On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Rhodes Grass and<i> Sylosanthus guanensis</i> in Selected Districts of Sheka and Bench-Maji Zones, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The need to evaluate and identify the adaptability of these improved forage crops on station had been to identify the promising forage species to the particular agro-ecology. On farm evaluation and demonstration of Rhodes grass and <i>Stylosanthus guanensis</i> was carried out on 20 farmers’ fields in Yeki and Sheko districts of Sheka and Bench-Maji zones during 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The study was to evaluate and demonstrate Rhodes grass and stylosanthus gaunensis at farmers’ level and to assess farmers’ opinion. The forages were planted on 10×10 plot size on each farmer’s farm land. Dry matter yield, seed yield data and farmers perceptions were evaluated. The result indicated that there was variability in performance of the improved forage species between the districts and among the farmers within the districts. The dry matter yield and seed yield for Rhodes grass obtained range from 6-10t/ha and 190.3-315.4 kg/ha respectively. For Stylosanthus guanensis, the highest dry matter was obtained in sheko district (5.1t/ha) and the lowest mean dry matter yield recorded in yeki district (3.5t/ha). Similarly, highest seed yield (269.5 kg ha^-1/year) was obtained in sheko district whereas the lowest seed yield (179.2 kg ha^-1/year) was obtained in yeki district. Most of the farmers were select Rhodes grass than stylosanthus on majority of selection criteria. Further demonstration of improved forage crops allows farmers to improve their knowledge and understanding on cultivation and utilization of forages crops for their animals.