Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Assessment of Varietal Replacement Rate for Major Crops in Central Ethiopia

Lemma Zemedu — 2025-02-17

Improved seed is one of the key agricultural technologies that can significantly enhance crop productivity. Several varieties of major cereal crops (tef, bread wheat, and durum wheat) and pulse crops (chickpea and lentil) have been released through national agricultural research systems in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the degree of these varietal replacement for major crops grown in central Ethiopia. This study generated information from a data collected from two districts (Gimbichu and Lume) of East Shewa zone, a total of randomly selected seven kebeles and 234 sample respondent farm households interviewed face-to-face during 2020/21 cropping season. Area weighted average variety age (AWAVA) in years was calculated in aggregate for both districts by considering total area of improved varieties for all major crops and found 11.03 (Tef), 8.49 (durum wheat), 10.71 (bread wheat), 15.48 (lentil) and 21.3 (chickpea). Almost all varieties currently under-production for all major crops aged more than ten years. The result highlighted the extent to which older varieties dominate production, potentially impacting productivity and resilience. Hence, the older age of varieties under production demands an immediate solution in dessimination of recently released improved varieties seed and release of a new variety that has pest resistance and high-yielding attributes than those under current production.

Milk Quality and its Improvement Options in Selected Milk Sheds of Ethiopia

Lemma Fita — 2025-02-17

The study was conducted in Selale- Addis, Adama-Asella, and Ambo-Woliso milk sheds with the objectives to evaluate the quality of raw milk, identify factors affecting milk quality and suggest quality improvement options. A value chain approach was employed where milk samples were collected from 54 smallholder dairy producers, 9 milk collectors, 27 milk retailers and 27 milk consumers from the selected milk sheds. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were held with farmers and experts of the respective zones and woredas of the study areas. Milk collectors, processors and consumers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires separately prepared for each actor. The collected quantitative data were analyzed using SAS software, version 9.4. The results revealed that, the physical qualities (specific gravity, moisture content and freezing point) and chemical qualities (total solid, protein, fat, lactose and solid non-fat contents) of raw cow milk were within the normal range of raw milk set by the Ethiopian Standard Institute. The overall mean pH value of raw milk in the milk sheds was lower than the pH value set by the Ethiopian Standard Institute for raw cow milk which is also confirmed by higher titratable acidity of milk obtained in the present study. The lower pH and higher titratable acidity values may reveal that the milk might have stayed on farm for longer time before it came to collection site where the milk samples were taken. Significantly higher total bacterial count (7.23log10cfu/ml) was recorded for milk samples collected from retailers while the lowest TBC (6.46^b±0.14) was for milk samples collected from producers. The higher TBC could be related to environmental contaminants and unsanitary milk storage and transportation equipment along the milk value chain. Significantly higher CC were observed in milk samples collected from retailers (5.43±0.10 log10 cfu/ml) and consumers (5.47±0.10 log10 cfu/ml) indicating that CC increases along the value chains which could be related to poor environmental hygiene, poor hygienic milking practices and handling. In general the microbial quality of milk in the study milk sheds was found to be substandard. Unhygienic milking practices used by the farmers, shortage of clean water, lack of quality feed and feeding practices, health of animal, adulteration of milk, inappropriate milk storage and transportation systems, absence of standard milk equipment and basic requirements for milk collection, market problems, unhealthy competition among legal milk collectors/traders and illegal traders, and lack of milk regulatory system were the major factors affecting the quality of milk in the study milk sheds. Capacitating stakeholders involving in milk production, collection and marketing through skill training, improving the supply of clean water, controlling feed quality and feeding practices, improving animal health services, creating market linkages and enforcing milk regulatory systems are suggested to improve the quality of milk in the study milk sheds.

Farmers’ Integrated Evaluation of Elite Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato Genotypes in Diverse Agro Ecological Areas of Ethiopia

Bililign Mekonnen — 2025-02-17

Six orange-fleshed sweetpotato genotypes were evaluated in integration with farmers in 2022 to identify their preferred varieties for enhanced production. A mother trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design across five locations: Hawassa, Halaba, Wondogenet, Arbaminch, and Fogera. A baby trial was set up with about 150 farmers. Each farmer got 200 cuttings from one new genotype and two released varieties. Data on yield and yield-related traits were recorded from the mother trial, including organoleptic aspects of boiled roots, and subjected to analysis of variance. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for all traits considered. G3 (13NC9350A-9-3) had the highest root yield of 26.83 t/ha, while G4 (105413-5) had the lowest root yield of 12.20 t/ha. The highest and lowest above-ground biomass yields were recorded for G4 (105413-5) and G5 (Alamura) 37.33 to 20.54 t/ha, respectively. The significant differences observed among genotypes in sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD) reactions. G1 (MUSG014052-51-24) and G3 (13NC9350A-9-3) showed the highest and lowest scores of 3.8 and 2.0 for SPVD, respectively, reflecting scores <3.0 and >3.0, which indicate tolerance and susceptibility to SPVD, respectively. Farmers’ criteria included agronomic traits like drought tolerance, earliness (time to harvest), high root yield, SPVD tolerance, and vegetative performance, as well as organoleptic qualities of boiled roots: mealiness, taste, color, hardness, and odor. Considering all these traits, Alamura, 13NC9350A-9-3, and Kabode emerged as the top three genotypes selected by farmers. Therefore, these genotypes are recommended for scaling up in sweetpotato-growing areas in Ethiopia.

Assessment of Genetic Variability in Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes at Metema, Northwestern Ethiopia

Asaye Birhanu — 2025-02-17

Rice holds promise to meeting food demand and ensuring social stability in Ethiopia. However, the country demand for rice far exceeds its production, with 80% of the deficit being met through imports. Hence, identification and utilization of genetically diverse genotypes is essential for crop improvement programs to develop and deploy high yielding rice varieties. This study was conducted with the objective to assess genetic parameters and determine the extent of genetic diversity among 81 upland rice genotypes. Field study was carried out in Metema during the 2021 main cropping season, using a 9x9 simple lattice design with two replications. Eighteen agro-morphological traits were analyzed using various multivariate techniques and genetic parameter estimation methods. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the traits studied. Moderate to high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variations were found for days to heading, days to maturity, filled grains per panicle, and grain yield. Moderate to high heritability, coupled with genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, were observed for thousand grain weight, grain yield, and filled grains per panicle, suggesting that these traits could be improved through direct selection. Cluster analysis grouped the 81 genotypes into six clusters. The inter-cluster distance was greatest between Cluster IV and Cluster V (D² = 261.62), indicating that these clusters could be valuable for hybridization programs. The first five principal components accounted for 75.56% of the total variability in the 18 traits, providing insight into the traits that differentiate the genotypes. The result of this study suggests existences of adequate genetic variability among the genotypes, which could be recommended for future rice improvement programs.

Assessment of Genetic Variability in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) Genotypes at Gondar, Ethiopia

Gobezie Chakelie — 2025-02-17

Identification and utilization of genetically diverse germplasm are the primary objectives of crop improvement. This study evaluated 81 soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) genotypes in Metema and West Armachiho districts of Northwestern Ethiopia during 2019/2020 using a simple lattice design to assess phenotypic variability and propose effective selection strategies. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among genotypes, locations, and genotype × location interactions for most traits. Estimations of genetic variability, heritability, and expected genetic advance indicate significant genetic variability among the tested genotypes. Key traits exhibited high broad-sense heritability (h²b) and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM), including days to 50% flowering (94.84, 30.21), plant height (92.13, 38.63), branches per plant (80.89, 46.15), pods per plant (71.90, 46.22) and hundred seed weight (85.12, 21.93), suggesting significant potential for genetic improvement in these traits. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into six clusters, with Cluster I being the largest (63%), followed by Cluster III, which contained 11.11% of the genotypes. The maximum inter-cluster distance was between Clusters II and VI (D² = 154.64), indicating high genetic divergence suitable for hybridization. Principal component analysis attributed 77.98% of the total variation to the first four components, emphasizing traits critical for selection. In conclusion, the study demonstrated significant variability among the genotypes, which could be exploited in future soybean improvement programs.

Evaluating the Performance of Elite Sweetpotato Genotypes under Stressed and Non-Stressed Conditions Using Drought Tolerance Indices

Fekadu Gurmu — 2025-02-17

The performance of sweetpotato genotypes under stress conditions due to erratic rainfall patterns can be affected and can result in decreased productivity. About 24 elite sweetpotato genotypes, including one released variety, Alamura, were tested under stress and non-stress conditions in 2022, with the objective of identifying drought-tolerant genotypes for further evaluation and variety development. The trial was established in stress and non-stress blocks using a lattice design arrangement at Werer, Afar Regional State of Ethiopia. Six drought tolerance indices, namely the mean productivity index (MPI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), tolerance (TOL), stress susceptibility index (SSI), stress tolerance index (STI), and stress intensity (SI), were rigorously assessed to select consistently high-yielding genotypes under both conditions. Data were collected specifically for root yield and its components and then subjected to analysis of variance. The result revealed that over eight genotypes performed well under stress conditions for the traits considered. Based on the drought indices, the SI level was 0.23, indicating a 23% yield reduction due to drought stress, which falls within the mild intensity range. In the evaluation of sweetpotato genotypes, if the stress is not severe, correlations of yields under both conditions and drought indices can be assessed. Accordingly, yield in non-stress (YP) and yield in stressful conditions (YS) are positively and significantly associated with stress indices such as MP, GMP, and STI, implying that these indices are appropriate for selecting stress-tolerant and high-yielding genotypes under both stress and non-stress conditions. The correlations were also confirmed with principal component and biplot analyses. Based on these three indices, eight genotypes, namely G4, G6, G9, G10, G13, G17, G19, and G24 were selected as drought-tolerant for further evaluations in multi-location trials.

Oyster Mushroom [Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P. Kumm.] Cultivation using Agricultural Wastes

Nkechi Gloria Ogbuji — 2025-02-18

A study was conducted to investigate the nutritional profile and growth performance of mushrooms cultivated on different substrates. Substrates consisted of agricultural wastes (fresh and composted sawdust, paper and fluted pumpkin stems) and their combinations. In this study, number of fruiting bodies produced, stipe length and girth, pileus diameter, and fresh and dry weights of mushrooms were recorded. The results showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the number of days taken for each substrate to obtain a complete mycelia run with fresh sawdust substrate (FS) having the highest (43), and mixture of composted sawdust, paper and fluted pumpkin stem (CSPPuS) having the least (30). Accordingly, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the number of fruiting bodies harvested from each substrate (mushroom yield) with CSPPuS having the highest fresh (32.99+0.15 g) and dry weight (5.82+0.68 g) of mushroom and also the highest number of fruiting bodies (36). There was also a significant difference (P<0.05) in the nutritional content of fruiting bodies among substrates. The highest protein content was obtained from CSPPuS (28.88+0.41 %). In conclusion, fluted pumpkin stem and paper can serve as good substrates for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation.