Omo International Journal of Sciences

Seeding and blended nitrogen phosphorus sulphur and boron (npsb) fertilizer rate effect on yield and yield components of oat varieties (Avena sativa L.) at Chencha, South Ethiopia

Seifu Tsada Gutule — 2025-06-01

Oat is one of most important cereal crops mainly cultivated in highlands of Ethiopia. However, its production remains constrained due to limited varietal options, absence of site-specific recommendations for blended fertilizer application, and optimal seeding rates. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the rate of seeding and blended NPSB fertilizer on yield and yield components of oat varieties during 2023/24 cropping season at Chencha, South Ethiopia. The study consisted three seeding rates combined with two oat varieties (main plot) and four levels of blended NPSB fertilizer (sub plot) laid out in split plot design in three replications. Data on crop phenology, growth, yield and yield components were collected and subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed that days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, biomass yield, grain yield, thousand seed weight and harvest index were significantly (p≤0.05) affected due to seeding rate combined with oat variety and blended NPSB fertilizer rates. The Souris variety proved superior, achieving the highest biomass (21,348.3 kg ha^-1) at a 100 kg ha^-1 seeding rate and the maximum grain yield (3,589.5 kg ha^-1) at the 130 kg ha^-1 rate. Separately, the optimal fertilizer level was 100 kg ha^-1 of blended NPSB, which produced the highest average biomass (15,994 kg ha^-1) and grain yield (2,344 kg ha^-1). Therefore, cultivating the Souris variety at a seeding rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹, coupled with the application of 100 kg ha⁻¹ of blended NPSB fertilizer, is recommended to achieve balanced and optimal oat production in Chencha and comparable agro-ecological zones.

Keywords: Blended fertilizer; Oat; Seeding rate; Soil fertility

Barriers and facilitators to infection prevention and control practices among healthcare professionals at Arba Minch general hospital, South Ethiopia: A phenomenological qualitative study

Mesfin Kote — 2025-06-12

Hospital-acquired infections pose a significant global safety concern for patients and healthcare professionals. In Ethiopia, the issue is exacerbated by overcrowding, understaffing, and lack of trained professionals. This study investigated barriers and facilitators to infection prevention and control identified by healthcare workers at Arba Minch General Hospital, South Ethiopia, using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety framework. A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted at the 260-bed hospital. Semi-structured interviews were held from July 19 to August 23, 2019, involving eight healthcare professionals (three physicians, one environmental health professional, two midwives, and two nurses) from various clinical departments, selected through purposive sampling. Data were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using Open Code software (version 3.6), with themes coded based on the conceptual framework. Key barriers included poor facility design, overcrowding, inadequate handwashing facilities, limited budget, lack of knowledge and training, insufficient and poor-quality personal protective equipment, inadequate waste management, high workload, and poor sterilization practices. Facilitators highlighted were the formation of an infection prevention and control committee, dedicated staff, and leadership roles for nurses and physicians in ongoing infection prevention and control initiatives. Tailored logistical and administrative actions addressing local conditions are essential. The study underscores the need for comprehensive training programs and infection prevention and control care packages to improve infection prevention and control practices in Ethiopian hospitals.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Facilitators; Healthcare professionals; Infection barriers; Prevention and control

Evaluation of in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of methanol and aqueous extracted Allium sativum and Lepidium sativum against Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma congolense in Southern Ethiopia

Selamu Mekonen — 2025-06-19

The present study was conducted in Arba Minch town, from September 2022 to April 2023 with the objective of evaluating the anti-trypanosomal activity of aqueous and methanol extract of Allium sativum bulbs and Lepidium sativum seeds against T. evansi and T. congolense. This experimental study utilized a total of 195 Swiss albino mice. Mice were assigned into 13 treatment groups, the first group was used as the control group while the rest up to13th groups were infected intraperitoneally with 1*107 trypanosoma and treated with Allium sativum bulbs and Lepidium sativum seeds extracts at a dose of 150, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight and 28mg/kg body weight of Diminazine aceturate once a day for a period of five days and observed for up to 42 days. The mouse infected with T. congolense and methanol extracted Allium sativum at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight showed a decrease in body weight for a week at post infection, then after their body weight started to increase rapidly. Treating of infected mouse using 250 mg/kg body weight had shown increased body weight, decreased parasitemia, maximizing packed cell volume and improving mean revival survival time of mouse. In addition, intra-peritoneal administration of the extracts to mice at 5,000 mg/kg body weight did not result in deaths during the acute toxicity trial. Therefore, Allium sativum and Lepidium sativum extracted using methanol and aqueous at 250mg/kg body weight had shown promising effect against T. congolense and T. evansi and provided a quantitative basis to explain the traditional uses of both medicinal plants.

Keywords: Allium sativum; Aqueous extract; Lepidium sativum; Methanol; Trypanosoma evansi; Trypanosoma congolense

Strategies to improve the quality of fibrous feeds: Evaluating the potential of cow pea (Vigna unguiculata) accessions grown under sub-humidid climate conditions in Western Ethiopia

Diriba Geleti — 2025-06-10

Five selected cowpea accessions (ILRI 9325, ILRI 11976, ILRI 6782, ILRI 6783, and WWT) were evaluated for herbage dry matter yield (DMY) and crude protein yield (CPY) and nutritive value. Among the tested accessions, ILRI 9325, ILRI 6782, ILRI 6783, and WWT gave higher and comparable yields (P<0.01 for DMY; P = 0.05 for CPY), with ILRI 9325 giving superior yields. The overall CP content was 17%, with a range of 16% for WWT to 18% for ILRI 9325. The overall mean for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin were 43%, 34%, and 6%, respectively. The in vitro organic digestibility (IVOMD) ranged from 64% (ILRI 6783) to 69% (WWT). The relative feed value (RFV) index averaged 135 (range = 128–142). The mean metabolizable energy (ME) content was 10 MJ/kg DM, with a range of 9.5 to 10.4. Three accessions that combined high biomass DM and crude protein yields and herbage quality were: ILRI 9325, ILRI 11976, and WWT. The two former accessions can thus be promoted to the next variety verification stage alongside WWT as a check to identify one or two alternative cowpea varieties for official release.

Keywords: Chemical composition; Crude protein yield; Herbage DM yield; Metabolizable energy; Relative feed value; Vigna unguiculata

Trypanosomal infection rates in Glossina pallidipes in Bilbo village, Kamba District, Southern Ethiopia

Abebe Asfaw — 2025-06-30

This study was a cross-sectional study conducted at Bilbo village in Kamba district, Southwestern Ethiopia, from November 2018 to April 2019 with the aim of determining the infection rate of trypanosomes in Glossina pallidipes. A total of 384 Glossina pallidipes were captured using acetone and animal urine-baited non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), bi-conical and sticky traps. Their organs (proboscis, salivary gland, and midgut) were dissected and microscopically examined. About 53.39% of Glossina pallidipes were captured through NGU, and the remaining 29.17% and 17.45% were captured via bi-conical and sticky traps, respectively. Out of the dissected specimens, 131 (34.1%) Glossina pallidipes were found positive for trypanosomes. Of this, 109 (28.38%) and 22 (5.73%) were female and male tsetse flies, respectively. The highest proportion of the tsetse fly (19.27%) was infected by T. vivax, followed by T. congolense, and T. brucei. There was a statistically significant difference in trypanosome infection rate among the sex (P = 0.001) and age (P = 0.0024) categories of Glossina pallidipes. The presence of Glossina pallidipes positive for trypanosomes might have contributed to bovine trypanosomosis in the study area. Hence, further studies should be undertaken in order to categorically prioritize the control of tsetse flies in the study area.

Keywords: Glossina pallidipes; T. brucei; T. congolense; T. vivax; Traps; Trypanosome infection rate