Department of Plant science
URI for this collectionhttps://rps.wku.edu.et/handle/123456789/45808
Department of Plant science
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Item EFFECT OF SEEDING AND HERBICIDE APPLICATION RATES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF FOOD BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.) IN CHEHA DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2024-04-03) BEHARU BEREDA SHAWYEBarley is a major cereal crop in the highlands of Ethiopia and serves as a vital source of food, animal feed, and alcohol. However, weed infestation poses a significant challenge, leading to substantial yield reductions. Hence, to address this issue, a study was conducted during the main cropping season in 2022 in Cheha District. The objective was to assess the effect of seeding and herbicide application rates on the growth and yield of barley. The experimental setup consisted of three seeding rates (75kg/ha, 100kg/ha, and 125kg/ha) and three herbicide rates/AXIS 50EC (0.75l/ha, 1l/ha, 1.25l/ha, twice hand weeding, weed-free, and weedy). The study utilized a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement, and each treatment was replicated three times. The study revealed that broadleaved weed species dominated the study area, accounting for 82.6% of relative density, while grasses constituted 17.4%. The interaction between herbicide application and seeding rates significantly (p<0.05) influenced number of days to heading and maturity, total number and productive tillers per plant, thousand grain weight, number of grains per spike, aboveground biomass yield, and grain yield of barley. The highest yield and yield components of barley were observed with a seed rate of 125 kg, combined with two hand weeding and the application of 1.25l/ha AXIS 50EC. Treatments involving the application of 0.75l/ha AXIS 50EC with75 kg seed rate resulted in the highest dry biomass weight for both broad-leaved and grass weed species. The maximum grain yield (5030 kg/ha) was achieved with twice hand weeding when sown with a seed rate of 125 kg. In contrast, the lowest grain yield (1600 kg/ha) was recorded with the application of 0.75l/ha AXIS 50EC and a seed rate of 75 kg. The economic analysis indicated that the combination of a 125 kg seed rate with the application of 1.25l/ha AXIS 50EC produced the highest net benefit and MRR (604.01%). In conclusion, sowing barley at a seed rate of 125 kg and applying AXIS 50EC at 1.25l/ha resulted in optimal growth and grain yield for the crop. Since the experiment was conducted in one location and season, it should be repeated over season and location for further recommendation.Item GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF FOOD BARLEY (Hordeum vulgars L.) VARIETIES TO SEEDING RATES IN CHEHA DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2025-05-02) TIZAZU ANKTAWE GORAGABarley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important food security and cash crop in Central Ethiopia. The productivity of the crop is very low in many parts of the Gurage zone, including the Cheha district. Several factors are responsible for the area's low crop yield. There is limited information on the response of various barley genotypes and seed rates for optimal production. Hence, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of seeding rate and genotypes on growth, yield, and yield components of barley in Cheha District. Factorial combinations of four food barley varieties, namely HB-1307, HB1966, HB1965, and Local genotype, and four seeding rates (75, 100, 125, and 150 kg ha- 1 ) were used. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The result showed that seeding rate and varieties significantly affected the majority of food barley growth and yield parameters. The highest days to 50% heading (82 days), and days to physiological maturity (139 days), were recorded on 75 kg of seeding rate ha-1 with variety HB1966, while, the highest plant height (96 cm) was recorded with the use of 150 kg ha-1 of food barley seeding rate on HB1966 variety. The highest spike length (8 cm), total number of tillers (8), number of productive tillers (7), and number of kernels spike- (66) were recorded on the use of a 75 kg ha-1 seeding rate with the HB-1307 variety. The highest biomass yield (13.18 t ha-1 ) and straw yield (8.95 t ha-1 ) were recorded on 150 kg of seeding rate ha-1 with variety HB-1307. The highest grain yield (4.89 t ha -1 ), thousand seed weight (57g), and harvest index (43%) were recorded on variety HB-1307 with a 125 kg ha-1 seed rate. Net benefit of 129375.5 ETB ha-1 was obtained from the treatment combination of 125 kg ha-1 food barley seed rate with Variety HB-1307. The result indicated that the food barley variety HB-1307 with a seeding rate of 125 kg ha-1 is economically feasible and profitable for the study area. Since the present study was conducted only in a single season and location, it is necessary to conduct similar experiments further in different seasons and locations to come up with concrete and workable recommendation for varieties and seeding rates of food barleyItem RESPONSE OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.)VARIETIES TO BLENDED NPSB FERTLIZER RATES IN EZHA DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2022-12-04) MARTA NEGASH ALEMUChickpea production is presently restricted to a small area in Southern Ethiopia including Gurage Zone due to a number of limiting factors such as low soil fertility, diseases and pests, and lack of production technologies. To mitigate the low soil fertility, information regarding the actual rate of the newly recommended blended NPSB fertilizer and chickpea varieties are not yet known in the study area-Ezha District, Gurage Zone. Therefore, lack of recommended fertilizer rate and chickpea varieties were the main yield constraints in the area. Hence, an experiment was conducted during the 2021 cropping season to determine optimum blended fertilizer rate and well responded chickpea variety to NPSB rate for the study area. Four levels of NPSB (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1 ) and four chickpea Varieties (Habru, Dhara, Arerti and Dubie (standard check)) were used as treatments, and set in randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of three replications. All the blended fertilizer rates were applied at planting. Surface soil samples was collected before sowing and analyzed. The result shows also recorded clay 34%, sand 26% and silt 40%, which indicates the soil textural class is clay loam.Anaalysis of this composite soil also 0.71% total nitrogen,14.3% organic matter,8.3% organic carbon,6.41ppm available phosphorus, boron 0.08mgkg1 (ppm), Total sulfur17.83% mg/kg(ppm) and 5.5 PH. On the other hand, the main factors of blended fertilizer rates and chickpea varieties were found statistically significant on the main effect blended NPSB fertilizer and verities (50% days of flowering and days of 90% physiological maturity) and also the main effect variyties plant height and hundred seed weight. The interaction of the main factors had also showed a statistically significant effect on above ground dry biomass, grain yield as well as agronomic efficiency. Generally, the treatment combination of 150 kg ha -1 NPSB and Arerti variety recorded the highest above ground dry biomass (7259 kg ha-1 ) and total grain yield (3538 kg ha-1 ). The result of partial budget analysis, showed that 150 kg ha-1 NPSB with Arerti variety gave the highest net benefit ( 140,439 ETB) with maximum marginal rate of return (4074%) when compared with the other treatments combinations. Hence, the combined application of 150 kg ha-1 of NPSB fertilizers with Arerti variety is recommended for chickpea production in Ezha District as well as areas with similar agro-ecological conditions. However, since the study was conducted only for a single season and in only one location, further research is recommended to be carried out in different locations and seasonsItem EFFECT OF BLENDED NPSB FERTILIZER RATES ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MUNG BEAN VARIETIES IN CHEHA DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2024-04-01) TIGIST FENTAHUN MEHARIEMung bean (Vigna radiata L.), is a recently introduced grain legume crop with high potential uses and export demand. However poor crop management practices, including improper NPSB fertilization rate and absence of improved varieties contributed to low productivity in the study area. Hence a field experiment was conducted in Cheha district, Gurage Zone to evaluate the effect of blended NPSB fertilizer rates on the yield and yield components of mung bean varieties. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were 16 treatment combinations, comprising two mung bean varieties (NVL-1 and Rasa) and eight blended NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 25, 50, 75,100, 125, 150 and 175 kg ha-1 ). The results showed that the highest values for most growth parameters and yield components were obtained with the application of 175 kg ha-1 NPSB. Results from the main effect of NPSB fertilizer rates indicated that the highest values for plant height (75.83), total number of branches (8.43), total number of nodules (22.91 and 22.6), number of effective nodules (13.41and 13.01) hundred seed weight (35.5g) and above ground dry biomass (5606.3 kg ha-1 ) were obtained. The interaction between variety and NPSB rate significantly influenced several growth and yield traits. The combination of Rasa variety with 175 kg ha-1 NPSB resulted in the highest days to 50% flowering (55.66 days),days to 90% physiological maturity (88.33 days), number of pod per plant (31), number of seed per pod (13.91), grain yield (1403.33 kg ha-1 ) and harvest index (24.97%).The partial budget analysis indicated that the combination of rasa variety with 175 kg ha1 NPSB gave the highest net benefit (48,928 Birr ha-1 ) with 1113.2% marginal rate of return. Therefore, the use of 175 kg ha-1 NPSB fertilizer with Rasa variety are recommended for optimal mung bean yield and economic benefit in the study area and similar agro ecology. These findings provide valuable insights for farmers and researchers to enhance mung bean production and address yield limitations in Ethiopia. However, since the result is only on one season and one location, further research is recommended to be carried out across more seasons and locationsItem EFFECT OF RHIZOBIUM INOCULATION (MB003) AND NPSB FERTILIZER RATES ON GROWTH YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MUNG BEAN (Vigna radiate (L.) WILCZEK) VARIETIES IN MISRAKMESKAN DISTRICT EASTERN GURAGE ZONE(wolkite university, 2024-05-02) MOHAMMED WULCHAFO BADKAROLack of adequate information on the use of Rhizobium strain and nitrogen-phosphorus-sulfurboron (NPSB) fertilizer rates are the major yield limiting factors for producing mung bean in the study area. Therefore, the study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nodulation, growth and yield responses of two varieties of mung bean (Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek) at different rates of NPSB fertilizer and Rhizobium inoculates. A field experiment was carried out during the main cropping season of 2021/22 at Misirak Meskan District in Farmers Training Center (FTC). The treatments combinations were two levels of Rhizobium inoculation (with and without), two mung bean varieties N-26 (Rassa) and NVL-1(Nassa) and four levels of NPSB fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1 ). The experiment was arranged in a 2×2×4 factorial combination in randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples were collected from the experimental field at (0-30cm depth) before planting and after harvest to determine selected soil physicochemical properties. Data on growth, nodulation, yield and yield components were recorded and subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results on soil physicochemical properties analyzed before planting and after harvest showed significant differences due to the combined effects of NPSB fertilizers and Rhizobium inoculation. Crop phenology (days to 50% flowering and days to physiological maturity), growth (plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, shoot fresh and dry weight, root dry weight), and nodulation (number of nodules, nodule fresh and dry) weight of mung bean varieties were significantly affected by NPSB fertilizer rates and Rhizobium inoculation. Moreover, the interaction effects of NPSB fertilizer rates, Rhizobium inoculation and mung bean varieties showed significant effects on number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, a hundred seed weight, harvest index, grain yield and above ground biomass. The highest mean value of grain yield(2105.77 kg ha-1 ) was obtained from a combined effect of 150 kg NPSB ha-1 and Rhizobium inoculation from variety N-26 which resulted in 61.28% followed by (2078.90 kg ha-1 ) which was increased by 62.07% at the rate of 100 kg NPSB ha-1 increase over the control (1290.37 kg ha-1 ). Furthermore, the number of seeds per plant, a hundred seeds weight, above ground dry biomass and HI of mung bean were recorded the highest mean values (607.33), (7.50 g), (4241.67 kg ha-1 ) and 0.483, respectively at the rate of 150 kg NPSB ha-1 fertilizer with a Rhizobium inoculation. The partial budget analysis revealed that the maximum (ETB 108600.6 ha-1 ) net benefit was obtained from combined application of rhizobium inoculation and 100 kg NPSB ha-1 from variety N-26 with MRR of 10130% And minimum (ETB 68572.8 ha-1 ) net benefit was obtained from the control. A net benefit advantage of 63.14% (ETB 68572.8 ha-1 ) when compared with the maximum and minimum net benefit. Hence, Rhizobium inoculation with application of 100 kg NPSB ha-1 could be tentatively recommended for mung bean production in Misirak Meskan area. However, the experiment should be repeated over years and locations to provide valid recommendations appropriate for the study siteItem EFFECT OF SEEDING AND HERBICIDE APPLICATION RATES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF FOOD BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.) IN CHEHA DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2024-06-01) BEHARU BEREDA SHAWYEBarley is a major cereal crop in the highlands of Ethiopia and serves as a vital source of food, animal feed, and alcohol. However, weed infestation poses a significant challenge, leading to substantial yield reductions. Hence, to address this issue, a study was conducted during the main cropping season in 2022 in Cheha District. The objective was to assess the effect of seeding and herbicide application rates on the growth and yield of barley. The experimental setup consisted of three seeding rates (75kg/ha, 100kg/ha, and 125kg/ha) and three herbicide rates/AXIS 50EC (0.75l/ha, 1l/ha, 1.25l/ha, twice hand weeding, weed-free, and weedy). The study utilized a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement, and each treatment was replicated three times. The study revealed that broadleaved weed species dominated the study area, accounting for 82.6% of relative density, while grasses constituted 17.4%. The interaction between herbicide application and seeding rates significantly (p<0.05) influenced number of days to heading and maturity, total number and productive tillers per plant, thousand grain weight, number of grains per spike, aboveground biomass yield, and grain yield of barley. The highest yield and yield components of barley were observed with a seed rate of 125 kg, combined with two hand weeding and the application of 1.25l/ha AXIS 50EC. Treatments involving the application of 0.75l/ha AXIS 50EC with75 kg seed rate resulted in the highest dry biomass weight for both broad-leaved and grass weed species. The maximum grain yield (5030 kg/ha) was achieved with twice hand weeding when sown with a seed rate of 125 kg. In contrast, the lowest grain yield (1600 kg/ha) was recorded with the application of 0.75l/ha AXIS 50EC and a seed rate of 75 kg. The economic analysis indicated that the combination of a 125 kg seed rate with the application of 1.25l/ha AXIS 50EC produced the highest net benefit and MRR (604.01%). In conclusion, sowing barley at a seed rate of 125 kg and applying AXIS 50EC at 1.25l/ha resulted in optimal growth and grain yield for the crop. Since the experiment was conducted in one location and season, it should be repeated over season and location for further recommendation.Item GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF FOOD BARLEY (Hordeum vulgar L.) VARIETIES TO NPSB BLENDED FERTILIZER RATES AT ENDEGAGN WOREDA OF GURAGE ZONE SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2023-05-02) FIREW BELETE MELISEBarley is one of the major cereal crops grown in Ethiopia. Due to lack of improved varieties and lack of site specific recommended NPSB fertilizer rates its productivity is lower at Endegagn District. A field experiment was conducted in 2022 main cropping season at Endagagn District to evaluate the effect of NPSB fertilizer rate on yield and yield components of food barley varieties. Factorial combinations of four NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 ) and four varieties of food barley (HB1307, HB1966, Cross41/98 and local variety) were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was collected on growth and yield and yield components Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.3).Treatments mean were compared us LSD at 5% level probability. The result showed that NPSB blended fertilizer levels and varieties were significantly affected majority of the parameters. The highest day’s to 50% heading (107) was recorded due to the use of 150kg of NPSBha-1 for variety HB1966. The highest days to physiological maturity (139), plant height (128) and lodging percent (14.2%)were recorded due to application 150kg of NPSBha-1 for variety HB1966 while the highest spike length(8.2),total number of tiller(12),number of kernel per spike (70), above ground dry biomass(15502kgha-1 ) , grain yield (57933 kgha-1 ) and harvest index (37.9%) were recorded due to the application of 150 kgha-1NPSB blended fertilizer with variety cross41/98. Net benefit of 156,397.3birrha-1 was provided from the treatments combination of 150kgha-1 blended NPSB fertilizer levels with cross41/98. Based on the result of this research use of 150kgha1 blended NPSB fertilizer rate on cross41/98 variety gave highest grain yield and maximum net benefit in the study area. At the conclusion the result obtained from the study was show that, the interaction effect of NPB fertilizer rates and varieties was highly significantly influence on number of number of kernel per spike, a above ground dry biomass, harvest index, plant height and total number of tiller significantly effect on grain yield Therefore, farmers in the study area and areas with similar agro ecology and soil category can be advised to apply cross41/98 variety with 150 kgha-1 blended NPSB fertilizer to enhance the production, and productivity of food barley. However, to get better conclusive result and sound full recommendation the experiment has to be done across location and season.Item SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF TEF (Eragrostis tef (Zuc) Trotter) VARIETIES TO DIFFERENT WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN ABESHGE DISTRICT, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2024-05-03) SISAY WOLDEMARIAM BEREKATef is a staple food crop for many people in Ethiopia; however, weed competition poses a significant threat, leading to substantial yield reduction. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate growth and yield response of tef varieties to different weed management practices during the main crop production season of 2022/2023 in Abeshge district. The experimental treatment comprised three tef varieties (Kora, Dagim, and Quncho) and six weeding methods (W1 = Pallas 45 OD 0.4 l ha-1 at 31 days after crop emergence (DAE); W2 = Pallas 45 OD 0.3 l ha-1 at 31 DAE, supplemented with one hand weeding at 41 DAE; W3 = one hand weeding at 31 DAE; W4 = two hand weeding at 31 and 41 DAE; W5 = weed free; and W6 = weedy check. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and three replications. The results indicated that Poaceae (11 species) were more prevalent weed families competing with tef, followed by Composite families. The highest weed control efficiency was observed in weed-free treatments. Furthermore, the interaction between Kora variety and Pallas 45 OD at 0.3 l ha-1 supplemented with one hand weeding resulted in (88.9) % weed control efficiency. The highest grain yield (2.72 ton ha-1 ) was obtained from the combination of weed free conditions and the Kora variety, while the lowest grain yield (0.46 ton ha-1 ) in weedy check with the Quncho variety. The economic analysis demonstrated that the combination of the Kora variety and Pallas 45 OD at 0.3 l ha-1 with one hand weeding resulted in the marginal revenue (97,312 birr) and benefit-cost ratio (3.2). In conclusion, the study finding indicate that the Kora variety, in combination with Pallas 45 OD 0.3 l ha-1 with one hand weeding resulted in the highest crop growth and grain yield.Item EFFECT OF PLANTING DATES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) VARIETIES AT EZHA DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2024-06-03) DINO NASIR MOHAMEDPlanting dates is a critical factor in maize production decision-making, with implications for crop management, variety selection, and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Afield experiment was conducted to study the effect of planting date on growth and yield of maize varieties. The experiment was conducted in Ezha district during the 2023 main cropping season. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four maize varieties (BH540, BH661, Shone, and Limu) and four planting dates (9-April, 19- April, 29-April, and 9-May) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment's findings demonstrated that planting dates and varieties had a significant impact on most parameters examined. However, varieties had no effect on the number of days to anthesis and silking. The statistical analysis result revealed that, Limu variety interacted with the planting date of 9-April, resulted, the longest days to anthesis silking interval (11.67), the largest number of ears per plant (1.40), the highest thousand kernel weight (410), the highest above-ground dry biomass (13.93 kg ha-1 ), and the highest grain yield (6.71 t ha-1 ) of maize. Similarly, the planting date 9-May interacted with the same variety, resulted the longest days to anthesis silking interval (11.67). The variety Limu resulted in the highest days to maturity (170), ear length (16.63 cm), ear diameter (16.08 cm), and harvest index (43.92). Similarly, Variety BH661 resulted in the highest ear height (101.45), longest days to emergence (9.08 days), longest days to anthesis (95.58 days), and longest days to silking (103.17); beside, the highest plant height (238.97cm), and the highest number of rows per ear (16.40) recorded from variety shone. Conversely, the planting date of 9-April yielded the longest days to maturity (161.75), the highest number of kernels per row (35.56 cm), the highest ear height (84.93 cm), the longest ear length (17.61 cm), the longest ear diameter (17.74 cm), and the highest harvest index (42.05%). Likewise, the planting date of 9-May recorded the longest day to emergence (9.5), the longest day to anthesis (98.67), and the longest days to silking (107.83). Thus, based on the result, early planting on April 9 resulted in the highest grain yield (6.7 t ha-1 ) from the Limu variety, whereas the lowest grain yield (1.65 t ha-1 ) was recorded from the BH540 late planted on May 9. Therefore, variety Limu with early planting date (April 9) was recommended for maize production in the study area. However, the experiment was done only at one location and one season; therefore, it would have to be replicated across locations and seasons to get the best conclusive result and a sound full recommendation for a specific area in order to assure the findings of the current studyItem EFFECT OF BLENDED NPSB FERTILIZER RATES ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) VARIETIES AT ENORE ENER DISTRICT, CENTERA, ETHIOPIA(wolkite university, 2024-12-04) LIJWORK NIGATU AMERGAMaize, a staple cereal crop in Ethiopia, suffers from low productivity in the study area due to poor soil fertility, limited fertilizer use, and low-yielding varieties. To address this, a field experiment was conducted during the 2021/2022 bulge cropping season in Enore Ener district, Central Ethiopia. The study evaluated the effects of blended NPSB fertilizer rates on yield and yield components of three maize varieties (BH-540, BH-546, and BH661). The experiment also aimed to identify economically viable NPSB fertilizer application rates. Treatments consisted of factorial combinations of the three varieties and four NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha1 ) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on maize phenology, growth, yield, and yield components were collected and analyzed using SAS software (Version 9.3).The results showed a significant interaction between maize varieties and NPSB fertilizer rates for most parameters. The result revealed that, BH-661 with 150 kg ha1 NPSB achieved the tallest in plant height (291.33 cm), maximum leaf area (7229.7 cm2), and highest leaf area index (4.3). Application of 150 kg ha1 NPSB fertilizer with variety BH-546 also produced the most ears per plant (2.3) and most grains per ear (6432.7). Moreover, the application of 150 kg ha1 NPSB fertilizer with variety BH-546 resulted in the highest grain yield (9,366.7 kg ha1 ) and the greatest net benefit (211,865.55 Birr ha1 ) Hence applying 150 kg ha1 NPSB fertilizer with variety BH-546 is optimal for maximizing yield and net benefit in the study area., Nevertheless further research is needed across locations and seasons for robust recommendations to the region.