Journal Portal
Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Vol. 2(6) pp.151-157, August 2011
Available online Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/?a=journal&id=jabs
Copyright ©2011 Global Research Journals.
Full Length Research.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY LARGE MAMMALS ON SUGARCANE PLANTATION, ETHIOPIA.
Mesele Admassu1, Yosef Mamo2 and Afework Bekele1*
1Biology Department, Addis AbabaUniversity. PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia E-mail: mesele.admassu@yahoo.com
2Yosef Mamo, Hawassa University, PO Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia, e-mail: yosefmam@yahoo.com
*Corresponding author: E-mail: afeworkbekele@hotmail.com
Accepted 4th July 2011
| Abstract |
A study to determine the extent of damage by large mammals on sugarcane plantation was carried out in Wonji-Shoa Sugarcane Plantation, central Ethiopia, from August 2006 to March 2007. Three sample sites were randomly selected in the sugarcane plantation to collect data on sugarcane and faecal droppings of the animals. Strip line transect method was used to estimate hippopotamus population while total count method was utilized for warthog and grivet monkeys. Data were analysed using descriptive statistic, chi-square and t-test. There was a seasonal variation in the population number of the three species in the area. The estimated hippopotamus population was 129 and 99 during the wet and dry seasons. The variation was significantly different (3.947, df =1, P < 0.05). The estimated warthog populations was 180 and 140 during the wet and dry seasons which was significantly different (5.000, df = 1, P < 0.05). The estimated grivet monkey population was 882 and 630 during the wet and dry seasons ( 42.00, df = 1, P < 0.01). More number of individuals was recorded during the wet season than the dry season. Grivet monkey population was most abundant and hippopotamus number was the least. Sugarcane damage caused by hippopotamus was 2745 and 3089 stalk per ha during the wet and dry seasons which was significantly different (t = 16.96, df = 1, P < 0.05). Damage caused to the sugarcane plantation was more for warthog than hippopotamus and grivet monkey. Damage caused by warthog was 3988 and 4025 stalk per ha and that of grivet monkey was 3148 and 3590 stalk per ha during wet and dry seasons, respectively.
Keywords: Sugarcane plantation, Pest mammals, Ethiopia.