Research
Participatory Evaluation of Oat and Vetch Varieties under Farmers Management in Bulle Highland, Southern Ethiopia
Five oat and three vetch varieties were demonstrated and evaluated under farmers’ management conditions at Seka kebele of Bulle Woreda, southern Ethiopia, with the objective of introduction and evaluation of different Oat Vetch species. The oat varieties were Lampton (standard check), CI-2291, CI- 8251, CI-8237, and CI-2806, whereas the vetch varieties evaluated were Vicia dasycarpa (V.D), Vicia Sativa (V.S), and Vicia villosa. The varieties were planted in a 3 m x 4 m plots arranged in an RCBD design with four replications. The results indicated that the germination date was influenced by the effect of the year. Accessions like CI-2291 and CI-2806 had higher (p≤0.05) dry matter yield than other accessions regardless of year effect, while accession CI-8251 and CI-8237 had higher seed yield than other accessions. Regarding vetch varieties, Vicia sativa had a significantly (P<0.05) higher dry matter yield. It is noted that both oat and vetch varieties were well adapted to the study area during both years. From the oat varieties, CI-2291 and CI-2806 could be recommended for herbage production, while CI-8237and CI-8251 for seed production. From the vetch varieties, Vicia sativa is the preferred variety for seed production, while Vicia dasycarpa and Vicia villosa are preferred for herbage production. Furthermore laboratory analysis and in vivo digestablity has to be conducted in the study areas.
Effect of between Plants Space on Seed Yield Potential of Cow Pea at Dilla Sub- Station, Southern Ethiopia
The study was conducted in Dilla substation with objective of identifying optimum between plant space for optimum seed yield and quality seed. Planting one high yielding which is in seed multiplication status was used as experimental material. Four different between plant space( 10 cm, 20cm, 30cm and 40cm with constant between row space(40cm) were used as experimental treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Plot size was 3 x 2m with an inter-row spacing of 40cm and 1m between replication and plots. Dry matter herbage yield has shown significantly higher in between plant space of 20cm than other treatments (30 and 40 cm) at (p<0.05) which is in contrary to seed yield. Seed yield has showed statistically significant variation at 30cm than at 20 and 10 cm between plants spaces at (p<0.05). Hence, there will be two recommendation options for smallholder producers. To secure feed shortage and increased herbage production 20cm between plant space where as increased seed yield and further researches spacing under intercropping condition in different cereal crops should be conducted to fill the existing knowledge gap and thereby to utilize efficiently existing resources and plaster feed shortage gap.
