Cultivation,preparation and consumption of ensete (ensete ventricosum) in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia almost 10 million people are dependent on ensete (Ensete ventricosum (Welw) Cheesrnan), also known as ‘false banana’. In the Gurage area in Central Ethiopia, agronomic and nutritional aspects of ensete were studied in 60 households in six villages. Ensete is propagated vegetatively and has a 6-year growing cycle during which it is transplanted three or four times. Men harvest the plants; women scrape the pseudo stem in order to separate the starchy pulp from the fibre, and pulverise the corm. The pulp is fermented and stored for up to 5–7 years in earthen pits. The yield of ensete food (ko'cho) was found to be 34 kg per plant or 9.5 tons ha ^?1 per year. Compared with other foods grown in Ethiopia, the energy yield of ensete (6.1 MJ m ^?2 per year) was higher than that of all cereals, Irish potato, sweet potato and banana, but lower than that of cassava. The protein yield of ensete was higher (11 ± 4gm^?2 per year) than all of the crops mentioned above, except for banana and Irish potato. To make ensete bread, fermented pulp is squeezed to make it drier, chopped to shorten the fibres and a 2 cm layer is baked for 15 min. Unfermented freshly harvested corm is also eaten after boiling. All foods have a low protein content (4–22 gkg^?1). Bu'lla, white desiccated juice collected from the pulp, is more energy rich (8.5 MJ kg^?1) than ko'cho (6.5 MJkg^?1). A dietary survey, conducted in 39 households comprising 237 persons, showed that the average daily intake of 0.55 kg ensete provided 68% of total energy intake, 20% of protein, 28% of iron but no vitamin A. Energy intake from all food consumed was very low, being only 60% of requirements, while protein intake at 107% was ample. Since ensete can be stored for years, is readily available throughout the year and can withstand dry periods, its cultivation can significantly improve household food security in highland areas prone to drought and famine.     

Effect of crop residues on grain yield response of sorghum (t Sorghum bicolor) (L.) to application of N and P fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted on two soil types for seven years (1988–1994) to investigate the effect of the presence of crop residue on grain yield response of sorghum to NP fertilizer applied every year or once only at the start of the experiment. Grain yield was increased by the NP fertilizer alone, but was not further significantly increased by application of both residues and NP fertilizer. During the study period yields decreased abruptly with decreasing rainfall after the first year particularly on the Typic Pellustert. Thus there was a difference according to soil type. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Above-ground biomass production and allometric relations of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. coppice plantations along a chronosequence in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Eucalyptus plantations are extensively managed for wood production in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Nevertheless, little is known about their biomass (dry matter) production, partitioning and dynamics over time. Data from 10 different Eucalyptus globulus stands, with a plantation age ranging from 11 to 60 years and with a coppice-shoot age ranging from 1 to 9 years were collected and analyzed. Above-ground tree biomass of 7–10 sampled trees per stand was determined destructively. Dry weights of tree components (W_c; leaves, twigs, branches, stembark, and stemwood) and total above-ground biomass (W_a) were estimated as a function of diameter above stump (D), tree height (H) and a combination of these. The best fits were obtained, using combinations of D and H. When only one explanatory variable was used, D performed better than H. Total above-ground biomass was linearly related to coppice-shoot age. In contrast a negative relation was observed between the above-ground biomass production and total plantation age (number of cutting cycles). Total above-ground biomass increased from 11 t ha^?1 at a stand age of 1 year to 153 t ha^?1 at 9 years. The highest dry weight was allocated to stemwood and decreased in the following order: stemwood > leaves > stembark > twigs > branches. The equations developed in this study to estimate biomass components can be applied to other Eucalyptus plantations under the assumption that the populations being studied are similar with regard to density and tree size to those for which the relationships were developed.     

The potential of small-scale rainfed agriculture to strengthen food security in Arab countries

In most Arab countries, domestic agricultural production is insufficient. The gap between production and demand is likely to increase due to climate change and other factors. This review paper examines the challenges and possible solutions to ensuring food security in the future. It focuses on rainfed agriculture, which accounts for two-thirds of the region’s cropland, the bulk of its food staples, and almost all its rangelands. Given the scarcity of water and arable land, there are few opportunities in the region to expand cultivated area. But numerous effective, proven technologies are available that can increase productivity per unit area of land or volume of water. Crop technologies include, for example, new stress-tolerant varieties, supplemental irrigation and other techniques to increase water productivity, and conservation agriculture and other land management methods. Livestock nutrition and productivity could be increased with new forage or dual-purpose varieties, and greater use of alternative feed sources such as feed blocks made from crop by-products. The paper describes some of these technologies, and summarizes results obtained from on-station and on-farm testing. The key issue is poor adoption of available technologies. The priority for researchers and policy makers must therefore be to scale up investments in research and extension; encourage private sector participation; and create enabling policies to encourage technology adoption, market participation and more sustainable use of natural resources, by smallholder farmers.     

Yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to crop residue management on two major soil types Of Alemaya, Eastern Ethiopia: I. Effects of varying rates of applied and residual N and P fertilizers

Field trials were conducted on two soil types for seven years (1988–1994) to investigate grain yield response of maize to crop residue application as influenced by varying rates of applied and residual N and P fertilizers. Yearly application of N and P fertilizers at both one-half and full recommended rates resulted in grain yield increases of more than 500 and 1100 kg ha-1, respectively over application of only crop residue. Moreover, grain yield responses due to residual N and P fertilizers applied only during the first year were found to be comparable to the yearly applications of these fertilizers. Rainfall and soil type have exerted considerable influences on the grain yield response obtained in this study. Grain yield exhibited a corresponding decrease with decreasing rainfall. Grain yield increases on Typic Pellustert were relatively higher than on Typic Ustorthent.