Ali Mohammed

Influence of preservative solutions on vase life and postharvest characteristics of rose (Rosa hybrid) cut flowers

The experiment was carried out to asses the influence of five preservative solutions (aluminium + ethanol, aluminium + sucrose, ethnol + sucrose, aluminium + ethanol + sucrose and water) and two rose cultivars (‘Red Sky’ and ‘Blizzard’). The scope of the study was to identify the best combination of preservative solutions on rose cultivars. The treatments were arranged in factorial combination in CRD with three replications. Ten (10) cut flowers of each treatment were pre-treated using prepared preservative solution for 24 h in cold room (3 ± 1°C) before storage. Interaction effects of Preservative solutions and cultivars were significant (P < 0.05) on solution uptake on day 16; petal fresh weight on day 4; total soluble solids (TSS) on day 4, 8 and 12 and on vase solution absorbance. Preservative solutions had significant effects on solution uptake on day 1, 4, 8 and 12; TSS on day 1 and 16; petal fresh weight on day 1, 8, 12, and 16. Flower longevity and maximum flower head diameter, relative fresh weight and petal fresh weight loss were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. Cultivars had significant (P < 0.05) difference on solution uptake and TSS. Aluminium + ethanol + sucrose preservative solution treated cut flowers had shown longest vase life, flower opening, solution uptake, petal fresh weight and TSS on both cultivars; while the values were significantly higher in ‘Red Sky’ cultivar. The findings provide an alternative for extending the vase life of cut roses and thereby ensure the satisfaction of flower users and sustainability of cut rose flower production. Key words: Aluminum sulphate, ethanol, preservative solution, quality, rose, sucrose, vase life.

Impact of Sun Drying Methods and Layer Thickness on the Quality of HighlandArabica Coffee Varieties at Limmu, Southwestern Ethiopia

Coffee is the most important crop in the national economy of Ethiopia and continues to be still the leading export commodity. Despite the economic importance, productivity and quality of the crop is very low. Improper post-harvest processing techniques largely contribute to the decline in coffee quality. However, lack of information on the effects of post-harvest processing and drying on quality necessitates a comprehensive study. Therefore, this experiment was carried out to determine the effects of sun drying methods, variety and cherry drying layer thickness on quality of coffee at highland areas of Limmu, Jimma zone. Accordingly, on-farm processing experiments were conducted at state owned coffee farms under Limmu Coffee Plantation Development Enterprise (LCPDE) from September up to December, 2010. The experiment was laid out in 3 × 3 × 4 Split-Split-plot design arranged in CRD with three replications. The three factors comprise three drying materials: bricks floor, raised beds with bamboo mats and mesh wires assigned to the main-plots. Three coffee varieties: 744, 74110 and 744+74110 assigned to sub-plots and four levels of cherry layer thicknesses: 20; 30; 40 kg/m2 (uniformly spread) and the farmers’ conventional practices (40 kg/m2) as sub-sub plot treatments. The data were computed by using list significant differences (LSD) procedures of SAS version 9.2. As a result, the interaction effects were highly significant (P = 0.01) for total coffee quality and significant variations were observed (P = 0.05) for drying period, total raw quality, total cup quality and coffee grades. The finding revealed that; processing coffee on raised beds using appropriate layer thickness loads of 20 to 40 kg/m2 at high altitudes produce quality coffee identified as total quality scores ranging 80-89.99 points and can attain “Specialty Grade 1 and 2” classification profiled under grade 2. While, the conventional systems produce low quality coffee identified as commercial grade classifications profiled under grade 3 to 4. Hence, using appropriate dry processing approaches, it is possible to produce specialty coffee.

Amino acid profile and protein quality in tuber and leaf of Coccnia abyssinica (Lam.) (Cogn.) accessions of Ethiopia

Abstract The protein content and amino acid profile of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) leaves and tubers were determined from ten different accessions taken from Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia. Crude protein content was determined by Kjeldahl method and amino acid profile was analyzed using performic acid oxidation and acid hydrolysis by ninhydrin‐derivatized analysis with amino acid analyzer. Crude protein content of Anchote tuber ranged from 10.70% ± 0.26% to 13.72% ± 0.10%, whereas the crude protein content in leaves were ranged between 30.38 ± 0.01% (“240407‐1”) and 35.42 ± 0.05% (“223109‐1”). Total amino acid content ranged from 45.12 to 62.89 and 67.31 to 75.69 g/100 g protein for tuber and leaf samples, respectively. The mean values of essential, conditionally essential and nonessential amino acids were 37.22 & 36.79%; 28.62 & 24.10%; and 34.16 & 39.11% for tubers and leaves, respectively. Arginine in tubers and glutamic acid in leaves ranked the highest of all amino acids; while the least dominant essential amino acid was methionine in both parts. Among the essential amino acids, leucine was dominant in all accessions tested with values ranged from 3.12 to 5.32 g/100 g protein in tubers and from 5.15 to 5.65 g/100 g protein in leaves. In general, the average amino acid content was higher in the leaves (71.08 g/100 g protein) compared to the tubers (51.11 g/100 g protein). The nutritional quality of Coccinia abyssinica leaves and tubers range as follows: total essential amino acids (TEAA)/ total amino acids (TAA) (37.57 & 36.82%), TEAA/total non‐essential amino acids (TNEAA) ratio (0.60 & 0.58), The predicted protein efficiency ratio (P‐PER) (1.22 & 1.80), Essential amino acid index (EAAI) (35.28 & 53.93%), Predicted biological value (P‐BV) (26.76 & 47.09%), Nutritional index (4.11 & 17.71%), and Amino acid score (73 & 108) for tuber and leaf sample, respectively. A significant variability was observed in protein and amino acid profile among accessions and plant parts, and the leaf part were found to be richer in protein content and associated nutritional quality.

Profitability of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as affected by NP nutrition and variety in Southern Ethiopia

Profitability of different rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and five potato varieties (Bellete, Gudene, Jalene, Marachere and local check) was investigated in southern Ethiopia to find out rates of the nutrients and varieties that would give acceptable returns and likely to be adopted by smallholder farmers in the locality. Factorial combination of N (0, 55.5 and 111 kg/ha) and P (0, 19.5 and 39 kg/ha) were applied to the main plots while the five varieties were to the sub plots of split-plot design and replicated three times. Both factors had significant effect on tuber yield, but there were no significant interaction effect. Significant treatments of this experiment were, therefore, subjected to economic analysis using partial budget procedure. Economic analysis showed that 0:19.5, 55.5:19.5 and 55.5:39 kg NP/ha and varieties Bellete, Jalene and Marachere were economically superior and stable even within a price variability range of 20% in the locality. In conclusion, application of NP nutrients with the rate of 0:19.5, 55.5:19.5 or 55.5:39 kg/ha for the varieties Bellete, Jalene and Marachere were identified profitable treatments for lucrative production of potato in the study area. Key words: Dominance analysis, economic analysis, partial budget, smallholder farmers, tuber yield.

The Effects of Combined Application of Cattle manure And Mineral Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilizer on Growth, Biomass Yield, And Quality of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L) Tuber Inabelo Area at Masha District sheka Zone, South-Western Ethiopia

Soil fertility decline is considered as one of the major causes for resulting in reduced yield of potato production in abelo area Masha district sheka zone of south-western Ethiopia. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in Belgand Mehre season, in abelo area, Masha district south-western Ethiopia, to investigate the effect of combined use of application of Cattle Manure (CM)) with mineral NP on growth, biomass yield, quality, of potato tuber. The treatments comprised combinations of three rates (2.5,5, 7.5tha-1) of CM with 25%, 50% and 75% of recommended rates of mineral NP, respectively. In addition, 100% recommended rate of mineral NP for the experimental site (165 kg N ha-1 and 137 kg P2O5 ha-1) and zero rates were used for comparison. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.The results revealed that applying 7.5 t ha-1 CM combined with 75% mineral NP gave significantly Days to 50% flowering by 7 daysi.e. From 56-6 and14 daysi.e. from 51-65, days to 50% maturity by 5 daysi.e. from (101-106) and 13 days from (95-108) and increases plant height from 56-69 and 63-78, Increase shoot fresh weight by 39.66% from (1274.591780.2 ghill-1) and 36.66% from (1213.91 -1658.99 ghill-1) and shoot dry weight by 46.8% from (40.4 ghill-1 to 59.333 ghill-1) and 41.66% from (40 to 56.667 ghill-1),increased dry matter content from (21.085-25.782) and (22.36 to 24.47), specific gravity from (1.0831.107) and (1.092 -1.101) reduces small tuber size percentage Form (27.306 to 17.069) and (43.946 -14.267) and improves medium size tubers from (65.56 to 74.79) and (44.58 80.26) in Belg and Mehre season as compared to zero application. Respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that, the use of combined application of CM (7.5 t ha-1) together with 75% of recommended rates of mineral NP (123.75kg N ha-1 and 103.05kg P2O5 ha-1) can significantly increases growth, biomass yield, improvement in tuber quality.

Determination of citric acid pretreatment effect on nutrient content, bioactive components, and total antioxidant capacity of dried sweet potato flour

Abstract Orange flashed sweet potatoes are rich and inexpensive source of diet and antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CA pretreatments and convective hot air drying temperature on proximate composition, bioactive components, and total antioxidant capacity of flour of five orange flashed sweet potato varieties. Moisture, protein, ether extract, ash, carbohydrate, fiber, β‐carotene, total phenolic compounds, and total antioxidant capacity in the dried flour samples were evaluated and reported in the range of 4.1–7.4%, 2.4–4.2%, 1.2–1.1.8%, 2.2–3.2%, 82.7–87.1%, 1.3–1.8%, 35.5–91.6 mg/100 g, 49.8–107.9 mg GAE/100 g, and 27.3–85.4%, respectively. The interaction effects of varieties, drying temperature, and CA concentration were significant (p ˂ 0.05) except for fiber. Kulto and SPK006/6/6 performed better for most of the parameters studied followed by SPK00/06. For almost all varieties, samples dried at 55°C and after treated in 3% CA solution had the highest percentage in terms of proximate composition, bioactive components, and total antioxidant capacities.

Effect of variety and drying temperature on physicochemical quality, functional property, and sensory acceptability of dried onion powder

Abstract In Ethiopia, onion is one of the most important vegetables/spices produced as a source of cash income and for flavoring foods. However, postharvest loss during storage remains a major challenge. In this study, the effects of variety (Bombay red, Qellafo and Sweet carolin) and drying temperature (Fresh, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90°C) on physicochemical quality, functional property, and sensory acceptability of dried onion powder were determined. The results indicated that total color change of Bombay red was not affected by temperature, but Qellafo and Sweet carolin varieties showed an increase in color change as drying temperature increases. Bulk density, shrinkage ratio, and water hydration capacity increased with increasing temperature for all three varieties. The degradation of vitamin C, pyruvic acid, and desired sensory attributes increased with increasing oven drying temperature. All in all, Qellafo dried at 70°C for 5 hr was found to be desirable for production of dehydrated onion powder. The findings of this study will allow the identification of the best of the three commonly grown onion varieties in Ethiopia, and the preferred temperature for production of dried onion with minimal negative effect on physicochemical, functional, nutritional, and sensory properties.