Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an important cereal crop grown in arid and semiarid regions where water and otherresources are limited. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns have resulted in frequent droughts, which caused significantyield loss in sorghum. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in sorghum cultivation due to its resilience to climatechange and potential source of food and income. The symbiotic interaction of sorghum with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)has been found to induce several physiological and molecular changes that improve the ability of sorghum to withstand droughtstress. This symbiotic relationship enhances water and nutrient uptake, osmotic adjustment, activation of stress-responsive genes,stomatal regulation, and antioxidant defense, leading to improved drought tolerance in sorghum. Agricultural practices such asreduced tillage, cover cropping, intercropping, crop rotation, and the use of organic amendments promote the diversity andeffectiveness of AM fungal symbiosis. Such agricultural practices create more favorable conditions for AM fungal establishmentand growth while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. In this review, we highlight AM fungal symbiosis on sorghumgrowth, physiology, and molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of AM fungal symbiosis under moisture deficitconditions. Overall, the present review elucidates sorghum production and breeding success in Ethiopia, the symbiotic mechanismsbetween plants and AM fungi, the prospects of biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture, the potential of AM fungal symbiosis as asustainable approach to improve sorghum production and its synergistic effect with other crop management practices.Keywords: Arbuscular Mycorrhizae; biofertilizer; drought tolerance; sorghum; sustainability; synergistic

Heavy metals pose a significant threat to public health and economic stability in Ethiopia,contaminating various environmental media, including water, soil, and air. This paper aimed toprovide an overview of the public health and economic burden of heavy metals in Ethiopia.Exposure to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic has been linked tonumerous adverse health effects, including neurological disorders, renal failure, cardiovasculardiseases, and cancer. In Ethiopia, populations are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal exposuredue to various factors, such as artisanal mining, industrial activities, agricultural practices, andinadequate waste management systems. The economic burden of heavy metal contaminationmanifests through increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and environmental remedia-tion expenses. Furthermore, the impact extends to sectors such as agriculture and tourism,affecting national development goals and exacerbating poverty levels. Efforts to mitigate thepublic health and economic burdens of heavy metals in Ethiopia require multidisciplinary ap-proaches, including policy interventions, regulatory enforcement, public awareness campaigns,and investment in sustainable development practices. Strengthening monitoring systems,implementing pollution control measures, and promoting research on alternative technologies forwaste management are essential steps toward addressing this pressing issue. In conclusion,addressing the public health and economic challenges posed by heavy metal contamination inEthiopia necessitates concerted efforts from the government, industry, academia, and civil societyto safeguard human health, preserve the environment, and promote sustainable development.
Keywords: Economic burden, Heavy metals, Lead, Public health, Strategies

Abstract: Peanut production plays a crucial role in global food security, particularly in developingcountries, where it provides essential nutrition and income. This paper examines the optimizationof peanut production through genetic advancements, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainablepractices. The primary objective is to increase yields by addressing challenges related to climatechange, pests, and resource constraints. Globally, peanut production is hindered by rising temper-atures, irregular rainfall, and declining soil quality, impacting both yield and quality. Developingcountries, especially in Africa and Asia, face additional challenges, such as limited access to advancedagricultural technologies, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support for smallholder farmers.The vital issues include genetic vulnerabilities to pests, climate stress, and inefficient water use.Recent genetic research has provided insights into breeding more resilient, drought-resistant varieties,offering hope for improving yields, despite environmental challenges. The adoption of climateadaptation strategies, precision farming, and integrated pest management is essential for boostingproductivity. These, along with optimized irrigation and nutrient management, have significantlyimpacted peanut production in resource-limited settings. Additionally, drought-resistant varietieshave proven crucial, enabling farmers to increase resilience and yields in areas facing climate stress.In conclusion, optimizing peanut production requires continued investment in genetic advancements,infrastructure, and sustainable practices. Future efforts should focus on improving climate adaptationand sustainable farming techniques for long-term success.Keywords: climate adaptation; drought-resistant varieties; genetic advancements; integrated pestmanagement; precision farming; sustainable practices

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) holds signifcant agricultural and nutritional importance in Ethiopia; yet, its pro-duction faces challenges, including suboptimal nitrogen fertilizer management. Te aim of this review was to review the possibleefect of nitrogen fertilizer levels on the production of cabbage in Ethiopia. Nitrogen fertilization signifcantly infuences cabbageyield and quality. Moderate to high levels of nitrogen application enhance plant growth, leaf area, head weight, and yield.However, excessive nitrogen levels can lead to adverse efects such as delayed maturity, increased susceptibility to pests anddiseases, and reduced postharvest quality. In Ethiopia, small-scale farmers use diferent nitrogen levels for cabbage cultivation. InEthiopia, NPSB or NPSBZN fertilizers are widely employed for the growing of various crops such as cabbage. 242 kg of NPS and79 kg of urea are the blanket recommendation for the current production of cabbage in Ethiopia. Te existing rate is not conducivefor farmers. Terefore, small-scale farmers ought to utilize an optimal and cost-efective nitrogen rate to boost the cabbage yield.Furthermore, the efectiveness of nitrogen fertilization is infuenced by various factors including the soil type, climate, cabbagevariety, and agronomic practices. Integrated nutrient management approaches, combining nitrogen fertilizers with organicamendments or other nutrients, have shown promise in optimizing cabbage production while minimizing environmentalimpacts. Te government ought to heed suggestions concerning soil characteristics such as the soil type, fertility, and additionalfactors such as the soil pH level and soil moisture contents.

Abstract: Forests play a crucial role in mitigating theimpacts of climate change by sequestering carbon in theirbiomass and soil. However, Ethiopia faces the threat of soilcarbon emissions due to deforestation and continuous cul-tivation. This study reviewed the analogies in phytobio-mass and soil carbon evaluation methods in Ethiopia.Index-base and year-wise analysis methods were used forthe compilation of the study. Developing nations, such asEthiopia, duly enhance resilient measures to assess forestcarbon stocks for effective climate change mitigation, parti-cularly with reference to emissions from deforestation anddegradation. Even though more than 90% of Ethiopia’senergy comes from forest biomass, deforestation signifi-cantly affects the carbon stored in aboveground biomass,which is the largest reservoir. Estimating forest biomassand carbon emissions entails uncertainties, with errorranges around ±50% for aboveground pools and ±90% forsoil carbon pools. Various tier methodologies are employedby experts to estimate forest biomass and carbon stock emis-sions, with Tier 2 factors serving as default emissions butcountry-specific factors offering improved accuracy overTier 1. Tier 3 methodologies require highly specific inven-tory data on carbon stocks in different pools and commonmeasurements of key carbon stocks. Forest conservationenhances biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and essentialecosystem services, fostering soil health, regulating watercycles, and supporting diverse plant and animal species.In conclusion, directing efforts towards forest conservationnot only helps maintain biodiversity and ecosystem servicesbut also significantly contributes to mitigating climate change
by enhancing carbon storage capacities and reducing green-house gas emissions.Keywords: allometric equations, carbon stock, carbon accounting, climate change, tie

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) holds significant promise in addressing economic challenges and malnutrition issues. However, various factorsin Ethiopia impede its production and consumption. This review investigates sweet potato potential as a versatile solution for nutritionalchallenges in Ethiopia. Although the global yield of sweet potato reaches 14 tons/ha, in Ethiopia, it stands at approximately 8.1 tons/ha. In Africa,sweet potato is known as the 'poor person’s crop' and is primarily grown on a small scale by women for subsistence. Sweet potatoes are rich inessential nutrients such as vitamins C and E, B vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, and fiber. Additionally, in Ethiopia, sweet potato leaves are utilizedas food, animal feed, and traditional medicine. Notably, they contain high levels of lutein (ranging from 38-51 mg/100 g), surpassing those foundin kale (38 mg/100 g) and spinach (12 mg/100 g). Leaves encompass protein (25%−37%), carbohydrate (42%−61%), crude fat (2%−5%), fiber(23%−38%), ascorbic acid (60−200 mg/100 g), and carotene (60−120 mg/100g). Malnutrition is continued as a major hurdle for millions ofEthiopians. Currently, stunting, wasting, and vitamin A deficiency (VAD) stand as the primary factors contributing to premature mortality inEthiopia. Despite the country's considerable potential for sweet potato cultivation and utilization, both yields and consumption remainremarkably low. Lack of clean planting materials, pests and diseases, knowledge gap, and poor market system are the key challenges of sweetpotato production in Ethiopia. Hence, to ease the malnutrition problems in Ethiopia, sweet potato production and utilization should be adept in abroader range.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the most important commercial vegetable crop widely grown throughout the world. It is also animportant bulb crop in Ethiopia. However, its production and productivity are restricted by diferent factors, including biotic andabiotic stresses. Tis review investigates the potential impacts of spacing and varieties on onion yield and yield components inEthiopia. Countries around the world are producing onion for its nutritional value, medicinal properties, minerals, proteins, andcarbohydrates. In terms of production, onion ranks second only after tomatoes. Te average onion yield in Ethiopia is estimated tobe 8.8 tons/ha, while in the world, it is approximately 19.7 tons/ha. Inappropriate spacing and inadequate onion varieties are someof the limitations widely described for yield variation in Ethiopia. Tus, to control the size, shape, and yield of onion bulbs, spacingdetermination and variety improvement are some of the techniques currently employed in Ethiopia. Adama red, Bombay red, andred creole are some of the known varieties in the country, and the intrarow spacings for Adama red and Bombay red are reported tobe 4 cm and 6 cm, respectively. Diferent spacing between onion plants afects how much they produce and other factors such assize and quality, depending on the variety. It is important to assess whether changing spacing makes sense from both a farmingand economic standpoint, alongside considering other agricultural methods.

Maize is produced throughout the world and it is also a pri-mary staple food crop in many developing countries. Thefield experiment was conducted during the main rainy sea-son of 2018 in Burie district to study the effects of types andgrowth stages of seedlings on the growth and yield of trans-planted maize (Zea mays L.). Factorial combinations of twotypes of seedlings (bare rooted and poly bagged); five lev-els of seedling’s growth stages (seedlings of 1, 2, 3, 4, and5 true leaf/ves) and one control (direct seeded) were laiddown in randomized complete block design with three repli-cations. Data on phenological, vegetative growth and yield-related parameters were collected following standard meth-ods and procedures. All data were subjected to analysis ofvariance using SAS software, and mean separation for sig-nificant treatments was done by LSD. Both main effects af-fected the number of grains cob−1 , grain, and stover yieldhighly significantly and days to 50% silking very highly signif-
icantly. Types of seedlings affected days to 50% tasselling sig-nificantly; and days to 90% physiological maturity and plantheight highly significantly. In addition, types of seedlingsaffected the number of cobs plant−1 , cob length, numberof grains row−1 and biomass yield, very highly significantly.Seedlings’ growth stages had a very highly significant effecton days to 50% tasseling and days to 90% physiological ma-turity. The number of cobs plant−1 , cob length, number ofgrains row−1 and biomass yield were also highly significantlyaffected by seedlings’ growth stages. The interaction effectwas highly significant on the number of cobs plant−1 , grain,and stover yield and very highly significant on the harvest in-dex. The highest (10.7t ha−1 ) grain yield of maize was foundfrom the transplantation of polybagged seedlings at four trueleaf stages. Although it is difficult to conclude based on oneseason and one location research trial, transplanting of poly-bagged seedlings at four true leaf stages gave superior grainyield. This treatment combination also gave the highest netbenefit with an acceptable range of marginal rate of return.Therefore, transplanting polybagged seedlings at four trueleaf stages is economically feasible and can be recommendedtentatively for Burie District. However; it’s also advised to re-peat the study in areas having terminal moisture stress formaize production.
Keywords: Bare root, Growth stage, Polybagged, Seedling, Transplanting

In many regions of Ethiopia, particularly in the study area, high-quality livestock feed is scarce, particularly during the dry season.Indigenous browse species could potentially ofer alternative sources of feed, but their potential has not been fully exploited, owingto a lack of detailed information. Without detailed information on the nutritional value of indigenous browse species, it is difcultto assess their suitability as feed sources. Tis knowledge gap indicates that even if these plants are abundant, they may not be usedefectively because their nutritional benefts are not well understood. Te objective of the present study was to fll this gap bysystematically evaluating the biomass yield and nutritional content of indigenous browse species. Te mean biomass yields forvarious indigenous browse species varied signifcantly (p < 0.05) among species, with Ficus thonningii producing the highest,whereas the biomass yields of Vernonia amygdalina were the lowest. Arundinaria species exhibited the highest NDF content(68.5%), whereas V. amygdalina had the lowest NDF content (46.8%). Te crude protein content varied signifcantly (p < 0.05)among the species, with Acacia albida having the highest (20.3%), whereas the crude protein content of Carissa edulis was thelowest (13.3%). Hence, the crude protein content of all indigenous browse species is sufcient to meet the maintenance needs ofcattle, sheep, and goats because, as stated by Kearl and NRC, the crude protein levels required for maintenance in these animalsrange from 7% to 10%. Te crude protein content of indigenous browse species is sufcient to meet the milk production re-quirements of sheep and goats because the crude protein levels required for milk production for these animals range from 12% to16%. For lactating dairy cows and growing beef cattle, Kearl recommended CP values of 14%–18% and 12%–16% required,respectively. Terefore, indigenous livestock producers should incorporate these species into their production systems to enhanceproductivity. Tis approach can also help mitigate the high costs associated with concentrate feeds, which are typically expensive.Keywords: biomass; browse species; nutritional composition; species composition

Multimetric assessment is one of the important tools for diagnosing, detecting and measuring impairment inecosystem function in lentic ecosystems. It enhances detection capabilities across a broader variety of stressorsand offers a more complete picture of ecological conditions than single metrics or biological indicators. In thiscontext, a diatom-based multimetric index (MMI-D) has been developed to evaluate the ecological health ofLake Hawassa. Physicochemical and benthic diatom sampling was conducted at nine sites along the lakeshore,representing varying levels of human disturbance, from February to November in2015 and 2016. The sampling siteswere classified a priori into three categories: minimally disturbed (three sites), moderately disturbed (three sites) andhighly disturbed (three sites). This classification, was based on a clustering analysis using the percent disturbancescore (PDS). Of the 24-diatom candidate metrics, only ten were chosen as core metrics for the development ofMMI-D, based on redundancy analysis, reaction to environmental conditions, percent discriminatory efficiency (%DE)and box plots. The newly established MMI-D clearly distinguished between reference and non-reference sites, andbetween the lake’s three clusters. The MMI-D’s performance was validated using independent data sets from lakesHawassa and Ziway and it demonstrated the best capability for discrimination between different disturbance levels.MMI-D 2-stage Least Squares (2SLS) regression analysis revealed an inverse but robust connection with the PDS,indicating its responsiveness to Lake Hawassa habitat quality degradation (n = 9, R2 = 0.921, p < 0.001). The MMI-Drevealed a high %DE (95.1%) and a negative but significant connection with nutrients, total suspended solids (TSS),and turbidity (R2 > 0.6; p < 0.05). Generally, it can be concluded that this index is a powerful tool that could assistendusers by providing a practical method for measuring the ecological quality of Lake Hawassa.Keywords: benthic diatoms, ecological quality, Lake Ziway, redundancy analysis, validation