1) Variability of Sweet Potato (Ipomea Batata L.) Varieties for Their Yield and Yield Components in South and South East Areas of Tigray Region, Ethiopia.
Author’s Details: (1)Birhanu Amare , (2)Fetien Abay , (3)Yemane Tsehaye-(1)Alamata Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box: 56, Alamata, Tigray, Ethiopia.(2)(3)Mekelle University, P.O.Box: 231 Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.
Abstract
Seven sweet potato varieties were tested at three locations of southern and eastern zones of Tigray.in 2012 cropping season. The objective of the study was to evaluate the yield and yield components of the varieties and the experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications and in plot size of 4.2m x 2.4m. Net harvestable plot area was 7.2 m2 with inter and intra-row spacing of 0.60m and 0.30m respectively. Individual analyses of variance for the three locations indicated the existence of significant to highly significant (P < 0.01) genotype differences for all traits except vine length, above ground fresh biomass weight and stand count at harvest considered at Rarhe and Kukufto locations. In addition, vine length, unmarketable storage root number per plot and stand count at harvest were also showed non-significance genotype difference at Illala location. Similarly, the combined analysis of variance across locations showed significant variation among genotypes, locations and the interaction for all traits except vine length and above ground fresh biomass weight. Kukufto was the highest total root yielding location followed by Illala for almost all varieties but Rarhe yielded lowest. Varieties tulla, LO and kulfo had highest total root yield at Kukufto and Illala locations. Vitae gave above average root yield only at Rarhe but kabode, temesgen and bellela yielded lower and below average total roots at all locations.Based on the combined mean total root yield of locations and different yield evaluation methods, high yielding varieties were identified. Accordingly, LO and Tulla varieties gave highest root yield per unit area at all locations, followed by Kulfo. Therefore, these varieties can play a vital role in food self sufficiency and food security of Tigray region and they should be widely distributed to farmers of the testing locations and similar areas of the region.
Key Words: Genotypes (varieties), Location, Sweet potato
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2) Environmental Health Assessment of Difference in Manifestation of Onchocerciasis among Residents of Okigwe in Nigeria.
Author’s Details: (1)Nkeiru A. Kamalu – Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Imo State University, Owerri-Nigeria – (2)Jacinta A. Opara – Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kampala International University, Kampala-Uganda- (3)Felicia E. Uwakwe – Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri-Nigeria
Abstract
Aspects of human infection with Onchocerca volvulus was investigated in 9 villages in Okigwe LGA of Imo State, Nigeria between January 2010 and December 2011. The objectives were to compare the prevalence of different manifestations of Onchocerciasis according to gender and age, with view to determine if there had been a change in prevalence of onchocerciasis among residents of some communities in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. A cross sectional survey method was adopted for the study, blood free skin snips were collected from randomly selected consenting adults aged 5-62 years also palpation for mobile subcutaneous lumps and clinical manifestation were observed among 960 persons comprising of 511 males and 449 females. The commonest lesions observed were poor vision 17%, nodules 15%, leopard skin 20%, lizard skin 15%, and hanging groin 3%. Musculo-skeletal pain (MSP) was recorded as one of the major complaints by (30%) of the subjects. The result showed that Onchocerciasis clinical manifestations are still prevalent, however nodules prevalence reduced among sampled population (69.8%) reduction.
Keywords:onchocerciasis, Ivermectin, manifestation, prevalence, human infection, palpation and onchocerca volvulus.
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3) The Influence of Personality and Socio-Cultural Factors on Performance of Female Entrepreneurs in Micro and Small Enterprises in Ghana– A Review of Related Literature.
Author’s Details: Philomena Aboagye1 and Marlene Quaicoe2 –Faculty of Applied Sciences, Takoradi Technical University, P. O. Box 256, Takoradi, Ghana.Department of Human Resource and Organizational Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Abstract
This paper is designated to examine entrepreneurs’ personal characteristics, and socio-cultural factors and their effect on performance on female entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises (SME’s) in Ghana. The personality theoretical model which is often referred to as psychological theories (Hisrich & Peters, 1998) were explored to guide the study. Social and economic theories were also explored. Research theories and related literature were reviewed and a conceptual framework was constructed based on the related literature that was reviewed.
Keyword: Entrepreneur, Personality, Socio-Cultural, Economic, Performance
[Download Full Paper] [Page 25-36]