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serum samples were collected from 67 randomly selected peasant associations, 25 districts and eight pastoral zones of Ethiopia. The Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and complement fixation test were used in series. Samples for bacteriology were collected from three export abattoirs, where 285 goats were randomly selected and tested Rev. Sci. Tech. Off. Int. Epiz., 34 (3) 2 No. 20072015-00054-EN 2/25 by RBPT three days before slaughter. Tissue samples were collected from 14 strongly positive goats and cultured in dextrose agar and Brucella agar base. To confirm and subtype the isolates, staining, biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction were used. The overall standardised seroprevalence of brucellosis was 1.9%, ranging from 0.07% in Somali regions to 3.3% in Borena regions. There was statistically significant variation among the studied regions, zones, districts and peasant associations (p < 0.05). Male goats and sheep were twice as likely to test positive as females (relative risk [RR]: 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.7-3.4; 2 = 21.05, p < 0.05). Adults (older than 1.5 years) were three times more likely to test positive than younger animals (RR: 2.76; 95% CI:1.14-6.73;  2 = 5.18, p < 0.05). Goats were around four times more likely to be infected than sheep (RR: 3.8; 95% CI: 2.4-6.1;  2 = 36.99, p < 0.05).Brucella melitensis was isolated from 2 of the 14 samples analysed. The widespread distribution of brucellosis in goats and sheep in these areas justifies the use of control measures to minimise the economic losses and public health hazards.

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Ascochyta blight disease is a major problem in faba bean (Vicia faba L) production that causes 90% to 100% yield loss. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of three fungicides with three spray frequency levels against Ascochyta blight disease of faba bean varieties. For the assessment of disease management, a total of 21 treatments were used, which comprised three fungicides, three spray frequencies, two varieties, and control. The field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with factorial combinations of variety, fungicide, and spray frequency levels in three replications. An analysis of variance was performed for disease, yield, and yield related and plant growth parameter data, using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2003) version 9.1.3 software. The economic data obtained from the field experiment was analyzed using the partial budget analysis method. The results showed that area under disease progress curve, percent severity index, disease progress rate, and percent disease incidence had strong mean significant differences ( p < 0.01 ) between treated and untreated plots. Application of fungicide significantly increased plant height, stem girth, pod per plant, grain yield, and harvesting index ( p < 0.01 ) over untreated plots. Greater total return (195,938 Ethiopian birr ha−1), net return (101,761.3 Ethiopian birr ha−1), and net benefit (34,768.17 Ethiopian birr ha−1) were obtained by EH00102-4-1 variety, in two times Mancolaxyl treatment. The linear regression analysis result (R2) indicated that the variation in average grain yield of EH00102-4-1 and local susceptible varieties, due to the mean area under the disease progress curve, was 64.50% and 68.64%, respectively. Therefore, the use of EH00102-4-1 variety, with two times Mancolaxyl spray frequency application, at early growth stage and the onset of the disease is suggested as an agronomic management option, in Northwestern Ethiopia.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important source of livelihood for smallholder farmers of north-western Ethiopia. However, its productivity is markedly low due to late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the integrated use of potato varieties and fungicides for the management of late blight disease. Field experiment was conducted in Lay-Armachiho district during the main potato cropping season of 2018. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments as factorial combinations of two synthetic fungicides (Ridomil and Mancozeb) and untreated check with four potato varieties (three improved varieties, namely, Jalene, Gudene, Belete, and Local variety) was laid out in RCBD design with three replications. Disease incidence, severity, AUDPC, yield, and yield components were analyzed using SAS software (version 9.1) at P < 0.05 to separate treatment means. Fungicide sprayed treatments significantly reduced late blight epidemics and increased potato tuber yield on the Belete variety. The lowest disease severity (38.50%) and AUDPC values (761.02% unit-days) were recorded on Belete variety when sprayed with Ridomil fungicide. Late blight disease severity, incidence, AUDPC, and disease progress rate were reduced more in Belete variety than in the other three varieties. The highest disease severity (91.40%) and lowest yield (10.63 ton·ha−1) were recorded from the local control plot with a clear significance difference as compared to other treated plots. This study revealed that the application of Ridomil fungicide with the combination of Belete variety was effective in controlling late blight potato disease with the highest cost-benefit advantage.