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YIELD AND GROWTH ANALYSIS OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosumL.) VARIETIES UNDER DIFFERENT INTER ROW SPACING AT SILTE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) NUREDIN RASHID BUSHIRA
Potato (Solanum tuberosuml. ) is a very important food and cash crop in Ethiopia. This experiment was conducted with the objective to increase production of potato through selecting appropriate varieties and determining appropriate spacing at Silte zone, central Ethiopia during belg cropping season.The experiment was arranged in a factorial combination of three inter-row spacing (60 cm , 75cm and 90 cm), and four potato varieties(Belete, Gudene, Chala and Local cultivar) in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Interactive effects of variety and inter-row spacing significantly (P˂0.05) influenced most of the parameters considered. Days to flowering, leaf area index, total tuber number, marketable tuber number, total tuber yield, average tuber weight per plant, unmarketable tuber number and tuber yield and harvest index were significantly affected by the interaction effects of variety and spacing. Plant height, dry matter content, 90% plant maturity, crop growth rate and relative growth rate (P˂0.05) influenced by the main effect variety and spacing. Days to 50% emergency, Leave number per plant and Stem number per hill were influenced only by the main effect variety. Local cultivar requiring the longest duration (101.22 days). Plant height increased significantly in to increasing inter-row spacing.Gudene varieties produced largest stems number per plant and local cultivar produced smallest stems number per plant. The highest (38.57 t/ha) total tuber yield was recorded from Gudene variety at spacing of 60 c m , whereas the lowest (22.28 t/ha) tuber yield was recorded from local cultivar at spacing 90 cm. The highest marketable (30.48a t/ha) tuber yield was obtained from Gudene variety and lowest was obtained from Local cultivar (18.41t/ha). The Crop Growth Rate values increased progressively with time reaching peak at 45-60 DAP. Therefore, from this study, it can be concluded Gudane and Belete varieties at inter-row spacing of 60 cm and 75 cm resulted in highest marketable tuber yield could be recommended to potato growers in the study area.
AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF ETHIOPIAN MUSTARD (Brassica carinata) LANDRACES IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) IBRAHIM HASSEN GUYO
Genetic diversity analysis of Ethiopian mustard landraces is an important step in selection and hybridization of plant with required traits to develop well adapted and farmers preferred high yielding varieties. The Field experiment was conducted at Hula district in Sidama region to study the genetic diversity of forty nine brassica carinata landraces collected from different agro-ecologies of southern Ethiopia. The experiment was carried out in a simple lattice design with the objective of assessing and estimating the genetic diversity of local landraces based on phenological and agro-morphological traits; estimating association and heritability of the study traits and to identify the best performances of landraces further breeding work for their leaf yield. The analysis of variance shows the significant differences among landraces for all leaf parameter as well as all phenological traits. The high degree of variability among the Ethiopian mustard landraces were observed for studied traits. The estimation of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations was studied, the highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation suggested that the Brassica carinata landraces are highly diverse and provides a wide range of possibilities for selecting further breeding. The result heritability of broad sense (H2b) values in all traits was very high ranging from 90.99 to 99.975%; this implies that the genetic component of variation is substantial for all traits. To evaluate the pattern of variation, the principal component analysis was conducted for all quantitative traits. The first three principal components accounted for most of the variation observed and cumulatively explained 82.99% of the total variation among the all quantitative traits. Clustering produced a clear grouping of the forty nine landraces into four major groups of clusters Where, by the individuals within any one cluster are more closely related than individuals in different clusters. The landraces that early flowered are grouped in the same group, and the same is true for the late flowering landraces as well as the landraces with highest leaf yield was clustered in the same group. Overall, the study shows the wide variation and presences of high genetic variability among Brassica carinata landraces.
EVALUATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA FUNGI ON MORPHOPHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolues vulgaris L.) VARIETIES UNDER DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONDITIONS
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) BIRTUKAN AREDA GOFE
Common bean is a suitable crop for food security due to its short growing cycle and adaptability to different cropping systems. However, its productivity is limited by factors such as moisture stress. To mitigate such effect, soil amendments with beneficial symbiotic rhizosphere microbes such as Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is one of the strateg ies. Hence, this experiment was aimed at evaluating the effect of AMF on moisture stress tolerance and nutrient uptake of three common bean varieties. A pot experiment was conducted from June to September 2024 at Hawassa University College of Agriculture in a Shade house. The experiment used three common bean varieties, SER-119, Dame, and Awash Metene; AMF inoculation and two moisture conditions (80% FC and 40% FC) as a combined treatment. The experiment was executed as a factorial arrangement using a completely randomized design with three replications. The results of this study indicated that the main effect of moisture stress, variety and AMF, and their interaction had a significant impact on most of the phenological, morpho -physiology, nutrient uptake, microbial traits and yield and yield components of common beans. Even though almost all parameters significantly decreased under 40% FC, the AMF inoculation significantly improved seed emergence, days to 50% flowering, pod setting and physiological maturity under moisture stress conditions at 40 % FC. Similarly, the stem and leaf traits are significantly affected by the inoculation of AMF under moisture -stressed conditions. Physiological responses mainly Photosynthesis rate, stomata conductance, chlo rophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, transpiration rate and stomata length were improved by AMF inoculation under 40 % FC. Yield and yield components, specifically pod length, thousand seed weight, seed weight, number of seed s per pod, total above ground biomass fresh weight, total above ground biomass and total below ground fresh weight were enhanced by AMF inoculation under 40 % FC. Tissue nitrogen was also enhanced by AMF under 040%FC. Overall, the study found that even though highest values were recorded under 80% FC with AMF treatment, the presence of AMF significantly improved the response of the verities under stress conditions at 40% FC
GROWTH, YIELD, QUALITY , AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF NITROGEN AND VERMICOMPOST INTEGRATION IN THREE TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ) VARIETIES
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) BEYENE BEKELE
Tomato is a major vegetable crop of high nutritional and economic value, yet its productivity in Ethiopia remains low mainly because growers apply nitrogen and VC inefficiently under declining soil fertility. Integration of vermicompost and mineral nitrogen enhanced soil health (higher organic matter and microbial activity), increased agronomic N use efficiency, improved fruit quality attributes and produced greater marketable yield and economic return. This study evaluated the effects of combined mineral nitrogen (N) and vermicompost (VC) fertilization on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and economic performance of three tomato varieties (GALILEA 39, NUN TOP, and ALBATROS) at Shallo Farm during the 2016 E.C. cropping season. Treatments consisted of three nitrogen rates (0, 175, and 350 kg N ha⁻¹) and three vermicompost levels (0, 5, and 7 t ha⁻¹) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on phenology, growth, yield, and fruit quality parameters, while economic feasibility was assessed using partial budget analysis. The collected data were analyzed using ANOVA under the GLM procedure in SAS 9.4, and assumptions were verified by checking normality and variance homogeneity through diagnostic plots; percentage variables were normalized using the arcsine square-root transformation. Results revealed that variety, nitrogen, and vermicompost rates, as well as their interactions, significantly influenced most growth, yield, and quality traits. GALILEA 39 recorded the highest fruit set (78.26%) and total yield (14.02 t ha⁻¹) under 350 kg N ha⁻¹ + 5 t VC ha⁻¹. Nitrogen enhanced vegetative growth and fruit size, while vermicompost improved soil fertility, flower retention, and fruit development. Physical fruit quality improved with N and VC increased fruit length and fruit shape index, vermicompost increased fruit width, and the N × VC interaction produced the thickest pericarps, indicating greater firmness and better postharvest life . Chemical quality responded positively to integrated fertilization: moderate to high N rates and both VC levels raised TSS and SAR, whereas TA increased relative to the unfertilized control but plateaued beyond 175 kg N ha⁻¹, producing a net improvement in taste and processing quality. Partial budget analysis showed that the combination of 175 kg N ha⁻¹ and 7 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost generated the highest net field benefit (476,937.36 Birr) and marginal rate of return (2521.48%) for GALILEA 39, while NUN TOP achieved the greatest profitability (MRR = 5621.85%) under the same combination. For ALBATROS, 350 kg N ha⁻¹ with 5 t VC ha⁻¹ was most economical (MRR = 5210.50%). Therefore, under the agro-ecological conditions of Bishan Guracha, applying 175 kg N ha⁻¹ with 7 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost is recommended for GALILEA 39 and NUN TOP, while 350 kg N ha⁻¹ with 5 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost is optimal for ALBATROS. . Future studies should refine nitrogen–vermicompost ratios across soil types and assess long-term effects on soil health, productivity, and sustainability.
INFULENCE OF AVOCADO WASTE AND COFFEE HUSK VERMICOMPOST AND VERMIWASH ON SEEDLING GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF COFFEE (Coffe arabica L.)
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) RAHEL MENGISTU
Coffee is an important cash crop grown all over the world including Ethiopia. But in Ethiopia its production is low due to poor seedling quality and agronomic management. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of avocado waste and coffee husk vermicompost and vermiwash on seedling growth performance of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) at nursery condition, Hawassa, Ethiopia. A factorial combination of two level of vermiwash (with and without) and three types of vermicompost (coffee husk, avocado waste, 50% Coffee husk+50% avocado waste) and recommended rate of coffee growing media( 3:1 top soil with compost) as positive control and soil alone as (negative control), these were laid out in CRD with three replications. Vermiwash was prepared by 50% of avocado waste plus 50% coffee husk. Whereas vermicompost were prepared by avocado waste, coffee husk and combined of avocado waste and coffee husk) and animal manure and grass were added uniformly for all wastes as starter and bedding material. 200g of VC produced from d/f wastes (avocado, coffee husk and combined of avocado and coffee husk were applied for all experimental units (polyethylene bags) except negative control and positive control. While 100ml of VW was applied for half of the experimental units. All agronomic practice were done as per required until the final growth stage of coffee seedlings. The initial soil, vermicompost and vermiwash sample were well prepared and analyzed for their chemical composition. All coffee seedling growth parameters data were collected properly and analyzed by SAS software and the treatment mean was compared using LSD at 5% probability level. The results showed that all growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, leaf area, number of node, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight and root dry weight) except internode length were significantly(<0.001) influenced by the interaction effect of vermicompost and vermiwash. The result indicated, the highest plant height(21.3cm), leaf number(12), leaf area(75cm 2 ), number node(6), root length (21.3cm ),shoot fresh weight(9.09g), root fresh weight (5.1g), shoot dry weight(2.86g) and root dry weight (0.67g) per plant were obtained from the interaction of coffee husk vermicompost with vermiwash. While the lowest plant height(9.8cm), leaf number(4.2), leaf area (23.94cm 2 ), number of node(2.17), root length(9.67cm), shoot fresh weight(2.55g), root fresh weight (2.57g), shoot dry weight(0.39g) and root dry weight (0.25g) per plant were obtained from soil without vermiwash (negative control). Therefore the interaction application of coffee husk vermicompost along with vermiwash is the best treatment to improving coffee seedling growth performance.