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Research Article
Status and Integrated Management of White Mango Scale on Mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Ethiopia: A Review
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
112-121
Received:
16 February 2023
Accepted:
21 July 2023
Published:
18 October 2024
Abstract: Mango is attacked by many insect pests which reduce the quality and productivity of the crop. Among the insect pests attacking mango plant, white mango scale is the most devastating insect pest. White mango scale is a new insect pest and a major problem of mango production in Ethiopia. It has been determined that the white mango scale is a new, quickly increasing, and devastating insect pest of mango. It emerged as an upsetting insect pest that now harms mango output, resulting in 50 to 100% losses and forcing the plant out of production in the majority of Ethiopian mango-growing regions. Because there are fewer quarantine restrictions and easier applicability through transport agents, the insect has spread quickly across the country since it was first discovered in 2010. In a short period of time, the insect invaded nearly all of Ethiopia's mango-growing regions, and the country was placed on the list of countries affected with the new white mango scale. Its polyphagous behavior and sucking the plant sap, the insect pest severely harms mango shoots, twigs, leaves, branches, and fruits, which results in significant fruit quality and quantity losses. The insect's hard white scales make it difficult to control with chemical pesticides, in addition to other uncontrolled activities. Although no recognized chemical control methods for the white mango scale are successful, other management strategies for the pest include cultural, biological, chemical, and integrated pest management. White mango scale damage had an impact on the economy, society, environment, and other factors. Therefore, urgently coordinated actions against this uncontrolled white-scale dissemination and the harm it causes in Ethiopia are required.
Abstract: Mango is attacked by many insect pests which reduce the quality and productivity of the crop. Among the insect pests attacking mango plant, white mango scale is the most devastating insect pest. White mango scale is a new insect pest and a major problem of mango production in Ethiopia. It has been determined that the white mango scale is a new, qui...
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Research Article
Farmers’ Perception on Pesticide Use and Pest Management of Vegetable Crops: In the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia, in the Case of Fogera Plain
Geteneh Mitku*
,
Endalew Asefa,
Yinebeb Abebaw
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
122-138
Received:
13 September 2024
Accepted:
4 October 2024
Published:
29 October 2024
Abstract: This study examines the impact of training on smallholder farmers' pesticide handling practices, perceptions, and behaviors, with a focus on the correlation between training and several key factors, including pesticide storage, pest identification skills, pest management strategies, pesticide application frequency, information sources, protective equipment use, pesticide mixing habits, and disposal of empty pesticide containers. The research highlights that training plays a significant role in improving farmers' pesticide handling practices, although some areas still require additional education or interventions for further improvement. Significant associations were found between training and pest identification abilities. Farmers who received training were more adept at recognizing pests such as onion thrips (X2 = 17.130, p < .001), downy mildew (X2 = 10.221, p = 0.001), fruit borers (X2 = 26.246, p < .001), and white flies (X2 = 3.226, p = 0.072) compared to untrained farmers. Trained farmers were also more likely to seek reliable information from extension workers (X2 = 13.18, p < 0.001), chemical dealers (X2 = 15.44, p < 0.001), personal experience (X2 = 8.03, p = 0.005), and product labels (X2 = 14.36, p < 0.001), whereas untrained farmers were more inclined to guess or rely on informal sources (X2 = 21.85, p < 0.001). Regarding pesticide storage, trained farmers were more likely to store pesticides safely, away from living areas, children, and animals, whereas untrained farmers often stored pesticides indoors. Training also affected mixing practices, with trained farmers less likely to mix pesticides near water sources (X2 = 6.4, p = 0.01) and more likely to mix them in the field (X2 = 51.38, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in practices such as mixing pesticides according to the recommended doses (X2 = 3.15, p = 0.08) or mixing different types of pesticides (X2 = 0.31, p = 0.58). Trained farmers demonstrated better adherence to safety protocols, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoiding pesticide mixing at home. They were also more likely to triple-rinse spray tanks and avoid discharging pesticides into irrigation ditches. However, no significant differences were observed in reading pesticide instructions before spraying (X2 = 0.24, p = 0.63), indicating a need for further emphasis on this aspect during training. Overall, the study confirms that training significantly improves safe pesticide handling but suggests areas for further education and intervention.
Abstract: This study examines the impact of training on smallholder farmers' pesticide handling practices, perceptions, and behaviors, with a focus on the correlation between training and several key factors, including pesticide storage, pest identification skills, pest management strategies, pesticide application frequency, information sources, protective e...
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Research Article
Farmers' Perceptions and Practices in Managing Vegetable Pests and Pesticide Use in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia: In the Case of the Koga Irrigation System
Geteneh Mitku*,
Yinebeb Abebaw
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
139-147
Received:
15 September 2024
Accepted:
6 October 2024
Published:
29 October 2024
Abstract: This experiment was carried out to assessment of farmers’ perceptions, knowledge, and current management practices on the major pests among vegetable growers in the Koga irrigation system, Ethiopia. Understanding the farmers’ awareness and pest management is essential for designing a research agenda, and awareness creation. The survey was carried out from November 2020 to March 2021 in Koga irrigation, with a total of 63 vegetable growers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used. Almost all farmers in the study area overwhelmingly depend on pesticides to control the pests on their vegetable crops. Profenofos, Dimethoate, and Lambda-cyhalothrin were dominantly and commonly used insecticides in the study area with different trade names for more than two vegetables. There are two common and widely used fungicides named Metalaxyl-M 68 %WG and Mancozeb regarding disease control. The farmers used wrong application techniques, inappropriate spraying, wrong storage practices, and protective measure of pesticides. This wrong perception and practice could be associated with their limited knowledge about pesticides and related activities. Hence, it is recommended that government or non-governmental organizations should focus to improve the misuse and misperception of farmers in pesticide use, including personal and environmental protection through education and community intervention.
Abstract: This experiment was carried out to assessment of farmers’ perceptions, knowledge, and current management practices on the major pests among vegetable growers in the Koga irrigation system, Ethiopia. Understanding the farmers’ awareness and pest management is essential for designing a research agenda, and awareness creation. The survey was carried o...
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Research Article
Effects of Remdesivir on Liver Enzymes, Oxidative Stress and Liver Histopathology in Rats
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
148-159
Received:
29 September 2024
Accepted:
21 October 2024
Published:
22 November 2024
Abstract: Background & Aims: Remdesivir (REM) has been widely used to treat subjects affected by COVID-19 due to its broad-spectrum activity. The aim was to assess the REM effect on liver histopathology, enzymes, and alterations in oxidative stress markers. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats were separated into eight groups as follows: Group A (Control) received normal saline intraperitoneally (IP) for 10 days; Group B (Low-dose REM) received REM (2.8 mg/kg for the first day and 1.4 mg/kg for days 2 to 10, IP); Group C (High-dose REM) received REM (8.5 mg/kg IP for the first 17 days and days 2 to 10); Group D (High-dose REM+DEX (Dexamethasone)+ HEP (Heparin) received DEX (7 mg/kg intramuscularly for 10 days) and HEP (333 IU/kg subcutaneously on the first day and 250 IU/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours from day 2 to day 10); Group E (High-dose REM+ DEX); Group F (High-dose REM+ HEP); Group G (DEX); Group H (HEP). For statistical analysis, non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U) were used for pathological lesions (semi-quantitative data) between the different groups, and a p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were mild to severe pathological changes in the treated groups, including cell swelling, vascular congestion. Also, the D and G groups showed similar pathological lesions, which were more severe than in other treated groups with a significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study identified Remdesivir-induced liver toxicity and oxidative stress alterations in rats, underscoring the need for careful liver function monitoring, especially in patients with hepatic dysfunction. The findings recommend caution in using Remdesivir as a first-line treatment in such cases, and further studies are required to validate these effects and explore broader clinical implications.
Abstract: Background & Aims: Remdesivir (REM) has been widely used to treat subjects affected by COVID-19 due to its broad-spectrum activity. The aim was to assess the REM effect on liver histopathology, enzymes, and alterations in oxidative stress markers. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats were separated into eight groups as follows: Group A (Control) receiv...
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