Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Evaluation of Productivity and Profitability of Newly Released Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties in North-western Ethiopia: A Participatory Approach

Takele Atnafu — 2024-10-13

The study focused on the evaluation of newly released improved rice varieties in North-western Ethiopia to fill the observed yield gaps due to low varietal promotion, access and inadequate agronomic practices. It was conducted at Pawe and Jawi districts during 2021-2022 production years. Experimental sites and target farmers were purposefully selected considering rice production potential, farmers’ willingness and success prospects. Azmera, Pawe-2, and Fogera-1 varieties were evaluated using Nerica-4 as the standard check. Data were collected from 32 host and 32 non-host farmers (control) using data collection instruments with focus groups and direct field observation. The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics that comprise gross margin analysis, included Likert scales for the qualitative data. Findings revealed the highest (3742.04 kg ha^-1) mean grain yield was recorded from Azmera variety (642.04 kg over the national average) and 30,625.57 Birr ha^-1 additional gross return obtained as compared to farmers’ local practices. 1533.04 kg ha^-1 extension gap was observed from Azmera variety. Overall, Azmera seemed promising in terms of its greater yield, profitability, and farmer preferences. Therefore, Azmera and Pawe-2 varieties are highly recommended for the large-scale production system along with their full production technologies and appropriate extension services to boost production and productivity.

Response of Tef (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) to Rates of Nitrogen from Urea and Urea Stabil on Vertisols in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Zeleke Obsa — 2024-10-13

Nitrogen loss through leaching, volatilization, and denitrification poses significant challenges with highly soluble fertilizers like urea, leading to decreased crop yields and nitrogen use efficiency. To address this issue, field experiments were conducted from 2017 to 2019 at Becho district of the southwest Shewa zone in Oromia Region with the objectives of evaluating the efficiency of Urea ^Stabil as a slow-release nitrogen source; and determining optimum rate of nitrogen application for tef production on Vertisols in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four levels of Urea ^Stabil fertilizer, applied once at sowing and in two splits, were compared to conventional urea at recommended and one-third more than recommended rates, resulting in a total of nine treatments. Nine treatments, including four levels of Urea ^Stabil and conventional urea at recommended and higher rates, were compared across six farmers' fields. Results revealed significant effects of nitrogen levels on various tef growth parameters. While the highest biomass and grain yields were obtained with 92 kg ha^-1 N from Urea ^Stabil applied in two splits, comparable yields were achieved when the same nitrogen rates were applied from Urea ^Stabil once at sowing or from urea in splits. The timing and source of nitrogen did not significantly affect tef yields, certain similar nitrogen rates. Moreover, increasing nitrogen levels beyond existing recommendations improved both biomass and grain yields, indicating the insufficiency of current recommendations for optimizing tef yield in the study area. Generally, applying 92 kg ha⁻¹ N in splits using Urea Stabil enhanced tef productivity more effectively than the previously recommended nitrogen rates.

Growth Response of Peach (Prunus persica L.) Var. “Tropic Beauty” to Intra-Row Spacing and Blended NPS Fertilizer Rate

Tajebe Mosie — 2024-10-13

Peach fruit has been cultivated in Ethiopia, using poor production technologies such as unspecified population density and fertilizer application. Accordingly, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of intra-row spacing and blended NPS fertilizer rate on the growth performance of peach trees. Peach variety “Tropic Beauty” seedlings were planted in 2017 using a completely randomized block design with factorial arrangement and replicated thrice. The treatments used were three levels of intra-row spacing (4m, 5m, and 6m) and four levels of NPS fertilizer rates (0kg/ha, 100kg/ha,150kg/ha, and 200kg/ha) with a constant inter-row spacing of 4 m. Data on the growth parameters were collected for four consecutive years. The result indicated that the interaction of intra-row spacing and NPS fertilizer rate had a highly significant (p< 0.01) effect on most growth traits. Amongst, tree height (2.66 m), trunk cross-sectional area (31.44 cm²), canopy volume (11.74 m³), and canopy stretch (3.46 m) were superior in the intra-row spacing of 6 m and 150 kg/ha NPS fertilizer rate. Conversely, intra-row spacing of 5 m and 150 kg/ha NPS fertilizer and intra-row spacing of 6 m without NPS fertilizer resulted in the highest branching height (59.42 cm) and annual shoot growth (34.13 cm), respectively. This indicated that intra-row spacing of 6 m with 150kg/ha NPS fertilizer rate could enhance the growth and development of peach trees.

Nutritional Profiles of Released and Promising Ethiopian Chickpea Varieties

Oli Legassa — 2024-10-13

Improvement of varieties have significantly increased production of chickpea in Ethiopia. Never the less, there is limited information on their nutritional profiles in compiled way for varieties selection. The objective of this study was to generate compiled information on nutritional profiles of one promising and twenty-one released chickpea varieties. Crude protein, moisture, ash, oil, and fiber were analyzed using kjeldhal, oven, furnace, nucleic magnetic resonance and acid-base digestion methods, respectively, while atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for minerals. Data was analyzed by one factor ANOVA using SPSS software. The proximate compositions of some chickpea varieties were statistically different (p<0.05). The protein content ranged from 16.23 to 23.82. The highest Fe (4.65) and Zn (3.86mg/100g) contents were recorded from Akaki and Arerti, respectively. This showed that some varieties had higher protein, and minerals. It is advisable to use high protein variety (Ejeri 23.82%) for protein targeted breeding and food fortification. For Fe improvement, Akaki (4.65), Shasho (4.58), Worku (4.57) and Dubie (4.49%) could be recommended while Arerti (3.86) is the best for Zn fortification. The promising variety (Dz-2012-19) had better protein (22.60%) and Zn content (3.80mg/100g) and breeders can use this data as complementary information to yield and disease resistance for selection of this variety.

Genotype by Environment Interaction and Stability Analysis of Barley Grain Yield in South Ethiopia

Shegaw Derbew — 2024-10-17

The objective of this study was to assess how GEI affected the grain yield of barley genotypes' and to utilize AMMI and GGE biplot analysis to understand this effect. Field experiment was conducted with an objective to assess how GEI affected the grain yield of barley genotypes' and to utilize AMMI and GGE biplot analysis to understand this effect. This experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications at six locations during 2021 main cropping season. The analysis of variance demonstrated that genotypes differed significantly (P≤0.001) from one another for the studied traits. In the AMMI analysis of variance, it was revealed that the environment (E), genotype (G), and G×E interaction accounted for 60.42, 8.56, and 31.13% of the treatment sum of squares, respectively. Moreover, Bule offers the highest yield and stability simultaneously among the test environments. The AMMI stability value and yield stability index recognized genotypes G3, G9, G7, and G11 as high yielding with stable performance across environments. In contrast, GGE biplot analysis revealed G3, G6, G5, and G9 as stable and high yielding genotypes throughout the environments. Based on the results of the GGE biplot and AMMI analysis, genotypes G3 and G9 were found to be stable and high yielding. Therefore, G9 is ideal for release, while G3 would be best suited for wider-scale cultivation and promotion.

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Some Quantitative Traits of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Genotypes under Irrigated Conditions

Merdasa Balcha — 2024-10-13

Comprehensive understanding about the crop nature, performance level and association of numerous agronomic attributes with yield is necessary for plant researchers to tackle the cotton yield limiting constraints. However, there is a lack of sufficient information on cotton yield, yield related and fiber quality traits correlation and path coefficient analysis in Ethiopia. Knowledge of correlation between different traits and the further partitioning of correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects is a prerequisite for any underutilized crop improvements of sustainable genetic enhancement. The experiment was conducted on twelve genotypes with three checks in order to assess the association, direct and indirect effects of different characters on lint yield. The experiment was planted at Werer Agricultural Research Center and Nasa/Birale Farm under irrigated condition in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during the 2016 to 2018 cropping seasons. Data were collected on yield, yield related and fiber quality traits. Correlation studies revealed that lint yield was significantly and positively correlated with the number of bolls per plant, seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and micronaire, whereas it was significantly and negatively correlated with fiber length at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis, both at phenotypic and genotypic levels, revealed that seed cotton had the greatest direct effect on lint yield followed by ginning outturn and number of bolls per plant. Both correlation and path analysis indicated that seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and the number of bolls per plant were the major direct contributors to lint yield. Hence, the present study suggests that more seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and number of bolls per plant are major yield factors in selecting high lint yielding cotton genotypes.

Diversity and Abundance of Small Indigenous Fish (SIF) in Human Stressed Major Tributaries of the Awash River

Aschalew Lakew — 2024-10-13

Small indigenous fish (SIF) are a source of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in most parts of the world. This study assessed the community structure and nutritional content of SIF in the tributaries of Awash River. Fish samples were collected from eight sampling sites using electrofishing device. A total of 2240 fish specimens comprising four species namely Garra quadrimaculata, Garra dembecha, Garra makiensis and Barbus sp. were collected during the sampling period. A high SIF abundance (218 individuals/100m²) and biomass (1769 g/100m²⁾ was recorded at Legedadi above the dam (UA4) and Garra species were numerically the dominant taxa in all sampling sites. Turbidity and river size (width and depth) were the predominant factors affecting SIF diversity, abundance and biomass. Barbus sp. contained higher fat content (10%) compared with a widely consumed O.niloticus which was less than 1%. A higher level of mineral contents (mg/kg) were identified in Garra species (Ca = 37.7; Fe =53.09; Zn= 55.18) than O. niloticus (Ca = 0.2; Fe =28; Zn= 14) (ANOVA, p < 0.05). This could be attributed to the bottom feeding behavior of SIF in river beds enriched with diverse minerals. High abundance of SIF in rivers with considerably high macro-and micronutrients is an opportunity to promote their role in food and nutrition security. Thus, future studies should focus on sustainable fishing practices, processing techniques and recipe preparation.

Nutritional Composition of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn.) and its Products: A Tip for Future Research and Development

Oli Legassa Keno — 2024-10-13

Anchote is one of the tuber crops which belongs to the cucurbitaceae family and genus conccinia with over 30 species. This review was conducted with the objective to assess the knowledge gap and recommend further studies for generating and documentation of information related to anchote. It is an underutilized tuber crop with high nutritional compositions especially protein [tuber (3.33-17.8%), leaves(34.5-53%)] and calcium contents [tuber (416.50, leaves 313.50)]. The methodology used were literature review and case studies. Although anchote is rich in nutrients and has special place in the social value of the society, it has been less addressed by research and development to enhance its contribution to food and nutrition security in Ethiopia. For instance, the available literature indicates wide variation in its protein (3.33 -17.8 %) and Calcium (0.47-416.50 mg/100g) contents. The basis for this high variation needs to be explored through controlled studies for further improvement of the plant. There are more than seven food products that are traditionally prepared from anchote but detailed information on their preparation methods, ingredients used, consumption and nutritional significance are lucking. The protein content of anchote leaf is very high which makes it very important to use it as a food ingredient which is also another potential area of research. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct detailed assessement on the production, processing and utilization of anchote in the community for further optimization and exploitation of the plant as a potential source of food in Ethiopia.