http://repository.mtu.edu.et/xmlui/handle/123456789/35 Environmental Science 2026-05-27T19:32:38Z http://repository.mtu.edu.et/xmlui/handle/123456789/277 Effects of integrated use of vermicompost and NPS blended fertilizer on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and residual soil physicochemical properties of soils in central highlands of Ethiopi CHEKOLE, Efrim; Admasu, Kibinesh The deficiency of soil nutrients is the major constraint for potato production in Ethiopian highlands in general and in central highlands of Ethiopia in particular. To determine the optimum application rate of 45 days decomposed vermicompost and NPS blended fertilizer for sustainable potato production in central Ethiopian highlands at Debre Berhan. This experiment was conducted in 2019/20 main season by using Belete potato variety (CIP-393371.58) at Debre Berhan area. The rate of vermicompost was determined by based on its inorganic N content. Factorial combinations of three rates of vermicompost (2.5, 5, 7.5 t ha-1) with three rates of inorganic NPS (25%, 50%, 75%), full dose of vermicompost (7.5 t ha-1), recommended blended fertilizer 100% NPS (55.5:89.7:16.52 kg ha-1 NPS) and control treatments were laid as factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result of this experiment show that integrated use of 75% blended NPS fertilizer and 7.5 t ha-1 vermicompost increased the residual soil OC, total N, available P and available S by 54.29%, 242.86%, 172.38% and 22.08, respectively as compared to the control. But pH was decreased from 7.2-6.3 or by 12.5% and also exchangeable sodium was dramatically decreased, the correlation analysis result show that the total tuber yield was positively correlated with total N (r=0.56**), available P (r= 0.71**) and organic C (r= 0.62**). On top of this, Moreover, the results also showed that application of 7.5 t ha-1 VC +75% blended NPS fertilizer significantly increased marketable tuber number, marketable tuber yield and total tuber yield by 127.85%, 119.6 and 96.67%, respectively as compared to the unfertilized plot. It can be conclude that applications of vermicompost along with bended NPS fertilizer improve residual soil physiochemical properties which in turn increased crop yield. Hence , in order to maintain soil fertility and sustain potatoes plant crop production farmers of the study area and similar agro ecologies are advised to make integrated use of vermicompost at (7.5t ha-1) and blended NPS fertilizer 2025-02-05T00:00:00Z http://repository.mtu.edu.et/xmlui/handle/123456789/276 Effects of integrated use of vermicompost and NPS blended fertilizer on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and residual soil physicochemical properties of soils in central highlands of Ethiopia Chekol, Efrim; Adimasu, Kibinesh The deficiency of soil nutrients is the major constraint for potato production in Ethiopian highlands in general and in central highlands of Ethiopia in particular. To determine the optimum application rate of 45 days decomposed vermicompost and NPS blended fertilizer for sustainable potato production in central Ethiopian highlands at Debre Berhan. This experiment was conducted in 2019/20 main season by using Belete potato variety (CIP-393371.58) at Debre Berhan area. The rate of vermicompost was determined by based on its inorganic N content. Factorial combinations of three rates of vermicompost (2.5, 5, 7.5 t ha-1) with three rates of inorganic NPS (25%, 50%, 75%), full dose of vermicompost (7.5 t ha-1), recommended blended fertilizer 100% NPS (55.5:89.7:16.52 kg ha-1 NPS) and control treatments were laid as factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result of this experiment show that integrated use of 75% blended NPS fertilizer and 7.5 t ha-1 vermicompost increased the residual soil OC, total N, available P and available S by 54.29%, 242.86%, 172.38% and 22.08, respectively as compared to the control. But pH was decreased from 7.2-6.3 or by 12.5% and also exchangeable sodium was dramatically decreased, the correlation analysis result show that the total tuber yield was positively correlated with total N (r=0.56**), available P (r= 0.71**) and organic C (r= 0.62**). On top of this, Moreover, the results also showed that application of 7.5 t ha-1 VC +75% blended NPS fertilizer significantly increased marketable tuber number, marketable tuber yield and total tuber yield by 127.85%, 119.6 and 96.67%, respectively as compared to the unfertilized plot. It can be conclude that applications of vermicompost along with bended NPS fertilizer improve residual soil physiochemical properties which in turn increased crop yield. Hence , in order to maintain soil fertility and sustain potatoes plant crop production farmers of the study area and similar agro ecologies are advised to make integrated use of vermicompost at (7.5t ha-1) and blended NPS fertilizer a 2025-02-05T00:00:00Z http://repository.mtu.edu.et/xmlui/handle/123456789/101 EVALUATING THE QUALITY OF BRIQUETTES FROM COFFEE BY-PRODUCTS, AND SUGRCANE BAGSSE AND KHAT WASTES; IMPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE WASTE UTILIZATION AND ENERGY PRODUCTION CHEKOLE, EPHREM; ADINEW, BIZUNEH; KASSA, HENOK Converting biomass wastes into high density and energy concentrated fuel briquettes is one of the alternative ways to overcome the undesirable characteristics of utilizing biomass in its original forms. However, the quality of briquettes is influenced by several factors, including the types of feedstocks used. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of briquettes made from coffee byproducts and municipal solid wastes. The briquettes’ fixed carbon, moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, sulfur content, bulk density, and calorific values were analyzed following the ASTM Dstandards at geochemical laboratory of Geological Institute of Ethiopia. The moisture content was determined by drying the samples in an oven at 105°C for 24 hours. The volatile matter was determined by heating the samples in a furnace at 950°C for 6 minutes. The fixed carbon was calculated by subtracting the moisture content, volatile matter, and ash content from 100%. The ash content was determined by burning the samples in a muffle furnace at 750°C for 3 hours. The sulfur content was determined using the Adiabatic Oxygen Bomb calorimeter. The bulk density was determined by measuring the mass and volume of the briquettes. The calorific value was determined using a bomb calorimeter. The results for briquettes made from coffee byproducts and its mixture revealed that, a 20% higher composition of coffee pulp than husk (T2), and a 100% coffee pulp (T1) had higher calorific value of 4490.5cal/g and 4484.6cal/g, respectively. Lower moisture content was found in briquettes from a 100% coffee husk (T4) with 4.51% and a 20% higher composition of coffee husk than pulp (T5) with 4.79%. Test results on volatile matter, ash, fixed carbon and sulfur content showed, T4 had the lower with 30.39%, 9.89%, 53.68% and 0.07%, respectively. Moreover, T1 had higher density with 0.77g/cc. In addition, the results for briquettes made from Municipal solid wastes (MSWs) and its mixture revealed that, briquettes made from a 100% sugarcane bagasse (T6), and a 20% higher component of sugarcane waste than Khat (T10), had higher calorific value of 3663.1cal/g and 3643.4cal/g, respectively. In moisture content test, T6 briquettes had higher with 5.9%. Test results on volatile matter, fixed carbon and bulk density showed, T9 (briquettes made from 60% khat and 40% sugarcane wastes) had the lower with 59.68%, 46.6% and 0.56g/cc, respectively. Moreover, T6 had a relatively lower ash and sulfur content with 11.32% and 0.03%, respectively. Overall results showed that, briquettes made from coffee pulp and mixing it with lower amount of coffee husk had best fuel properties among other coffee waste briquettes. Similarly, briquettes from sugarcane bagasse and mixing it with lower amount of Khat waste had best fuel properties among other briquettes made from MSWs in this study 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mtu.edu.et/xmlui/handle/123456789/99 INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES: COMPOSITION, DISTRIBUTION, IMPACT AND MANAGEMENT IN SHEKA FOREST BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA CHEKOLE, EPHREM; WOLDEGEBRIEL, ASAMINEW; BAKALA, FAYERA Understanding the types, distribution, ecological and socio-economic impacts of invasive alien plant species in infested and susceptible areas is very crucial. The objective of this study was, therefore, to assess the types, distribution, ecological and socio-economic impacts of invasive alien plant species in the Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve. In this cross-sectional study, both primary and secondary data sources were used. Primary data sources were collected through household survey, focus group discussions key informant interviews, observation and plot based field experiment. Both invasive alien and native plants species were scientifically identified. MS excel software was used for data organization, and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, version 27) was used for data data analysis. The result of study revealed that 14 invasive alien plant species were recorded including Lantana camara; Parthenium hysterophorus; Psidium guajava; Ageratum conyzoides; Mimosa diplotricha; Amaranthus spinosus; Senna didymobotrya; Cuscuta campestris; Sida acuta; Jatropha gossypiifolia; Datura stramonium; Ricinus communis; Euphorbia platyphyllos and Solanum incanum. Yeki woreda is highly by IAPS than Masha and Anderacha woredas. There was a lack of awareness among the rural community regarding the species, its impacts, origination, and spread mechanisms. The findings of this study were prepared in three independent manuscripts: 1) Invasive Alien Plant Species and Management Practices at Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve, Southwest Ethiopia; 2) Socioeconomic Impacts of Alien Invasive Plants in Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve, Southwest Ethiopia, and 3) Impacts of Alien Invasive species on ecosystem and floristic richness and abundance in Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve, Southwest Ethiopia. The infestation of invasive plant species mainly occurred following roadsides. Due to limited access to and movement of animals and humans in forested areas, the expansion of IAPS into natural forests is not frustrating, however, it is inevitable to expect the spread of IAPS to forest areas and its socioeconomic impacts on forest-dependent communities. This needs urgent attention to create awareness and manage IAPS to minimize its impacts 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z