Grazing intensity (GI) is a major determining factor that controls the functioning of rangelands and the overall nutrient cycle. The Teltele rangeland is used for communal grazing area by the local pastorals; however, to date, there is no documented study data about the impact of GI. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of grazing intensity on selected soil properties in the Teltele rangeland, Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from different GI sites using different elevation gradient and soil depth from both open grazing and bush-encroached grazing land sand-assessed soil properties. Grazing intensity, elevation, and soil depth significantly (p < 0.05) affected both soils’ physical and chemical properties but rangeland types had no significant effect. The correlation analysis of soil characteristics with the principal component analysis axes showed significant variation. The highly weighted and correlated properties under principal component 1 (PC1) were electrical conductivity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and potassium, and under principal component 2, sand and bulk density with equal loaded value (r = −0.998), clay and silt, with silt (0.962) a more loaded one. Soil pH (0.743) demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with sodium (−0.960) at PC1 (r = 0.610). Based on our results, we recommend further model-based studies on spatial–temporal change of soil properties due to impact of grazing intensity, combined with GIS and remote sensing data to be developed for sustainable rangeland management.

Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. This livestock sector has been contributing considerable portion to the economy of the country and Borana zone is the major contributor for this. The main objectives of the study were to make basic information regarding natural features and socio-economic conditions of the zone that serve or stepping ground for planning policy making and research. This data is crucial for designing proper development plan for research activities and decision making. Specifically, the 2019 socio -economic profile was conducted to provide basic information for the 2020 national election purpose and for 2021 population and housing census as preliminary document regarding socio-economic condition of the zone. And also, this socio-economic profile is used to enhance tourism and economic development, identifying under used services (or opportunities for shared services, forecasting problem areas, developing local community profiles and better land use planning. In organizing this document, the serious problems were the absence of reliable data and up to date data and information. The document being the first of its kind gives a general clue about the zone and accordingly could be used as a bench mark for further study about the zone.

Background Forage nutritive value analysis is an essential indicator of rangeland status regarding degradation and livestock nutrient demand. Thus, it is used to maintain healthy and sustainable rangelands that can provide the livestock with sufficient quantity and quality of forage. This study is conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of grazing intensity combined with seasonal variation on the nutritive values of dominant grass species in the Teltele rangeland. Methods The studied area is classified into no-grazed, moderately grazed, and overgrazed plots based on the estimated potential carrying capacity. Sampling data is collected during both rainy and dry seasons. The collected forage samples are analyzed for concentrations of crude protein (CP), acid detergent organic fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), ash, dry matter digestibility (DMD), potential dry matter intake (DMI), and relative feed/forage value (RFV). Results The results show significant (P < 0.05) effects of both grazing intensity and season to grazing intensity interactions on all forage nutrient content concentrations across all grass species both within and between treatments. The recorded CP concentrations of all grass species are high in the overgrazed site and low at the no-grazed site, while the fiber concentration is high in NG and low in OG. RFV data also varies greatly, with high value recorded in OG in the rainy season and low value found in NG mainly during the dry season. As a result, it is recommended that moderate grazing should be practiced on the study site to maintain the quality and quantity of forage and to manage it in a sustainable manner.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been steadily interesting in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedicine, etc. In our study, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by the fungal and bacterial method was investigated. Two different concentrations of AgNO 3 viz. 10mM and 1mM were used as precursors, whereas cell-free supernatants from A. niger and E. coli were prepared and used as source of enzyme for the reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles. The crude enzyme was produced by A. niger, using Solid State Fermentation (SSF). The medium used for the fermentation contained wheat bran as the growth substrate and was incubated at 29±1ºC for five days. Whereas for enzyme production by E. coli, Luria Bertani (LB) medium was used and it was incubated at 37±1ºC overnight. The culture for the growth of A. niger was filtered by muslin cloth and centrifuged at 12000rpm for 20min and the filtrate was used as source of crude enzyme for the synthesis of Ag NPs as well as for characterization. Similarly, the E. coli culture was first filtered by Millipore filter paper followed by centrifugation of the supernatant at 12000rpm for 20min. The UV-Vis absorption peak for Ag NPs synthesized by E. coli was seen around 416nm; whereas, the UV-Vis peak for Ag NPs synthesized by A. niger appeared around 425nm. The next characterization of the synthesized silver nanoparticle was done by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which was used to reveal the functional groups accompanying the synthesized NPs. Finally the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against three gram negative and two gram positive bacteria by disc diffusion method. Extracellular crude extracts obtained from both microbes did not show any antibacterial effect on the tested pathogens. The Ag NPs showed stronger antibacterial activities on gram positive bacteria than on gram negative bacteria. The results also indicated that a larger value of ZOI was produced for the Ag NPs synthesized at the lowest concentration (1mM) of the precursor AgNO 3 used for the synthesis of Ag NPs.