Impact of brewery sludge application on heavy metal build-up, translocation, growth and yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in Northern Ethiopia.

In a field study, the impact of different levels of brewery sludge (BS) enrichment on Triticum aestivum L. (wheat plants) was examined in terms of growth, yield, heavy metal absorption, and potential health risks linked to plant consumption. Using a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and three blocks, the study showed that applying up to 12 t ha-1 brewery sludge significantly improved all agronomic parameters (except harvest index) compared to control and mineral-fertilized soil. Heavy metal translocation was generally low, except for Cu and Pb. The sequence of heavy metal translocation was Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni > Zn > Mn > Cr from soil to spikes and Cu > Zn > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr from soil to grain. Heavy metal loads were mostly higher in roots than in the above-ground crop parts. The target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR) within wheat grain remained within safe limits for all BS treatments. Consequently, consuming this wheat grain is considered safe regarding heavy metals. Thus, utilizing brewery sludge at 12 t ha-1 as a fertilizer for wheat production and as an alternative method for sludge disposal is plausible.

A Survey of Farmers' Perceptions on Maize and Sorghum Storage Duration and Level of Pest Infestations in the Case of Two Selected Districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia.

This survey study was conducted in two districts of the Jimma zone from April to July 2020 in the community of farmers who store maize and sorghum. While in Ethiopia, like in other east African countries, Maize and sorghum were an important postharvest chain for food security and income sources for small-scale rural farmers. Yet, there is a high postharvest loss of grains due to poor storage handling, storage practice, and pest infestations. And therefore, this survey study was aimed at assessing grain storage duration and level of pest infestations in selected districts of Jimma zone, Ethiopia. Two districts, Tiro Afeta and Sokoru, were selected based on the production potential of maize and sorghum grain crops. Then, three Kebeles were randomly taken from each district. Finally, two of the district's 6 Kebeles with a total of 333 households storing maize and sorghum were interviewed, while limited farmers in Tiro Afeta and Sokoru districts store sorghum 4.9% and 60.7%, respectively, for more than one year, and the current finding indicates that as long storage time, there is a prospect to be mold infestation.