Department of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection

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to assess the structure, composition and diversity traditional home garden agroforestry practice and associated with socioeconomic factors affecting its adoption by among smallholder farmers in Tahatay koraro district North-Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.
(Mekelle University, 2024-07-28) Frezgi Tadesse
Home garden agroforestry practices are more sustainable in areas where there is population pressure and land scarcity. But home garden agroforestry projects commonly suffered from inadequate rates of adoption, and hence understanding farm and farming environment characteristics that affect decision made by farmers is crucial to overcome this problem. Against this background, this study examined structure, composition and diversity of traditional home garden agroforestry practice and associated with socioeconomic factors affecting its adoption and the role of home garden agroforestry in improving on the live hold of smallholder farmers. The sampled kebeles have been selected from T/koraro Woreda; mytmket, adigdad and myadrasha kebeles. A total of 362 households were interviewed to collect information and the determination of vertical and horizontal structure of the home garden agroforestry was conducted for 181 home gardens adopters. All woody species, herbaceous species and crops were counted and recorded in 5m x 5m and 1mx1m quadrants, respectively. Thus, home garden agroforestry has great potential for enhancing food production and farmers’ economic conditions in a sustainable manner through its positive contributions to household income. The finding of research using direct logistic regression suggests that age, education of the household head, credit access, extension service, land holding and livestock holding significantly (p<0.05) affected the adoption of home garden agroforestry technology in the study areas. The other variable such as sex, market accesses and family size was not statistically significant in the adoption of home garden agroforestry at study sites. Furthermore, a total of 34 plant species belonging to 18 families were recorded in sampled home gardens. Shannon diversity index of plant species in the study area were (H'=2.03). The studied home garden agroforestry system had complex structure both vertically and horizontally, which in turn provide economical benefit and ecological service to the households. Additional research is recommended to examine other factors associated with home garden agroforestry (HGAF) adoption, structure, composition and diversity of home garden agroforestry and additional study is needed to assess the contribution of home garden agroforestry practices in those areas for the community.
Assessment of Wild Edible Plants and Their Uses from Ex-closures of Kola Tembein and Degua Tembein Districts Tigray, Ethiopia
(Mekelle University, 2024-10-28) Ametekiros Alemayoh
Wild edible plants are valuable resources for supplementing the staple food, ensuring food security, for income, ecological and socio-cultural values. Wild Edible plants are serving as crucial sources of supplementary food and essential nutrients, income/cash, traditional medicine, and various other uses for local communities in Ethiopia especially in Tigray region frequent drought and war happening so many times. If you consider the war and the siege happen in Tigray region for the past two years, it was very difficult to survive without the help of wild edible plants. The aim of this study was to assess the wild edible plants and their uses from ex-closures of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. To gather wild edible plant data direct observation, semi-structured interviews, group discussion were employed. For data collection respondents from three Keble (the smallest administrative unit) two districts were possessively selected for the data collection from the study area 210(172males and 38 females) respondents were selected purposely from 446 households specially ex-closure users by using simple random sampling, 18 participants were also included for the key informant interview and focused group discussion were carried out with 24 selected district, Keble extensions. The data was analyzed using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, Statistical Package for Social Science such as (SPSS) software version 20. Preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, paired comparison. A total of 18 wild edible plants were identified. Wild edible plant species of the study area were diversified depending on their growth forms. Most of them are trees accounting for 13(72.22%) species followed by shrubs 5(27.78%). In addition to food values, these plants provide diverse benefits to the local community including income, medicine, soil and water conservation and bee forage. WEPs were mostly edible plant parts followed by fruits 88.90%, roots 5.55% and nectar's 5.55%. Regarding their mode of consumption, local communities consume WEP species as fresh raw, 77.8% as Fresh& dried 27.8% and roasted, 5.6% & mixed with milk 5.6%. These wild edible plants of the study area were under serious anthropological threats due to deforestation. Hence, need priority attention for conservation. Moreover, Comprehensive research and documentation are necessary to understand the production potential, nutritional composition, and overall contributions of WEPs to rural households in the study area.
Assessment of Wild Edible Plants and Their Uses from Ex-closures of Kola Tembein and Degua Tembein Districts Tigray, Ethiopia
(Mekelle University, 2024-10-28) Ametekiros Alemayoh
Wild edible plants are valuable resources for supplementing the staple food, ensuring food security, for income, ecological and socio-cultural values. Wild Edible plants are serving as crucial sources of supplementary food and essential nutrients, income/cash, traditional medicine, and various other uses for local communities in Ethiopia especially in Tigray region frequent drought and war happening so many times. If you consider the war and the siege happen in Tigray region for the past two years, it was very difficult to survive without the help of wild edible plants. The aim of this study was to assess the wild edible plants and their uses from ex-closures of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. To gather wild edible plant data direct observation, semi-structured interviews, group discussion were employed. For data collection respondents from three Keble (the smallest administrative unit) two districts were possessively selected for the data collection from the study area 210(172males and 38 females) respondents were selected purposely from 446 households specially ex-closure users by using simple random sampling, 18 participants were also included for the key informant interview and focused group discussion were carried out with 24 selected district, Keble extensions. The data was analyzed using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, Statistical Package for Social Science such as (SPSS) software version 20. Preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, paired comparison. A total of 18 wild edible plants were identified. Wild edible plant species of the study area were diversified depending on their growth forms. Most of them are trees accounting for 13(72.22%) species followed by shrubs 5(27.78%). In addition to food values, these plants provide diverse benefits to the local community including income, medicine, soil and water conservation and bee forage. WEPs were mostly edible plant parts followed by fruits 88.90%, roots 5.55% and nectar's 5.55%. Regarding their mode of consumption, local communities consume WEP species as fresh raw, 77.8% as Fresh& dried 27.8% and roasted, 5.6% & mixed with milk 5.6%. These wild edible plants of the study area were under serious anthropological threats due to deforestation. Hence, need priority attention for conservation. Moreover, Comprehensive research and documentation are necessary to understand the production potential, nutritional composition, and overall contributions of WEPs to rural households in the study area.
Effect of Intra-Row Spacing and Rates of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Yield and Yield of components of Irrigated Onion in Northern Ethiopia By
(Mekelle University, 2024-12-25) Girmay Hailu Fikadu
A field experiment was conducted with the objective of investigating response of rates of organic(FYM) and inorganic (NPS) fertilizers and intra-row spacing on yield, yield components and nutrient uptake of Bombay red onion (Allium cepa L.) variety under irrigation condition at Felegdaero village, Mekelle in Tigray. The experiment was carried out in the offseason of 2024 at farmer’s field on Cambisols. The experiment was laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement with three replications. The treatments applied were combinations of six levels of fertilizers (control (0), 50% FYM + 50% NPS, 25% FYM + 75% NPS, 75% FYM + 25% NPS, and 100% FYM + 0% NPS) and three levels of spacing (8 cm, 10 cm and 12 cm). Soil, agronomic and nutrient uptake data were collected and analyzed. The result of the study showed that bulb dry weight, marketable yield, total yield, biomass yield and harvest index of onion were significantly affected by the main effects and interactions of intrarow spacing and fertilizer applications and spacing levels. The maximum marketable and total biological yield of onion (27.500 t/ha) and (29.398t/ha) and 31806kg//ha were obtained from the main effect of 50% FYM + 50% NPS fertilizer at 10cm intra- row-spacing, while the minimum marketable and total yield of onion (18.796t/ha) and (23.981t/ha) were obtained from the control plot at spacing of 8cm. . The study also showed that the onion N, P and S uptake were significantly (P < 0.001) influenced by the main effect of FYM and NPS fertilizer rates and spacing. The optimum (170, 23.32 and 2001kg/ha) N, P, S uptake were recorded from plots that received 7.5t /ha-1 FYM and 123.3 kg/ha NPS fertilizer rates whereas, the lowest (118.3, 14.64 and 2284 kg/ha) N, P and S uptake were obtained from the unfertilized plots, respectively. Applications of FYM and NPS fertilizers at the rate of 7.5t /ha-1 FYM and 123.3 kg/ha at intra-row spacing of 10cm were economically feasible. Therefore, 7.5t /ha-1 FYM and 123.3 kg/ha NPS fertilizer rate at intrarow spacing at 10 cm should be recommended for Bombay red onion variety on Cambisols for Felegdaero village and other similar areas in Mekelle area.
Changes in Arenosol Bio-Physicochemical Properties, Chickpea Nodulation, and Finger millet Grain Nutrition as Influenced by different Faidherbia albida tree stand ages
(Mekelle University, 2024-12-25) Solomon Amare Hiluf
Declining land productivity due to severe land degradation is a persistent issue in many farming systems in Tigray, Ethiopia. Soil nutrient depletion and physical property deterioration on smallholder farms are fundamental biophysical causes contributing to reduce per capita food production in Ethiopia. Consequently, farmers are trapped in a vicious cycle of ecological degradation and poverty. Addressing this challenge through nature-based solutions is imperative, with the harnessing of agroforestry plant species, such as Faidherbia albida hereafter F. albida, being among several ecological options. F. albida is a nitrogen-fixing tree species found in parkland and agro-ecosystems, renowned for its unique reversed leaf phenology (shedding foliage during the rainy season). This characteristic makes F. albida an ideal agroforestry species, distinct from other tree species that also enhance soil fertility. Several studies have highlighted F. albida's potential to improve soil fertility and productivity on marginal soils, although comprehensive studies are necessary for a thorough understanding. This study initiated to comprehensively understand the effects of varying stand ages of F. albida on selected soil bio-physicochemical properties, cereal crop growth and nutritional content, rhizobia population density, nodulation and growth of grain legumes in Arenosols. The research was conducted in Abraha-Atsbeha, a semi-arid village in Tigray, Ethiopia, where different stand ages of F. albida are prevalent but detailed knowledge on their impacts on soil attributes is lacking. Field and laboratory data were carefully collected and analyzed using advanced analytical techniques and statistical methods. Soil physicochemical properties were analysed using advanced instrumentation and analytical methods. Ultravialet visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) spectroscopy for soil and plant nitrogen forms, available phosphorus, and soil organic carbonviii whereas Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and flame photometer were used for determination of mineral concentrations in soil and plant samples (AAS for Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn and flame photometer for K and Na). Biological parameters such as total microbial biomass, fungi-to bacteria ratios, nematode trophic composition and abundance, and rhizobia population density were also quantified using established methodologies. Normality, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post Hock tests and comparisons were done using SPSS V 20 statistical software while canonical correspondence analysis (CANOCO) software was used to analysis and understand the relationships among all the soil physicochemical and biological variables.
Ziziphus Spina-Christi population status and socioeconomic contributions in Tanqua-Millash Woreda, Tigray, Ethiopia
(Mekelle University, 2025-01-25) Aregawi Gebremeskel Aregawi
Trees are crucial for the livelihoods and food security of rural households, especially those providing direct and indirect benefits. This thesis focuses on Ziziphus Spina-Christi, aiming to examine its population status, production capacity, economic contribution, and social importance in the Tanqua-Millash Woreda of Tigray, Ethiopia. Data were collected using purposive sampling from two Tabias known for Ziziphus Spina-Christi prevalence, along with systematic random sampling of 138 households. Quantitative data were gathered through structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were captured through key informant interviews, enhancing the understanding of community practices related to the tree. Tree height metrics were measured, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Findings indicate notable differences in the population status of Ziziphus SpinaChristi based on sex and wealth classification. The average male abundance was higher at Sheka-tekli (19) compared to Amdi-woyane (13), while females exhibited a higher mean at Sheka-wekli (20) than at Amdi-woyane (15). Location significantly affected the population status, with Sheka-tekli (19) exceeding Amdi-woyane (14) (p < 0.001). There were also significant variations across wealth categories (p = 0.029), showing that Rich groups had a greater abundance than Poor (p = 0.005) and medium groups (p = 0.043). The regeneration status did not show an inverse J-shape, indicating a concerning population health. Production varied by tree size class, location, gender and wealth status. Ziziphus Spina-Christi plays a vital role in local economies, contributing an average of 9,569 Ethiopian birr to annual household income. Wealthier households reported higher economic returns (11,791 birr) compared to poorer ones (7,056 birr), with male respondents yielding more than females. Beyond its economic value, Ziziphus Spina-Christi significantly enhances food security through its fruits, livestock shade, and materials for traditional medicine and construction. This study highlights the urgent need for effective conservation and sustainable management strategies to bolster community resilience against climatic challenges