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Research Article
Effects of Time Based Integrated Organic and Mineral Fertilizer Rate Application on Improved Coffee Cultivar Yield at Awada South Ethiopia
Leta Ajema Gebisa*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2024
Pages:
14-18
Received:
2 October 2024
Accepted:
28 October 2024
Published:
20 November 2024
Abstract: Coffee Production plays a significant role in Ethiopian economy, even though the productivity at farm level is among the lowest as compared to other coffee producing country. Soil degradation is one of the most challenging problems in coffee growing areas of Ethiopia. Declining soil fertility is a fundamental problem to agricultural growth and a major reason for slow growth of food production. Therefore, this activity was designed to determine optimum application time of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers under coffee growing areas and to assess the effects of temporal application effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on coffee yield and yield stability performance of coffee cultivar. The experiment was conducted with RCBD design with four replications and ten treatments settled from integrated organic and inorganic inputs at Awada Agricultural research sub-center starting from 2013-2023 for the last 10 consecutive years. The result demonstrated that, application of 200kgha-1N, 77kgha-1P and 12.5ton ha-1 integrated nutrient application at each cropping season resulted statically significant higher yield result as compared to the other nutrient applications. The plot treated with the recommended NP + recommended decomposed coffee husk application per year (200kgha-1N, 77kgha-1P and 12.5ton ha-1) indicated over all yield advantage over the other plots by 22.07% or 345kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the recommended (200kgha-1N, 77kgha-1P) applied alone per year and 33.39% or 522kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the plots treated with recommended decomposed coffee husk (12.5ton ha-1) alone application per each cropping season.
Abstract: Coffee Production plays a significant role in Ethiopian economy, even though the productivity at farm level is among the lowest as compared to other coffee producing country. Soil degradation is one of the most challenging problems in coffee growing areas of Ethiopia. Declining soil fertility is a fundamental problem to agricultural growth and a ma...
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Research Article
Better Barley Yield at Hankomolicha Sidama Zone, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2024
Pages:
19-26
Received:
19 July 2022
Accepted:
6 August 2022
Published:
22 November 2024
Abstract: Soil acidity is one of the major yields limiting factors for crop production in the Southren of Sidama Region, Ethiopia. A study experiment was done on acid soils to assess the ameliorating capacity of lime when applied in split application and its effects on Barley yield and selected soil properties in the study area. And The treatment was arranged five levels of lime such as control (T1):(without any input), (T2):(25% of the full dose of lime, 25% of the dose applied in the first year, 25% in the second year, 25% in the third year and the rest 25% in the (T3) 33% of the dose applied in the first year, 33% in the second year and the rest 33% in the third year, (T4) 50% of the dose applied in the first year and the rest 50% in the second year, (T5) 100% of the Full dose of lime apply on each treatment based on the experimental objectives, and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Lime requirement was determined based on exchangeable acidity of the soil. Soil analysis revealed that split lime application at different year raised soil pH from 4.73 to 5.07 and reduced the exchangeable acidity from 1.09 - 0.74 cmolc/kg of soil. Likewise yield of Barley was significantly affected by the treatments. In order to reduce the large amounts of lime at once, split application of lime also gave similar higher yield of Barley as that of at 33% of the full dose split lime application. However, for sustainable and drastically increments of productivity of barley production in Hankomolicha southern Ethiopia. 33% of the full dose of split lime application had shown positive response on soil reaction and Exchangeable acidity. Therefore, application of lime at once is un-affordable due to large amounts required per hectare of land and split application of lime could be considered as an alternative option for poor resource farmers for sustainable soil health and crop productivity.
Abstract: Soil acidity is one of the major yields limiting factors for crop production in the Southren of Sidama Region, Ethiopia. A study experiment was done on acid soils to assess the ameliorating capacity of lime when applied in split application and its effects on Barley yield and selected soil properties in the study area. And The treatment was arrange...
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Research Article
Effects of Various Feed Sources Vermicompost on Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L) Growth Performance at Hawassa
Malefia Demerew*,
Girma Abera
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2024
Pages:
27-32
Received:
10 November 2024
Accepted:
23 November 2024
Published:
12 December 2024
Abstract: The research was conducted to study the effects of vermicompost produced from various biodegradable wastes on lettuce growth performance. The experiment was conducted at Hawassa University, College of Agriculture during 2022 cropping season. The experiment consisted of 8 treatments, 7 treatments were using vermicomposts produced from agro-industrial wastes such as avocado and coffee husk and agricultural waste (cow dung and enset produced at Hawassa University, College of Agriculture and negative control (without vermicompost amendment) was included as check. The treatments were arranged in RCBD with 3 replications. The plot size was 1.5 m*1.5m. The spacing between plants and rows were 0.25 m and 0.3 m respectively. 8 t/ha vermicompost was added to each plot. The data were analyzed using SAS software version 9.3. vermicompost prepared from all feeding materials had significantly (p <0.05) higher lettuce yield, dry weight, plant height, root length, and leaf area than the negative control. However, the highest lettuce yield (20.25 t/ha) was recorded from vermicompost produced from organic materials such as coffee husk+ avocado waste + enset waste + cow dung followed by vermicompost produced from coffee husk + cow dung. Similarly, the highest dry weight (10.09 %) was found from vermicompost produced from mixed biowaste of coffee husk + cow dung. Therefore, from the present study, it could be concluded that vermicompost prepared from coffee husk + cow dung and coffee husk + avocado waste + enset waste + cow dung are suitable biowaste for lettuce production in Sidama area.
Abstract: The research was conducted to study the effects of vermicompost produced from various biodegradable wastes on lettuce growth performance. The experiment was conducted at Hawassa University, College of Agriculture during 2022 cropping season. The experiment consisted of 8 treatments, 7 treatments were using vermicomposts produced from agro-industria...
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Research/Technical Note
Basic Laboratory Manual: Analysis of Animal Feed and Physical Evaluation
Muluken Getachew*,
Abebe Mosneh
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2024
Pages:
33-44
Received:
14 November 2024
Accepted:
26 November 2024
Published:
13 December 2024
Abstract: This laboratory manual provides essential protocols and procedures for analyzing animal feed in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory at Wollo University. It is tailored to assist researchers, technical assistants, and students in evaluating feed quality to optimize ruminant nutrition, especially under arid conditions where feed costs impact livestock productivity. The manual covers safety guidelines, sample preparation, and detailed procedures for determining moisture, dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, and ash content in animal feed samples. Special emphasis is placed on using the Kjeldahl method for protein determination and the Soxhlet apparatus for fat extraction. The Kjeldahl method is emphasized for precise protein analysis, while the Soxhlet apparatus is utilized for fat extraction. These analyses ensure accurate evaluation of nutritional content, which is critical for formulating balanced and cost-effective diets. Additionally, the manual includes methods for producing urea molasses blocks, a valuable supplementary feed. Physical evaluation techniques such as assessing color, texture, odor, and mold presence are highlighted for rapid feed quality assessment, ensuring safe and effective diets. Practical methods for producing urea molasses blocks are also included, offering a supplemental feed option to enhance livestock performance. A urea molasses block (UMB) is a type of supplementary feed designed to provide ruminants with essential nutrients, especially in areas where high-quality forage is scarce or costly. It is made from a mixture of urea, molasses, and other ingredients such as water, minerals, and sometimes cereal grains or by-products. These techniques provide a preliminary safety and quality check before laboratory analysis. The manual serves as a valuable resource for optimizing feed quality in ruminant and non-ruminant production systems. In conclusion, the researchers and practitioners at Wollo University Animal Nutrition Laboratory adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and protocols outlined in the manual to ensure accurate and reliable feed quality analysis. Additionally, incorporating urea molasses blocks as a supplementary feed in regions with scarce high-quality forage will help improve livestock productivity by providing essential nutrients.
Abstract: This laboratory manual provides essential protocols and procedures for analyzing animal feed in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory at Wollo University. It is tailored to assist researchers, technical assistants, and students in evaluating feed quality to optimize ruminant nutrition, especially under arid conditions where feed costs impact livestock pr...
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