Department of Biology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.mu.edu.et/handle/123456789/107

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    Ecophysiological, Agroecological and Nutritional Characterization of New Crop Camelina sativa L. Cranz in Tigray: a strategy to improve alternative foods and healthcare of communities in developing countries
    (Mekelle University, 2025-11-17) Gebremedhn Yohannes Zenebe
    This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation into the ecophysiological, agroecological, and nutritional features of Camelina sativa L. Cranz. C.sativa is cultivated in Tigray to be a new novel oilseed crop to the region. Sub-saharan communities like in Tigray, Ethiopia, face significant challenges in achieving sustainable agricultural development and ensuring food security. Traditional agricultural systems in the region are often vulnerable to climate variability and soil degradation making it difficult to meet the growing nutritional and economic needs of the population. This necessitates for the exploration of alternative nutritious crops in general and oil crops in particular suited to the region's agroecological conditions and hence this research. Characterizing the nutritional profile of C. sativa seeds grown in Tigray's diverse agroecological zones provides essential information for leveraging the crop as a valuable source of essential fatty acids, protein, and other nutrients. These facts could enable to combat malnutrition and improve the overall health and wellbeing of communities. The ecophysiological characterization of C. sativa provides valuable insights into its growth and development under varying environments. This information can guide the development of optimized agronomic practices, including selecting sowing dates and suitable agroecology to maximize crop yields and minimize environmental impacts. This study, therefore, represents a critical step towards realizing the potential of C. sativa to contribute to a more secure, sustainable, and healthy future for communities in Tigray and Ethiopia. This study addressed critical knowledge gaps of camelina's adaptability to diverse agroecological zones by investigating its vegetative and physiological (chlorophyll A content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (TR), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi), and stomatal conductance(SC) performances, yield and yield parameters assessment, nutritional profile under local growing conditions, the relationship between environmental factors and seed quality and its adaptability to salinity stress. The study employed a multifaceted approach, integrating field experiments and laboratory analyses. Camelina was cultivated across six representatives Tabiyas, encompassing lowland, midland, and highland agroecological zones, over two growing seasons (2019-2020). Data collection included detailed weather monitoring, soil physicochemical analysis, assessment of seed yield and yield components, and comprehensive nutritional analysis of harvested seeds. A randomized complete block design was employed across lowland, medium altitude, and high. On conclusive terms highland locations with higher rainfall are generally optimal for yield and performance compared to midland and lowland due to temperature and rainfall patterns. Nutritional analyses revealed that highland-grown Camelina seeds were richest in essential nutritional components. Regarding the salinity stress, as concentration of NaCl and KCl was increased the overall germination and early seedling performance of C. sativa decreased. The effect of salinity on physiology, molecular and biochemical
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    Small Mammal Diversity and Farmers Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Southern Part of Tigray.
    (Mekelle University, 2025-10-28) Mebrahte Berhe
    Small mammals are divided into Volant and non-Volant species. Among the non-Volant mammals, rodents and shrews are the most common and widespread across all continents except Antarctica. They play vital ecological roles as bio indicators, model organisms, and, in some cases, agricultural pests. Diversity of small mammals across an altitudinal gradient and smallholder farmers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) regarding rodent pests were studied in south Tigray starting from June 2024- October 2025. This study aimed to assess the diversity of small mammals across varying altitudinal gradients and to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of smallholder farmers along these gradients. The study area was divided into four sites based on altitude, starting from 1500 – 2900 m.a.s.l, with an interval of ~500m. Both Sherman and snap traps were used to collect small mammals. The traps were baited with peanut butter and barley flour and then placed in a horizontal line transect with an average distance between traps of about 2m. Traps were set for three consecutive nights per elevation. In addition, KAP of smallholder farmers was assessed using semi-structured questionnaires. Fifty respondents were randomly selected from three kebeles across two districts, based on their altitudinal proximity to the rodent trapping sites. A total 138 individual small mammals (rodents and shrews) were captured. Of these 138 small mammals, 84 were males and 54 were females. Nine species of small mammals (eight rodent species and one shrew species) belonging to two families were recorded. The relative abundance of captured small mammals were Stenocephalemys albipes (70.2%), Arvicanthis niloticus (7.8%), Mastomys awashensis (7.25%), Lophuromys simensis (6.52%), Mus mohamet (4.35%) and Rattus rattus (1.4), Acomys cahirinus (0.72%), Desmomys harringtoni (0.72%), Crocidura olivieri (0.72%). Overall, Stenocephalemys albipes was the most abundant species in the study area. Diversity and distribution of small mammals were varied across altitude. The highest species diversity was recorded in 2000m (H=1.29) and the least in 2500m elevation (H=0.34). The highest number of individual rodent species was recorded at 2900 m.a.s.l (60.9%) and the least was at 2000m elevation (9.42%). There was variation in age and sex of small mammals but, age variation statistically not significant (ANOVA; df = 3, F=2.392, p = 0.071) unlike sex variation (ANOVA; df = 3, F=3.879, p = 0.01). Questionnaires from 50 farmers discovered that most were males (76%), aged 36-50, with no formal education (72%). Crop types varied significantly (p=0.000) between districts (Emba Alaje and Raya Azebo). All farmers (100%) recognized significant post and pre-harvest rodent losses, with damage reported in both fields and homes. The control methods relied on rodenticides, trapping, and cats, with limited satisfaction. This study shows different kinds and numbers of small mammals live at different elevations and reveals significant rodent-induced crop losses with limited effective management strategies among farmers. Targeted interventions considering both ecological and farmer’s KAP are essential for sustainable pest management in this region.
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    Role of Small-Scale Irrigation on improving Food Security of Households A case study of two peasant Association Tabia Maytuem and Betyehannes in Adwa district, Tigray Regional state
    (Mekelle Univeristy, 2013-09-28) Yemane Tesfay
    Food insecurity in the world has been addressed as one of the biggest problems for over several decades due to the result of high population. Ethiopia’s agriculture is dominated by small-scale rain-fed production and irregular rainfall pattern. Small-scale irrigation is believed in helping to address this problem thereby reducing rural poverty, food insecurity as well as improving the overall contribution of agriculture to the national economy. The main objective of this study was to investigate role of small scale irrigation user’s on improving food security of households in Adwa Rural District (Tabia Maytuem and Betyehannes). Data was collected from 195 household, 80 irrigation users and 80 non-users, 24 for group discussion, 6 key informative and 5 agricultural experts. Two Tabia was stratified into two strata and random sampling technique was employed to select the sample respondents. According to the findings, small-scale irrigation were very important to increase their yields, income, to keep their health, teach their children, and help their economy gained by rain-fed. The households are interested in getting advice of agricultural experts in order to do highly in irrigation. When compared household’s food security improvement who practice irrigation and non-irrigated lands, there was a great difference of diet diversity between the two groups. Irrigators gain alternative and fresh food than non-irrigators; as a result, irrigators’ health was better than non-irrigators because non-irrigators’ can be affected by deficiency diseases. The researcher obtained different factors that influence small scale irrigation schemes on the improvement of food security like, incomplete infra-structure, shortage of water, fertilizer, medicine, link to marketing, genetically modified crops, vegetables, legumes, fruits, rules of water financing committee, drought, awareness, advise, work-shops, sharing experiences and commitment. Finally, it was recommended that governmental and non-governmental organization should expand access of small- scale irrigation by farm households to improve their food security.