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: 2023

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    GENETIC DIVERSITY IN ANCHOTE (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn) USING MICROSATELLITE MARKERS
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) ZERIHUN TESHOME MELAKU
    Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn) is an endemic crop species of Ethiopian origin mainly cultivated for its nutritious tuberous roots and tender leaves. Limited molecular marker resources hinder breeding and genetic studies for improvement, conservation and management of anchote genetic resources. The use of cross-species/genera transferable SSR markers is considered cost-effective strategy to ensure availability of markers in genetically understudied crops such as anchote. In this study we aimed to assess cross-transferability of cucurbit SSR markers to C. abyssinica and measure the genetic diversity of anchote and of its populations; across the cultivation range in Ethiopia. A total of 102 SSR primer pairs from cucurbit species were screened for transferability to anchote and polymorphic SSRs were identified. A total of 45 germplasm accessions collected from Western parts of Ethiopia were studied along with three cultivars of related species in Cucurbitaceae family using the polymorphic microsatellite markers. Out of 102 screened SSR primer pairs 46 (45.1%) were found transferable as they amplified scrabble band on anchote; of which only 24 primers pairs (23.5%) amplified polymorphic loci. Most of (53.6 %) of the SSR markers were transferred to anchote from Cucumis sativus L. All the analyzed 24 loci were highly polymorphic and detected a total of 354 alleles among all population, with an average of 15 alleles per locus. In the total germplasm collection the average genetic diversity, as quantified by the expected heterozygosity, was 0.88±0.06 per locus. Nei’s gene diversity index revealed that the genetic diversity of East Wellega anchote maintained in situ in the farmers’ field and ex situ in the DZARC gene bank was comparable, and retained the highest (I = 1.93) of all populations. Using discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), four clusters including outlier groups were detected. The DAPC analysis indicated that the most closely related populations were geographically occurred in closer proximity to each other. AMOVA attributed 95% of genetic variation to within population and only 5% to between populations. The results provide important genetic information in C. abyssinica to drive improvement, management and conservation decisions efforts. Analysis of genome wide functional factors and evaluation of agromorphological traits in additional germplasm set including wild anchote and other Coccina genetic resources would add necessary genetic information for improvement of the crop
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    EVALUATION OF ANCHOTE (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cong) ACCESSIONS FOR THEIR GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCES UNDER DIFFERENT ALTITUDES IN SIDAMA REGION
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2023) NEJAT ALI
    Among the most important root and tuber crops, anchote is one of the potential crops produced in the western and south-western parts of Ethiopia. It serves as a food, cultural, social, and economic crop for the producers. Due to limited research coverage and less attention to determining the growth and yield performance of anchote accessions, the production of anchote has not spread to other parts of Ethiopia. Therefore, the study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield responses of anchote accession grown at different altitudes in the Sidama region of Ethiopia from June to November 2021. Nine anchote accessions (Gimbi, Jimate, Degaga Didhessa, Jimma Arjo, Ale, Sheka, Sibu Sire1, Sibu Sire2, and Sibu Sire3) were sow in three locations representing different altitudes (1305 masl, 1835 masl, and 2504 masl). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Growth and yield data were collected following standard procedures. The results revealed that phenological parameters and growth performances (leaf area, leaf number, vine length, above-ground fresh and dry biomass) were significantly influenced by the main factors of accession, location, and their interactions. Days to 50% of flowering were affected by the main factors (accession and location), and vine number was affected only by location. The highest (92%) and lowest (58.7%) emergence percentages were obtained from Sheka accession at mid-altitude and Sibu Sire1 at Bilate, respectively. The largest (597.3 g) and the minimum (6.2 g) above-ground fresh biomass per plant were produced by accession Sibu Sire1 under Leku and accession Gimbi under Hula, respectively. The maximum (62.1 g) and minimum (33.6 g) above-ground dry biomass were produced by accession Ale under Leku and accession Jimate under Bilate. In the case of yield, yield-related parameters (root weight and diameter, total biomass weight, root yield, and underground dry root weight) of anchote accessions were significantly affected by accessions, location, and their interaction. Root number per plant was affected by accessions and location. Root diameter was affected only by accession. The highest storage root weight (522.3g) and total biomass (847 g) per plant were obtained from Degaga Didhessa anchote accession under Hula location. Whereas, the lowest storage root weight (94.6 gm) and total biomass (153 gm) were also recorded from Sibu Sire3 under Hula conditions. The highest yield (59.6 t/h)) was obtained from the anchote accession of Degaga Didhessa at the Leku location. The significantly lowest yield (12.3 t/h)) was recorded from Gimbi Anchote accessions under Bilate. Anchote accessions evaluated in this study showed a differential response to different locations that represented different altitudes. We recommended accessions of Degaga Didhessa, Sheka, and Sibu Sire1 that produced better storage root yield, high underground dry biomass content, root weight, and dry matter content across three locations that indicated good performance and adaptation. Those accessions that we recommend are suggested to be produced by farmers in the areas of Bilate, Leku, and Hula and related conditions in the Sidama region.
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    EFFECT OF INTER ROW SPACING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND TUBER QUALITY OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.) VARIETIES IN HADIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2023) MULUGETA SODANO LANTERO
    Potato is the very important food and cash crop in Ethiopia, especially in the high and mid altitude areas. It is important to select better yielding potato varieties with appropriate plant density per unit of area to get for better yield and tuber quality in given location. This experiment was conducted to determine proper inter row spacing for potato varieties and to select better performing potato variety at Hadiya zone Misrak Badewaccho district, during the year 2022 G.C main cropping season. The experiment was arranged in a factorial combination of three inter row spacing (70 x 30 cm, 60 x 30 cm and 50 x 30 cm) and five potato varieties (Gudane, Zemen, Belete Jalene and local) in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The result revealed that days to 50% emergence and stem number per hill were significantly affected by variety, days to 90% maturity, plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf area index, harvest index, total biomass, total tuber yield, tuber number per hill and tuber size distribution were significantly affected by main factors (variety and inter row spacing) but not by interaction. Days to 50% flowering, leaf area, marketable tuber yield, unmarketable tuber yield, marketable tuber number, unmarketable tuber number, dry matter, total starch content and specific gravity were significantly influenced by main factors (variety and inter row spacing and interaction). The highest, stem number per hill, plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf area, leaf area index, harvest index, total dry biomass, total tuber yield, tuber number per hill, marketable tuber yield, marketable tuber number dry matter and specific gravity was scored from Gudene variety whereas, lowest data was recorded from local variety. The highest stem number per hill, plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf area, total dry biomass, tuber number per hill, specific gravity and total starch content recorded at inter row spacing (70 x 30) cm. The highest interactive effect was scored from marketable tuber yield from Gudene (36.00t/ha -1 ) and Belete (34.67t/ha -1 ) variety and at inter row spacing (60 x 30 cm) whereas, lowest interactive effect was recorded from local (12.83t/ha -1 ) variety and at inter row spacing (50 x 30 cm). Therefore, from this study, it can be concluded that Gudene and Belete varieties at inter row spacing (60 x 30cm and 70 x 30cm) resulted in highest marketable potato yield. The results obtained in this study are based conducted at single season and single location it should be repeated to validate this result before recommending to the area.
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    GROWTH, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA INOCULATED AVOCADO (Persea americana M.) RACESUNDER MOISTURE STRESS CONDITIONS
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2023) HIWOT KELBO
    Avocado is one of the most economically important and widely grown fruit crops in tropical and subtropical regions. It is mainly grown in the southern, South Western, and Eastern parts of Ethiopia, with high economic returns. Despite its importance, production is hampered by abiotic factors like moisture limitation in the nursery and later in the orchard. This requires alternative and effective strategies and tools to overcome the challenge, such as inoculating with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi as a soil amendment. This study was designed to investigate the effect of AMF inoculation on the morpho physiological and biochemical responses of two avocado (Persea americana M.) races under different moisture levels. A factorial combination of two inoculation levels (inoculated and non-inoculated), two avocado races (Mexicana and Guatemalan), and four water withholding intervals (daily watering, 7-days, 14-days, and 21-days watering intervals) were arranged in a CRD design with three replications. Results of the study revealed that growth parameters of avocado seedlings such as internode length and seedling height were influenced by the main effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae and moisture while, leaf number, leaf area were influenced by main and two way interaction effect of arbuscular mycorrhizae and moisture while xylem number and xylem width affected by interaction effect of race and moisture. However, root length, root number, and average root diameter were influenced by the main, two-way, and three-way interaction effects of race, arbuscular mycorrhizae, and moisture levels. The highest mean values of leaf area, root number, root length, xylem number, xylem width, and biomass fresh and dry weight were observed from Mexicana treated with arbuscular mycorrhizae under daily and moisture stress treatments. Whereas the minimum value was recorded from Guatemalan race grown under non-inoculated and 21 days water withholding treatment. Moreover, photosynthesis rate, transpiration, water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, proline content, biomass fresh and dry weight were significantly influenced by the main, two ways and three-way interaction effect of avocado races, arbuscular mycorrhizae and moisture levels. All growth, physiological and biomass parameters were significantly decreased under drought stressed conditions. However, compared to non-inoculated seedlings, the inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizae considerably increased all those growth, physiological, biochemical, and biomass parameters even under drought stress. Among the tested races, "Mexicana" showed significantly well performance under drought stress conditions than Guatemalan cultivar. In conclusion, the inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizae considerably improved drought stress tolerance in both races compared to non-inoculated treatments. However, further research is needed under field condition before generalized conclusions can be drawn
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    MORPHO-PYSIOLOGICAL AND YIELD RESPONSE OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) VARITIES TO BELNDED FERTILIZER UNDER DIFFERENT MOISTURE LEVELS
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2023) ALEM SISAY SAHILE
    Common bean is the most important food legume crop for direct consumption in the world and is the most popular legume of the Americas and Eastern and Southern Africa. In Ethiopia, common bean is grown predominantly under smallholder producers as an important food crop and source of cash. There are biotic and abiotic stresses which causes a decrease losses in crop yield, being the water deficit, and soil fertility are the most limiting factor in the world agricultural production. Therefore, the aim of this study was designed to investigate the effect of blended fertilizer on morpho-physiology, accumulation of reserve compounds and yield of common bean varieties under different soil moisture levels from Feb to May 2021. A factorial combination of 3 different blended fertilizer (0, NPSBZn and NPSBZn+K), 3 common bean varieties (Hirna, Awash Melka, and Haromaya) and 2 moisture levels (30% SWC and 75% SWC) were arranged in CRD design with three replications. Results of the study showed that, morphological parameters such as leaf number, branch number and plant height were influenced by main and two-way interaction effect of varieties and moisture as well as fertilizer and varieties. But leaf area was influenced by three way interactions of variety, moisture and fertilizer levels. in addition, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, proline content, carbohydrate content, and grain yield were significantly influenced by three way interaction effects of variety, fertilizer and moisture levels. They showed significant decrement under drought stressed conditions. The supplementation of K significantly increased physiological, and yield parameters under drought stress conditions compared to NPSZnB alone and zero fertilizer level. From the result of this study it is indicated morpho-physiology and yield response of common bean varieties varied under water deficit conditions. Hirna and Haromaya performed well under water deficit than Awash Melka variety. Better performances were observed in terms of photosynthesis, water use efficiency, relative water content, and stomata conductance, proline and carbohydrate accumulation in Hirna and Haromaya under drought stress condition. Generally, it was concluded that application of K as a supplement to NPSBZn significantly increased drought stress tolerance and increased yield in all varieties as compared to other treatments. However, further research is needed in an open field condition with different rates of blended fertilizer on mass number of varieties before a generalized conclusion has been drawn.
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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