Background: Varieties identification is essential for protecting seeds sold to farmers from counterfeiting. Currently, the grow-out test (GOT) is used for varieties identification. This test is constrained by its long assessment, environmental dependency and subjective nature. Alternative test/tests are needed. This study aimed to determine the utility of microsatellite markers as a complement to GOT in varieties identification. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this study, six varieties of commercial maize hybrids released in Tanzania, herein coded as H1, H2, H3, H5, H6 and H9, were selected as candidates. For morphological evaluation, a field experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design, followed by the collection of phenotypic data. The qualitative data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA in SPSS v.20 software, while qualitative data were summarized in a frequency distribution table. On the other hand, by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), seven microsatellite markers were used to fingerprint the varieties. The PCR results were manually scored and transferred to GenAIEX v.6.5 and DARwin v.6. software for genetic distance and clustering analysis, respectively. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Quantitative data showed significant variation in all the tested varieties at p&lt;0.05, whereas 15 qualitative traits out of 21 showed phenotypic variations among the tested varieties. Furthermore, two microsatellite markers, namely phi080 and umc1071, out of the seven markers used in this study, proved useful in the fast and timely identification of two varieties (H1 and H2) out of six varieties. Nei&rsquo;s genetic distance ranged from zero to four; the highest measure of genetic distance was observed in H1, followed by H2 and the least measure was observed in both of the four varieties. Neighbor Joining clustered the varieties into three different populations that distinguished each of H1 and H2 from the rest of the four varieties. This study shows that microsatellite markers are a promising complement to GOT in varietal identification.

Assessment of Microsatellite Markers for Varieties Identification: A Case of Six Varieties of Maize Hybrids Sold in Tanzania

Background: Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important tropical fruits commercialized and consumed worldwide fresh or processed, having an attractive color and distinct taste and aroma. The main objective of this study is to determine the level of selected essential and non-essential metals in Mango. 
 
Methods: The levels of essential and non-essential metals were determined in mango (Mangifera indica L.) samples collected from four different sites (Boloso Bombe, Boloso Sore, Damot woyde and Humbo) in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A 0.5 g dried powdered mango sample was digested with 1 mL of nitric acid (HNO3), 3 mL of perchloric acid (HClO4) and 1 mL of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 180&deg;C for 2:00 hours. The study focused on two mango varieties, the Apple mango and the Keitt mango. 
 
Result: The metal contents in the apple mango in mg/kg were found in the following order: Mg (20.04-0.34) &gt; Ca (1.49-6.78) &gt;Zn (2.32-4.23) &gt; Fe (2.77-2.85) &gt; K (2.03-2.41) &gt; Na (1.72-1.97) &gt; Mn (0.47-1.36) mg/kg; and that of the Keitt mango samples in mg/kg were in the order of: Mg (2o.08_20.34) &gt; Ca (0.95_5.84) &gt; Zn (2.69_3.66) &gt; Fe (2.69_2.90) &gt; K (1.91_2.77) &gt; Na (1.79_1.93) &gt; Mn (0.38_0.72) mg/kg, respectively. The levels of Cd and Pb were below method detection limit. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence level indicated that there is significant difference in the mean concentration of all metals between the four sample sites. There was good correlation between the levels of some metals (Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe K, Na and Mn) in both varieties of mango samples. From the results of this study it can be concluded that the studied mango varieties grown in the study area are good source of essential metals and free from the toxic metals: Cd and Pb.

Determination of Levels of Selected Essential and Non Essential Metals in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Cultivated in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

<div>Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important staple food in the lowland of North Shewa, Ethiopia. However, the crop is less researched in this area. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the performance of improved open pollinated variety maize with the participation of farmers&rsquo; using their selection criteria for cultivation in the lowland areas of North Shewa. 
 
Methods: Fourteen open pollinated maize varieties including local were evaluated in the lowland of Eastern Amhara at Eferatana Gedim district, Yimlo research station in 2016 and 2017 main cropping season. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Five agronomic and yield traits were collected in both cropping years. In addition, maize small holder farmers were participated to evaluate and score varieties using the matrix ranking method based on the farmers&rsquo; selection attributes. 
 
Result: The combined analysis of variance across years showed that highly significant (p&lt;0.01) difference for days to anthesis, grain yield. The highest grain yield was obtained from Melkassa-4 (5243 kg/ha) and Melkasa-2 (5115 kg/ha) while the lowest yield was recorded from Rare-1 (3294 kg/ha). The overall yielding ability of Melkasa-4 was higher as compared with the tested varieties. In addition, this variety was highly appreciated by maize farmers in both cropping years. Based on farmer&rsquo;s selection and yield potential, therefore, Melkassa-4 has recommended for the lowlands of North Shewa and similar agro ecologies in Ethiopia. Support is needed to scale-up and deliver such improved variety through involving farmers in the selection and dissemination of varieties that are adapted to their needs, as it incurred income, good in crop rotation and animal feed.</div>

Participatory Variety Selection of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties in the Low Lands of Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Background: Mung bean (Vigna radiate L.) is an important legume crop grown worldwide from tropical to sub-tropical areas. The experiments were conducted on the mung bean to determine the level of essential and non-essential metals and proximate composition.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this study, the levels of selected essential metals and non-essential metal were determined from mung bean (Vigna radiate L.) in Kindo Koysha District, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. Wet digestion method with a mixture of 6 ml of concentrated HNO3:HClO4 (5:1 v/v) was used for digestion of the mung bean samples&nbsp;and a concentrated reagent mixture of 6 mL aqua-regia (3:1 ratio of HCl to HNO3) and 1.5 mL H2O2 was used for digestion of the soil samples. 
 
Result: The results obtained revealed that the concentrations of metals in the mung bean samples in mg/kg dry weight were in the range of Ca (1418.02-1698), Mg (2422-2492.4), Na (88.9-106.7), K (3670-3716.8), Fe (196.2-235.5), Zn (72-103), Mn (51-97.6), Cu (7.8-27.4). The non-essential metal Cr was not detected in mung beans. The proximate composition of mung bean in the range of crude protein (17.86-28.29%), crude fat (1.05-1.49%), ash content (2.9-3.35%)&nbsp;and moisture (5.76-7.57%). Mung bean was found to be an excellent source of essential minerals and protein content and low in fat content.

Determination of Levels of Essential and Non-essential Metals and Nutritional Value in Mung Bean Seed (Vigna radiate L.) Cultivated in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

<div>Background: Soybean is an important source of food, protein and oil and hence more research is essential to increase its yield under different agro-ecological conditions, including stress. In this regard, four popular soybean varieties viz. Shohag, BDS-4, BAU-S/64 and BARI Soybean-5 were irradiated using Co60 gamma rays to create genetic variation for earliness, higher seed yield and other desirable agronomic traits. 
 
Methods: The experiments were conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Headquarters farm, Mymensingh during 2006-2009 and 28 elite mutant lines were selected for evaluation. The mutant line, SBM-22 derived from mother variety BARI Soybean-5 irradiated with 300Gy of gamma rays was found to be superior compared to other mutants. Considering the superior performance of mutant SBM-22 including 28 mutants and mother check variety BARI Soybean-5, were evaluated through different trials. The evaluation trials were conducted at different agro-ecological zones of the country during Rabi season (January to April) of 2010-2018. 
 
Result: Significant variations were observed both in individual location and over locations for all traits. Reactions to major diseases and insect-pests infestation were also studied. Due to better performance of the mutant SBM-22, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) applied to the National Seed Board (NSB) of Bangladesh for registration as an important soybean variety &ldquo;Binasoybean-6&rdquo;. Consequently, the NSB of Bangladesh registered SBM-22 as an improved soybean variety in 2019 as Binasoybean-6 for commercial cultivation.</div>

​Binasoybean-6: A High Yielding Mutant Soybean Variety Developed through Sustainable Mutation Breeding

<div>Background: Potassium is a major nutrient needed by the crops including tuber crops. It is essential for tuber initiation and bulking process. Varietal differences in potassium uptake and utilization in many crops were reported. As many varieties of sweet potato are released so far, studies on understanding the variations in potassium accumulation and its influence on tuber yield are essential.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons, 2021 with an objective to assess the seasonal influence and potassium nutrition [0 kg K2O/ha (K1), 50 kg K2O/ha (K2), 75 kg K2O/ha (K3) and 100 kg K2O/ha (K4)] on growth and tuber yield of five sweet potato varieties - four high yielding varieties (HYV) and one local variety [Bhu Krishna (V1), Sree Arun (V2), Sree Bhadra (V3), Bhu Sona (V4) and Kanjanghad Local (V5)]. There were 20 treatment combinations replicated thrice in a randomized block design. 
 
Result: Significantly higher tuber yield (17.01 t/ha) during kharif season was recorded by variety Bhu Sona. But during rabi season, Sree Arun was superior with a tuber yield of 23.92 t/ha. The potassium nutrition up to 75 kg K2O/ha increased the yield of sweet potato in rabi season. Interaction effect of two factors was also significant with respect to tuber yield, total chlorophyll content and tuber K content. Potassium Harvest Index (%) and Potassium Accumulation Value (g/plant) also significantly varied between varieties and K levels.</div>

Seasonal Changes in Photosynthate Partitioning in High Yielding Sweet Potato Varieties under Varied K Nutrition Levels

Background: Teucrium polium L. has an essential place in traditional medicine throughout the world. Their use, based on empirical knowledge passed down from generation to generation, has helped to treat a multitude of illnesses and relieve a variety of symptoms. These traditional practices have laid the foundations for modern research, which seeks to understand the significant antibacterial properties. The bioactive compounds present in the plant, such as essential oils and polyphenols, have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. This includes bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal, skin and respiratory infections. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The focus of this study was the extraction of essential oils from the aerial portions of Teucrium polium L. via the hydrodistillation method, their anti-oxidant effect using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay method and iron reduction and antimicrobial activity of these essential oils was evaluated against seven ATCC bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC10428, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC700603 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC7033. In addition, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by incorporation method. These tests were carried out at the Laboratoires de the analytical chemistry laboratory at the Department of Pharmacy, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria. 
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Result: The hydro distillation method yielded an essential oil of 0.45%. Antimicrobial activity was tested by the sensitivity test, which revealed inhibition zone diameters ranging from 11.5 mm to &pound;20 mm. In addition, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined, showing variations between bacterial strains, suggesting potential therapeutic importance for some strains. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the essential oils was assessed using the iron-reducing capacity assay and the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Although the results indicated notable antioxidant potential, the IC50 values obtained were relatively high when compared to ascorbic acid, registering 107.38 mg/ml for iron reduction and 91.62 mg/ml for DPPH reduction. These findings contribute to the exploration of the therapeutic potential of Teucrium polium L. essential oils for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Evaluation of Biological Activity of Essential Oil from Teucrium polium L.

<div>Background: Light is one of the environmental factors that greatly affect the growth and yield of crops in general, including soybean plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of shade on yield and yield components of soybean varieties. 
 
Methods: The research method was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The first factor was the kind of variety which consisted of two levels, i.e., Dena I and Anjasmara. The second factor was the level of shading, which consisted of four levels, i.e., 0, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40%. 
 
Result: The results showed that shade decreased the number of filled pods, dry pod weight per plant, 100 seeds weight and seed yield ha-1. As the shade increases, the lower the yield and component of soybean yields increases. The decrease in seed yield ha-1 of Dena I variety at 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40% shade was 22, 14 and 50%, respectively, while the Anjasmara variety was 9, 49 and 59%. Shade decreases yields and yield components of Dena I and Anjasmara varieties. In the higher level of shade, the yield reduction will increase.</div>

Soybean Varieties Respond to the Shade of Teak Trees

Background: The development of cowpea cultivation needs to be given priority because, in developing countries, cowpeas make up for many protein deficiencies. Producing quality seeds of this legume would be an essential objective if food security is to be achieved. This study aimed to establish the appropriate fruit load for optimum production of quality cowpea seed. 
 
Methods: To achieve this, the impact of five different fruit loads (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 pods per plant) on the yield of four cowpea varieties (KVx745-11P (V1), KVx775-33-2G (Tiligr&eacute;) (V2), Gourgou (V3) and KVx780-6 (V4)) was assessed. The seeds&rsquo; germination capacity and the seedlings&rsquo; vigor were then assessed for each of the four varieties. 
 
Result: Findings showed that seed length, width, thickness and weight changed significantly with increasing load in all varieties. The shortest time to emergence was recorded in the V1 variety for seeds from fruit loads of 20, 30, 40 and 50 pods per plant. For the ten pods per plant fruit load, the shortest emergence time was achieved with the V4 variety. The varieties V1, V2 and V4 studied produced excellent agronomic quality seeds when the pod was harvested with a load of 10 pods per plant. The fruit load significantly affected the seed quality and yield across all four varieties. Seeds from the minor C10 load for varieties V1, V2 and V4 and C20 for variety V3 exhibit high seedling vigour.

Effect of Fruit Load on Seed Quality of Cowpea Varieties [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabaceae)]

<div>Background:&nbsp;Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers causes&rsquo; harmful impact on soil, environment and human being, hence demand of organic food products has shot up recently. Organic farming aims to optimization of crop productivity rather than its maximization through renewal and strengthening of ecological processes and functions of whole ecosystem. Limited varieties information is available on long term performance of pulse crop varieties under organic cultivation system so far. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and yield performance of green gram varieties under organic production system. 
 
Methods: Eight varieties of green gram were studied under organic production system. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The recommended dose of nutrients for green gram is 15:40:00 kg ha-1 and manures were applied on nitrogen equivalent basis through organic sources. The observations on growth and yield parameters of green gram were recorded at the time of harvesting. Soil and plant samples were collected at time of harvest and analyzed for available nutrients in soil and nutrient content in seed samples. 
 
Result: The maximum plant height at harvest (62.47cm), number of primary branches per plant (5.18), number of pods per plant (27.27), number of seeds per pod (11.27) with highest seed yield (809.80 kg ha-1) exhibited by variety MUM-2 followed by RMG-975 (802.47 kg ha-1) and lowest seed yield (617.80 kg ha-1) was found in the variety MSG-118. MUM-2 variety recorded highest plant nutrient status as compared to other varieties. Among eight varieties of green gram MUM-2 and RMG-975 found better for organic farming in terms of growth, seed yield and quality aspects.</div>