Evaluation of Desho Grass for Their Agronomic Performances and Nutritive Values in Highland and Midland Areas of Guji Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Teshale Jabessa,Zinash Amare,Ketema Bekele

doi:10.11648/j.sr.20210903.11

Abstract

The study was conducted with the objective to identify adaptability, high fresh biomass and dry matter yield of desho grass varieties. Four desho grass varieties; Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591, Areka DZF No# 590, Kulumsa DZF No # 592 and Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. At highland area the revealed result that fresh biomass, leaf length per plant and plant height were significantly (P<0.05) differ among the treatments. The highest value of plant height was measured from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 (102.6 cm) followed by Areka DZF No# 590, Kulumsa DZF No # 592 (97.7 cm) varieties, while the shortest plant height was recorded from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (91.2 cm) variety. The highest dry matter yield was obtained from Areka DZF No# 590 (30.53t/ha), while the lowest dry matter yield was produced from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (24.8 t/ha). The highest survive rate was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (63.3%) followed by Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 (61.3%) varieties. Chemical composition showed that Areka DZF No# 590 was highest in Dry matter (DM) (95.5%) and the lowest dry matter (DM) was obtain from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (94.2%) variety. At Midland area the revealed result that number of tiller per plant, number of leaf per plant, leaf length per plant, fresh biomass and plant height were significantly (P<0.05) differ among the treatments. The highest plant height was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (108.6 cm) followed by Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 (107 cm) while the lowest plant height was measured from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (95.3cm) variety. The highest dry matter yield was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (27.13 t/ha) variety. The highest in Dry matter (DM) (95.02%) and lowest in Acid detergent fiber (ADF) was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (43.8%) varieties. The highest crude protein (CP) was measured from Kulumsa DZF No # 592 (10.6%) followed by Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (9.8%). The result implies that Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 and Areka DZF No# 590 and Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 varieties were well performed in agronomic, yield and quality parameters. Thus it could be possible to conclude that the desho grass varieties should be recommended for improving the constraint of feed shortage in highland and midland of Guji zone and similar agro ecologies.

Highlights

Desho grass is one of the indigenous potential forage species which needed comprehensive research in Ethiopia
Bore Agricultural Research station is located at 7 km from Bore district which is geographically located at 624'37” N latitude and 3834'76” E longitudes
The findings from this study revealed that Kindo Kisha-DZF#589 variety had higher ash content than others at highland area

Summary

Introduction

Desho grass is one of the indigenous potential forage species which needed comprehensive research in Ethiopia. Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) is native to tropical countries including Ethiopia [5,6, 9]. In Ethiopia desho grass is known as a perennial plant originated in Southern Nations, Nationalities Peoples Regional State in a place called Chencha in 1991 [14]. Desho grass is a many-branched leafy grass growing up to 1 m high or more [7, 9]. The culms are erect and branching, and the leaves are 1525 cm long and 4-10 mm wide, flat and glabrous. The spikelet’s are 4 mm long, usually solitary [5, 7]

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Conclusion