Assessment of Major Livestock Feed Resources and Constraints in Guji Zone, Southern Oromia

The study was conducted with objective of assessing and rank the major livestock feed resources and its constraints in Guji Zone, Southern Oromia. Data was collected by group discussions and structured questionnaire in six districts. Data was collected from both secondary and primary data. A total of two hundred eighty eight (288) respondents were randomly selected and interviewed from districts based upon pre-tested structured questionnaire. Native pastures, crop residues, grazing of crop stubbles and browse trees were the major feed resources in the study area. Natural pasture and crop residues were produced in large amounts in the study area. The main cause of grazing land deterioration was drought 69.1% lowland, over grazing 58.2% highland and bush encroachment 21.9%. The major traditional range land management practice of the study area was conservation enclosure (kalo). The main source income of stakeholders depends upon sale of livestock and livestock product, and sale of crop. In the lowland area livestock cover long distance (>6 km) to reach water compared to the mid and highland parts. Further research and development work should be encouraged to improve dry season feed scarcity through different options such as utilization of non-convention feeds, forages development program, use of alternative means of crop residue utilization and adaptation, demonstration of improved forage varieties. Keywords: Assessment; Communal; Enclosure; Feed; Native pasture; Stubbles DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/92-02 Publication date:October 31st 202

Evaluation of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) Cultivars for Their Agronomic Performances and Nutritive Values in Highland and Midland of Guji Zone of Oromia

The study was conducted with the objective to identify adaptable high biomass, leaf to steam ratio and good quality yield of Alfalfa cultivars at Bore Agricultural research center. Eight Alfalfa cultivars; Hunter river, Magna-801-FG, Pioneer (1995) DZF-406, Segule1396 (408), Peruvian DZF (406), F-G-9-09, F-L-L-77-(406) and Hunter river (4010) were tested in RCBD with three replications. Plant height was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for Hairy (1995) DZF-406 cultivar (83 cm) while lower for Magna-801-FG. Disease resistance was significantly differ (P < 0.05) among cultivars. Segule (1396)-408 cultivars were highly resistant to diseases compared to others. Leaf to stem ratio, biomass yield and seed yield were not show significant (P > 0.05) different among treatments. Regarding chemical compositions of NDF, ADL and CP were significantly (P < 0.05) different among treatments. The superior ADL was obtained from Segule (1396)-408 cultivar (32.5%) while, low was obtained from F-L-L-77 (406) cultivar. The superior NDF was obtained from Poineer (1995) DZF-406 cultivar (70.7%) whereas; the low was from Peruvien- DZF- 406 cultivar (45.9%). The CP yield showed significant (P < 0.05) difference among cultivars. Magna- 801-FG cultivar had the superior (26.3%) CP while, Segule (1396)-408 cultivar (11.3%) had the inferior CP content. Cultivar F-G-9-09 was produce superior in DM (91.8%) and less in ADL (9.3%) while Segule 1396 (1396)-408 cultivar produce (91.3%) DM and lower in TASH (10.8%). superior OM was obtained from Segule 1396 (408) cultivar (80.4%) compared to others. Based on its yield, plant height, biomass yield and chemical compositions, good DM and OM Peruvien- DZF- 406, F-L-L-77 (406,) Segule-1396 (408) and F-G-9-09 is recommended for further promotion in the highland and midland of Guji and similar agro-ecologies. Keywords: Medicago Sativa, chemical composion, Adola, Cultivar. DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/106-03 Publication date:March 31st 202