Tamado Tana

Nutritional and chemical properties of fermented food of wild and cultivated genotypes of enset (Ensete ventricosum)

The multipurpose crop enset (Ensete ventricosum) has been traditionally cultivated in Ethiopia since ancient times. The main food product is the starch-rich fermented kocho made from the pseudostem and corm. There are many vegetatively propagated landraces utilised by farmers, but no concisions breeding have taken place, and there are requests for improved cultivars. There are also populations of wild ensets which propagate sexually, and the variation in characteristics among the wild is not studied. We suggest investigating the variation among the wild, in order utilise the most proper combinations of parent plants when breeding for different purposes. We analysed kocho, after 30 and 90days of fermentation, from three wild genotypes and three cultivars, to compare how and how much they differ in components and perceived food quality. The three cultivars scored generally higher than all the three wild genotypes for protein, fat, sugar and minerals, while the wild had larger fraction of starch. On average, panellists rated all the cultivated significantly higher than all the wild regarding the investigated characteristics (colour, texture, taste and overall). However, there were nine out of 25 panellists who rated at least one wild genotype higher or equal to at least one cultivar regarding taste, showing that people can be open for unfamiliar kocho. Therefore, we conclude that further investigations of the variation among wild plants should be done, aiming to get a larger gene pool with improved characteristics as e.g. disease tolerance or superior mineral uptake; by careful selection of parent plants, desired combinations can be achieved.

Response of soybean to Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation and phosphorus application under intercropping in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Effective nodulation by legumes requires balanced availability of phosphorus (P); however, maximum responses to P can be obtained only when adequate mineral nitrogen or superior symbiotic systems are available. Hence, a field experiment was conducted at Metahara Sugar Estate under irrigation during 2014/15 to evaluate the effect of Bradyrhizobium inoculation and P rates on nodulation, yield and yield traits of soybean intercropped with sugarcane. The treatments consisted of three levels of inoculation (SB6B1, Legumefix and un-inoculated) and four rates of P (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P2O5 ha−1). The experiment was laid out as a randomised complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. The investigation revealed that inoculation of SB6B1 significantly improved nodules per plant, plant height, number of pods per plant, 100-seeds weight, dry biomass yield and grain yield. Legumefix inoculation resulted in the highest nodulation rating, nodule volume per plant, nodule dry weight per plant and crude protein content. Application of 69 kg P2O5 ha−1 significantly increased nodules per plant and nodule volume per plant. Similarly, application of 23 kg P2O5 ha−1 improved 100-seeds weight. However, inoculation with Bradyrhizobium substantially improved nodulation, yield and yield-related traits of soybean grown as an intercrop with sugarcane.

The Effects of Combined Application of Cattle manure And Mineral Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilizer on Growth, Biomass Yield, And Quality of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L) Tuber Inabelo Area at Masha District sheka Zone, South-Western Ethiopia

Soil fertility decline is considered as one of the major causes for resulting in reduced yield of potato production in abelo area Masha district sheka zone of south-western Ethiopia. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in Belgand Mehre season, in abelo area, Masha district south-western Ethiopia, to investigate the effect of combined use of application of Cattle Manure (CM)) with mineral NP on growth, biomass yield, quality, of potato tuber. The treatments comprised combinations of three rates (2.5,5, 7.5tha-1) of CM with 25%, 50% and 75% of recommended rates of mineral NP, respectively. In addition, 100% recommended rate of mineral NP for the experimental site (165 kg N ha-1 and 137 kg P2O5 ha-1) and zero rates were used for comparison. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.The results revealed that applying 7.5 t ha-1 CM combined with 75% mineral NP gave significantly Days to 50% flowering by 7 daysi.e. From 56-6 and14 daysi.e. from 51-65, days to 50% maturity by 5 daysi.e. from (101-106) and 13 days from (95-108) and increases plant height from 56-69 and 63-78, Increase shoot fresh weight by 39.66% from (1274.591780.2 ghill-1) and 36.66% from (1213.91 -1658.99 ghill-1) and shoot dry weight by 46.8% from (40.4 ghill-1 to 59.333 ghill-1) and 41.66% from (40 to 56.667 ghill-1),increased dry matter content from (21.085-25.782) and (22.36 to 24.47), specific gravity from (1.0831.107) and (1.092 -1.101) reduces small tuber size percentage Form (27.306 to 17.069) and (43.946 -14.267) and improves medium size tubers from (65.56 to 74.79) and (44.58 80.26) in Belg and Mehre season as compared to zero application. Respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that, the use of combined application of CM (7.5 t ha-1) together with 75% of recommended rates of mineral NP (123.75kg N ha-1 and 103.05kg P2O5 ha-1) can significantly increases growth, biomass yield, improvement in tuber quality.

Soil Morphology, Physico-Chemical Properties and Classification of Typical Soils of Abelo Area Masha District South Western Ethiopia

A soil profile representative of typical soils of Abelo area Masha District, South-west Ethiopia, was dug to study its morphology, physico-chemical characteristics and to classify it using two internationally known soil classification systems. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from designated pedogenic horizons for physical and chemical analysis in the laboratory. Soil morphological observations revealed that the pedon was well drained and very deep with dark brown to dark yellowish-brown topsoil overlying brown to strong brown sandy clay loam to sandy clay subsoil. Clay eluviation - illuviation was a dominant process influencing soil formation in the study area as indicated by the clay gradient between the eluvial and illuvial horizons in the subsoil. The soil was characterized by weak fine sub angular blocky structure throughout its Pedon depth. Laboratory analysis indicates that the soil was very strongly acid (pH 4.49-5.2) throughout the profile, the pedon has low N (0.1-0.13), low to medium OC (1.3-1.87%). Low Av. P (3.4-8.5 mgKg-1), low C:N (13-14.38), Available. K (25–54 mgKg-1), Low to medium Ca (5-7.12 cmol (+) kg-1soil), medium Mg (1.5-2.16 cmol (+) kg-1 soil), medium K(0.32-0.41 cmol (+) kg-1soil), TEB (6.82-9.69), Ac(2.4-3.58), Al(1.8-2.52), moderate CEC(18.8-21.44 cmol (+) kg-1), ECEC (9.22-13.28) CECclay (37.6-46.41 cmol (+) kg-1), high Pals (9.81-13.59%), high PAcs (11.11-16.66%), low (PBS<50%), low Ca/Mg (3.06-3.33), medium Mg/K (4.41-6.68), high K/TEB (0.035-0.05), low Calcium saturation (26.88-34.67%), low Magnesium saturation (8.06-10.80%), Textural class (sandy clay loam-sandy clay), Bd (1.32-1.36 gcm-3), high Pd (2.708-2.766 gcm-3), and porosity (50.83-51.25%). Using field and laboratory analytical data, the representative pedon was classified to the series level of the USDA Soil Taxonomy as Abelo, fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Rhodic Paleudults and to Tier-2 of WRB as Rhodic Nitosols Ortho dystric. The general fertility of the soils of the area is discussed highlighting their potentials and constraints.

Effect of Inoculating Bradyrhizobium on Phosphorus Use Efficiency andNutrient Uptake of Soybean Intercropped with Sugarcane in CalcareousSoil of Metahara, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia

At a soil pH value of above 7.0, inorganic phosphorus (P) is highly susceptible to precipitation as insoluble form that is unavailable to the plants. Hence, a field experiment was conducted at Metahara Sugar Estate under irrigation during the 2014/15 cropping season to evaluate the effect of inoculating Bradyrhizobium on P uptake and P use efficiency of soybean intercropped with sugarcane. The treatments consisted of three levels of inoculation (Legumefix, SB6B1 and uninoculated) and four rates of P (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. Analysis of the data indicated that Bradyrhizobium inoculation significantly increased plant N concentration and P uptake compared to the uninoculated treatment. But the effect of P rates and its interaction with inoculation was not significant on N concentration and P uptake but significantly increased total P uptake at the application of 69 kg P2O5 ha-1. P use efficiency indices were improved in response to inoculating the crop with Bradyrhizobium. The higher AE (13.6 kg kg-1), PRE (31.8%) and PUE (10.6 kg kg-1) were obtained by SB6B1 inoculation and higher PE (117.2 kg kg-1) and APE (161.7 kg kg-1) were obtained by Legumefix inoculation all at 23 kg P2O5 ha-1 except PE which recorded at 69 kg P2O5 ha-1. Thus, it can be concluded that SB6B1 isolate will be used as the best inoculant followed by Legumefix isolate with 23 kg P2O5 ha-1 of P fertilizer rate. However, strategies for increasing P use efficiency by adopting best management practices like co-inoculation of phosphate solubilizing microorganism or mycorrhiza with these Bradyrhizobium inoculants should be adopted to enhance P use efficiencies.

Effects of Compost and Inorganic NP Rates on Growth, Yield and YieldComponents of Teff (Eragrotis teff (Zucc.) Trotter) in Girar Jarso District,Central Highland of Ethiopia

Teff is the major crop produced in study area whose productivity is being affected by low soil fertility and organic matter depletion. Hence, an experiment, having factorial combination of 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t ha-1 of compost and 0/0, 16/11.5, 32/23 and 64/46 kg ha-1 of N/P2O5, was conducted in 2014/15 main cropping season to assess the effect of rates of compost and NP fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of teff and to determine their economical rates. Treatments were laid out in RCBD in three replications. The results indicated that the main effect of compost rate significantly increased dry biomass and straw yield and decreased harvest index. Except on number of productive tillers, the main effect of NP fertilizer was significant on all the parameters measured. The shortest days to heading, highest; lodging percentage, plant height, panicle length and dry biomass were recorded at 64/46 kg ha-1 of N/P2O5, all showing increasing trend with increasing NP. The highest grain and straw yield and net farm benefit were recorded at interaction of 64/46 N/P2O5 kg ha-1 and 7.5 tons ha-1 of compost. Generally, the study suggested that, the use full dose of nationally blanket recommended NP rate (64/48 kg of N/ P2O5) with 7.5 tons ha-1 of compost is likely combination to attain the optimum grain yield and profit and can be alternative approach for integrated soil fertility management measure instead of the sole application of inorganic fertilizers.