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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End date: 2019

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    MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, EGG PRODUCTION AND LINEAR BODY MEASURMENT TRAITS OF LOCAL AND EXOTIC CHICKENS REARED UNDER TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN BORICHA WOREDA, SIDAMA ZONE
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) SERKALEM ASSEFA
    This study was conducted to assess the management practice, egg production potential, quality and linear body measurement traits of three exotic and local chickens reared under traditional production system in Boricha woreda of Sidama zone. For the survey part, a total of 200 households were randomly selected from 4 purposively selected Kebles which were subdivided in midland and lowland agroecologies. Linear body measurement and egg quality traits were assessed from a total of 192 local and 3 exotic chicken breeds (Bovans, Koekoeck and Sasso) drawn from 48 households. About 480 eggs were used for the evaluation of external and internal egg qualities. The results indicated that the average numbers of eggs set for incubation per hen were 11.1 eggs with a hatchability of 60.0%. Average age at first egg was 238, 155, 157 and 174 days for local, Sasso, Bovans and Koekoeck chicken breeds, respectively. The number of eggs per hen per year was 49.1, 134, 117and 138 for local, Sasso, Bovans and Koekoeck, respectively. The Sasso breed reared in the lowland produced the highest egg number followed by Bovans being (p<0.05) different from Koekeock and local chickens. Moreover, the Sasso chicken breeds reared in the lowland agroecology had higher (p<0.05) values in most linear body measurement traits than those of other chicken breeds. Similarly, egg weight and yolk index values of Sasso breeds reared in the lowland was higher (p<0.05) than those of other chicken breeds. Koekoeck and Sasso chicken breeds reared in midland had higher (p<0.05) shape index and shell thickness values than those reared in the lowland. All chicken breeds reared in the lowland agroecology were better (p<0.05) in all external egg quality parameters than those reared in the midland. Yolk colour was higher (p<0.05) only for chickens reared in the lowland agroecology. All internal egg quality traits of Koekoeck chickens reared in the midland were superior to those of lowland agroecology. In conclusion, the Sasso chicken breed was found to be more efficient in most performance traits if it is reared in the lowland agroecology. Koekoeck chicken breed reared in the midland agroecology was superior in most internal egg quality parameters. It is thus recommended to use Sasso chicken breeds in the lowland agroecology while Koekoeck chicken in the midland agroecology for better productivity.
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    ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEMS, AND ON-FARM EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING THE LEAVES OF Balanites aegyptiaca AND MAIZE GRAIN ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC RETURN OF INDIGENOUS GOATS IN GAMOGOFA ZONE
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) NIGATU DEJENE DENEKE
    The study was conducted in Arbaminch Zuria and Mirab Abaya districts of Gamogofa Zone of SNNPRS of Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to assess goat production and marketing system, identify and prioritize goat production and marketing constraints and opportunities, and evaluate the effect of supplementing with the leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca and maize grain on growth performance & economic return of indigenous goats in the study area. The study involved 2 parts. The survey part of the study assessed goat production and marketing system using cross sectional survey, focus group discussion and key informants interview. A total of 120 representative households (2 districts x 2 Agro ecology x 2 PA x 15 households) were selected for the study following multi-stage stratified sampling, the action research part evaluated growth performance and economic return of indigenous bucks supplemented with maize grain and leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca . Thus, 20 intact 8-10 month age indigenous bucks with an average initial body weight of 16.13±0.3kg (Mean± SE) were drawn from volunteer goat producers. The bucks were blocked into five blocks/farmers of four bucks based on initial BW and randomly assigned to one of the four treatment feeds within a block/farmer allowing five bucks per treatment feeds. Dietary treatments consisted of feeding natural grass hay ad libitum supplemented with 50g wheat bran (T1); feeding natural grass hay ad libitum supplemented with mixtures of 50g wheat bran and 200g cracked maize grain (T2); feeding natural grass hay ad libitum supplemented with mixtures of 50g wheat bran and 200g dried leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca (T3), and feeding natural grass hay ad libitum supplemented with 50g wheat bran, and mixture of 200g of dried leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca and cracked maize grain at 1:1 ratio (T4).The experiment was laid down using randomized complete block design. According to the respondents, income generation was the primary reason for keeping goats with the highest index values of 0.277 followed by saving, use of manure, as social capital and meat consumption with an index values of 0.269, 0.177, 0.163 and 0.114, respectively. Road side browsing ranked as the first source of feed for goats according to the average rank results from interviewed households with the highest index value of 0.246 and followed by Communal and private browsing lands with an index values of 0.229 and 0.227, respectively. Among the available water sources, rivers contribute the highest 40% of the water required for goats. Disease and parasites were the major constrains for the sector and caused higher 13.2%, 13.6%, 14.7% and 13.3% death of unweaned male kids, unweaned female kids, weaned male kids and weaned female kids, respectively in Arbaminch Zuria district from the studied areas 12 months before the start of this study. Male and female goats achieve AFS at 9.4 and 7.9 months and also fertile at ages below 54.6 and 95.5 months respectively. AFK, KI, LS, weaning age of kids and lifetime kid productions were 13.9, 7.8, 1.24, 4.1 months and 14.5 respectively. Brokers are the major marketing constraint and about 95% and 31.7% of the midland and lowland respondents, respectively reported that they sales their goats by eye ball price estimation. The action research showed that supplementing goats with maize grain and Balanites aegyptiaca (T2-T4) improved ADG (48.7, 48.9 and 66.8g/day for T2, T3 and T4, respectively) compared to the control (33.2g/day). However, among the supplemented groups, bucks fed on T4 gained superior ADG than bucks fed on T2 and T3 diets. Moreover, partial budget analysis confirmed that T4 was more profitable compared to other supplementary treatments. Therefore, it is concluded that supplementing growing bucks with T4 could be recommended for smallholder goat fatteners.
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    THE EFFECT OF PARTIAL SUBSTITUTION OF NOUG SEED CAKE WITH CASSAVA (Manihot escutulata C.) LEAF MEAL ON FEED INTAKE, GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS OF ROSS 308 BROILER CHICKENS
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) MENGISTU MASEBO LAMBEBO
    The effect of dietary inclusion of cassava leaf meal (CLM) on feed intake, growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing Ross 308 chickens was investigated at the poultry farm of the School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University. The leaves were collected from Hawassa Research center and were sundried and ground to make leaf meal. Five treatment diets were formulated to contain 0% (Treatment 1, T1), 2% (Treatment 2, T2), 4% (Treatment 3, T3), 6% (Treatment 4, T4) and 8% (Treatment 5, T5) of CLM, which was incorporated in the diet as partial substitution of Noug seed cake. After two weeks of brooding, 240 unsexed broiler chicks were weighed and randomly allocated to the dietary treatments with four replicates of 12 chickens each totaling 48 chickens per treatment. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks, during which feed intake and body weight were assessed on daily and weekly basis, respectively. At the end of the experiment, two chickens (male and female) chick per replicate of each treatment whose body weight was nearly similar to those of average of treatment were randomly selected, fastened overnight, weighed and slaughtered for the determination of carcass parameters. The results indicated that the feed intake (g/chicken/day) was 80.9, 80.4, 80.9, 77.0 and 74.0 for chickens fed with T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively being significantly higher for those of T1, T2 and T3 than T4 and T5. The crude fiber intake was (p<0.05) higher for those chickens reared in T1 and T2 diets. Chickens reared in T1, T2 and T3 diets had significantly higher body weight and total weight gain values than those of T4 and T5. No significance difference was observed in body weight between chickens reared in T1, T2 and T3. The body weight and weight gain parameters were significantly higher for those chickens reared in T4 than those of T5. There was no significance difference in feed conversion ratio between treatment diets. Chickens reared in T1 had significantly higher (p< 0.0001) slaughter weight and dressed carcass than those of other treatments. The values for dressing percentage, and drumsticks were (p< 0.0001) higher in chickens reared in T1 and T2 diets than those fed of T4 and T5. Chickens fed on T1, T2 and T3 had significantly higher values for thigh and wing as compared with those reared in other treatments. The interaction effects of sex by treatment was significant for breast, drumstick, back, gizzard and skin while it was insignificant for other carcass components. Male chickens had significantly higher carcass component values than females. The results of the current study revealed that the inclusion of cassava leaf meal up to 4% in broiler diet could be an alternative feeding strategy by partially substituting Noug seed cake
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    FARMING SYSTEM AND TRADITIONAL GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: THE CASE OF KOFELE DISTRICT, WESTERN ARSI ZONE, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) HUSSEIN ABDUKU WORKU
    This study was conducted in Kofele district, Western Arsi Zone of the Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, with the objective of characterizing the farming system and traditional grassland management practices. The district was stratified in to two by altitude (high altitude and medium altitude). Proportionally four rural kebeles (Germama, Gurmicho, Guchi and Bitacha) from high altitude, and two (Tullo and Abbosa) from medium altitude were purposively selected. From high altitude 93 households (HH) and 57 from medium altitude were selected. Semi-structured questioner, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data, which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression model. The district is characterized as mixed crop-livestock farming system. Average land holding per HH was 2.24 hectares with 1.27 hectares allocated for crop cultivation and 0.92 hectares for natural pasture. The dominant crops grown in the study area were potato, barley, wheat and enset in their order of importance by farm HH. Twenty seven percent of the respondents are using small scale irrigation to cultivate crops on 0.06-0.25 hectare of land. The average livestock holding per HH was 6.15 Tropical Livestock Unit. Natural pasture (56.5%), crop residue (29%), enset byproducts (9.5%), agro-industrial byproducts (2.2%) improved forage (1.1%) and other (1.7%) are among feed resources available in the study area. Feed shortage, low productivity and expansion of epidemic diseases such as anthrax, black quarter and lumpy skin disease have been identified as livestock production constraints in the study area. Private enclosure, wet land drainage and fencing were found to be the traditional method of grassland management. Moreover, the traditional grassland management practice has become weak, contributing to the loss of productivity of grasslands. Land holding size, crop land and forest land (private forest plantation for commercial purpose) significantly influence the grazing land size (p<0.01). As conclusion appropriate land allocation, grassland management practices, like controlled grazing, cut and carry, proper straw conservation and empowering of traditional grassland management strategies should be considered.
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    EFFECT OF PARTIAL SUBSTITUTION OF NOUG SEED CAKE WITH STINGING NETTLE (Urtica simensis S.) LEAF MEAL ON EGG QUALITY PARAMETERS OF COMMERCIAL LAYER HENS
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) GALAYE GANEBO
    The effect of various levels of Stinging nettle leaf meal (SNLM) on the egg production and egg quality of commercial birds was investigated using 150 Isa Brown layer hens. Five iso nitrogenous and iso-caloric layer diets were formulated to contain SNLM at 0% (treatment 1 = T1), 3% (treatment 2 = T2), 6% (treatment 3 = T3), 9% (treatment 4 = T4) and 12% (treatment5=T5) by partially substituting Nuge seed cake. The results indicated that the total and daily feed intake did not differ among hens reared in different treatment diets. The individual final body weight (g) of hens reared in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 was 1786,1804,1804, 1819, 1858, respectively, being significantly higher for T5 than those of other treatments. The average egg weight (g) of hens reared in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 was 45.0, 47.2, 48.9, 53.5 and 55.5, respectively, being significantly different for T4 and T5 as compared with other treatments. The average hen-housed egg production (%) for hens fed with T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 diets was 44.3, 49.5, 59.4, 70.9 and 80.5%, respectively, being significantly different from each other. Similarly, the respective individual daily egg mass output (g) in hens reared in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 diets was 20.0, 23.4, 29.1, 37.9, and 44.7, being (p<0.05) different from each other. The average feed conversation ratio (kg feed/kg egg mass) was 5.20, 4.18, 3.55, 2.83 and 2.40 for hens reared in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively and was lower (p<0.05) for those of T4 and T5. The results further indicated that the experimental diet did not affect most of the external egg qualities at 23 weeks of age. However, at the same age, there was a significant difference between treatments in yolk colour being significantly higher for hens reared in T5 than those of T1 and T2. On the contrary, the Haugh unit was significantly lower in hens raised in T5 diet than those fed on other treatment diets at 23 weeks of age. At the age of 28 weeks, significant differences were observed between treatments for all external egg qualities. Accordingly, hens reared in T3, T4 and T5 diets had significantly higher shell thickness values than those of T1 and T2. However, hens reared in T2 showed better egg shape index as compared to those of T5. Hens reared in T3, T4 and T5 had significantly higher shell thickness values than those of T1 and T2. The yolk index at the age of 28 weeks was significantly higher in hens reared in T5 than that of T1 and T3. At the same age, the HU was significantly higher for hens reared in T2 (79.5) than those of T3 (77.1) and T5 (76.0). In conclusion, the substitution of Noug seed cake with increasing levels of SNLM improved the egg production and egg quality parameters of hens. 9% and 12% substitution of Noug seed cake with SNLM has been thus recommended for better results by reducing the cost of the Noug seed cake for commercial layer hens. Keywords: Stinging nettle leaf; Noug seed cake; Isa Brown layer hens; Egg production; mass; Egg qualities
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    ASSESSMENT OF THE UTILIZATION PRACTICES OF BANANA AND MANGO RESIDUES, AND EFFECT OF ENSILING ON SILAGE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP GRAZING NATURAL PASTURE IN ARBA MINCH ZURIA DISTRICT OF GAMO GOFA ZONE
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) ASKALE DUBALE
    The study was conducted to assess the experiences of banana and mango residue utilization, and effect of ensiling banana using mango residues as an additive on silage quality and evaluate the effect of feeding banana residues silage on growth performance of sheep. For the diagnostic survey, 120 households (HH) were selected from four banana and mango producing potential kebeles from which 30 respondents were selected to assess utilization of banana and mango residue for sheep feeding. Open ended structured questionnaire, focused group discussions and secondary data were used to collect the required data. For silage quality evaluation the banana and mango residues were collected from the farm at the time of harvest and banana residue was wilted for 8 hours. Five different silages were prepared using different proportion of mango peel and flesh (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%) and molasses (10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 and 0%) as an additive to banana wilted psudostem and leaf. The ensiling was done with three replicates in buckets and was ensiled for 21 days. The on-farm feeding trial was undertaken to evaluate the effect of feeding banana silage prepared using mango residues and molasses as an additive on the growth performance of indigenous sheep. Eighteen yearling sheep were assigned to three treatments (T1= Grazing, T2=Ensiled Banana using 10% mango residues as additive, T3 = Ensiled Banana residue using 10% molasses as an additive). The sheep were blocked to six and assigned to HHs in Randomized Complete Block Design, each HH contributing three sheep and within a household the three sheep were randomly allocated to the three treatments. Feed and grazing land shortage followed by shortage of input and disease and parasites are the major constraints hindering sheep production. Income followed by saving/asset are the major reasons for keeping sheep. Sampled households prefer sheep than other livestock species because of the expected immediate return, easy to manage and high market demand. Most of the respondents stated that during the wet season natural pasture was the main source of feed for sheep followed by farm side grazing and feeding on rejected banana. During the dry season crop residue followed by road side grazing were the major sources of feed for sheep. All the samples households (100%) across the four kebeles feed banana residues to sheep in a fresh form. The residues (banana and mango) were fed without any improvement. The physical and chemical assessment of the silage showed that making silage from banana using mango residue or molasses as an additive indicates the suitability of silage making from banana and mango residue with good quality. There was no significant difference in feed dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein intake between T2 and T3. The average daily body weight gain was the higher (P<0.05) for sheep fed T2 and T3 diets compared with those based on grazing. In conclusion, banana residue could be ensiled using mango or molasses as an additive with similar performance of sheep. Therefore, due to the availability of mango residue at farmers’ level, mango residue could be used as an additive to make silage from banana residue
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    ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTION SYSTEM, EGG QUALITY AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF VILLAGE CHICKEN IN BENCH MAJI ZONE, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2016) WELELAW EDMEW WORKU
    The study was conducted in three districts of Bench Maji Zone in Southern Ethiopia with the objective of assessing the production system, egg quality traits and carcass characteristics of indigenous chicken. A total of 270 households were selected by multi-stage purposive random sampling technique and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 450 eggs and 45 adult male chickens were also purchased to evaluate the egg quality traits and carcass characteristics, respectively. The results revealed that the flock size per household was 10.4 with cock to hen ratio of 1:2.9. Scavenging with occasional supplementation was the major feeding system (80.7%). Maize (91.1%), sorghum, Taro and Kocho were the types of supplementary feeds used in their order of importance. Seasonal disease outbreak and predation were the most challenges of village chicken productivity. The average age of cockerel at first mating and pullet at first egg laying was 5.9 and 6.4 months, respectively. The average number of eggs per clutch and the annual egg number of local chicken in the study area were 14.8 and 54.6, respectively. The mean number of eggs incubated by local hen was 11.8 with 82.2% hatchability and 48.8% survivability of hatched chicks. The purpose of rearing chicken and the egg produced was primarily for selling as a source of cash income followed by hatching and home consumption. The average egg weight and shape index of local chickens was 43.9 g and 72.7%, respectively. The average shell thickness of local chickens was about 0.33 mm. The respective average albumen height and the HU score was 3.4 mm and 61.2. The average yolk height and yolk color were 14 mm and 10.9, respectively. The average slaughter weight of local male chicken was about 1449 g. The edible carcass yield was 966 with 66.7% dressing. The proportions of breast meat, thigh, drumstick and wing were 25.4%, 19.5%, 15.4% and 10.2%, respectively. The study revealed variations in different production traits which might be due to management difference and genetic dissimilarities of local chicken ecotypes in the studied districts. Further research is recommended to evaluate their performance potentials under improved feeding and management systems
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    ASSESSMENT OF GRAZING LAND CONDITION, HERBACEOUS BIOMASS SPECIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION IN ADAMI-TULLU JIDO-KOMBOLCHA AND ARSI NEGELLE WOREDAS, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2016) MULUGETA GUDISA GORO
    This study was conducted in Adami-Tullu Jido-Kombolcha and Arsi Negelle woredas, Southern Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were: (1) To assess the effects of grazing pressure and altitude on range condition, herbaceous biomass and species composition in the study areas and (2) To evaluate the effects of grazing pressure and altitude on chemical composition of herbaceous plants in the study areas. In the assessment of rangeland condition: grass species composition, basal cover, litter cover, number of seedlings, age distribution of dominant grasses, soil erosion and compaction were considered. The data were analyzed using GLM procedure in SPSS 16.0 version, which was used for mean comparisons using post-hoc t-test that can be employed to compare mean differences for enclosure and open grazed areas. To test the effect of management and altitude on rangeland condition, biomass production, chemical composition of herbaceous species, mixed model analysis was used where site was used as a random variable while management and altitude were fixed variables. The rangeland condition assessment factors showed that grass species composition, basal cover, litter cover, age distribution, number of seedlings, soil erosion and compaction, and total range condition scores in the enclosed areas were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in the open grazed areas. A total of 28 herbaceous species were identified. Of the identified herbaceous species, 20 were grasses, 2 were legumes while 6 species were forbs. Among the recorded grass species, some were highly desirable, while others were in the category of intermediate in terms of desirability and less desirable. The total biomass production of grasses, forbs and legumes in the enclosure areas were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the open-grazed areas across the study sites. The dominant and common grass species included: Arstida adscensionis, Cenchrus ciliarus, Chloris gayana, Chloris roxburghiana, Bothriochloa insculpta, Entropogon, Eragrostis papposa, Heteropogon contorus, Panicum maximum, Bides pilos sida ovate,Indigofer spinosa, Tephrosia pumila, Sporobolus pyrmidalis, Themeda triandra, B. nigropedata, Ocimum basilicum, Amaranthus dubis, Tribulos terrestris and Achyrantes aspera. The chemical composition of herbaceous plants were evaluated for DM, CP, NDF, ADF, ADL and Ash between the two management systems and among three site of different altitude for grazing land condition. The average CP content in the open-grazed area was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of enclosure grazing areas. This suggests that proper management of grazing lands in the study areas is required as part of the grassland monitoring activities and restoration programs. It is also suggested that the herbaceous forages were utilized at early stage of maturity to provide optimum nutrients for animals in the study area
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    HUSBANDRY PRACTICES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF ARSI-BALE GOATS IN AGARFA DISTRICT OF OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2016) BEHAILU SAMUEL
    This study was conducted in Agarfa district with the objectives; to assess the husbandry practices and reproductive performance, to evaluate the productive performance and estimate offtake rates and also to identify the major constraints and opportunities of Arsi-Bale goats production in Agarfa district. Semi-structured questionnaire survey was carried out on 150 interviewees who are selected randomly from the three agro-ecologies. On-farm monitoring of the growth performance of kids owned by farmers was also conducted. The data obtained from the survey was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages; while data on growth performance was analyzed applying Analysis of Variance using General linear model procedure of SPSS version 17.0.The result showed that the average land holding per household was 2.3 ± 0.13 ha. Goats were the most(p<0.05) widely reared livestock species next only to cattle in terms of TLU. The main purpose of keeping goats in the study area was for income generation. The major feed and water sources were natural pasture and river water respectively. Most farmers let their goats alone to graze. The most common type of goats house in the study area is the one which is constructed attached to the family house sharing the common wall. Small proportion of farmers practice weaning of kids to maintain body condition of dams. Most farmers (40%) in the study area practice castration of goats for fattening and selling, of which only (50%) of farmers used modern method of castration. The major reason for culling of goats in the area was old age(71.2%). Most of the kidding(34.7%) in the study area were from September to November. The overall mean age at first mating (female), age at first mating (male),age at first kidding and kidding interval were reported to be 7.28±0.04,8.48±0.05,14.57±0.04 and 7.11±0.03 months respectively. The overall mean birth weight and two month weight of kids were found to be 2.38±0.1 kg and 6.94±0.2kg respectively. The mean average daily weight gain was 76.2 ± 1.9 g/day up to two months.The birth weight of kids born from first parity does(irrespective of sexes) was significantly lower(P<0.001) than kids from second and above parity does. The triplets had significantly lower (P<0.001) birth weight than twins and triple born kids. The effect of sex too indicated that the buck kids were significantly heavier ( P<0.001) than the doe kids. Kids that were born from first and fifth parity does had significantly lower (P<0.01) average daily weight gain than kids from second,third,fourth and sixth parity does. Single born and male kids had significantly heavier(P<0.01) average daily weight gain than twins and female kids. The survival rate and commercial offtake rates of goats in the area was 91.67% and 16.6% respectively. Disease and parasites and drought were reported to be the two major constraints of goats production in the area. Even though the current overall productivity of goats in the area is fairly encouraging as compared to other indigenous Ethiopian goats breeds, full potential need to be exploited by improving husbandry practices,offtake potential and solving production constraints
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    MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF MORINGA (Moringa stenopetala L.) ACCESSIONS SEEDLING TO WATER STRESS UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITION AT HAWASSA, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) GEBRE GARMAME
    Moringa stenopetala L. is a plant sometimes called miracle plant due to its adaptability and versatility in use. Indeed, it is considered as a super food, store house of nutrients, remedy for more than 300 diseases, water purification material, oil and biogas source, post-harvest preservative, and climate change mitigate plant. However, in spite of its marvelous importance, the plant has not got research attention for morphological and physiological responses of accession to water stress. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the morphological and physiological responses of Moringa stenopetala L. accessions seedling to water stress under greenhouse condition from October to January, 2018 at the college of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia. The experiment was consisted of three accessions (Konso, Arbaminch Zuria and Humbo) and four water stress levels imposed as irrigation interval (daily, 5 days interval, 10 days interval and 15 days interval watering) assigned in completely randomized design with three replications. The results revealed that accessions significantly differed for most of the morphological and physiological parameters studied in this experiment. The accession “Arbaminch Zuria” was higher in seedling height, stem collar girth, leaf area, root length, fresh and dry weights, total seedling fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll a, b and total and instantaneous water use efficiency than other accessions. Oppositely, the accession “Humbo” was lower in all parameters except root length, stomata number and instantaneous water use efficiency. The accession “Konso” and “Humbo” was stastically similar in root length and instantaneous water use efficiency. The accession “Konso” and “Arbaminch Zuria” was stastically similar in leaf number, root diameter, stomata number, length and width. Regarding to water stress, the experiment shown that, increased water stress significantly reduced stem collar girth, leaf area, root length, diameter, fresh and dry weights, total seedling fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll a, b and total. Additionally, fresh and dry leaf weight, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and leaf relative water content were significantly influenced due to the interaction effect of accession and water stress. Accession “Arbaminch Zuria” grown under daily watering was higher in all parameters except leaf relative water content those indicated significant due to interaction. The present results therefore, indicated that accession “Arbaminch Zuria” with daily watering performs better in raising Moringa stenopetala seedling. As the experiment was a single trail with limited resources, study is still needed on more indigenous and exotic accession under different water stress including under field conditions