No abstract

Detoxification of three cassava varieties (NR-44/72, NW-45/72 and NW-44/72) by traditional methods of processing to produce cassava flour was investigated at the college of agriculture, Jimma University during February-May, 2007. Total HCN quantitative determination in cassava flour was carried out using a simple enzymatic picrate paper method developed by Dr. Haward Bradbury. Results showed that varieties, soaking time and their interactions highly significantly reduced (P<0.01) total HCN content (ppm) in the flour. Soaking of cassava chips in water for about 24 hours prior to sun drying reduced the HCN from 108.37 to 10.83 ppm (reduced by 90 %), from 66.45 to 13.33 ppm (reduced by 79.94%) and from 58.63 to 15.0 (reduced by 74.42 %) for varieties NW-44/72, NR-44/72 and NW-45/72, respectively. It was noted that total HCN content in cassava flour can be substantially eliminated (by more than 80%) by soaking of cassava chips in water. The present study highlighted the importance of soaking of cassava chips for at least 24 hours prior to sun drying for a safe level of HCN in the flour. However, it is also important to develop new and improved processing techniques to reduce HCN substantially.

No abstract

Wastes produced from sugarcane industries are organic in nature, and it augmented the soil properties as well as improves crop yield and quality. In 2016 field experiment was conducted to investigate effect of filter cake and bagasse for nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency of upland rice grown on calcareous sodic soils of Amibara District. The result revealed that plant nutrient use efficiency indices agronomic efficiency, agrophysiological efficiency and apparent recovery efficiency of both nitrogen and phosphorus were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the application of filter cake and bagasse. The maximum nitrogen was recovered at 20 t ha -1 filter cake followed by combined application of 10 t ha -1 bagasse + 20 t ha -1 FC that gave 45.10 % from kg quantity of nitrogen uptake per unit of kg nutrient applied. But, the minimum nitrogen recovery efficiency was recorded at 20 t ha -1 bagasse + 20 t ha -1 filter cake. The Phosphorus apparent recovery efficiency ranged from 18.55-32.91 %. The interaction of filter cake with bagasse also highly significantly (P < 0.01) affected rice grain yield. It can be encouraged to use these wastes with combination of inorganic chemical fertilizers under various cropping systems to enhance nutrient availability to plant under calcareous sodic soil.

The current study was conducted at Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of Ethiopia to find the effect different planting date on growth performance of broccoli. Seeds were sown in well-prepared trays on 23th April, 8th March, and 23th March each in 15 days interval at the year 2016 cropping season through irrigation. Seedlings were transplanted when 3-4 true leaves were developed after 30 days. The growth parameters were measured stem girth, leaf number, leaf diameter, fresh leaf and root weight, root length, leaf length and plant height. Broccoli sowed on 23th February produced more and longer leaves, taller plant, fresh weight of roots and leaf diameter respectively. Generally, results on various parameters showed that maximum growth was obtained by planting broccoli on 23th of February. Hence, it is recommended for general cultivation of broccoli under Jimma growing condition. Moreover, as the crop is new for Jimma area further studies are needed with regard to the improvement of agronomic practices for broccoli cultivation in Jimma and similar agro ecology.