Getachew Alemayehu

Effect of Brassica carinata (L.) biofumigants (seed meal) on chickpea wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris), growth, yield and yield component in Ethiopia

Pot experiments were carried out in the green house at Amhara Regional Agriculture Research Institute (ARARI) Bahirdar, Ethiopia to evaluate the potential of Brassica carinata cultivars namely; Holleta-l, S-67 and Yellow Dodola in 2007 and 2008. The treatment effects of B. carinata (L.) cultivars Holleta–1, S-67 and Yellow Dodola seed meals on chickpea fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris) were studied. Six rates of seed (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g/kg of infested soil) were used. Infested soil without B.carinata cultivars amendments as a control and susceptible check variety JG-62 also without amendments were used in all the experiments. For each seed meal experiment, the treatments were arranged in factorial randomised complete block design in three replications. Data on seedling emergence, wilt incidence, fresh weight, dry weight, pod per plant, seed per pod, hundred seed weight and yield per hectare were collected. The amendments of infested soil with B.carinata cultivars seed meal reduced the incidence of chickpea fusarium wilt and increased yield per hectare. The interaction of the seed meal Holleta-1, S-67 and Yellow Dodola at 10–25 g/kg infested soil were effective in reducing wilt incidences on chickpea. However, the interaction of Yellow Dodola with 20 and 25 g seed meal per kg infested soil were the best combination in reducing significantly wilt incidence. The three cultivars incorporated at different level of doses significantly affected the influence of Fusarium wilt on the fresh weight, dry weight, pod per plant, seed per pod, hundred seed weight and yield per hectare. The highest yield kg/ha was recorded in combination of Yellow Dodola seed meal at 20 and 25 g followed by S-67 and Holleta-1 at 25 g /kg infested soil, respectively. The interaction of Holleta-1 at 5–25 infested soil significantly reduced disease incidence up to 16.7–43.3% and increased yield per hectare with mean by (30%) over the control. Seed meal amendment S-67 significantly reduce disease incidence 26.7–46.7% and increased yield kg/ha with mean by (36.7%) from the unamended control. Yellow dodola reduces disease incidence with 26.7–63.3% and increased yield kg/ha with mean by (45%) from the unamended control. The result indicates the potential of using Brassica crop seed meal amendment as useful component of integrated chickpea wilt management.

Sesbania sesban (L.) Merrill: Potential uses of an underutilized multipurpose tree in Ethiopia

Sesbania sesban (L.) Merrill is the most productive multipurpose tree widely distributed in tropics and subtropics; and usually planted by smallholder farmers mostly for its fodder and soil improvement values. The objective of the present study was to review the various aspects (with emphasis on its importance) of S. sesban and generate comprehensive technical information for scholars who wish to study the plant in detail. Different parts of S. sesban is reputed for various purposes such as weed control, phytoremediation, anti-inflammation and antioxidant effect, abortion and antifertility agent, antimicrobial activity, firewood source, livestock feed and pasture improvement, green manure, mosquito repellant, live support and Schistosoma control. Having these and other multiple uses, S. sesban can contribute to sustainable livelihoods by improving household food, nutrition and health security.

Evaluation of improved and local/landrace/sorghum varieties for covered kernel smut

Twelve varieties of improved and local (landrace) sorghum were tested under artificial inoculation conditions. Out of 12 sorghum varieties evaluated with covered kernel smut, notably local cultivar ‘Tetron’ was found to be highly resistant. Disease incidence and severity on the rest of the cultivars varied from 21 to 47% and 40 to 53% respectively. Differences among cultivars in yield loss were also observed. The highest yield loss (40%) was recorded on 97 MW 6129 (NVT-11 4) and for Tetron yield loss was nil. The effect of disease on germination was noticed but cannot be considered as conclusive due to moisture stress at the time of germination.

Effect of mustard green manure and dried plant residue on chickpea wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris)

Pot experiments were carried out in the green house at Amhara Regional Agriculture Research Institute (ARARI) Bahirdar, Ethiopia, to evaluate the potential of Brassica carinata cultivars, namely Holleta-l, S-67 and Yellow Dodola in 2007 and 2008. The effect of B. carinata (Ethiopian mustard) cultivars Holleta-1, S-67 and Yellow Dodola as green manure and Holleta-1 as dried plant residue on chickpea fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris) was studied. Six rates of green manure and dried plant residue (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 g) each per kg of pathogen-infested soil were used in the experiments. Infested soil without B. carinata cultivars amendment as a control and susceptible check variety JG-62 without amendment was used in the experiments. In the experiments, the treatments were arranged in randomised complete block design in three replications and repeated twice. Data on seedling emergence, wilt incidence, fresh weight and dry weight were collected. The amendments of infested soil with B. carinata cultivars green manure and dried plant residue reduced the incidence of chickpea fusarium wilt. The incorporation of the green manure Holleta-1, S-67 and Yellow Dodola at 20–100 g/kg of infested soil was effective in reducing wilt incidences on chickpea. However, the incorporation of Yellow Dodola at 80 and 100 g green manure per kg of infested soil were the best combination in reducing significantly wilt incidence. The application of the dried plant residue at 20–100 g/kg of infested soil was effective in reducing wilt incidences on chickpea. However when applied dried plant residue at 60, 80 and 100 g green manure per kg of infested soil were better in reducing wilt incidence as compared to 20 and 40 g/kg of infested soil. The three cultivars green manure incorporated at different level of doses affected the influence of fusarium wilt on the fresh and dry weight respectively. The use of Holleta-1 green manure at 20–100 g/kg of infested soil significantly reduced disease incidence in the range of 20.0–33.3%. Green manure amendment S-67 significantly reduced disease incidence in the range of 20.0–46.6%. Yellow Dodola reduce disease incidence with 26.7–60%. The dried plant residue incorporated at different level influence fusarium wilt. The application of Holleta-1 dried plant residue at 20–100 g/kg of infested soil reduced disease incidence in the range 20.0–26.7%. The results imply the potential of using B. carinata green manure and dried plant residue as cultural management components in chickpea fusarium wilt disease management.

Persistence and changes in the peripheral Beles basin of Ethiopia

We have investigated the relevance of the notion of “peripheralism” in the Beles basin. In this lowland border area of Ethiopia, important investments require an evaluation of their socio-economic and ecological impacts in the light of Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy. We contrasted literature of different periods with field observations. In the middle and lower parts of the basin, the Gumuz people traditionally practised shifting cultivation. Resettlement of highlanders is particularly linked to water and land resources. A large irrigation project was initiated in the 1980s, but vegetables and fruits face post-harvest losses. Large water transfers from Lake Tana since 2010 affect the movement of people, the hydrogeomorphology, and ecology of the river. In several parts of the basin, the settlers’ economy now dominates. Many Gumuz became sedentary but maintained their agricultural system, particularly in the south of the lower basin. Land titling allowed allocation of “vacant” areas to transnational or domestic investors. As a result, the semi-natural vegetation is frequently replaced by open cropland, leading to decreased carbon storage and increased soil erosion. This and water abstraction for irrigation jeopardise hydropower production, in contradiction with the CRGE objectives. Despite the recent developments, the contrasts in economic activity make the core-periphery dichotomy to remain actual in the Beles basin. The resettlements and permanent cropping tend to make the upper basin part of the core. However, the installation of a transit road and commercial farms in the lower basin do not allow to consider that a non-peripheral integration has taken place.

Smallholders’ apple-based agroforestry systems in the north-western highlands of Ethiopia

Apple-based agroforestry system could significantly improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in the drought-prone areas of north-western Ethiopia. This study, based on 200 households’ farm interviews, aims at providing information and analysis on how to improve such systems and therefore foster apple orchard systems in Ethiopia. It examines factors influencing farmers’ decisions on land allocation to apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards and the respective number of apple trees planted using fractional probit and negative binomial regression models. Results indicate that farmers, among other characteristics, with education, received training, being experienced, participating in off-farm activities, having less labor force in the household but more financial means to invest in orchards, are more likely to establish apple orchards. Insect pests and diseases, theft, frost damage and water stress, poor agronomic practices and market restrictions are identified as constraints to apple production systems. The study has important policy implications so as to create more awareness through education, build capacity through the provision of short-term training on apple orchard management practices, introduce apple specific production packages and extension support services, and support off-farm activities to employ extra labor and generate cash to invest in fruit orchards that will help resource-poor orchard farmers.

Reasons for Acceptance of Improved Potato Varieties by Smallholder Producers

ABSTARCT It may be that improved cultivars can increase yield. This project was undertaken to determine factors affecting adoption of new potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars over those currently in use. A logistic regression procedure was used to examine factors influencing adoption of improved potato varieties by smallholder farmers. Data were collected with questionnaires administered to 158 respondents. The logit model initially contained 13 factors, of which seven had significant effects on adoption of improved potato varieties. The estimated chi-square value (χ2 = 31.91) indicated that the data fit the model reasonably well. Partial effects analysis indicated that, compared to those who do not use fertilizer, those who do are younger; have more extension contacts and access to credit, and likely plan to allocate more land to growing potato. Those who belong to an agricultural cooperative are more likely to adopt improved potato varieties. Social, economic, and institutional factors have implications for stakeholders who might adopt or extend use of improved potato varieties.