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2,4-dichloro phenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) is an ionizable herbicide; its residues are only minimally maintained by soil components, and they readily pollute surface and ground water. For these reasons, microbe-mediated biodegradation is a practical method to remove 2,4-D residues from polluted environments. In the current study, 5 different termite mound soil bacterial isolates capable of utilizing 2,4-D as their sole carbon and energy source were isolated by soil enrichment on minimal salt medium (MSM) containing 2,4-D. A one promising bacterial isolate was selected and identified as Enterobacter cloacae , based on biochemical characteristics and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The growth studies conducted on Enterobacter cloacae reveal that it can thrive within a broad pH range of 2 to 6 and a temperature range of 15 to 45 °C. However, the optimal conditions for its growth over a 24-hour period were observed at a pH of 3.5 and a temperature of 25 °C. Furthermore, adding Enterobacter cloacae with an inoculum size of 1 ml (3 × 10 8 CFU/ml) to agricultural leachate resulted in a significantly higher degradation rate of 90.4% compared to only 9.4% degradation in uninoculated agricultural leachate. This finding suggests that Enterobacter cloacae has the potential to be utilized for bioremediation through bioaugmentation in the cleanup of water contaminated with the herbicide 2,4-D.

The study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic performance, forage yield, and nutritive values of desho grass ( Pennisetum glaucifolium ) varieties under supplementary irrigation at Dambi Dollo University experimental site, Western Ethiopia. The varieties (Areka/DZF #590, Kindu kosha‐1/DZF #591, and Kulumsa/DZF #592) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The crop water requirements 8.0 model, local climate data, forage data, and soil data were used to determine desho grass water requirements and irrigation schedules. The parameters such as agronomic performance, yield, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of the forage samples at 105 days after planting were determined following the standard procedures. The results showed significant differences ( p < 0.05) among varieties in most agronomic parameters except plant height and leaf width. The highest dry matter and crude protein yields were recorded from Areka/DZF #590 (12.64 and 1.35 t/ha) followed by Kulumsa/DZF #592 (11.63 and 1.12 t/ha). The chemical composition of varieties differed significantly except for hemicellulose. The in vitro digestibility of Areka/DZF #590 (624.7 g/kg) was significantly higher than Kulumsa/DZF #592 (584.3 g/kg) and Kindu kosha‐1/DZF #591 (580.9 g/kg). In conclusion, the Areka (DZF #590) desho grass variety showed superior dry matter yield and good nutritive value under supplementary irrigation conditions. Therefore, this variety is suitable and recommended for use as animal feed in the study area.

In this study, neem biomass (a mixture of neem leaf and bark), obtained from the matured neem tree, which is an eco-friendly and low-cost material was selected as a bioadsorbent to remove lead metal ion (Pb2+) from aqueous solutions. Neem biomass-based bioadsorbent having a carboxylic group was prepared by activation using chemical modification by NaOH and citric acid with a very simple method. The optimal activation conditions were determined as 37 min, 120°C, in 0.73 M citric acid, with a sample/acid ratio of 1/100 (mass/volume). To determine the basic properties such as chemical structure, porosity, and surface properties of the neem biomass (NB) and chemically modified neem biomass (CMNB), they were characterized by BET, FTIR, SEM, XRD, and pHpzc methods. It was observed that activation has improved the adsorption capacity of the NB and also caused a more amorphous structure. The effects of adsorption parameters such as pH (2–7), contact time (10–110 min), initial Pb2+ ion concentration (100–300 g/L), and bioadsorbent dosage (01–1.1 g/L) on percentage removal of Pb2+ ion were studied. Maximum removal of Pb2+ ion (97.29%) was recorded at 0.9 g/L bioadsorbent dosage, 50 min contact time, pH of 6, and initial metal ion concentration of 100 mg/L. Kinetics and isotherm studies showed that the adsorption mechanism of Pb2+ ion using CMNB follows pseudosecond-order while isotherm studies fit with both models but, relatively, Freundlich model better fit having a little higher R2=0.9804. The outcome specifies that the modified bioadsorbent can be utilized as a good and low-cost alternative for the treatment of effluent containing lead (II) ions in water.

ABSTRACT Grass-legume intercrops are preferred over monocultures due to their several advantages, as mixing grass with forage legumes can improve the biomass yield and quality of the forage over pure grass. This study evaluated the effects of intercropping vetch species at different row spacings on the quality of desho grass. The study was designed in a factorial arrangement with a randomized complete block design with three inter-row spacings (0.50 m, 0.75 m and 1 m) and intercropping of desho grass with two vetch species (Vicia sativa and Vicia dasycarpa) using three replications. The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the forage samples were determined based on standard methods. The findings showed that the chemical composition of desho grass was not affected by row spacing or by the interaction of intercropping and spacing (p > 0.05). Intercropping increased the crude protein (CP) content and decreased the fiber content of the desho grass. The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) of desho grass increased in response to intercropping (p < 0.05) but were not affected by spacing or their interaction. In conclusion, growing desho grass by intercropping with the two vetch species at different spacings positively impacted the nutritional value of desho grass. Desho grass intercropped with both vetches species had better forage quality.

Background Livestock plays significantly role in the livelihoods of the majority of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Understanding breeding practices and the productive and reproductive performance of livestock is crucial for designing successful genetic improvements and ensuring the sustainability of the livestock farming system. However, there is lack of documented information on the breeding practices and productive and reproductive performance of multiple livestock species in the current study area. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the breeding practices and selected productive and reproductive performances of various indigenous livestock species in two agro‐ecological zones (AEZs) of the Majang Zone, southwest Ethiopia. Methods of Data Collection Data were collected from 168 livestock farmers through face‐to‐ face interviews using a semi‐structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results The results showed that approximately 89.45% of respondents used natural service (NS) for breeding cattle, 5.55% used artificial insemination (AI) and 5.0% used both AI and NS. All respondents (100%) relied on NS for breeding equines and small ruminants. Across both AEZs, about 88.7% of respondents practiced uncontrolled mating for cattle, and 100% did so for equines and small ruminants. The overall mean age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), lactation length (LL), daily milk yield (DMY) and reproductive life span (RLS) of cattle were 3.02 ± 0.023 years, 2.01 ± 0 years, 9.77 ± 0.05 months, 1.79 ± 0.05 L and 13.78 ± 0.08 years, respectively. AFC, LL, DMY and RLS were higher (p < 0.05) in ML than in the LL AEZs. For sheep and goats, the average age at first lambing and kidding, lambing and kidding intervals and RLS were 1.35 ± 0.011 and 1.26 ± 0.01 years, 8.36 ± 0.05 and 8.51 ± 0.04 months and 118.71 ± 0.74 and 104.66 ± 0.63 months, respectively. Lambing interval, age at first kidding, kidding interval and RLS were higher (p < 0.05) in the ML than in LL AEZs. For female donkeys and horses, the average ages at first foaling, foaling interval and age at first packing loads were 4.33 ± 0.14 and 3.70 ± 0.12 years, 2.81 ± 0.14 and 2.10 ± 0.09 years and 3.93 ± 0.09 and 2.90 ± 0.09 years, respectively. Age at first foaling and foaling interval of horses were higher (p < 0.05) in ML than in the LL AEZs. Conclusion The performance variables of the livestock species were relatively better in the ML than in the LL AEZ. However, the performance of the various livestock species in the study area was low due to late age at first parturition and long parturition interval. Further research is needed to identify potential causes of the low performances and to implement appropriate interventions to enhance the productive and reproductive performances of livestock in the study area. Assessing productive and reproductive performance is crucial for the sustainability and profitability of animal production systems, as these traits are directly linked to economic viability and herd health. The current investigation showed a relatively lower productive and reproductive performance various livestock species; attributed to poor management practices, feed scarcity and diseases.

The intensive use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide has resulted in the presence of its residues in the environment, which leads to contamination of surface and groundwater. In this study, a fixed-bed column experiment was conducted for the removal of 2,4-D from an aqueous solution using termite mound soil (TMS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques were used to characterize the adsorbent. The effect of significant variables, such as the initial 2,4-D concentration (50 mg/L and 75 mg/L), flow rate (2.5 ml/min and 5 ml/min), solution pH (2, 4, and 6), and bed height (3, 6, and 9 cm), on the breakthrough characteristics of the adsorption system was assessed. In addition, the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models were applied to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column that are useful for process design. The findings showed that at a lower pH (2), a lower flow rate (2.5 ml/min), a lower 2,4-D concentration (50 mg/L), a higher bed depth (9 cm), and 840 min breakthrough time, a higher removal percentage (80.2%) of 2,4-D was achieved. The experimental data were in good agreement with the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models. For the Yoon–Nelson model, the rate constant increased with an increase in the flow rate, initial ion concentration, and bed height. The time required for a 50% breakthrough decreased with an increase in the flow rate, bed height, and initial ion concentration. For the Thomas model, the rate constant increased with an increase in the flow rate but decreased with an increase in bed height and initial concentration. Overall, the study showed that termite mound soil in a fixed-bed column adsorption system presents an excellent potential for removing 2,4-D from aqueous solutions.

This study aimed to optimize the preparation condition of activated carbon using Teff straw as a precursor material via evaluating its potential in terms of maximizing the adsorptive removal of Reactive Yellow 145 dye (RY 145) from aqueous solutions. Selective factors, such as activation time, activation temperature, and impregnation ratio on the preparation of Teff Straw-based Activated Carbon (TSAC) were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A quadratic regression model with estimated coefficients was developed by RSM and it was observed that model predictions were matched with experimental value with an acceptable R2 value (0.98). Further, the TSAC prepared at optimal condition was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The TSAC prepared at optimal condition showed anionic nature with a BET surface area of 627.7 m2/g. In addition, important adsorptive parameters (contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dose, and dye concentration) were evaluated through batch experiments. In such a way, it was determined that 2 h for activation time, 539 °C for activation temperature, and impregnation ratio of 5 g of phosphoric acid per 1 g of TSAC were optimal for efficient adsorption with maximum removal of 98.53% for RY 145 dye. In addition, the TSAC was subjected to test in order to determine its adsorptive performance by treating real textile industry effluent for examining its Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal potential. The results showed that 76% COD was removed from the real textile effluent, which met Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) standard. The finding of this paper asserts that this material is a good and low-cost bio-sorbent that can be used for the removal of pollutants from textile wastewater. Nevertheless, additional investigations of the adsorbents including regeneration options are advisable to draw explicit conclusions.

The extensive use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) pesticide leads to the contamination of surfaces and groundwater. In this respect, it is critical to develop an inexpensive and environmentally friendly adsorbent for 2,4-D-laden agricultural leachate. In the current study, termite mound soil (TMS) from Ethiopia was used as an adsorbent in a batch mode aimed at the removal of 2,4-D from an aqueous solution. The TMS was characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The effects of various operating parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration were investigated. In addition, the optimization process and interaction effect were studied using response surface methodology (RSM). A high 2,4-D removal percentage (89.6%) was achieved for a 2,4-D initial concentration of 50.25 mg/L at pH 2, an adsorbent dose of 15.25 g/L, and a contact time of 180.5 min. The 2,4-D adsorption isotherms could be adequately described by the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.9687), while the kinetics of the 2,4-D adsorption on the TMS best fit the pseudo-second-order model. Overall the study showed that TMS is an effective adsorbent for the removal of 2,4-D from agricultural leachate.

Catha edulis (Khat) waste (KW) is one of the challenging waste managements in Ethiopian urban areas. While biochar from other biomass sources has been studied, the effect of pyrolysis conditions on Catha edulis waste-based biochar yield and quality remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the biochar production process from Catha edulis waste for high yield and desirable characteristics. The KW and biochar were characterized using FTIR, BET, proximate analysis and other key parameters. The results indicated that KW possesses favorable properties for thermochemical conversion, with low ash content (4.35% wt. dry basis) and significant organic constituents (46.89% cellulose, 28.53% lignin, 19.62% hemicellulose, 4.96% extractives). The effect of pyrolysis process variables embracing reaction temperature, reaction time, and particle size on biochar yield and quality was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design (CCD). The biochar was desirably characterized by a pH of 8.96, fixed carbon of 60.08%, ash content of 10.55%, and a yield of 45.12% at the optimum production processes of 390 °C, 44 min, and 0.7 mm particle size. Moreover, the study found that pyrolysis temperature was the most influential factor across all responses (yield and quality). Consequently, the biochar (yield and quality) was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by pyrolysis temperature. In conclusion, the study inferred that KW holds substantial potential for biochar production with remarkable soil amendment characteristics. Graphical Abstract

Background Malaria is a serious, fatal disease, and a high-risk determinant for human health globally. Children, pregnant women, and migrants are vulnerable groups for malaria infection in African regions. Recently, malaria is an endemic disease in Ethiopia. Objectives This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of malaria and its determinant factors among the most vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. Methods Electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Semantic Scholar, and Scopus were used for searching articles published since the 2020 Gregorian calendar and onwards. All peer-reviewed Ethiopian journals, health institutions, and Universities were considered for article searching. A PRISMA flow chart and Endnote software were used for article screening, and to remove duplications, respectively. The modified version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used for potential risk of bias assessments. The heterogeneity among the included studies was evaluated using the indicator of heterogeneity (I 2 ). Egger’s test and funnel plot were used to examine the possible publication bias. A random-effects analysis was used to assess the pooled prevalence of malaria, and its determinant factors with a 95% CI. The screening process, data extraction, and quality assessment were done independently, and any disagreements were resolved through discussions. Results A total of twelve studies were included in this study. The pooled malaria prevalence was 11.10% (95% CI: 6.10, 16.11). Stagnant water (AOR: 4.19, 95% CI: 2.47, 7.11), no insecticide-treated net utilization (AOR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.73, 5.73), and staying outdoors at night (AOR: 5.19, 95% CI: 2.08, 12.94) were the pooled estimated statistically risk factors for malaria prevalence. Whereas, insecticide-treated bed net utilization (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 0.23, 10.95) reduces the risk of malaria infection. Conclusions The pooled prevalence of malaria is high among vulnerable populations. Creating awareness regarding utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets, and draining stagnant water from the environment are possible interventions to reduce the prevalence of malaria.