International Journal of Agronomy

Lack of improved varieties and soil fertility degradation are among the major factors that limit durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) production in Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were to determine the response of durum wheat cultivars (i) to nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, and boron (NPSB) fertilizer blend; (ii) rust infection; and (iii) partial budget analysis using NPSB fertilizer blend. A 2-location experiment was conducted in 2021 in South Ethiopia to evaluate the response of 4 durum wheat genotypes to blended NPSB fertilizer rates in a randomized complete block design in a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement. The results showed significant () differences due to genotypes (G), rate of NPSB fertilizer (F), and location (E) for all the parameters. The effects due to the G × F × E interaction were significant () for the number of total tillers, number of productive tillers, and grain yield (GY). A significant () G × E interaction was observed for the majority of parameters except days to 50% heading and plant height. Durum wheat genotype S₃-213037 produced the highest grain yield of 3689.3 kg·ha⁻¹ when NPSB fertilizer was applied at a rate of 225 kg·ha⁻¹ at Adekoysha. Moreover, partial budget analysis indicated that genotype S₃-213037 accrued a maximum benefit of 112,986.50 birr·ha⁻¹ and the highest marginal rate of return of 1356.4% when NPSB fertilizer was applied at a rate of 225 kg·ha⁻¹. Therefore, this study indicated that the application of an NPSB fertilizer rate of 225 kg·ha⁻¹ could be used in the production of durum wheat in the East African region with similar agroecologies to the study area.

Soil fertility decline is a significant factor affecting crop production. In a specific area, fertilizer application for a crop depends on soil type and profitability. Moreover, optimizing chemical fertilizer utilization in crop production is crucial from both environmental and economic perspectives. However, there is limited information available on the optimum NPSB fertilizer rate for common bean production in the study area. Thus, the study aimed to establish area-specific NPSB fertilizer rate recommendations for optimal grain yield and profitability of common bean. The field experiment was conducted in two locations in the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. The treatments included 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 kg·ha⁻¹ NPSB fertilizer rates, and they were planted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The combined location analysis of variance indicated that the application of NPSB fertilizer significantly influenced plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred-seed weight, biomass yield, grain yield, and harvest index. The highest grain yields (2815 kg·ha⁻¹ and 3433 kg·ha⁻¹) were recorded with the application of a 125 kg·ha⁻¹ NPSB blended fertilizer rate, while the lowest grain yields (1429 kg·ha⁻¹ and 1500 kg·ha⁻¹) were produced from the nonfertilizer applied plot in Deneba and Wara, respectively. The combined location mean showed that the maximum grain yield (3124 kg·ha⁻¹), followed by 2710 kg·ha⁻¹, was produced by the application of 125 and 100 kg·ha⁻¹ NPSB fertilizer rates, respectively. The data indicate that raising the NPSB fertilizer rate from 0 to 125 kg·ha⁻¹ would greatly boost grain yield in the common bean in both locations in a similar manner. The economic analysis revealed that applying 125 kg·ha⁻¹ of NPSB fertilizer earned the highest net benefits (140453.2 ETB·ha⁻¹) with the highest marginal rate of return (1745.26%). Therefore, for high yield and profitability of common bean, a rate of 125 kg·ha⁻¹ NPSB fertilizer is suggested in the study area and similar agro-ecological zones.

The introduction of improved forage varieties could play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for livestock and livestock products in Ethiopia. However, different cultivars exhibit varied performance. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the performance of Brachiaria cultivars and other grass cultivars in two subhumid agroecological areas of Ethiopia. Four Brachiaria cultivars (B. brizantha (DZF-13379), B. humidicola (DZF-9222), B. decumbens (DZF-10871), and B. mutica (var. DZF-483), and two local grass cultivars, Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana var. Massaba) and Desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium var. Kindu Kosha), were evaluated in Bako and Bishoftu for three years during the rainy season. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized block design. Results indicated that both cultivars and years had significant () effects on herbage dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) yield, and plant height, whereas location only affected DM yield. Significant cultivar × year interactions were observed for DM yield, CP yield, and plant height, while cultivar × location interactions had a significant effect on all parameters except for CP yield. Additionally, cultivars significantly () impacted the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) as well as the nutritional content (CP, ash, acid detergent lignin (ADL), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Overall, all cultivars demonstrated potential as alternative ruminant feeds, with B. mutica, followed by B. brizantha, showing superior performance in the subhumid agroecological areas of Ethiopia.

Weeds significantly hinder mung bean production in Ethiopia. A field experiment conducted during the 2022 cropping season in Guragie Zone investigated the impact of pre- and post-emergence herbicides on weed control and mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.)) yield. The experiment utilized a randomized complete block design with three replicates and four treatments. The study revealed that the interaction between location and weed control methods significantly influenced weed density, dry weight, and control efficiency. Additionally, location and weed control methods significantly affected various mung bean growth parameters, including days to flowering and maturity, plant height, pod and seed numbers per plant, and grain yield. Meskan Wordea produced significantly higher pods per plant (14.4) and seeds per pod (9.73). Meanwhile, the weed-free check yielded the maximum number of pods per plant (20.38) and seeds per pod (11.68). Conversely, the weedy check exhibited the lowest values (7.17 pods and 6.43 seeds per pod). The weed-free check also achieved the highest grain yield (1412.9 kg ha⁻¹), aboveground dry biomass (3309.2 kg ha⁻¹), and harvest index (42.94%). Conversely, the weedy check yielded the lowest values. Financial analysis revealed that the combined application of Quizalofop-p-ethyl + Bentazone herbicide in Ezeha location resulted in the highest net profit (33602.3 ETB ha⁻¹). Therefore, for optimal mung bean growth and yield in the study area, we recommend planting the Rasa variety with Quizalofop-p-ethyl + Bentazone herbicide in Ezeha location.

Nowadays, the inoculation of plant growth-promoting rhizobia in leguminous and nonleguminous crops is given great emphasis as it improves germination and seedling vigor, resulting in increased yields. In this study, 32 rhizobia isolates were obtained from five different sampling sites in Tigray, Ethiopia. Based on morphological, biochemical, and confirmatory tests, including sugar fermentation, the isolates were identified as belonging to the rhizobia genera. In vitro assessment of plant growth-promoting properties revealed that all isolates produced indole-acetic-acid, ammonia, and solubilized phosphate, except TA8, which did not solubilize phosphate. Only 3 isolates (TA1, TA2, and TA8) produced hydrogen cyanide, so they can be used as biocontrol agents. Nineteen isolates showed a growth reduction activity against Fusarium oxysporum, with a percent inhibition range of 34.2%–65.8%. All isolates tolerated a pH range of 4.0–9.0. The isolates showed growth variations in various temperatures and salt concentrations. A few isolates were tolerant up to 45°C temperature and 6% (w/v) CaCl₂ and NaCl concentrations. Inoculation of the isolates to wheat seeds increased seed germination, seedling shoot/root length, and seedling vigor index compared to the positive and negative controls. Isolates KO3, KO4, ME3, and TA5 increased seed germination by 4%. KO1 (11.60 cm) and TA7 (11.70 cm) showed a significantly enhanced shoot length, and ME3 showed a maximum root length (13.90 cm). SH1, KO2, and the positive control showed a significant () increase in pea seed germination (by 20%) compared to the negative control. The positive control had the longest field pea shoot (5.70 cm), and isolate TA9 had the longest field pea root (5.32 cm) compared to the negative control. Generally, the wheat and field pea seedlings responded differently to the inoculation of different isolates. This study shows that Tigray soils harbor a variety of rhizobia species, which can be used as plant growth-promoting and biocontrol agents.

Smallholder farmers’ access to and use of quality seeds of improved varieties and hybrids is an integral component of sustainable maize production and the reduction of the yield gap in Ethiopia. Formal seed supply systems play a pivotal role in ensuring farmers’ access to good quality seed and increasing the productivity of maize. However, the contribution of the formal seed system to the increase in the average national maize yield in the country is not well documented. This paper specifically analyzes the formal seed supply systems and contributions of improved seed to maize productivity increase in Ethiopia. Secondary sources of information, including published and unpublished data, were used. Analysis of the seed value chain from research to commercial seed producers indicated that public and private maize hybrids dominate the formal seed system. Increased use of improved seed and associated management practices has contributed to the yield increase at the national level. For every 10,000 MT of additional maize-improved seed used by smallholder farmers, the national average maize yield increased by 400 kg per hectare (R sq. = 0.59). Hence, in addition to other yield-increasing technologies and extension support, ensuring the availability of improved seed to farmers can significantly contribute to reducing the maize yield gap between the national average yield and the average yield from on-farm demonstrations already attained by farmers in Ethiopia. Various policy interventions are suggested to improve the maize seed system performance and increase the supply of maize improved seeds.