Abstract
This study investigates integrated striga management (ISM) technologies for enhancement of sorghum productivity and reduction of striga infestation using demonstration conducted in 2016/2017 production season in Tanqua-Abergele district in one of the striga prone areas at ‘Imba-Rufeal’ kebele. The results implied that there was a highly significant difference among application of ISM technologies and conventional practices for grain and straw yield. The mean sorghum grain yields obtained from ISM technologies and conventional practice were 32.86±2.96 and 25.08±5.49 qt ha-1, respectively. Conversely, the mean sorghum straw yields obtained from ISM technologies and conventional practice were 123.29±11.22 and 138.20±16.46 qt ha-1, respectively. Partial budget analysis indicated that maximum net benefit (11,468.33 ETB ha-1) with the highest marginal rate of return (136.01%) was generated from sorghum grown fields treated with ISM technologies compared to cultivation of local cultivar through conventional practices (9,207.83 ETB ha-1). That means for every 1 ETB invested on sorghum production using ISM technologies, the return was 1.36 ETB. Farmers’ perceptions also indicated that ISM technologies are quite good at solving the recurrent striga infestation, yield increment and drought escaping mechanism of improved variety (Gobiye). Unlike straw yield, the improved variety grown using the ISM technologies proved better in grain yield, earliness, striga resistance and economically feasible compared to conventional practices. Therefore, farmers should implement ISM technologies with its full packages to enhance yield and reduce scourge of striga. Moreover, further popularization and scaling out of ISM technologies to locations prone to striga infestation should be implemented by the research center and stakeholders. Key words: Cultivar, demonstration, farmers’ perception, net benefit, partial budget analysis.
Highlights
Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is mostly cultivated in the semi-arid regions of the world where drought, heat and poor soil condition is highly pronounced
The mean grain yield of sorghum obtained from integrated striga management (ISM) technologies treated plots with (Gobiye) and conventional practice treated plots with local cultivar (Merawi) were (32.86±2.96 and 25.08±5.49 qt ha-1), respectively
The results indicate that production of sorghum based on ISM technologies would gain better gross income from selling of grain and straw yield compared to income from a local cultivar
Summary
Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is mostly cultivated in the semi-arid regions of the world where drought, heat and poor soil condition is highly pronounced It is the world’s fifth most important cereal. Sorghum is the most common cereal crop widely cultivated from high altitude receiving high rainfall to lowland areas having low rainfall. It is produced widely more than any other crops, in the areas where there is moisture stress. The area coverage of sorghum during 2010/2011 production season was about 1,897,733.98 ha of land and from which 39, 598,973.86 quintals of grain yield was obtained (MoA, 2011) It is the dominant crop in lowland parts of Tigray region where it is accounted for about 14.5% of the total cultivated area. The average annual coverage of sorghum in the region accounted for 255,000 ha per year (CSA, 2000; Wortmann et al, 2006)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
