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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    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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    YIELD AND GROWTH ANALYSIS OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosumL.) VARIETIES UNDER DIFFERENT INTER ROW SPACING AT SILTE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) NUREDIN RASHID BUSHIRA
    Potato (Solanum tuberosuml. ) is a very important food and cash crop in Ethiopia. This experiment was conducted with the objective to increase production of potato through selecting appropriate varieties and determining appropriate spacing at Silte zone, central Ethiopia during belg cropping season.The experiment was arranged in a factorial combination of three inter-row spacing (60 cm , 75cm and 90 cm), and four potato varieties(Belete, Gudene, Chala and Local cultivar) in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Interactive effects of variety and inter-row spacing significantly (P˂0.05) influenced most of the parameters considered. Days to flowering, leaf area index, total tuber number, marketable tuber number, total tuber yield, average tuber weight per plant, unmarketable tuber number and tuber yield and harvest index were significantly affected by the interaction effects of variety and spacing. Plant height, dry matter content, 90% plant maturity, crop growth rate and relative growth rate (P˂0.05) influenced by the main effect variety and spacing. Days to 50% emergency, Leave number per plant and Stem number per hill were influenced only by the main effect variety. Local cultivar requiring the longest duration (101.22 days). Plant height increased significantly in to increasing inter-row spacing.Gudene varieties produced largest stems number per plant and local cultivar produced smallest stems number per plant. The highest (38.57 t/ha) total tuber yield was recorded from Gudene variety at spacing of 60 c m , whereas the lowest (22.28 t/ha) tuber yield was recorded from local cultivar at spacing 90 cm. The highest marketable (30.48a t/ha) tuber yield was obtained from Gudene variety and lowest was obtained from Local cultivar (18.41t/ha). The Crop Growth Rate values increased progressively with time reaching peak at 45-60 DAP. Therefore, from this study, it can be concluded Gudane and Belete varieties at inter-row spacing of 60 cm and 75 cm resulted in highest marketable tuber yield could be recommended to potato growers in the study area.
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    AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF ETHIOPIAN MUSTARD (Brassica carinata) LANDRACES IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) IBRAHIM HASSEN GUYO
    Genetic diversity analysis of Ethiopian mustard landraces is an important step in selection and hybridization of plant with required traits to develop well adapted and farmers preferred high yielding varieties. The Field experiment was conducted at Hula district in Sidama region to study the genetic diversity of forty nine brassica carinata landraces collected from different agro-ecologies of southern Ethiopia. The experiment was carried out in a simple lattice design with the objective of assessing and estimating the genetic diversity of local landraces based on phenological and agro-morphological traits; estimating association and heritability of the study traits and to identify the best performances of landraces further breeding work for their leaf yield. The analysis of variance shows the significant differences among landraces for all leaf parameter as well as all phenological traits. The high degree of variability among the Ethiopian mustard landraces were observed for studied traits. The estimation of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations was studied, the highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation suggested that the Brassica carinata landraces are highly diverse and provides a wide range of possibilities for selecting further breeding. The result heritability of broad sense (H2b) values in all traits was very high ranging from 90.99 to 99.975%; this implies that the genetic component of variation is substantial for all traits. To evaluate the pattern of variation, the principal component analysis was conducted for all quantitative traits. The first three principal components accounted for most of the variation observed and cumulatively explained 82.99% of the total variation among the all quantitative traits. Clustering produced a clear grouping of the forty nine landraces into four major groups of clusters Where, by the individuals within any one cluster are more closely related than individuals in different clusters. The landraces that early flowered are grouped in the same group, and the same is true for the late flowering landraces as well as the landraces with highest leaf yield was clustered in the same group. Overall, the study shows the wide variation and presences of high genetic variability among Brassica carinata landraces.
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    EVALUATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA FUNGI ON MORPHOPHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF COMMON BEAN (Phaseolues vulgaris L.) VARIETIES UNDER DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONDITIONS
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) BIRTUKAN AREDA GOFE
    Common bean is a suitable crop for food security due to its short growing cycle and adaptability to different cropping systems. However, its productivity is limited by factors such as moisture stress. To mitigate such effect, soil amendments with beneficial symbiotic rhizosphere microbes such as Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is one of the strateg ies. Hence, this experiment was aimed at evaluating the effect of AMF on moisture stress tolerance and nutrient uptake of three common bean varieties. A pot experiment was conducted from June to September 2024 at Hawassa University College of Agriculture in a Shade house. The experiment used three common bean varieties, SER-119, Dame, and Awash Metene; AMF inoculation and two moisture conditions (80% FC and 40% FC) as a combined treatment. The experiment was executed as a factorial arrangement using a completely randomized design with three replications. The results of this study indicated that the main effect of moisture stress, variety and AMF, and their interaction had a significant impact on most of the phenological, morpho -physiology, nutrient uptake, microbial traits and yield and yield components of common beans. Even though almost all parameters significantly decreased under 40% FC, the AMF inoculation significantly improved seed emergence, days to 50% flowering, pod setting and physiological maturity under moisture stress conditions at 40 % FC. Similarly, the stem and leaf traits are significantly affected by the inoculation of AMF under moisture -stressed conditions. Physiological responses mainly Photosynthesis rate, stomata conductance, chlo rophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, transpiration rate and stomata length were improved by AMF inoculation under 40 % FC. Yield and yield components, specifically pod length, thousand seed weight, seed weight, number of seed s per pod, total above ground biomass fresh weight, total above ground biomass and total below ground fresh weight were enhanced by AMF inoculation under 40 % FC. Tissue nitrogen was also enhanced by AMF under 040%FC. Overall, the study found that even though highest values were recorded under 80% FC with AMF treatment, the presence of AMF significantly improved the response of the verities under stress conditions at 40% FC
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    GROWTH, YIELD, QUALITY , AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF NITROGEN AND VERMICOMPOST INTEGRATION IN THREE TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ) VARIETIES
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) BEYENE BEKELE
    Tomato is a major vegetable crop of high nutritional and economic value, yet its productivity in Ethiopia remains low mainly because growers apply nitrogen and VC inefficiently under declining soil fertility. Integration of vermicompost and mineral nitrogen enhanced soil health (higher organic matter and microbial activity), increased agronomic N use efficiency, improved fruit quality attributes and produced greater marketable yield and economic return. This study evaluated the effects of combined mineral nitrogen (N) and vermicompost (VC) fertilization on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and economic performance of three tomato varieties (GALILEA 39, NUN TOP, and ALBATROS) at Shallo Farm during the 2016 E.C. cropping season. Treatments consisted of three nitrogen rates (0, 175, and 350 kg N ha⁻¹) and three vermicompost levels (0, 5, and 7 t ha⁻¹) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on phenology, growth, yield, and fruit quality parameters, while economic feasibility was assessed using partial budget analysis. The collected data were analyzed using ANOVA under the GLM procedure in SAS 9.4, and assumptions were verified by checking normality and variance homogeneity through diagnostic plots; percentage variables were normalized using the arcsine square-root transformation. Results revealed that variety, nitrogen, and vermicompost rates, as well as their interactions, significantly influenced most growth, yield, and quality traits. GALILEA 39 recorded the highest fruit set (78.26%) and total yield (14.02 t ha⁻¹) under 350 kg N ha⁻¹ + 5 t VC ha⁻¹. Nitrogen enhanced vegetative growth and fruit size, while vermicompost improved soil fertility, flower retention, and fruit development. Physical fruit quality improved with N and VC increased fruit length and fruit shape index, vermicompost increased fruit width, and the N × VC interaction produced the thickest pericarps, indicating greater firmness and better postharvest life . Chemical quality responded positively to integrated fertilization: moderate to high N rates and both VC levels raised TSS and SAR, whereas TA increased relative to the unfertilized control but plateaued beyond 175 kg N ha⁻¹, producing a net improvement in taste and processing quality. Partial budget analysis showed that the combination of 175 kg N ha⁻¹ and 7 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost generated the highest net field benefit (476,937.36 Birr) and marginal rate of return (2521.48%) for GALILEA 39, while NUN TOP achieved the greatest profitability (MRR = 5621.85%) under the same combination. For ALBATROS, 350 kg N ha⁻¹ with 5 t VC ha⁻¹ was most economical (MRR = 5210.50%). Therefore, under the agro-ecological conditions of Bishan Guracha, applying 175 kg N ha⁻¹ with 7 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost is recommended for GALILEA 39 and NUN TOP, while 350 kg N ha⁻¹ with 5 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost is optimal for ALBATROS. . Future studies should refine nitrogen–vermicompost ratios across soil types and assess long-term effects on soil health, productivity, and sustainability.
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    INFULENCE OF AVOCADO WASTE AND COFFEE HUSK VERMICOMPOST AND VERMIWASH ON SEEDLING GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF COFFEE (Coffe arabica L.)
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) RAHEL MENGISTU
    Coffee is an important cash crop grown all over the world including Ethiopia. But in Ethiopia its production is low due to poor seedling quality and agronomic management. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of avocado waste and coffee husk vermicompost and vermiwash on seedling growth performance of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) at nursery condition, Hawassa, Ethiopia. A factorial combination of two level of vermiwash (with and without) and three types of vermicompost (coffee husk, avocado waste, 50% Coffee husk+50% avocado waste) and recommended rate of coffee growing media( 3:1 top soil with compost) as positive control and soil alone as (negative control), these were laid out in CRD with three replications. Vermiwash was prepared by 50% of avocado waste plus 50% coffee husk. Whereas vermicompost were prepared by avocado waste, coffee husk and combined of avocado waste and coffee husk) and animal manure and grass were added uniformly for all wastes as starter and bedding material. 200g of VC produced from d/f wastes (avocado, coffee husk and combined of avocado and coffee husk were applied for all experimental units (polyethylene bags) except negative control and positive control. While 100ml of VW was applied for half of the experimental units. All agronomic practice were done as per required until the final growth stage of coffee seedlings. The initial soil, vermicompost and vermiwash sample were well prepared and analyzed for their chemical composition. All coffee seedling growth parameters data were collected properly and analyzed by SAS software and the treatment mean was compared using LSD at 5% probability level. The results showed that all growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, leaf area, number of node, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight and root dry weight) except internode length were significantly(<0.001) influenced by the interaction effect of vermicompost and vermiwash. The result indicated, the highest plant height(21.3cm), leaf number(12), leaf area(75cm 2 ), number node(6), root length (21.3cm ),shoot fresh weight(9.09g), root fresh weight (5.1g), shoot dry weight(2.86g) and root dry weight (0.67g) per plant were obtained from the interaction of coffee husk vermicompost with vermiwash. While the lowest plant height(9.8cm), leaf number(4.2), leaf area (23.94cm 2 ), number of node(2.17), root length(9.67cm), shoot fresh weight(2.55g), root fresh weight (2.57g), shoot dry weight(0.39g) and root dry weight (0.25g) per plant were obtained from soil without vermiwash (negative control). Therefore the interaction application of coffee husk vermicompost along with vermiwash is the best treatment to improving coffee seedling growth performance.
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    EFFECT OF NPS AND UREA FERTILIZER RATE ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENT OF HEAD CABBAGE (Brassica oleracea L.) AT KOFALE DISTRICT, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) MULUWERK ADDISU
    Cabbage is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetable crops in the world. Among the factors responsible for low yields in cabbage, unbalanced use of N and NPS fertilizer was considered the major problem causing a high reduction in the potential yield of cabbage. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in 2023 main cropping season to investigate the effect of N and NPS fertilizer on growth, yield, and yield components of cabbage in Kofale district. The experiment consisted of a factorial combination of three rates of NPS (0, 100, and 200 kg ha -1 ) and four rates of nitrogen (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1). The interaction effects of N and NPS fertilizer were found to have a significant impact on days to 50% head initiation, days to 90% head maturity, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, head length, head width, folded number of leaf head diameter, fresh and dry head weight, and marketable head yield. The highest head dry weight (0.174 kg plant -1 ) and marketable 118.34 t ha -1 ) head yields were obtained by 200 kg ha -1 NPS and 300kg ha -1 N rate of fertilizer, which were significantly on par with 100 kg ha -1 NPS and 300 kg ha -1 N rate of fertilizer that recorded 118.01 t ha -1 marketable head yields of cabbage. Therefore, the use of 200 kg ha -1 NPS and 300 kg ha-1 N can tentatively be recommended for cabbage producers in the study area.
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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