Farmers Traditional Knowledge on Teff ( Eragrostistef ) Farming Practice and Crop Rotation in PGP Microbes Enhancement for Soil Fertility in West and East Gojam

Abstract

Teff (Eragrostis tef), a cereal grain included in grass family of Poaceae, diversified and endemic to Ethiopia supports more than 70-75% of Ethiopia's population as staple and co-staple food. Teff farming and processing for food is based on traditional indigenous knowledge of farmers vary in different teff growing areas. The objective of this study was to assess and document traditional knowledge of farmer’s crop rotation and soil fertility improvement for teff farming and utilization practice in east Gojam and West Gojam. Data was collected using structured, semi-structured questionnaire, personal interview, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Then a structured and semi-structured questionnaire was designed to collect information across 20 group informants (100 listed elder informants) who involved in the study from seven districts. The major Teff farming steps, selection teff variety, preparation of farming area, lost teff variety, the role of crop rotation in teff productivity, type of crop used for rotations in soil fertility, role of microbes in soil fertility through crop rotation, the traditional farming equipment, traditional storage and pile making were described. Among the respondents 75% of those in the study area were male and 25% female and almost all study participants were evolved from Amhara ethnic groups that involved in teff farming. Teff variety which were dominant and locally called and recognized by many farmers in East and west Gojm were, Magna, Dabo, Sergegna, Nech Bunign, Godashigne, kuncho, Amerach, Qeytala, Cross 37, Azene, Qomten, Lemma, Nech laba, Avola Bunign, Bose, Yilmana, Etsub, Mure, kora. 100% of respondent used cop rotation for teff farming and productivity. 92% of respondent of east Gojam mostly used, vetch (Lathyrus sativus)’ niger, (Guizotia abyssinica) and 81% of respondant of west Gojam in addiion to vetch (Lathyrus sativus)’ niger, (Guizotia abyssinica) also used chick pea (Cicer arietinum), Barely (Hordeum vulgare) Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Pea (Pisum sativum), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), maiz used for crop rotation in teff farm land, 32% respondant also used rotation of different teff cultivar annually to improve their soil fertility and teff productivity. This traditional knowledge in using of legume plant for crop rotation in teff yield and productivity tells us that farmers indirectly keep the balance of soil microbial community especially that plant growth promoting Microbs (PGPR/F) involved in Nitrogen fixation, phosphate solublization, and Phytohormon production, sidrophore production and Antibiotics production.