Hibboo (riddles), and Hibboonteetee all contribute to the development of parental skills and behaviors. Interventions are needed to preserve and promote the Oromo positive parenting values and practices.