ARARI: BNJAR

Current Issue

BNJAR 2024 | 5(1)

Evaluation of smoke treatments for the ripening of banana (Musa spp.) at Metema district, Northwestern Ethiopia

Azeze Wubie Kassa1*, Hayat Yasin Mohamed1 and Tegegne Ashagrie Endalew

Gondar Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 1337 Gondar- Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted at Metema District, Northwestern Ethiopia to evaluate and select suitable banana ripening techniques in the 2019 cool and 2020 hot seasons. The treatments consisted of three kerosene smoking durations and two none kerosene smoke treatments such as low-density white polyethylene sheet and banana leaf were arranged in CRD with three replications. Properly matured fruits were treated with 12hrs, 18hrs, and 24hrs kerosene smoke to induce ethylene production in the fruits and commence ripening inside an air-tight and dark room. Immediately after the treatment application, fruits were subjected to an ambient temperature for ventilation. Similar properly matured fruits were wrapped with low-density white polyethylene sheet and banana leaf until ripening. The result revealed that fruits treated with kerosene burn for 12 hr gave uniform color development, desirable firmness and acceptable quality, and better shelf life within 4 and 5 days under hot and cool season conditions, respectively. Subsequently, uniform color development was attended within short days when fruits were treated with kerosene burn for 18 and 24hr smoking durations, however, the majority of the fingers were detached from the hands of the banana bunch. On the other hand, fruits treated with polyethylene sheets and banana leaves did not indicate any color change or firmness loss for 7 days. Therefore, it is concluded that kerosene smoke for 12 hours under cool and hot season conditions was found optimum for ripe bananas at Metema and similar environmental conditions.

Keywords: Banana ripening, Color change, Ethylene gas, and Kerosene smoke

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BNJAR 2024 | 5(1)

Evaluation of Locally Available Botanical Extracts for the Management of Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus C.) Insect in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Zemenu Endalew1*, and Gizachew Haylemariam2

Adet Agricultural Research Center/ Woramit Horticultural Crop Research and Training Sub Center, P.O.Box 8, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia Sekota dry land Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 62, Sekota, Ethiopia

The plant cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) locally known as beles is the common perennial fruit crop in arid and semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia and it is the most familiar and stable fruit crop. However, the cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) insect is the most devastating and dangerous insect pest that threatens the perennial cactus pear production in the northern part of the country. Hence, this research activity was carried out to evaluate different locally available botanical extracts against cochineal insect in hot spot areas of Waghimra administrative zone in 2021. Three botanical extracts (Bio admix, Neem, and Nicotina) with control were evaluated in purposively selected plots using RCB design with four replications. Extractions of bioactive botanicals were prepared by grinding leaves using a mortar and pestle. Results depicted that all botanical extracts which were tested under filed conditions were significantly reduced cochineal number and further population buildup compared to the control treatment. However, based on its accessibility and its ease of extraction techniques over the two botanical extracts on mortality rate (>60%) of cochineal insect, the tree tobacco (Nicotina gluaca) was very sizeable for the management of cochineal insect. It was also very cheap and accessible in the area for ease of preparation. Thus, following all extraction techniques and procedures, the use of 18g Nicotina per liter of water was commendable for the management of cactus pear cochineal insect in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia, and related agroecology. Moreover, further studies on the biology, ecology, integrated management strategies, and chemical composition of botanicals should be conducted.

Keywords: Botanicals, Cactus, Cochineal insect, Extraction methods, and Mortality rate

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Current Issue

Evaluation of smoke treatments for the ripening of banana (Musa spp.) at Metema district, Northwestern Ethiopia

Evaluation of Locally Available Botanical Extracts for the Management of Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus C.) Insect in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

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