Agronomy

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Start date: 2020

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    EVALUATION OF THE GROWTH, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) VARIETIES UNDER SOIL MOISTURE STRESS CONDTITIONS
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) MITIKE MULATU ALEMU
    Common bean is one of the most important food crops, with significant economic importance and it is suitable for food security due to its short growing cycle and adaptability to different cropping systems. However, its average yield reported at the national levels remains far below the potential due to various biotic and abiotic constraints among which is moisture stress. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of moisture stress on growth, physiological and yield and yield components of common bean varieties. A pot experiment was conducted under lath house from June to September 2020, at Hawassa University College of agriculture. Seven common bean varieties viz. Gofta, Fedis, Awash-2, Tinike, Awash-1, Dursitu and Nasir were grown under three irrigation intervals/moisture level viz. watered every day (waterlogging stress), watered every four days (control) and watered every eight days (moisture deficit), in factorial combination using Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The main and interaction effects were significant on Days to flowering, physiological maturity, plant height, leaf number, Shoot fresh weight, Shoot dry weight, root length, Transpiration rate, photosynthesis rate, stomata conductance, water use efficiency, stomata number, stomata width and length, chlorophyll concentration, Proline content, Length of pod, pods plant-1 , seeds pod-1 and yield gram-1 plant-1 . However, branch number and Internode length, leaf relative water content, hundred seed weight, total biomass (biological yield), straw yield and harvest index were significantly affected by main effects of moisture levels and varieties but chlorophyll fluorescence was affected by only moisture levels. Moisture stress significantly reduced growth, stomata conductance, photosynthesis, yield and yield components. Varieties performed differently in response to moisture stress. The highest hundred seed weight, biological yield, and straw yield were recorded for Awash-1 and Tinike varieties, respectively in control moisture stress. The highest yield was recorded from the variety Awash-1 and Gofta irrigated every 4 days of interval ( control); whereas the lowest yield was recorded from Fedis variety treated with daily irrigation ( water logging). Also Awash - 2 varieties is relatively better compared to the Tinike, Fedis, Dursitu and Nasir on yield and yield parameters at all moisture levels. Varieties Gofta, Awash-2 and Awash-1 appeared to be moisture stress-tolerant duo to maximum proline accumulation mechanism, high water use efficiency, low transpiration rate and better photosynthesis and yield performance by using different mechanisms.
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    RESPONSE OF MUNGBEAN (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) VARIETIES TO DIFFIRENT RATES OF NPSB FERTILIZER RATESAT ZALA DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) HABTAMU HARINGO
    Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is the sixth exportable pulse crop in Ethiopia and is a useful protein source for consumers in semi-arid and arid areas of the country. However, its current national productivity is 1.003ton ha-1 , which is much lower than its potential due to the unavailability of balanced nutrients in the soil. Therefore, thisstudy was carried out to evaluate the response of Mungbean varieties toNPSB fertilizer rates. The experiment was conductedin Zala woreda, during the main cropping season of 2021.The experiment was laid out using RCBD in a factorial arrangement with three replications. There was a total of sixteen treatments from a factorial combination of four fertilizer rates (0, 50,100 &150 kgha1 ) and four varieties of Mungbean (Borda,Rasa (N26),NVL-1 & Gofa local).The results revealed that fertilizer had a significant (P<0.05) effect on days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, plant height, brunch number, nodule number, pod number per plant, seed number per pod, thousand seed weight, grain yield, above ground dry biomass, and strow yield. Varieties also had a significant (P<0.05) effect on days to physiological maturity, branch number, pod number per plant, seed number per pod, thousand seed weight, grain yield and harvest index.The interaction of NPSB fertilizer application with verities also had a significant(P<0.05) effect on days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, number of seeds per pod, thousand seed weight, grain yield, dry above ground biomass and harvest index.The highest yield (2.5tonha-1 ) resulted from the interaction effect of the150kg NPSB with the Boreda Varity application. The partial budget analysis also indicated that the best treatments were interaction of the 150kgha-1NPSB with Borda and Rasa (N-26), which gave the first and second highest net benefits of 126126 and 96600 ETB ha-1 , respectively, with an acceptable marginal rate of returns. Therefore, mung bean producers can use the NPSB mixed fertilizer at the rate of 150kg ha-1 and Boreda Variety in the Zala district of the Gofa Zone and other similar areas to increase their productivity.
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    RESPONSE OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) VARIETIES TO DIFFERENT RATES OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER AT NEGELLE BORENA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) GADISA BEYENE FUFA
    Even though its production and demand is highly increasing in Ethiopia due to its fast maturity and nutritional value, Common bean productivity is constrained by soil phosphorus along with proper use of variety. In view of this problem, a field experiment was conducted at Negelle Borena, Southern Ethiopia under rain fed in 2020 cropping season to determine the optimum phosphorus rate needed to get the highest and economically feasible yield of Common bean variety. The experiment was designed in factorial combinations of five levels of Phosphorus (0, 23, 46, 69 and 92 kg ha-1 ) and three haricot bean variety (Hawassa Dume, Omo-95 and Nassir) in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data on days to flowering, days to maturity, number of nodules plant-1 , number of leaves plant-1 , plant height, number of primary branches plant-1 , number of pod plant-1 , number of seed pod-1 , hundred seed weight, above ground biomass, grain yield and harvest index were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software. The results revealed that both P rates and common bean variety had significant effect on days to flowering, days to maturity, number of leaves plant-1 , number of primary branches plant-1 , number of pods plant-1 , number of seeds pod-1 , total above ground biomass, hundred seed weight and grain yield.The interaction effect of phosphorus fertilizer rate and Common bean variety significantly influenced total of nodule number and effective nodules number plant-1 . All parameters tested were positively correlated except days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and leaves number plant-1 was Negatively correlated but plant height was not siginificant with grain yield . The highest grain yield (2.38 tons ha-1 and 2.11 tons ha-1 ) was recorded from 46 kg P ha-1 rate and Hawassa Dume Common Beanvariety, respectively.The highest net return (37,630 ETB ha1 ) with acceptable marginal rate return (1140.54 %) was obtained from Hawassa Dume variety with 46 kg P2O5 ha-1 application. This implies that the growers at the study area can get additional benefit of 11.4054 ETB for every 1 ETB expense by this treatment, followed by Hawassa Dume variety with 23 P2O5 kg ha-1 supply having a net return of 27,080ETB ha-1 . The lowest net economic return was recorded in the Omo-95 variety with zero-P application (17,550Birr ha-1 ). Thus, it can be concluded that application of 46 kg P ha1 and Hawassa dume haricot bean variety were found superior both in productivity and economically at Negelle Borena area.
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    EFFECTS OF INOCULANT AND NPS FERTILIZER ON NODULATION, GROWTH AND YIELDS OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) VARIETIES AT BILATE ZURIA DISTRICT, SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) ENJAMO NAGESSO SATO
    Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major grain legume grown and consumed in subSaharan Africa, including Ethiopia. It is the most important food legume, fodder and cover crop. However, its cultivation is globally constrained mainly by low soil fertility and lack of improved agronomic practices. Four common bean varieties (Ibaddo, Hawassa Dume, Omo95 and Nasir were studied under three nutrient conditions (0kg ha-1 ,100 kg ha-1 NPS, Inoculation by strain HB-429) in three replication of randomized complete block design (RCBD) during the 2019 main cropping season (June to September). The objectives of the study were investigating the response these varieties to the three nutrient statuses in nodulation, growth, yield and yield components and investigating the variety X inoculant/fertilizer interaction in the same traits. There were significant differences between the four varieties in all traits (nodulation, growth, yield and yield components). Ibaddo had the highest grain yield (2.81 t ha-1 ) while Hawassa Dume had the highest mean in yield (2.53 t ha-1 ). The three fertilizer levels also differed significantly in all traits, 100 kg ha-1 NPS giving the highest means in all traits, while the control (no fertilizer application) had the lowest mean in all traits. Inoculation by rhizobium strain had intermediate mean of all traits. The variety X inoculant/fertilizer interaction was also significant for all traits except for nodule dry weight, leaf area index, shoot dry weight, grain yield, above biological yield and harvest index. Omo95 variety had the lowest means in all traits except leaf area index, plant height, number of primary branches where ranks first, second and third. The highest net return (48325 ETB ha-1 ) with acceptable marginal rate return (5993%) was obtained from Hawassa Dume variety with 100 kg NPS ha-1 followed by Hawassa Dume variety with strain HB-429 inoculation had net return of 41337 ETB ha-1 with 4895% marginal rate of return. This implies that the grower on the study area can gate additional benefit of 59.93 and 48.95 ETB for every 1 ETB expense by growing Hawassa Dume with the application of 100 kg NPS ha-1 and strain HB-429 inoculation, in that order. Moreover, the highest net benefits (37763.5) with MRR (%) of 3084 ETB and net benefits of 3935ETB with MRR (%) obtained from variety Ibaddo and Nasir grown with strain HB-429 and 100 kg NPS ha-1 fertilizer application. Therefore, use of both Hawassa Dume and Nasir varieties with 100 kg NPS ha-1 and Hawassa Dume and Ibaddo grown with strain HB-429 found to be economically feasible at the study area. However, verification of the result on farmers’ fields across season and similar areas could be required before wide use of this study to put the recommendation in firm ground.
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    EFFECTS OF SEED AND BLENDED FERTILIZER RATES ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) AT DUNA DISTRICT, HADIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) BIRHANU ARASO LATEBO
    Bread wheat is one of the major staple and strategic food security crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of the crop are far below the global average. This is partly due to the low soil fertility and poor crop management practices including the use of suboptimal seed and fertilizers rates. Hence, this experiment was conducted to assess the effect of seed and blended fertilizer (NPSB) rates on the growth and yield of bread wheat; and determine the economically feasible seed and NPSB fertilizers rates for wheat production in the study area. Treatments consisting of four levels of seed rates (80, 100, 120, and 140 kg ha1 ) and four levels of blended NPSB fertilizers (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1 ), was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design in factorial combinations with four replications. Data were collected on phenology, growth, and yield parameters and subjected to ANOVA using SAS software version 9.0. Results revealed that the days to heading, days to physiological maturity, plant height, spike length, thousand kernels weight, straw yield, and above-ground dry biomass were significantly (p<0.01) affected by the main effect of seed and NPSB fertilizer rates. The longest days to heading, days to physiological maturity, and spike length were recorded at 80 kg ha-1 seed rate. The maximum thousand kernels weight was obtained from the 120 kg ha-1 seed rate. However, the tallest plant height, straw yield, and above-ground dry biomass were recorded at 140 kg ha-1 seed rate. The tallest plant height, spike length, number of kernels spike-1 , thousand kernels weight, straw yield, and above-ground dry biomass were obtained from 150 kg ha-1 NPSB rate. However, the longest days to heading and days to physiological maturity were recorded from the control. The treatment interactions significantly (p<0.05) affected the number of total tillers, number of productive tillers, grain yield, and harvest index. The highest number of total and productive tillers were recorded at the combination of 140 kg ha-1 seed rate with 150 kg ha-1 NPSB fertilizer rate. However, the highest grain yield and harvest index were recorded from the combination of 120 kg ha-1 seed and 150 kg ha-1 NPSB fertilizer rates. Grain yield was strongly and positively correlated with plant height, number of total tillers, number of productive tillers, number of kernel spike-1 and above-ground dry biomass. As per the partial budget analysis the highest net benefit of 81,914 ETB ha-1 was obtained from the combined application of 120 kg ha-1 seed rate with 150 kg ha-1 NPSB fertilizer with a MRR of 988.2%. Hence, the combination of 120 kg ha-1 seed and 150 kg ha-1 NPSB fertilizer rates are profitable than other combinations, therefore this combination can be recommended for wheat production in the Duna District and areas sharing similar agro-ecology.
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    GROWTH, SYMBIOTIC AND YIELD RESPONSES OF SOYBEAN (Glycine max L.) VARIETIES TO BRADYRHIZOBIUM INOCULATION AND PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION AT ALAGE, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) AYANA YADETA GEMEDA
    Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most important food legumes of great nutritional value that has the highest protein content (40%) of all food crops and is equivalent to the protein of animal product. However, in Ethiopia its productivity is constrained mainly by low soil fertility and lack of improved varieties. A field experiment was conducted during 2020 belg cropping season at Alage Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia with the objective of evaluating the effects of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain inoculation and P fertilizer rates on growth, symbiotic and yield response of soybean varieties. The treatments studied includes four P levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg P ha-1 ), two inoculation levels (un-inoculated and inoculated with Bradyrhizobium strain; TAL-379) and two soybean varieties (Afgat and Nova) in randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement with three replications. The results revealed that the main effect of varieties were significantly (P≤ 0.01) influenced most of measured parameters. The results also revealed that inoculation of soybean varieties with Bradyrhizobium strain TAL-379 significantly (P≤ 0.01) influenced days to maturity, nodule number, nodule dry weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, pod number plant-1 , hundred seed weight, grain yield, above ground biological yield and harvest index. Conversely, days to emergence, days to flowering, plant height and seed number pod-1 was not statistically affected by inoculation of strain TAL-379. The effect of P fertilizer was also significant for most of studied parameters except branch number and harvest index. The interaction effect of varieties x strain, strain x P, and varieties x P caused significant variation on days to maturity, number of nodule, nodule dry weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, pod plant-1 , hundred seed weight, grain yield and above ground biological yield. Hence, the use of Afgat variety with Bradyrhizobium strain TAL-379 inoculation significantly gave the highest grain yield (2.99 t ha-1 ) followed by the interaction of Afgat variety with the supply of 20 kg P ha-1 (2.89 t ha-1 ). Grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with most of studied parameters. From the economic point of view the partial budget analysis of the study treatments revealed that the highest net return (63750 ETB ha-1 ) was gained from Bradyrhizobium strain TAL-379 inoculation followed by application of 20 kg P ha-1 and Afgat variety. Thus, it could be recommended that the use of Afgat variety, Bradyrhizobium strain TAL-379 and application of 20 kg P ha-1 to get higher yield and profit of this crop at Alage Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. However, verification of the result on farmers’ fields across season and areas could be required before wide use of this study to put the recommendation in firm ground
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    EFFECT OF ALTERNATE FURROW IRRIGATION UNDER DIFFERENT MOISTURE REGIMES ON WATER USE EFFICIENCY, GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) AT ALAGE, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) HUNDE HAYILE TOLOSA
    The farmers use common traditional irrigation methods which at times lead them to over irrigate, resulting in high water losses and low irrigation efficiency. Under such conditions understanding and application use of deficit and alternate furrow irrigation systems on crop production would enhance food security through improved water use. Thus, this study evaluated that the effect of alternate furrow irrigation under different moisture regimes on water use efficiency, growth, yield and yield components of common bean, during 2019 at Alage ATVET College. The experiment was laid out in factorial combination of two factors, following randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement with three blocks consisting twelve treatments; four irrigation levels (100% ETc (I 0 ), 80% ETc (I 1 ) 60% ETc (I 2 ) and 40% ETc (I 3) as the main plot and three irrigation methods (fixed alternate furrow irrigation (FAFI), variable alternate furrow irrigation (VAFI) and conventional furrow irrigation (CFI)) as the sub plot. This experiment showed that deficit irrigation (DI) and AFI significantly (P<0.01) affected days to physiological maturity, No of nodules plant -1 , grain yield, CWUE and IWUE. DI also significantly (P<0.05) influenced days to 50% flowering, stand count, plant height, No of branch, shoot dry weight, nodule dry weight, No of pods plant -1 , No of seeds pod -1 , pod length, 100-seed weight and HI. The interaction effect of DI and AFI also significantly (P<0.05) influenced the biological yield. Maximum (5.16 t ha -1 ) and minimum (3.38 t ha -1 ) biological yield was recorded at I0 and I 3 respectively with combination of FAFI and CFI, in that order. The highest grain yield was obtained under I 0 (2.45 t ha -1 ) and the lowest (1.34 t ha -1 ) was at I 3 . On the AFI, the maximum grain yield (2.11 t ha -1 ) was obtained under FAFI and the minimum (1.78 t ha -1 ) was under CFI. The uppermost CWUE (1.03 kg m -3 ) was recorded at I 3 followed by I 2 (0.92 kg m -3 ) and the smallest was at I0 (0.70 kg m -3 ) followed by I1 (0.77 kg m -3 ). The maximum CWUE (0.92 kg m -3 ) was recorded under FAFI followed by VAFI (0.86 kg m -3 ) and CFI (0.79 kg m -3 ). The partial budget analysis showed that I 0 , I 1 and I 2 gave marginal rate of return above the acceptable threshold value with additional investment advantages for the later. However, there was significant yield difference between I 0 and I 1 ; farmers can save 20% of the irrigation water in the expenditure of the reduced yield (0.33 ton ha -1 ). The highest net benefit was obtained from FAFI, thus the farmers option allows for FAFI at which high yield was recorded. Generally this analysis indicates that farmers at study area and related agro-ecology can use I 0 (100% ETc) in order to maximize their income from increased investment, but if there is lack of adequate irrigation water they can use I 1 (80% ETc) in order to save and use irrigation water more economically.
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    RESPONSE OF BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.) GENOTYPES TO INORGANIC FERTILIZER TYPES UNDER ACIDIC SOIL OF HAGERESELAM, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) HAILU HAMESO
    Barley is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. It is a staple food grain, especially for Ethiopian highlanders. However, the barley productivity is commonly influenced by different biotic and abiotic factors. Soil acidity is one of the main environmental factors affecting growth and crop yield. Field experiment was conducted on acidic soil of Hagereselam, southern Ethiopia in 2019 cropping season to evaluate the performance of barley genotypes in terms of yield and yield components under different inorganic fertilizer types. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with factorial arrangement with three replication and consisted of four fertilizer types (control, NP, NPS and NPSB) and four barley genotypes (217176b, 240478, 234911b and 208855b) and one barley variety (HB- 1307) as a check. Both main and interaction effects influenced days to physiological maturity, plant height, number of effective tillers m -2 , above ground total biomass and grain yield. However, days to heading, spike length, number of grain per spike, 1000 grain weight, straw yield and harvest index were only affected by main effects. Barley Genotype 217176b with NPSB fertilizer exhibited the highest grain yield of (4.9 ton ha -1 ). However, it did not significantly differ from the yield obtained from the same genotype under NP (4.72 ton ha -1 ) and genotype 240478 with NPSB fertilizer application (4.58 ton ha -1 ). The lowest yield was recorded from genotype 208855b with control fertilizer. Genotypes 217176b and 240478 were categorized as efficient and responsive to fertilization under the evaluation. The highest marginal rate of return (MRR %), 3745.35, recorded from the application of recommended rates of NPSB fertilizer for genotype 217176b. Greater net benefits with more than the minimum acceptance value of 100% of MRR were obtained for the same genotype with NP. Similarly economically acceptable performances were obtained for genotype 240478 either with NPSB or NP fertilization. Given the fact that grain yield performance between the two genotypes in combinations either with NPSB or NP is not statistically significant, either of the two genotypes with the NPSB or NP fertilizer can be recommended for barley production in acidic soils of Hagereselam and acidic soils of similar agro-ecologies in the highlands of Ethiopia. Further studies that are replicated at least over seasons are needed to investigate response of the two promising barley genotypes to application of inorganic fertilizers under acidic soil conditions in order to come up with a conclusive recommendation.
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    PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MUNG BEAN (Vigna radiata(L.) Wilczek) VARIETIES UNDER VARIABLE PHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZER RATES AT ALAGE, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) HABTAM TILAHUN ASRATIE
    Mung bean is an important pulse crop in Ethiopia. However, lack of adapted high yielding varieties and poor soil fertility, especially low levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, have been demonstrated to be important constraints for the production of the crop. Field experiment was conducted during the 2019 belg season to determine the Performance Evaluation of Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata(L.) Wilczek) Varieties Under Variable Phosphorous Fertilizer Rates at Alage Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training college Experimental field. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four mung bean varieties ( Boreda-1, N26, NVL-1 and shoa robit local) and four phosphorus fertilizer rates (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1 ) laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Data were collected on plant height , number of nodules plant-1 , nodules dry weight plant-1 , root dry weight plant-1 , shoot dry weight plant-1 , number of branches plant-1 ,number of pods plant-1 , number of seeds pod-1 , hundred seeds weight, grain yield, harvest index, biological yield, days to flowering and maturity. The variety Boreda-1 showed the best performance in number of pods plant-1 , number of seeds pod-1 ,and grain yield whereas NVL1 gave the lowest performance.Variety Boreda-1 also gave the highest gross benefit of 47624.22 ETB and the highest net benefit of 46749.22 ETB. But the lowest gross return and net return were obtained from variety NVL-1 ,with 40044.38 ETB and 39169.38 ETB, respectively. The increasing rates of phosphorous fertilizer showed substantial improvement in nodules dry weight plant-1 , shoot dry weight plant-1 , plant height, grain yield, and biological yield up to fertilizer rates of 46 kg P2O5 ha-1 . Application of 46 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded the highest gross income of 47053.13 ETB and net return of 45003.13 ETB and the lowest values were recorded from the control; which were 40280.63 ETB and 40280.63 ETB in that order. From the study,the interaction of variety Boreda-1 with phosphorous fertilizer rates of 46 Kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded highest gross income of 50321.25 ETB and net return of 47396.25 ETB .While, the lowest was recorded from the interaction of variety NVL-1 with phosphorous fertilizer rates of 0 Kg P2O5 ha-1 with a gross income of 36303.75ETB and net return of 35428.75 ETB. Accordingly,variety Boreda-1 and application of 46 kg P2O5 ha-1 ,can be used to improve productivity of mung bean in the study area.
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    EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION FREQUENCY ON YIELD RESPONSE OF TWO COMMONLY GROWN TOMATO VARIETIES AT SHASHOGO WOREDA OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) GETAHUN LENDABO HELAMO
    Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crops widely grown in Ethiopia. It has many nutritional values and considered as high value cash crop in the country. However, its productivity among small scale growers is far below its potential. This is partly due to lack of access and awareness to improved cultivars and agronomic packages. The objective of the study was to identify the response of two tomato cultivars under different irrigation intervals and to determine the optimum irrigation interval. The design was randomized complete block with factorial arrangement of two varieties (variety Galilea and variety Roma VF) and three irrigation intervals (4, 6, and 8 days), with three replications. The experiment was conducted from December 2018 to April 2019, at Shashogo Woreda of Southern Ethiopia. A Data were recorded on Phenological, growth and yield characteristics. Varieties differed significantly (P<0.05) in all characteristics, except in number of primary branches and fruit set percentage. Variety Roma VF was earlier by 8 and 13 days in days to first harvest and days to 50% maturity respectively than variety Galilea. Whereas variety Galilea had significantly (P<0.05) higher number of secondary branches per plant, clusters per plant, flowers per cluster, fruits per cluster, fruits per plant, marketable fruit yield and total fruit yield than Roma VF. Similarly, irrigation interval of 6 days resulted in higher values in all these characters than irrigation interval of 4 and 8 days. The highest net benefit of ETB 682,584 was obtained from Variety Galilea under irrigation interval of 6 days. Hence, economically attractive combination is to grow variety Galilea under irrigation interval of 6 days. Growing Roma VF under irrigation interval of 6 days might be considered when earliness is needed to meet special market demands.