Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and quality as influenced by cultivar and nitrogen fertilizer levels at Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia

Despite the food and nutritional contribution of potatoes, their production and productivity are faced with major constraints such as selection of an appropriate cultivar and fertilizer rates. A field experiment was conducted at Wolaita Soddo, in Southern Ethiopia, to identify adaptable cultivars and optimum levels of nitrogen fertilizer for potato production. The treatments consisted of three cultivars (Bellete, Gudene, and one local check) and four levels of nitrogen (N) (0, 55.5, 111, and 166.5 kg N ha-1) to give a total of 12 treatments arranged in factorial combinations and laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data was collected on growth, yield, and yield components. Results revealed that days to 50% flowering and maturity, number of marketable tubers, unmarketable tubers, marketable tuber yield, and total tuber yield were significantly influenced by the interaction effect. As the level of N increased from 0 to 166.5 kg ha-1, the days to physiological maturity were extended. The maximum marketable yield (34.15 t ha-1) was recorded from cultivar Bellete with 166.5 kg Nha-1, whereas the least (7.48 t ha-1) was obtained from local check with 0 kg N ha-1, indicating a 356.55% yield advantage with proper cultivar and fertilizer combination. In the tuber quality parameters, Bellete had the highest dry matter (23.28%) and specific gravity (1.094 g cm-1), whereas the lowest (17.65% and 1.070 g cm-1) were recorded from local. Partial budget analysis also confirmed that the Bellete cultivar with 166.5 kg N ha-1 had the highest MRR (1850), which was the most economically feasible regarding potato yield and quality. Thus, the cultivar Bellete with 166.5 kg N ha-1 can be used for potato production in the study area

Diversity, Challenges and Potentials of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) Production: In Case of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The main objectives of the study were to investigate the existing diversity of enset clones selected for different purposes; its challenges and contribution of enset production for sustainable livelihood security of the rural community in the study area. The result revealed that farmers were rich in diversity in that they grow various types of clones in the same farm for their intended purposes. Among diverse enset clones grown in the area, the top 5 clones which are selected for kocho, workey and bulla include halla, falakiya, tuzuma,nakaka and gena. Similarly, clones selected for amicho (corm) include arkiya, nakaka, gena, chichiya and peluwa; and those selected for fiber include halla, falakiya, tuzuma, maziya, and argama. Generally, clones halla, nakaka, tuzuma, maziya and kekeruwa are some of the clones of multipurpose. Enset plays a vital role in contributing food and livelihood security of majority of the society in the study area. In line with this, about 63% of the sample farmers reported that the yield of enset is higher than other major crops including root and tuber crops produced in the area. Farmers identified the major challenges and about 55% of the sample farmers indicated that land shortage was the 1st serious problem in the area followed by disease and recurrent drought which account for about 16% and 14.7%, respectively. Therefore, critical reduction of enset production and its diversity calls for future collective action to generate new technology in every aspect including production, processing and extension services to utilize the crop potential. Furthermore, clone of multipurpose such as halla, nakaka and tuzuma need to be promoted further to utilize crop potential and to contribute for sustainable livelihood security of rural people.   Keywords: enset, clone, yield, challenges, diversity, Sustainable and livelihoo

Participatory Evaluation of Seed Treatment Techniques to Improve Seed Quality and Yield in Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) at Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The research was conducted using 8 seed treatments which include: 5% HCl, 10% HCl, 5% H2SO4, 10%H2SO4, Sodium Carbonate (5%), Wood Ash, Hot water treatment & fermentation at ‘Mante Gerera’ Kebele (Peasant Association) Sodo Zuriya woreda in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia, in 2011 with the objectives to identify the best seed treatment technique that improves seed quality and subsequent yield in tomato and to disseminate knowledge and skill of seed treatment techniques for farmers and other stakeholders. The experiment was done under laboratory and field condition. The laboratory work focused on seed extraction, treatment and germination. Concerning seed quality, seeds treated with acids have shown better quality in terms of color. The best result was that of HCl treated ones. In case of germination, date of germination and percentage of germination showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) among treatments. The fast germination (2.33days) was observed in seeds treated with 10% HCl, 5% H2SO4 and hot water where as the most delayed one was wood ash treated seeds (4.17 days). The highest germination was obtained by seeds treated with 5% H2SO4 (96.67%) and the lowest (63.33%) was that of seeds treated with wood ash. Thus, it can be said that nearly 33% of seeds could be saved by treating seeds with acids. Statistical analysis showed non-significant difference among treatments in plant height. But branch number per plant has showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) among treatments. The highest branch number per plant (6.67) was recorded by hot water treatment followed by 5% H2SO4 (6.50). On the other side, the lowest average branch number per plant (4.78) was recorded by fermentation. The highest mean fruit diameter was observed in seeds treated with 10% HCl (39.2 mm) and 10% H2SO4 (38.17mm). Generally better results were observed in acid treatments than nonacid treated seeds. The highest value in fruit yield (516.42 qt/ha) was recorded by 10% H2SO4 followed by 5% HCl whose yield recorded was 478.40 qt/ha. The lowest yield (349.79 qt/ha) was recorded by wood ash treatment.  Therefore, it is advisable for seed business men to treat with HCl to fetch high market demand than local producers and nearly 33% of seeds could be saved by treating seeds with acids. Thus, it is advisable to treat tomato seeds with acids so as to improve its quality in terms of color, germination date and percentage. It can be generalized that tomato seeds treated with acids are the best in terms quality and fresh fruit yield.   Key words: Mante Gerera, Tomato, acids, wood ash, fermentation, seed extraction, quality, yiel

The Effect of Variety, Nitrogen and Phousphorous Fertilization on Growth and Bulb Yield of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) at Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate growth, yield and yield components of different onion (Allium cepa) varaties under different nitrogen and phosphorous levels from May to December, 2012 in wolaita zone Humbo wereda Ampokoysha district of southern Ethiopia. The study consisted of 3 released Onion varieties (Adama Red, Bombe Red and Nafis), 4 levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg N ha-1) and 4 levels of phosphorous (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1) in RCB design with three replications. Data were collected for growth, bulb yield and yield components. Analysis of variances (ANOVA) revealed that varieties differed significantly (P?0.05) in plant height, bulb diameter, bulb fresh weight, total bulb yield, marketable yield, harvest index, bulb dry matter content. Nitrogen affected positively and significantly (P < 0.05) plant height produced the bulbs of greatest marketable yield, and total bulb yield where as Phosphorous affected positively and significantly (P < 0.05) plant height, Harvest index, bulb diameter and bulb dry matter content. There was no significant interaction between variety, nitrogen and phosphorous levels for all observed parameters. In this study, the highest bulb yield of 2.72 t/ha was achieved using Nafis variety with application of 69 kg N/ha and 46 kg P2O5/ha.  According to the partial budget analysis, the highest economic benefits of 74,096 birr/ha was also obtained using Nafis variety at 69 kg N/ha and 46 kg P2O5/ha. Therefore, Nafis variety with application of 69 kg N/ha and 46 kg P2O5/ha could be appropriate for Onion production in the test area. Keywords: Onion, Variety, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Growth, Yield, Ethiopia

Rhizome Yield, and Oleoresin and Total Gingerol Content of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Accessions from Southern Ethiopia

Knowledge of genetic variability and correlation among agronomic and quality traits is important for plant breeders to improve yield and quality of crops. To evaluate the performance and estimate the variability of ginger accessions, a total of 27 indigenous and 9 introduced accessions were tested at four locations in southern Ethiopia in 2007 using 6 × 6 lattice square designs with three replications. Oleoresin was determined using Sox Tec Extraction and total gingerol content was determined using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. The analyses of variance revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences among accessions for most traits studied. The mean fresh rhizome yield was 19.4, 12.2, 10.4 and t ha-1 at Tepi, Matala Hambecho, Parawocha and Hadaro, respectively. The range of oleoresin extracted with hexane was 2.75-6.25%, and total gingerol content ranged from11.5% to 30.0%. Broad sense heritability (73%) and genetic advance as percent of mean (29.41) were high for fresh rhizome yield. Path coefficient analysis indicated that the superseding componenttraits determining rhizome yield are rhizome length and number of fingers rhizome-1. Thus, these traits should be given emphasis in improving rhizome yields