ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to estimate the antifungal properties of a lesser-known plant Phyllodium longipes, renowned for its traditional medicinal values. Plant extract prepared using ethanol was tested against common fungal pathogens and in presence of antifungal activities the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined to study the effectiveness of the extract. The rise of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) fungal strains is causing major concerns among researchers and clinicians, as the antifungals are not very effective against MDR strains. The research will particularly focus on the plant’s antifungal activity against MDR strains.

ABSTRACT
Background: Malaria is one of the most prevalent public health problems worldwide. Globally, nearly half the world’s population remains at risk of malaria transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito vector. Chemical insecticides used to control the malaria vector are toxic and cause environmental deprivation. Therefore, safe, environmentally friendly, and effective alternative methods are needed to control malaria vectors. The study objective was to isolate and characterize Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) strains and evaluate their insecticidal activity against malaria vectors. Methods: Soil samples were collected from different sites in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Serial dilution was conducted in normal saline; Cutured Coommasie Brilliant Blue staining was performed. BT strains were isolated and characterized based on morphological, microscopic parasporal crystal staining, and biochemical characteristics. Toxicity was assessed by bioassay against Anopheles mosquito larvae. Results/Discussion: Thirteen isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis were identified and characterized based on their morphological, microscopic parasporal crystal staining, and biochemical characteristics. From resuts found that some of the BT strains were 75% effective and while others demonstrate 100% larvicidal potential similar with the reference strain Bti and better than Btk NCIM 2514 within 24 hrs. Conclusions: Five Bacillus thuringiensis isolates showed significantly higher larvicidal efficacy against Anopheles mosquito larvae. Among them, three isolates were promising candidates for future applications in mosquito biocontrol.

ABSTRACT
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder with no known cure, primarily characterized by hypotonia, feeding difficulties, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral abnormalities. Conventional medical treatments focus on symptom management through hormonal therapy and strict dietary control, yet the root cause remains unaddressed. This study explores an alternative approach based on the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, demonstrating the effectiveness of spiritual practices in alleviating symptoms of PWS. By applying the Five Golden Buddhist Practices, significant improvements were observed in motor skills, cognitive function, and overall well-being. These findings suggest that PWS is not solely a genetic condition but also a manifestation of karmic retribution and spirit occupation. This case study provides compelling evidence that Dharma practices can complement conventional treatments, offering new hope for those affected by PWS.

ABSTRACT
This research sought to determine the associations between bulb yield and other traits and to measure their effects of yield attributes on bulb yield of garlic genotypes. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications using twenty garlic genotypes with one standard check variety (HL) at Kulumsa Agricultural Research center, during 2020-2021. Yield and agronomic traits were determined. The data from two years were analyzed separately because the homogeneity of error variances of both seasons were not similar. In both seasons the association analyses indicated that the bulb yield was positively and significantly associated with plant vigor (0.9762), plant height (0.9057), neck thickness (0.5918), leaf width (0.7527), number of clove per bulb (0.766), cloves weight (0.9621), bulb polar diameter (0.9247), pseudo stem length (0.7885), clove height (0.9161), clove diameter (0.6412). Days to maturity and leaf length were negatively correlated with bulb yield at genotypic and phenotypic level. Consequences of path analyses indicated that bulb polar diameter (1.2478), clove height (1.0911), clove weight (0.9621), plant height (0.9057) and plant vigor (0.9762) had the highest positive direct effect on bulb yield at genotype level in first season and number of clove per bulb (0.9971), leaf width (0.9126), neck thickness (0.9912) in the 20221 season. On the other hand, most of the indirect effects of yield components on bulb yield were significant and positive. Because of the significant direct effects and positive correlations of those traits on bulb yield at phenotypic and genotypic levels, may be observed as important traits for garlic genotypes selection programs.

ABSTRACT
Fall armyworm is one of the challenges in the agricultural sector. It is a major insect pest of maize and other crops. Currently, farmers use chemical insecticides to reduce such losses. However, chemical insecticides cause the development of insecticidal resistance in insects, environmental pollution, human health hazards, harm to non-target species, etc. Therefore, agrarian look for safe and effective alternative approaches, biological control to fall armyworm. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) based biopesticide is a major alternative to solve these problems. This study aimed to isolate and characterize local Bt isolates from soil and water samples of different sites in Amhara and Afar Region and laboratory testing of their insecticidal activity against fall armyworm. The data was analyzed using Analysis of Variance. A total of 18 soil and water samples were collected from study sites to isolate Bt variety. Morphological and biochemical methods were used to characterize and identify Bt isolates. Based on results, a total of 21 Bt isolates were recovered from102 bacillus species- Bt like a colony and the overall Bt index corresponding to the whole sampling areas was 0.2. From total isolates, 7 isolates had a high potential to kill FAW within 72 hrs. W3C and M8E isolate were best as compared to other potential isolates, including reference strains because they were killed after 48 hrs. To conclude Screening of soil and water samples from different sources and habitats may be useful to obtain potential Bt isolates with broader host ranges and high potential for insecticidal activity.

ABSTRACT
The emergence of heterosis is a crucial marker of hybrid potential in rapeseed breeding for both hybrid and open-pollinated cultivars. However, testing the combining ability of the parents in the field consumes a great deal of manpower. An efficient way to evaluate heterosis and heritability is to use a line×tester analysis. An experiment was performed in 2022 in the research area of department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Line×tester analysis was performed with ten lines and three testers for the development of thirty F1 crosses. It was used to estimate heritability and heterosis of various fatty acids related traits as: oil contents, protein contents, glucosinolate contents, and erucic acid content. For this, selected better performer lines (high yield) and poor performer (low-yield) testers from ongoing research were crossed and the data were recorded for different fatty acids-related traits. The recorded data were subjected to Analysis of Variance followed by estimation of heterosis and narrow sense and broad sense heritability. Using three alternative forms of heterosis estimates—heterosis over mid parent, heterosis over better parent, and heterosis over standard check—the thirty F1 hybrids that developed were assessed, along with one check variety (Chakwal-second). Crosses 40980×26240 (for oil), 40979×26240 (for glucosinolate contents), 40978×26240 (for erucic acid contents) had positive and significant heterosis over the commercial hybrids for the studied traits. High narrow sense heritability was observed for erucic acid contents followed by protein contents and glucosinolate contents. The hybrid variety in rapeseed might be developed using the crossings 40978×26240, 40979×26240, and 40980×26240.

ABSTRACT
Human curiosity about the sexual orientation of living things has a long history. For thousands of years, livestock owners wanted to find a suitable way to predict the sex of the progeny to be born for their herds on their farm. Thanks to the development of semen sexing technology, animal breeding has undergone a revolution, which allows farmers to control the sex of their offspring. Sexed semen enhances overall productivity and also assists farmers in meeting the rising demand for high-quality dairy animals by enabling them to selectively generate seedstock female calves. The technology is a one-stop solution to enhance breed improvement especially in a country like Ethiopia where 97 percent of the cattle population is indigenous, which is not selected for milk production and results in undernourishment for animal source origin diet, including milk and meat. The benefits of using sexed semen include sex selection, improved genetic selection, enhanced breeding effectiveness, better control over herd dynamics, greater financial gains, environmental sustainability, and improved animal welfare. Hence, with the finding of this study, an overall result of a 98% response rate 95% female skewness, and 79% conception rate was recorded after being inseminated with sexed semen. The finding of the response rate is closer to the results reported by another researcher, while the average conception rate is comparatively higher. This could be due to careful animal selection, the use of fertile quality semen, proper heat detection, and inseminating at an optimum window of time. In general, from the piece of this study, it is possible to foresee and conclude that the adoption and application of sexed semen technology is a groundbreaking and game-changer technology for the dairy industry in a country like Ethiopia, which overcomes the limitations of improved crossbred dairy cattle, replacement heifers, and high milk prices on the one hand, a shortage of grazing land, ...