College of Agriculture

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The College of Agriculture is committed to advancing agricultural education, research, and community service. It serves as a center for knowledge creation and dissemination in crop science, animal production, natural resource management, and sustainable agriculture.

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EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTION OF KOCHO FOR MAIZE ON FEED INTAKE, DIGESTIBILITY, AND BODY WEIGHT GAIN OF SHEEP FED RHODES GRASS HAY AS BASAL DIET
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2014) AMAN GETISO
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of substitution of kocho for maize on feed intake, digestibility, and body weight gain of sheep supplemented Rhodes grass hay as basal diet. Twenty four yearling male Adilo lambs with initial body weights of 15.03 ±1.96 kg (mean ± SD) were used. Animals were grouped into six blocks of four animals, and fed with 74% maize + 25%noug cake + 1% salt (T1), 46.25% maize + 27.75% kocho + 25% noug cake + 1%slt (T2), 27.75% maize + 46.25% kocho + 25% noug cake + 1% salt (T3), and 74% kocho + 25%noug cake + 1% salt (T4). Rhodes grass hay was offered as a basal diet ad libitum. The supplements were offered at the rate of 300 g/d during the feeding and digestibility trials of 72 and 7 days, respectively. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent and Metabolizable energy intake, dry matter and organic matter digestibility and weight gain among treatments. Lambs in T1 had the highest (P < 0.05) CP intake (49.03 g/d) followed by T2, T3 and T4 with 42.85, 39.35 and 33.50 g/d, respectively. Nitrogen intake was lowest (p<0.05) for sheep fed T4 and highest (P<0.05) for sheep fed T1, T2 and T3 diets which had comparable values among themselves. The highest (P<0.05) N retention was for T2 and the lowest (P<0.05) was for T1 and T4, while T3 had an intermediate value. The study conducted inferred that kocho can replace maize without any unfavorable effect on nutrient intake, digestibility and weight gain. It was concluded that kocho could be used as an alternative good energy source to replace maize in areas where its economic advantages are practicable.
ASSESMENT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF AGROFORESTRY TECHNOLOGIES IN HALABA SPECIAL WOREDA, SOUTHEREN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2016) MIHRETU ERJABO
Halaba special district is characterized by drought, soil erosion, high population pressure, poor livestock production, lack of feed for livestock, very deep water table, very low productivity of crops and food insufficiency. In order to address these problems, the woreda Agricultural Development office along with other management practices such as soil physical conservation measures agroforestry was introduced decades ago as a means to alleviate the problem. However, the level of agroforestry adoption remains low. The main objective of this study was to identify the factors that influence adoption of agroforestry technologies by farmers in the district. Random sampling procedure was employed to select two kebele administrations and respondents. Data collection was conducted by employing five different types of techniques such as rural household questionnaire survey, participatory rural appraisal, questionnaires for local and woreda extension staff, scanning government records & secondary data resources and field observation. A total of 12 key informants, 6 extension staffs and 182 households, samples were used in the data collection process. Chi-square test and t-test were used to determine whether there were statistically significant relationships between adoption of agroforestry and 15 selected variables. Out of which eleven were found to be significant to affect farmers’ adoptiveness. These were frequency of visits of farmers(13.39%), participation in training(11.49 %), farmers’ attitude towards agroforestry practices(10.61%), frequency of visits of extensionists(10.38%), participation in extension meeting(10.34%), participation in field day(10.28%), land holding size(9.29%), level of literacy(8.78%), awareness about the importance of agroforestry technology packages(7.06%), time taken from their residence to nearest extension(5.04%) and gender of respondents(3.34%). This study also identified various factors that may result in low adoption rates of agroforestry including fear of competition between trees & crops for water and nutrients uptake, seedling shortage, rainfall shortage, free grazing after crop harvest, financial problem, labor shortage, expecting trees as soil degrader & long span of trees and lack of need ranking of farmers by extension staff. To improve farmers’ adoption, the factors identified should be well addressed by launching a series and recurrent outreach extension program appropriate and suitable to farmers need.
EFFECT OF INTRA-ROW SPACING ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND YIELD OF ONION (Allium cepa L.) VARIETIES AT MIZAN-AMAN, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2016) DIRO BUZAYO TOLESSA
Onion is among the most important vegetable crops produced in Mizan-Aman for home consumption and as income sources. However, lack of site based varieties and inappropriate planting density have been the major bottlenecks of onion production and productivity in the area, since there are no recommended spacing and variety for that area specifically. Rather farmers use to practice non-uniform plant spacing. This study was thus conducted at Mizan ATVET College in 2015/2016 with the objective of investigating the effect of intra-row spacing on growth performance and yield components of onion varieties. Three varieties (Adama Red, Bombay Red and Melkam) were evaluated under four different intra-row spacings (6, 10, 14 and 18 cm) and constant inter-row spacing of 20 cm by using randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data on days to maturity, growth performance and yield were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS version-9 software. Results of the study indicated that, intra-row spacing and variety had significant effect on plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf length, days to maturity, bulb diameter and length, bulb dry matter, total bulb yield as well as, marketable and unmarketable bulb yield. Closer intra-row spacings enhanced early maturity, while wider spacing delayed maturity. The maximum plant height, leaf length and leaf number were recorded in 10 cm intra-row spacing. Bombay Red variety was early maturing with the highest mean value for growth and yield parameters. It had the highest total bulb and marketable bulb yield than Melkam and Adama Red onion varieties specially when planted at 10 cm intra-row spacing. Bombay Red with 10 cm intra-row spacing also gave highest total bulb and marketable bulb yield. The correlation values also confirmed the significant and positive association between growth parameters and bulb yield. Based on the result of this study, higher onion yield with better quality was attained when Bombay Red variety was planted with 10 cm intra-row spacing under Mizan-Aman condition, for recommendation, although additional verification trial is needed to substantiate the result.
GROWTH, SYMBIOTIC AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF SOYBEAN (Glycine max L.) VARIETIES IN RESPONSE TO Bradyrhizobium INOCULATION AND PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION AT ASSOSA, WESTERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) TESFAYE TEKOLA SEIFU
This research was conducted during 2016 main cropping season on field at Assosa, in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State with the objectives of investigating growth, symbiotic and yield performance of three soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties in response to Bradyrhizobium inoculation and P fertilizer application. The treatments studied included three P levels (0, 10 and 20 kg P ha -1 ), two inoculation levels (uninoculated and inoculated with Bradrhizobium strain; MAR-1495) and three soybean varieties (Gizo,Belessa-95 and Local) in randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement using three replications. The results revealed that Bradyrhizobium inoculation with MAR-1495 significantly (P<0.01) increased most of the parameters studied as compared to the control. Inoculation with strain MAR-1495 significantly (P < 0.01) increased nodule number, nodule dry weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area, grain yield, and above ground total biomass as compared to the control. Application of P at 20 and10 kg ha -1 significantly increased nodule number, nodule dry weight, and root dry weight, shoot dry weight, leaf area, above ground total biomass and grain yield. There was significantly (P < 0.01) cultivars effect for most of studied parameters; Belessa-95 variety had better responded on nodule number, nodule dry weigh, grain yield and above ground total biomass as compared to Gizo and Local varieties. The highest grain yield was recorded from Belessa-95 variety 3.29 ton ha -1 from combined application of 20 kg P and Bradyrhizobium inoculation. Nodule number plant -1 was positively and significantly correlated with most of growth parameters, yield and yield components. It could, thus, be deduced that use of MAR-1495 Bradyrhizobium strain and Belessa-95 variety with application of 20 kg P markedly increased the productivity of the crop at Assosa area, however economic analysis revealed that the highest net return was obtained from application of 10 kg P and Bradyrhizobium inoculation with strain MAR-1495. The use of MAR-1495 strain and Belessa-95 variety with application P at 10 kg ha -1 could be recommended, but verification of the results on different farmers’ field could be required before wide use of this study.
EFFECTS OF SEEDLING AGE AND VARYING RATES OF PHOSPHORUS ON GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF ONION (Allium cepa L.) UNDER IRRIGATION IN ALAGE DISTRICT, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) TILAYE ANBES WASIE
Onion is an important cultivated crop used as a condiment as well as a source of income for many farmers in Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is constrained by a number of factors among which inappropriate transplanting age and poor fertilizer management practices are important factors. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Alage Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (Alage) campus, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, during 2016/17 season to determine the effect of seedling age and phosphorus rate on growth and yield performance of onion. The treatments comprised of three seedling ages (6, 7 and 8 weeks of seedling age) and four phosphorus rates (0, 46, 92 and 138 kg ha -1 ). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The result showed that seedling age and phosphorus rate significantly affected plant height, leaf length, days to maturity, fresh bulb weight, bulb dry matter fraction, bulb length, marketable bulb yield, total bulb yield, harvest index, medium and large sized bulb yield. Among these parameters, marketable bulb yield, total bulb yield and harvest index were also significantly affected by the interaction of seedling age and phosphorus rate. On the other hand, leaf number per plant, bulb diameter, bulb dry weight, total biomass yield, small bulb sized yield, under sized bulb yield and unmarketable bulb yield were only influenced by the main effect of phosphorus rate. In this study result, transplanting at 8 weeks of seedling age fertilized with 138 kg P 2O5 ha -1 recorded the highest total bulb yield (50.6 t ha -1 ) and marketable bulb yield (48.33 t ha -1 ), but no significant difference was showed with that obtained at 92 kg P 2O5 ha -1 with the same seedling age. Treatment combinations of seedling age at 6 weeks and no P (control) produced the lowest amounts of total bulb yield (24.27 t ha -1 ) and marketable bulb yield (21.63 t ha -1 ). The partial budget analysis revealed that the highest net benefit with low cost of production was obtained in response to the application of 92 kg P2O5 ha -1 and the transplanting age of 8 weeks. The marginal rate of return for this treatment was 5657% which is found to be economically feasible for producing onion in the study area.
GENETIC AND NON-GENETIC FACTORS AFFECTING SURVIVABILITY, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BOER AND CENTRAL HIGHLAND GOATS AND THEIR CROSSES REARED AT ATAYE FARM, NORTH SHOA, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) AMINE MUSTEFA
This study was conducted at Ataye site of Debre-Birhan Agricultural Research Center. Data pertained to512 kids/ yearlings of Boer (B), Central Highland Goats (CHG), and F1 (B X CHG), F2 (a) (F1 X F1), F2 (b) (B X F1), were collected from 381 kiddings, recorded between 2012 and 2017. The study was aimed to access the effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on growth, reproductive and survivability performances of the above genotypes. The data was analyzed using GLM of SAS (9.0) to investigate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors (dam parity, sex, year, season and type of birth) affecting body weight and daily weight gain from birth to 1 year of age, litter size and weight at birth and at weaning. Non-parametric tests were used to investigate the genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the conception, kidding and abortion rates. Survival analysis study was carried out using Weibull proportional hazards models using Survival Kit version 6.0 and chi square sub-dividing analysis using SAS (9.0) was used to access the genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the survival of the kids from birth to yearling age. Similarly Animal model were used for the estimation of genetic parameters and sire ranking based on their breeding value estimates using WOMBAT®. The overall least-squares means for body weight (kg) at birth, at weaning, at six months and at yearling and body weight gain to weaning, weaning to six-months and six months to yearling (grams) were 2.68±0.04, 9.11±0.19, 11.69±0.26, 16.41±0.38, 69.73±1.89, 30.48±1.54 and 24.33±1.21 respectively. Genotype and all the studied non genetic factors affected the body weight and weight gain from birth to yearling age. However, parity of the doe only influenced body weight gain six month to yearling. Weaning weights were not affected by sex of the kids. Yearling weights were not affected by breed and season of birth. Similarly season of birth did not affect six-month weight. The overall conception, kidding and abortion (%) of the does were recorded to be 48.75, 77.05 and 20.49 respectively. Genetic and non-genetic factors influence the studied traits but kidding and abortion percentages were not affected significantly by mating season similarly conception (%) were not affected by mating weight. The overall least-squares means for litter size at birth was (1.40±0.03), at weaning was (0.67±0.03), litter weight (kg) at birth was (3.63±0.07) and at weaning was (10.68±0.28) respectively. The traits were not affected by parity. Similarly litter size at birth and at weaning were not affected by breed of the doe and season of kidding. Litter size at birth was not affected by year of kidding while litter weight at weaning was not affected by type of birth. The overall least squares means for body weight at mating and at kidding (kg) of the does were 26.52±0.40 and 28.04±0.39 respectively. These traits were affected by breed of the does and year of mating year but not by season of mating. The heritability estimates ranged were slightly over estimated due to small sample size. The h2 among the (B and F1) for body weight at birth, at weaning, at six-months and at yearling ages were (0.43±0.28 and 0.73±0.17), (0.78±0.50 and 0.67±0.27), (0.75±0.52 and 0.65±0.27) and (0.23±0.70 and 0.65±0.27). Similarly genetic and phenotypic correlations were also over estimated. Sires were also ranked based on their estimated breeding values for body weight from birth to yearling age among the B and F1. The overall survival (%) of the kids at day 4, 90, 180 and 365 were 73.99, 53.57, 47.98 and 40.27 respectively. The above survivability traits were not influenced by sex and parity. Similarly survival at day 90 and 180 were not affected by genotype. Season of birth also influenced the survivability of the kids at the 4th day (after birth). So from this study we can conclude that the overall growth, reproductive and survivability performances of all the studied genotypes were quit low which indicating their sub-optimal adaptability to the study area. Thus, evaluating the genotypes based on a large sample size reared across different locations under different management is desired to come to a definite conclusion. Similarly as the yearling weight were highly correlated with the weaning and six month weight then we can therefore consider them as indicator traits for yearling weight of the goats. The findings also showed variation across bucks (based on their EBV) for the growth traits.
DETECTION OF VIRULENCES AND EVALUATION OF WHEAT LINES (Triticum spp.) FOR RESISTANT TO STRIPE , LEAF AND STEM RUST (Puccinia spp.) IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH-EAST ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) TAMIRAT NEGASH GURE
Wheat rusts caused by Puccinia spp. are among the major biotic constraints of wheat production all over the world, including in Ethiopia. Nowadays different virulent races of stem, yellow and also leaf rust have evolved and threaten wheat production worldwide across all the wheat belt, among which Ethiopia is the most vulnerable. In view of the above facts, the present investigation was carried out to detect the prevailing virulent races, to identify resistance wheat lines and resistance genes to triple rusts in central and south eastern parts of the country. An inventory of 93 wheat lines and checks was made for triple rusts resistance under field conditions of Sinana and Debrezeit. Besides, 409 wheat lines including checks were tested for triple rust resistance at field conditions of Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center in 2015. The experiments were laid out in augmented design. Each plot consisted of two rows of 2-m long with 0.2 m between rows. Leaf, stem and yellow rust severity varied among wheat lines. Wheat lines also varied in their seedling infection types against races and isolates of triple rust in green house. The terminal severity and infection types varied across locations and wheat lines both at field and greenhouse conditions. The terminal severity for yellow rust ranged from 0 to 90S at Sinana and 0 to 40S at Kulumsa field conditions. The terminal severity for stem rust varied from 0 to 90S at Kulumsa and it was as high as 60S on the susceptible cultivar Kekeba at Debrezeit. The terminal severity of leaf rusts varied from 0 to 80S at Debrezeit. Of the 409 wheat lines tested 99.3%, 80.2% and 99. % were resistant to moderately resistant at field conditions of Kulumsa to yellow rust, stem rust and leaf rust, respectively. At Sinana 70.8% and 92.5% of wheat lines tested exhibited resistance to yellow rust and stem rust, respectively, with coefficient of infection ranging from 0 to 30. At Debrezeit 43% and 51% of wheat lines were resistant and moderately resistant to stem and leaf rust, respectively. Wheat lines Sr 50+Sr 45 # 35, Sr 45/Cs #20, Sr 45/Cs #21, Sr 45/Cs #25, Sr 45+Sr 2/Cs #28, Sr 45+Sr 2/Cs #29, Sr 45+Sr 2/Cs# 20, Sr 45+Sr 2/Cs# 33, Sr 45+Sr 2/Cs# 32, Thatcher+Lr 34, Westonia Sr 50+ Sr 26, Westonia Sr 24+ Sr 50 and Pavon Sr 24+ SR 26+Sr 31, were consistently resistant to triple rusts under field conditions across locations. However, the only wheat line resistant to triple rust both at field and seedling tests in green house was Pavon Sr 24+ SR 26+Sr 31, and hence it could be exploited in wheat improvement programs.
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS AND THEIR ADAPTATION MECHANISMS: THE CASE OF ADAMI TULU JIDO KOMBOLCHA DISTRICT, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University college of Agriculture, 2018) ABDISSA HATEW
Climate change is a major challenge for agriculture, food security and rural livelihoods for many of people in the area. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of climate change on the livelihood of smallholder farmers and theirs adaptation mechanisms. The study was conducted in four rural kebeles of Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative (descriptive statistics and binary logit model) methods of data analysis. Primary data were collected from a randomly selected 200 sample households through interview and focus group discussion. Relevant secondary data were also obtained from National Meteorological Agency (NMA), other governmental offices, and the internet. The results obtained from the analysis of three decades meteorological data and the respondents’ perception on local climate change indicate an overall increase in temperature and high variability in belg and kiremt rainfalls. Local people perceived climate change induced hazards as increasing in terms of the occurrences of frequent drought, extreme heat, livestock disease and crop yield reduction. The findings also reveal that some elements of climate (temperature and rainfall) show annual and seasonal variability with slightly increasing trend. It is found that higher temperature and decreasing precipitation levels caused by climate change depresses crop yields and livestock production. The findings indicate that climate change has led to changing the planting time, declined crop yield and decreasing livestock production. The results of binary logit model analysis identified that age, sex, education level, TLU, number of oxen, farm size, off farm activities, distance to Farmers’ Training Centre and distance to market are the major determinants of households livelihoods as a measure of farmers food security. Changing planting date, implementing soil and water conservation techniques, use of improved crop varieties, use of irrigation and growing drought tolerant crops are the major adaptation mechanism employed by the farmers to adapt to climate change in the study area. In livestock production, farmers are found to decrease livestock numbers by selling the older ones, diversify livestock holdings and practice transhumance. Lack of awareness, shortage of money, poor information, shortage of land, lack or low access to irrigation, poor access to market, no or low access to credit, low access to agricultural inputs and low access to extension service as most important barriers to adaptation.
PERCEPTIONS OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS ON POTENTIAL ROLES OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHNGE ADADPTATION IN LOKA ABAYA DISTRICT, SIDAMA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University college of Agriculture, 2018) YOHANNES BATISO
The study assessed the Perceptions of smallholder farmers on the potential roles of conservation agriculture (CA) for food security and adaptation to climate change. A combination of multi stage purposive and simple random sampling techniques was employed to get a total of 144 sample respondents’. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected by interviewing 144 smallholder household heads, focus group discussions which had total of 10 focus groups with 2 focus group in each Kebeles having 6 household head members in each group, and 32 key informants, which included 10 DAs, 20 elders and 2 officials from district. The secondary data were collected from National Metrological Agency of Ethiopia for 30 years. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, percentage, Chi-square and independent T-test to identify variables that vary significantly between groups and Econometrics such as binary logistic regression model and multiple linear regressions by SPSS version 20. To assess the contribution of CA on food security among smallholder households, the study compared estimated production function between adopters and non- adopters of CA by using Cob-Douglas production function. Secondly, the study used descriptive statistics to assess the roles of CA on climate change adaptation and finally, a binary logistic regression model was used to determine factors that affected the adoption of CA among smallholder farmers. The results showed significant difference in the number of years of schooling, availability of CA training, and access to extension services, soil fertility status, and availability of CA incentives among interviewed households. The results revealed that adoption of CA technology improved household’s maize productivity by 45% than those who practiced non-CA. Cobb-Douglas production estimates showed that CA adopters had more than 45% higher maize productivity than that of non-adopters. In addition, there were greater than proportionate unit increases in maize yield with unit increase in land size and labor among CA adopters. According to the reports of respondents, CA enhanced adaptation capacity to the impacts of climate change for adopter than non adopters by increasing soil fertility, reducing production costs (cost of labor and chemical fertilizer) by 94.5%, reducing soil erosion by 80.6%, enhancing soil moisture saving capacity by97.2%, increasing yield and improving crop resilience to the impacts of climate change by 75% in the study area. From the binary logistic regression model results, access to CA training, increase in the number of extension visits, availability of CA incentives, increase in soil fertility increased the adoption of CA technology by 86.98%, 24.8%, 21.1% and 7.0% respectively. The study recommends that there should be improvement in the access to informal elder education, informal training and field demonstration to improve and enhance the acquisition and understanding of CA technology components. Furthermore, adopter households who had better extension service have 45% greater maize yield, 90.3% of them have year round available food stock and 80.6% of them feed themselves three to four times per a day compared to non adopters households and this also helped them to adapt to climate change, to be food secured, and for this reason, there should be increase in good extension services in the promotion and dissemination of CA technology. This can be achieved by increasing number of extension workers operating in the areas and increase number of demonstrations when introducing CA technology to farmers.
THE DYNAMICS OF LAND USE MANAGEMENT ON CARBON SEQUESTRATION, SOIL PROPERTIES AND VEGETATION ATTRIBUTES IN BORANA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2018) KENEA FEYISA JIRATA
The Borana rangelands of southern Ethiopia have been extensively used as grazing lands by pastoralists for millennia.However, there has been a dramatic shift from prime grazingland to cultivation, left unused because of bush encroachment, and highly degraded leading to different land use/land cover types in the region. Therefore, this thesis work was designed to study the dynamics of land use management on carbon sequestration, soil properties and vegetation attributes by considering the roles played by enclosure management, different land use systems, the aboveground biomass of woody species, and long-term ban of prescribed range fire. This study was conducted in Yabello district of Borana, southern Ethiopia during the period from June-August 2013. A paired-site design approach was used in this study, where sampling plots (30 m x 30m each) with nested’ subplots for field data collection on soil and vegetation layers were establishedin a systematic random sampling techniquealomga 500 m long transect line in each adjacent experimental site.Using enclosures versus the adjacent open-grazed as control, our results showed that the SOC and TN contents and stocks increased in enclosures as compared to the adjacent open-grazed rangelands, although the differences were not significant (P > 0.05) and varied along the age sequence and soil depths.Overall, totalmean SOC stocks of 39.6 ± 3.5 Mg ha−1 in the younger (< 20 years old), 40.8 ± 3.4 Mg ha −1 in the medium (20–30 years old ) and and 51.0 ± 4.4 Mg ha −1 in older (> 30 years old) enclosures age categories, whereas in the adjacent open-grazed areas the values ranged from 34.4 ± 2.5 to 47.9 ± 5.1 Mg ha−1in 0-30 cm. The herbaceous biomass was significantly (P<0.05) higher inside enclosures (115.4 gm m-2) than that of the adjacent open-grazed rangeland areas (43.6 gm m -2).The study in this thesis showed that the Borana rangelands had undergone substantial changes in land use/land cover during the last 37 years. Our results also showed that mean SOC stocks (0-30 cm) in woodland was 55.94±3.41 Mg ha-1,while for enclosure, grazing xvii and cultivated lands the values were 50.03±3.03, 45.79±4.00 and 38.10±2.39 Mg ha -1 , respectively. Additionally, woodland had the highest (7.52±0.43 Mg ha-1), while cultivated land had the lowest (5.58±0.35 Mg ha-1) total nitrogen stock. The potential changes of SOC and TN stocks also showed both gain and loss based on the present measurements and historical land use change. The developed species specific and mixed species allometric equation models for majorities of the investigated woody species ithat related the total above-ground, stem and branches biomass components well fit to the measured dendrometric variablesas as indicated by their adjusted coefficient of determinations and highly significant (adj.R² > 0.80; P < 0.001). The study on long-term of ban of fire on carbon stocks in soil and woody biomass, and TN stock across the two landscape site showe that relatively higher SOC and TN contents and stocks as well as herbaceous biomass carbon in burned than unburned areas, whereas more accumulation of woody biomass carbon was recorded in the unburned sites (40 years of fire exclusion).Overall, this study will contribute to the existing knowledge gaps in terms of the potential of SOC and TN stocks related to different rangeland management practices as well as anestimate of the above-ground woody biomass in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of southern Ethiopia. However, it is suggested further study including other variables such as climatic factors, seasonality and inherent soil properties across wider landscapes, which may have confounding effects on the dynamics of carbon sequestration other than land management practices for the sustainable use of the savanna rangelands of southern Ethiopia.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION AND OESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION OF INDIGENOUS GOATS FOR IMPROVED REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN MIRAB-ABAYA AND ARBAMINCH-ZURIA DISTRICTS OF GAMO-GOFA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2018) DEREJE DEA
The present study was designed with the objectives of describing the goat production systems, morphological features and evaluate oestrus synchronization of indigenous goats in Arba-Minch-Zuria and Mirab-Abaya districts of Gamo-Gofa zone. A total of 120 HHs were interviewed for goat production survey while 615 goats (151 males and 464 females) were used for morphological measurements and 60 does for oestrus synchronization from the two districts. The results confirmed that goats ranked 2nd after cattle and were primarily produced for generating income and saving purposes in the study areas. The major mating system was uncontrolled (80.83%). Goat castration (65.83%) and culling (93.33%) were common goat breeding practices whereas kid weaning was not well practiced. Body size, pedigree and prolificacy were the magnificent selection criteria for breeding does whereas color incorporated for bucks. Communal browsing areas were the main goat feed sources in which January through March months were commonly known for the feed shortage. Male goats have higher off-take rate at early age (94.17%) to the market than females (82.50%). Feed shortage (30.37%) followed by labor limitation (23.33%) and land shortage (15.56%) were the major goat production challenges identified. In morphological measurements, the predominant coat color pattern was plain for male (63.82%) and (70.02%) for females. Brown coat color for males (32.24%) and (34.05%) for females was possessed predominantly. Horned goats were (86.84% for males and 94.55% for females), toggle (14.47% for males and 9.85% for females), bearded (53.29% for males and 22.06% for females. The prominent horn shape was straight (93.13% for males and 93.11% for females). About 61.83% of male and 78.95% of female goats were characterized by possessing obliquely upward horn orientation. Except Body length, males possessed higher values for Body weight, Rump lenght, Head width and Horn length than females (P<0.05). Goats in Arbaminch-Zuriya district possessed significantly (P<0.05) higher values on BW, BL, CG, RW, HeW and SC than in Mirab Abaya district. In males, positive and strong association were depicted between BW and BL (r=0.68), WH (r=0.62), CG (r=0.61) and HoL (r=0.63). In case of females, positive and moderate associations were observed between BW and CG (r=0.38), RW(r=0.37) and HeL (r=0.31). CG was a single importance variable in the prediction of body weight in females where as BL in males (P<0.05). Regarding to the oestrus synchronization, about 85% of the does expressed oestrus within 55.68±19.92 hours after hormone administration where as the overall conception rate was 81.67%. Doe body weight, body condition, parity and age have significantly affected (P<0.05) oestrous response and conception rate where as location has not significantly (P>0.05) affected. Morphological traits’ variations suggest that this goat ecotype has not yet been selected through structured selective breeding. While conducting oestrus synchronization on goat, considering body weight, BCS, parity and age factors was better to reflect higher conception rate.
SURVEY OF TURCICUM LEAF BLIGHT (Exserohilum turcicum) ON MAIZE (Zea mays) AND EVALUATION OF MAIZE VARIETIES AND FUNGICIDE SPRAY FREQUENCIES FOR ITS MANAGEMENT
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2018) TAJUDIN ALIYI MOHAMMED
Turcicum leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum), TLB, is a major disease affecting maize (Zea mays) in western Ethiopia. This study was designed to: assess the incidence and severity of TLB in major maize growing agro-ecologies of Western Oromia, evaluate the reaction of maize varieties under production to TLB, and determine optimum propiconazole (tilt 250 EC) frequency as management option to TLB. Survey was conducted on 172 farmers’ fields in 29 districts and five zones of major maize growing agro ecologies in western Oromia region of Ethiopia. Survey results revealed the prevalence of TLB across all the districts even though at different levels. Mean TLB incidence ranged from 16.3% in Abay chomen to 96.67% in Wayu Tuka and mean percent severity index varied between 3.1% in Abay chomen and 57.5% in Lalo Assoabi district. TLB was relatively more severe on maize varieties BH-540, Limu and Kolba on surveyed areas. In addition, the effects of maize varieties, fungicide frequencies and their interactions on TLB development were assessed in a field experiment during the 2016/17 main growing season at Ambo Plant Protection Research Centre (APPRC). The experiment involved three maize varieties and three fungicide (Tilt, propiconazole) frequencies arranged in a factorial setting in randomized complete block design with three replications. TLB was initiated following artificial inoculation. Data were recorded on disease incidence and severity and severity scores were used to calculate area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and infection rate. Grain yield and yield components were measured after harvest. Finally correlation and economic analyses were carried out. Disease parameters varied markedly across treatments, especially variety-fungicide combinations had a highly significant variation (p<0.01) in disease parameters. The highest terminal percent severity index (PSI) (86.7%), AUDPC value (2614.4 %-day) and disease progress rate (0.09339 units-day -1 ) were recorded on unsprayed variety AMHQ-760. On the other hand, the same variety had significantly lower disease level and gave the highest grain yield (9.424 t ha -1 ) when it was treated three times with propiconazole. TLB resulted in grain yield losses of up to 62.4% on AMHQ-760. PSI, AUDPC, incidence and disease progress rate were negatively correlated with yield and yield components. The highest marginal benefit (ETB 63,089 ha -1 ), and marginal rate of return (ETB 14.53) were obtained from variety AMHQ-760 with thrice application of propiconazole. Based on current results, three propiconazole applications were found effective to manage TLB even on susceptible maize variety. However, additional experiments should be carried out to verify the current results.
SURVEY OF ETHIOPIAN PEPPER MOTTLE VIRUSES IN THE CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA AND EVALUATION OF NETTING DURATION AS MANAGEMENT OPTION
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2018) KUMSA DIDA FAYE
Ethiopian pepper mottle virus is one of the major constraints of pepper production in the central rift valley region of Ethiopia. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Ethiopian pepper mottle virus in the region and to determine optimum netting duration for efficient protection of pepper from vector infestation and subsequent viral infection. For this purpose, field survey and an experiment was carried out in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. The survey was conducted on 60 pepper fields in three districts i.e. Butajira, Meki and Ziway districts. Data were collected on the incidence of viral disease, plant height and number of pods per plant. In addition, field experiments were carried out at Hawassa and Meki to assess the efficacy of netting duration against aphid vectors and viral diseases. Data were collected on the number of aphid populations, virus incidence, and pepper growth parameters and yield. Visual inspection of the surveyed fields revealed that almost all the pepper fields (99.6%) had viral diseases. Viral disease incidence ranged from 52.8% in Ziway district to 68.6% in Butajira district. Furthermore, significant variations at (p<0.01) were observed between treatments of the field experiments in terms of aphid infestation, virus incidence and pepper yield. Covering of plots with net for up to 60 or more days after transplanting reduced aphids’ populationper plant by a greater margin (61.8%-76.9% in Hawassa; 52.4-67% in Meki) and virus incidence by 48%-60.8% in Hawassa and 38.6%-48.5% in Meki as compared to the control plots. Total and marketable yields were significantly higher in plots protected by net for up to 60 days or more after transplanting while unmarketable yields were low in those plots. Low virus incidence and aphids’ population in plots covered by net up to 60 days after transplanting and longer resulted in increased yields by 44 %-55 % in Hawassa and 38 %-49.5 % in Meki as compared to the control plots. Unmarketable yield was positively correlated (p<0.001) with aphids population and virus incidence while total and marketable yields were negatively correlated with aphids population and virus incidence. The current results suggest the need to apply control measures at early growth stages to effectively protect pepper plants from aphids and associated viruses.
GNITEKRAM ,NOITCUDORP YRIAD FO YDUTS EVITARAPMOC ODNOW NI SEITINUTROPPO DNA STNIARTSNOC ,SMETSYS DNA TENEG ,ASSAWAH HTUOS NRE AIPOIHTE
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2018) MRIG SUSEYELIAHA TTUBA
A c vitarapmo e uts dy fo riad y dorp uc noit a dn ram ek gnit systems, c stniartsno na d tinutroppo ies saw c rra i de tuo ni odnoW Ge ten a dn assawaH rA ea fo So htu e nr oihtE pia. The jbo ce t vi e fo the duts y saw ot ide itn fy dna itiroirp ze ht e ts r htgne , weakne ss , tinutroppo ies dna ht re ta s pe niniatr g ot iad ry orp duc noit dna am rk gnite system ni the uts dy ra eas. sopruP i ev lpmas i sgn ollof wed by modnar gnilpmas orp c sse rew e olpme ey d ot select re rp ese atn t vi e kebeles a dn 021 suoh eho sdl orf m W odno Ge ten dna aH w assa ra ea. paR di ram ek t siarppa a sl (RM )A were e lpm oyed ni dro er ot col el ct eler v na t atad morf eht re eps ctive k ye fni namro ts ta ffid ere tn ats ges. The atad were sylana ed u gnis descr tpi i ev tsitats ics fo SPS S. T rh ee types fo li ev s cot k rp o ud c noit ys ts e sm were ide fitn ied ni the cirtsid t, n ma ely ri r detagi roforga e rs ty ab sed p udor c noit system, c por - vil e ts o kc mixed gnimraf dna nabru and per- nabru oitcudorp n syste .m vA e egar imaf ly is ze fo iad ry udorp ec rs in yduts area saw 6. ±11 1.61 nosrep s per suoh e loh d. irojaM ty of the c tta le nwo ed by ht e pmas led ho su e sdloh were c bssor r dee . The va e ar ge c bssor r dee lim k gni ca tt le re ra ed ni the duts y ra ea saw 1. 6±45 2. rojaM ef ed re cruos es su ed by ht e h suo e sdloh erew gus er cane lea ev s, enset le va e ;s ssarg hay, orc p re dis ues ( morf teff, ma ezi , rab ley dna hw e ta ), c cno e artn tes, in lairtsud by- udorp cts. Some mraf e sr a osl used n no - c vno e noitn la f ee d like atela, bo el na d las t. aV st bmun ers of the uoh se sdloh ni the s ut dy are sa ( 39 . )%7 niatbo ed the retaw morf pat . tsoM fo ht e uoh se oh l sd ( 67 2. %) su ed AI rof rb ee d gni arp cti ec dna lno y few oh use dloh s’ su ed loc la lub l ( 32 8. %). The ojam r sid ease of ca ltt e di ent fi ied ni ht e c ru re tn s idut ed areas saw sam t iti s (70 )% , Black leg ( 01 8. )% , ypmul sk ni (7.5 )% na d ohrraid ea (5 )% . The a ev gar e liad y im lk yie sdl for ol c la c wo ni the evrus ey d are sa were 1. 37 lite sr dna rof c ssor br ee d 10. 88 l reti s. The va e gar e tnuoma fo mil c k o musn ed ta oh m ,e orp dna dlos c sse ed ni duts eht y are saw a 2.68, 19 3 dna 12. . il 32 te sr resp ce tiv yle . The ad ri y ram ek t gni system ide itn fied saw e itn rely rofni m la . O ev ar ll , p cir e fo da ri y c idommo t ei s were lfni ue cn ed by c ram tah ek t, saf t gni ad ys, sid t na ec morf ht e am r ek t. T sih were re rop ted ot eb a rojam af ctor t tah ibihorp ted fa mr ers morf sel gnil hw o el fresh klim ot abru n c musno e sr dna lauq ity of riad y tcudorp s. riaD y udorp c noit s were c tsno r nia ed tsom ly by f ee d ohs r egat , id seas ,e al kc fo xe te noisn su tropp dna roop k won le gd e ni amina l ganam ement. L gra e hu nam noitalupop dna v re y hgih rate of inabru z noita , evorpmi d ni c mo e ni mos e segm stne fo ht e os cie yt , the xe si ten ec fo v suoira ognon ev nr me atn l noitazinagro ni volved ni riad y research dna deve mpol e tn ac ssor ht e fid ferent strap fo the c tnuo ry si an ppo inutro ty ot c emo pu wi ht a os l noitu rof c lah le segn aht t c iartsno n ad ri y udorp c oit n na d of r ol w u atp ke fo iad ry et c golonh ies in the c uo n .
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION: ADAPTATIVE STRATEGIES IN TELTELLE DISTRICT OF BORANA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University college of Agriculture, 2019) GALMA HALAKE HUKA
This study focused on effects of climate change on livestock production and adaptation strategies practiced by the pastoralists in Teltelle district. The specific objectives of the study were to analyze trends of rainfall and temperature data, to assess effects of climatic factors on livestock production, rangeland condition and adaptation strategies practiced by pastoralists of the district. The study was based on a cross-sectional survey of 185 sample households, six focus group discussions (each focus group discussions had 8 individual members), and 13 key informants. Primary data were collected using surveys, interviews and focus group discussions. Secondary data were obtained from Ethiopia National Meteorological Agency, Addis Ababa, and District Livestock Resource Development Office. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Long term trends of rainfall and temperature data were analyzed by linear trend analysis. Standard Precipitation index and Coefficient of Variation were used to analyze rainfall deficit and variability. Relationship between climate data and livestock population were analyzed by regression and correlation analysis. Climatic factors that affect livestock production and rangeland condition were analyzed using rank index method. Multinomial logit model was also used to analyze determinants of adaptation choice of herders. 90.9% and 87.9% of household respondents perceived decreasing trend of rainfall and increasing of temperature respectively. Thirty six years trend of annual rainfall decreasing by -0.7639mm per annual and mean annual minimum temperature increasing by 0.01680C. The 18 years of annual rainfall were below average (507.81+103.73mm) while 14 years categorized as drought years. Coefficient of Variation of main rainy season (31.97%) and short rainy season (33.9%) were highly variable but annual rainfall (20.43%) was moderately variable. The highest correlation values of livestock population were with the main rainy season (r = 0.855). Major factors affected livestock productions in the district were shortage of feeds, shortage of water and recurrent drought, while variability of rainfall, bush encroachment and flood affected availability and quality of feeds. 92.5% of sample households practiced adaptive strategies while 7.5% did not. Livestock mobility, livestock diversification, area enclosures and hay making were major adaptation strategies practiced by herders. The basic barriers to climate change adaptation were lack of capital, lack of information and reduction in number of livestock per households. In conclusion, rainfall variability and high drought frequency in the district affected livestock production, feed availability and quality, and reduced effectiveness of adaptation strategies practiced by pastoralists. Therefore, future policy better focus on improving water source management, improving livestock management, improving rangeland management, and encouraging the adaptation strategies applied by pastoralists.
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, FEED RESOURCES AND RELATED ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN BORICHA DISTRICT, SIDAMA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University college of Agriculture, 2019) EYOB MARUFA WOBISA
Effects of climate change on livestock production, feed resources and related adaptation strategies were conducted in Boricha District, Sidama Zone of Southern Ethiopia with the objective of assessing effects of climate change on livestock production, feed resources and adaptation strategies practiced by farmers in mixed farming system of Southern Ethiopia. Purposive and systematic random sampling techniques were used for selection of sample Kebeles and household, respectively, for the formal survey. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed by using descriptive statistics and multinomial logit model. The study also used 36 years rainfall and temperature data to look over the trends of local climate variability and change. According to the of trend analysis, both the maximum and minimum temperature of the study areas showed an increasing and the rain fall shows decreasing trend with high variability in the last four decades. About 88.4% of farmers perceived that the climate in their local environment was changed over years. Major causes of climate change were both human activities and natural process as 67.1% of respondents perceived. Many of the farmers perceived that climate change greatly affected their livestock production over time. The result of survey shown that climate change is pressing issue now a day, its consequences on livestock feed, and water availability, diseases outbreak and livestock production and productivity were negative. Most of farmers in the study area perceived that due to the effect of climate change, livestock feed (93.8%) and, water availability (92.5%) were reduced and diseases outbreak was increased (85%). The evidence for existence of climate change in the study area were reduction in rainfall amount, increasing environmental temperature, decrease in water sources and livestock feed, outbreak of new livestock diseases and drought occurrence. Different adaptation mechanisms practiced by the farmers in the study area to adapt the impact of climate change were feed and water storage for livestock for dry period, temporal migration to Lake Hawassa, River Bilate, Loka Abaya area and to other places in searching of pasture and water, herd diversification by rearing mixed livestock i.e. small and large ruminants together, livelihood shifting, and rearing drought tolerant species of livestock. The result of multinomial logit model indicate that sex, education, family size, farm size, access to extension service and climate information were the major determinant factors that affect the choice of adaptation option of farmers in the study area. Effect of climate change on growth performance and some of reproductive performance of livestock needs further research since there is no record on growth and reproductive performance of livestock in small-scale traditional production system.
SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ PERCEPTION AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE: THE CASE OF ANGACHA DISTRICT IN KEMBATA TEMBARO ZONE, SNNPR, EHIOPIA.
(Hawassa University college of Agriculture, 2019) YOHANNES GABORE JOFE
Ethiopia is one of the agrarian countries in Africa dominated by subsistence farming which is highly susceptible to climate change. This study was therefore aimed to assess smallholder farmers’ perception and its impacts and adaptation strategies followed to reduce vulnerability to climate change in the study area. The data was collected from 124 sample farmers using a questionnaire survey, FGD and key informative which were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and Multinomial logit model. Major adaptation options were drought tolerant crops, changing planting date, integrating crops with livestock, income source diversification and soil and water conservation practices. The general scenario temperature and rainfalls data result indicates increases temperature and decreases of rainfalls in study area. The result from the multinomial logit analysis showed that age, education, farm experience, farm size, livestock holding, access to climate information, access of extension service, access to credit, and access of irrigation water are significance factors influencing to farmers’ adaptation strategies. Farmers perceived the most important barriers to adaptation were lack of forecasting climate information, shortage of land, lack of credit access, lack of money, lack of extension service, poor potential for irrigation. Therefore, future policy should focus on adaptation strategies through awareness creation, the establishment of meteorology station at district level, mass media and extensions services, access to credit and enhancing research on it.
EFFECT OF NITROGEN SOURCES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) VARIETIES AT MESKAN, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) MESERET SHIFA
Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are an important cash crop and protein source for farmers in many parts of Ethiopia. However, lacks of adequate information on the use of nitrogen source fertilizers are the major yield limiting factors for common bean production in the study area. Thus, the field experiment was conducted at Meskan District in 2018 cropping season to evaluate the effect of nitrogen sources on growth, yield and yield components of common bean varieties; and to identify economically appropriate combination of nitrogen sources that give optimum yield of major common bean varieties. Factors studied includes four common bean varieties (Hawassa Dume, Gegeba, Rori and Ibado) and four level of N sources (T1= Control; T2=Rhizobium inoculated; T3=46 kg N ha -1 , T4= 46 kg N ha -1 + Rhizobium inoculated). The treatments were arranged using randomized complete block design in factorial arrangements with three replications. Results revealed varietal differences on growth, yield and yield components. The highest pod number plant -1 (29.1), seed number pod -1 (5.6) and grain yield (2.7 t ha -1 ) were recorded from variety Hawassa Dume. Similarly, nitrogen sources had significant effect on growth, yield and yield components. Significantly, higher number of pods plant -1 (27.5), seeds pod -1 (5.6), and grain yield (2.7 t ha -1 ) were recorded from combined application of Rhizobium inoculation+46kg N ha -1 . There was significant interaction effect of N sources with varieties on nodule number, root dry weight and straw yield, where by the highest nodule number plant -1 (40), root dry weight (11.6 ) and straw yield (4.5 t ha -1 ) were recorded from combined application of Rhizobium strain HB-429 and 46 kg N ha -1 with variety Hawassa Dume except number of nodule plant -1 . Grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with phenological, growth, nodulation, yield and yield components except maturity date. Partial budget analysis of the study revealed that the highest net return (32,748 ETB ha -1 ) was obtained from Hawassa Dume variety with combined application of inoculation and 46 kg N ha -1 . Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that combined application of Rhizobium inoculation with 46 kg N ha -1 found to be appropriate for common bean variety Hawassa Dume in the study area. However, the result of the present study need to be evaluated and reconfirmed on farmers field across season and areas in order to reach to a conclusive recommendation.
GROWTH AND YIELD OF ONION (Allium cepa L.) AS AFFECTED BY VARIABLE RATES OF POULTRY MANURE AND MINERAL NITROGEN FERTILIZER AT ALAGE, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) NEJEHA REDY ALEMAR
Onion is one of the important vegetable crops produced in many home gardens and in some extent commercially in different parts of Ethiopia. However, the average yield of the crop is low compared with the world average yield. Declining soil fertility and lack of information on appropriate fertilizer type and rates are the most important factors attributing for the low yield of onion in Ethiopia. Therefore, the field experiment was carried out at Alage Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, during 2018/19 cropping season, with the objectives of assessing the growth, yield and quality response of onion to the variable rates of poultry manure and mineral nitrogen fertilizer. The experiment comprising of three nitrogen levels (0, 46 and 92 kg ha -1 ) and four levels of poultry manure (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha -1 ) were laid out in randomize complete block design with three replications. Data on plant growth, yield and quality components were collected and subjected to ANOVA using SAS (9.2 version) software. The main effects of poultry manure and nitrogen fertilizer significantly affected the leaf length, leaf number, days to maturity, bulb length, unmarketable bulb yield and bulb dry matter content, except total bulb yield and marketable bulb yield. Plant height, bulb diameter and harvest index were significantly affected by the interaction of poultry manure and nitrogen fertilizer levels. Application of poultry manure at the rate of 15 t ha -1 recorded the highest total bulb yield (63.33 t ha -1 ) and marketable bulb yield (62.52 t ha -1 ), but statistically there were no x significant difference between 15t ha -1 and 10t ha -1 poultry manure application. Lower amount of total bulb yield (53.44 t ha -1 ) and marketable bulb yield (52.40 t ha -1 ) were obtained from the control plot as compared to the maximum yields obtained from other treatments. Marketable bulb yield was positively and significantly correlated with most of the growth parameters. The results of partial budget analysis showed that 15 t ha -1 poultry manure application gave the highest marginal rate of returns. Since, the highest bulb yield and maximum marginal rate of returns are obtained at 15 t ha -1 poultry manure application, this rate can be recommended for onion production in the researched area, and areas having similar agro-ecologies. However, as the research is conducted for a single season and location, repeating the experiment over location and year will be required to give a conclusive recommendation.
ASSESSMENT OF WEED SPECIES COMPOSITION AND THEIR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN ONIONAND EFFECT OFDIFFERENT WEED CONTROL METHODS IN ONION (Allium cepaL.)IN THE CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) FEYISA BEKELE JIMA
Farmers have lack of awareness on weed problem on the crop and under take only manual weeding option to control those weeds in their fields. The study identified weed species composition and their management practices in onion (Allium cepa L.) fields of Adami Tulu, Dugda, Lume, and Around Adama woradas, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. In addition the effect of different weed control methods in onion were evaluated in Meki woreda during 2017/2018 under irrigation. Primary data were collected from 200 individual farmers using structured questionnaires, face to face interview. Secondary data were collected from different literatures and reports, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, using SPSS version 20. Weed species compositions were determined in a quadrat count of 0.5m2 using systematic sampling techniques to obtain representative sample in the fields. The identified individual weed specieswere analyzed using quantitative means. Identified most problematic weed families wereAsteraceae (16 spp.), Poaceae (10 spp.), Solonaceae (2 spp.),Cyperaceae (2spp.)in descending order of 1st, 2nd, 3rdand4rd abundant weed families, respectively.The experiment was contained 13 different weed control treatments and laid down in randomized complete block design with four replicates. Collected data were analyzed using SAS version 9.0. The weed density varied significantly with the treatments (P<0.05). At 60 DAT the lowest weed density (41.875/m2) was recorded under HW3WAT followed by Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha + HW6WAT. At harvest the lowest weed density (30.875g/m2) was obtained under Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW6WAT. The lowest weed dry weight was recorded from Pendimethalin at 1.5L/ha+HW9WAT (293.27g/m2). The highest weed controlefficiency(82.15%) was recorded under Pendimethalinat 1.5L/ha+HW9WAT followed by Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW9WAT (80.48%) after weed free plot.The maximum plant height (43.47cm) was recorded in weed free plot followed by Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW3WAT (40.68cm). But the number of leaves per plant has shown no significant difference with respect to different treatments (P>0.05). Maximum bulb diameter, bulb weight, bulb size (3.51cm, 122.58g, 73.25ml, 29.62ton/ha) were recorded respectively from weed free plot, which were statistically non-significant from Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha+HW9WAT). The lowest loss in yield (0.03%) was recorded in weed free check followed by plot treated with oxyflourfen at rate of the 0.5 L/ha + HW6WAT (6.8%) as compared to the highest yield obtained in plot treated with oxyflourfen at rate of the 0.5 L/ha + HW9WAT. Weed free check plot resulted in higher cost of protection and gross return but lower in net return and benefit: Cost ratio, whereas Oxyflourfen at 0.5L/ha and pendimethalin at 1.5L/ha showed highest Benefit: Cost ratio (20.34 and 14.65) respectively. The study showed that using herbicides alone or in combination with hand weeding is highly profitable than using hand weeding alone. Future studies on the use of herbicides with different rates and combinations with other methods, critical period of weed-control and more survey works in different onion production agro-ecologies are recommended.