Assessment of Postharvest Losses of Fruits in West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Asfaw Shaka Gosa,
Mosisa Chewaka Aga,
Refisa Jebessa Geleta
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2022
Pages:
89-96
Received:
29 September 2022
Accepted:
7 November 2022
Published:
11 November 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.plant.20221004.11
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Abstract: Fruit postharvest losses are a serious problem that many Ethiopian farmers face, and quantifying the magnitudes of postharvest losses is critical for identifying causal variables and developing strategies to reduce losses. This study was carried out in 2018/19 in west Shewa, Ethiopia, to assess the magnitude of selected fruits postharvest losses and the causes of losses at the farmer level. The study found that in the study area, postharvest fruit losses are highly significant in fruit production. Fruit losses were found at four key stages: harvesting, storage, transpiration, and marketing. The extent of fruit loss for mango, orange, and banana was estimated to be 19.8 percent, 12.6 percent, and 17.2 percent, respectively. Harvesting immature fruits, fruits dropped on the ground due to disease, untimely harvesting and packaging materials, harvesting diseased fruits, methods of fruits starting at temporary storages, and harvesting fruits at improper stages, particularly harvesting fruits at fully ripened stage were the major factors responsible for fruit losses during harvesting. At the storage stage, insect pest attacks, disease, and mechanical injury were identified as related factors, whereas at the transportation and marketing stages, injured fruits decay, damage to packaging materials, damage during loading and unloading, over piled fruits transportation, fruits scratching in the market, and market failure were identified as the major factors responsible for fruit losses. Farmers must be educated about the economic relevance of postharvest losses and control, as well as learn improved postharvest handling practices. Furthermore, research would play a significant role in testing and implementing better harvesting and packing materials to decrease fruit postharvest losses.
Abstract: Fruit postharvest losses are a serious problem that many Ethiopian farmers face, and quantifying the magnitudes of postharvest losses is critical for identifying causal variables and developing strategies to reduce losses. This study was carried out in 2018/19 in west Shewa, Ethiopia, to assess the magnitude of selected fruits postharvest losses an...
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Effect of Biological and Chemical Fertilizers Combination on Yield of Mung Bean (Vigna radiate L. Wilczek) at Hawassa Southern Ethiopia
Tamirat Tadewos,
Tewodros Ayalew,
Tarekegn Yoseph
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2022
Pages:
97-104
Received:
13 September 2022
Accepted:
15 November 2022
Published:
22 November 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.plant.20221004.12
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Abstract: An integrated use of biological and chemical fertilizers is beneficial in achieving sustainable crop yield improvement during the era of climate change. At the same time, dependency on chemical fertilizer is not recommendable particularly for small-scale farmers who have options of using organic sources of fertilizer, due to its unaffordable cost for small-scale farmers, and contribution for climate change. Optimizing combined use of biological and chemical fertilizers could be a better option to improve crop productivity, minimize their effect on environmental and economic sustainability. Field experiment was conducted in 2019/20 to determine the combined effects of biological and chemical fertilizer sources on the yields of mung bean. The factorial combinations of four bio-slurry levels (control, 50, 100 and 150%) and four sources of nitrogen treatments (control, 23kg N ha-1, Rhizobium strain MB-001and 23kgha-1 N + strain MB-001) were laid out in a randomized complete blocks design with four replications. The phenology and yield parameters of mung bean were significantly affected by bio-slurry and N fertilizer. Hundred seed weight, above ground biological, grain, and straw yields were all improved by the combined application of bio-slurry and N fertilizer. Application of 150% bio-slurry with 23kg Nha-1 resulted in highest biological and straw yield, whereas; application of 100% bio-slurry with Rhizobium strain MB-001resulted in marked increase of grain yield. Pod number per plant and hundred seed weight were highest in the application of 100% bio-slurry with nil N fertilizers. The highest net benefit with highest marginal rate of return was obtained from combined application of 50%bio-slurry with 23kg ha-1 N fertilizer followed by 50% bio-slurry with strain MB-001 inoculation. Integrated application of 50% bio-slurry ha-1 with 23kg ha-1 N may be recommended for smallholder mung bean producers in the experiment area and other areas having similar agro-ecology and socio-economic status.
Abstract: An integrated use of biological and chemical fertilizers is beneficial in achieving sustainable crop yield improvement during the era of climate change. At the same time, dependency on chemical fertilizer is not recommendable particularly for small-scale farmers who have options of using organic sources of fertilizer, due to its unaffordable cost f...
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Determination of NPS Fertilizer Rate Based on Calibrated Phosphorus for Maize in Dabo Hana District, Buno Bedele Zone, Western Oromia
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2022
Pages:
105-110
Received:
17 October 2022
Accepted:
12 November 2022
Published:
29 December 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.plant.20221004.13
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Abstract: Periodic assessment of soil fertility status and plant nutrients requirement of a given area has vital role in enhancing sustainable crop production. A study was conducted in Dabo Hana district on twelve farmers' fields during 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons to determine NPS fertilizer rate based on calibrated phosphorus for maize. The experimental design was completely randomized block design in three replication. Five rates of Phosphorus critical level (Pc) (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) calculated from NPS fertilizer and previously recommended 100% Pc calculated from DAP fertilizer was included as check were tried on hybrid maize (BH 661) for yield and yield component. Results showed that all Pc rates significantly increased the plant above ground bio mass, grain yield, thousand grain weight and hasten maturity of hybrid maize over control. Phosphorus critical level rate of 100% Pc from NPS gave maximum biomass yield (31.0 t ha-1), grain yield (8.7t ha-1) and thousand grain weight (480.0 g) followed by 100% Pc from DAP, while a partial budget analysis result also revealed that fertilizer application rate of 100% Pc from NPS offered net return of 27340 ETB ha-1 followed closely by 100% Pc from DAP (24971 ETB ha-1) which were substantially greater than the rest of the fertilizer treatments. Hence, fertilizer application rate of 100% Pc from NPS and DAP fertilizers appear the most appropriate for intensification of maize production in Dabo Hana district.
Abstract: Periodic assessment of soil fertility status and plant nutrients requirement of a given area has vital role in enhancing sustainable crop production. A study was conducted in Dabo Hana district on twelve farmers' fields during 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons to determine NPS fertilizer rate based on calibrated phosphorus for maize. The experime...
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