Participatory selection and performance of improved teff [ Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] varieties in East Gojjam, Ethiopia

Decision letter: Data-driven, participatory characterization of farmer varieties discloses teff breeding potential under current and future climates

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major cereal crop for human nutrition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR- Congo). Prevailing normal maize is deficient in two essential amino acids, lysine and tryptophan. Participatory variety selection was applied to select diversified quality protein maize (QPM) varieties that possess farmers’ preferred plant and grain traits. The varieties were planted with and without chemical fertilization. Selection was based primarily on agronomic traits such as time to maturity, plant and ear aspect, disease and insect resistance, yield and yield components as well as flour quality. There were significant differences among QPM varieties for several agronomic traits. The use of participatory approach in agricultural research allowed selection of one QPM, (QPMSRSYNTH), and one normal improved maize (AK9331-DMR-ESR-Y) for their yield advantage over currently released normal maize varieties in more than one criterion. The adoption of these newly introduced varieties is expected to be high since they were selected based on farmer’s preference. Key words: Quality protein maize, participatory varietal selection, DR-Congo.

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] is a small-sized cereal grain and an indigenous crop in Ethiopia. The Amhara region is one of the major teff producers regions in the country. However, information on the phenolic content of the region’s teff varieties is limited. Seventy-two teff samples were collected from three administrative zones (West Gojjam zone, Awi zone, and East Gojjam zone) of the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The samples’ total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined using colorimetric methods. The total flavonoid contents expressed as catechin equivalent, CE (i.e., under alkaline conditions) and quercetin equivalent, Q.E (i.e., under the methanolic solution of AlCl3) were found to be in the range of 7.66 ± 0.60–57.36 ± 3.87 mg C.E and 15.45 ± 0.15–113.12 ± 3.09 mg Q.E per 100 g of teff samples, respectively. The corresponding total polyphenol content (TPC), described as gallic acid equivalent (G.A.E.), was in the range of 46.21 ± 1.20–133.32 ± 5.44 mg G.A.E. The results showed that the mean TPC value of the teff samples from the West Gojjam zone was enriched with polyphenol than samples from the Awi zone and East Gojjam. Furthermore, it was noted that the mean TPC and TFC values did not vary significantly between samples of the East Gojjam and Awi zone (p > 0.05). In contrast, a significant difference in mean TPC and TFC-Q.E were noted between the sampling zone of East Gojjam and West Gojjam and between West Gojjam and Awi zones (p < 0.05). These significant variations in TPC and TFC might be due to observable variations in the agroecological zones and the genetic—make-up of the samples. Person correlation indicated a significant positive correlation matrix between the three variables (p = 0.01). The teff samples were trying to be classified based on their geographical origin using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and biplots. Accordingly, the variance explained by component 1 (PC1) is 67.2%, and the variance explained by component 2 (PC2) is 20.0%.

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] is a small-sized cereal grain and an indigenous crop in Ethiopia. The Amhara region is one of the major teff producers regions in the country. However, information on the phenolic content of the region's teff varieties is limited. Seventy-two teff samples were collected from three administrative zones (West Gojjam zone, Awi zone, and East Gojjam zone) of the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The samples' total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined using colorimetric methods. The total flavonoid contents expressed as catechin equivalent, CE (i.e., under alkaline conditions) and quercetin equivalent, Q.E (i.e., under the methanolic solution of AlCl3) were found to be in the range of 7.66 ± 0.60-57.36 ± 3.87 mg C.E and 15.45 ± 0.15-113.12 ± 3.09 mg Q.E per 100 g of teff samples, respectively. The corresponding total polyphenol content (TPC), described as gallic acid equivalent (G.A.E.), was in the range of 46.21 ± 1.20-133.32 ± 5.44 mg G.A.E. The results showed that the mean TPC value of the teff samples from the West Gojjam zone was enriched with polyphenol than samples from the Awi zone and East Gojjam. Furthermore, it was noted that the mean TPC and TFC values did not vary significantly between samples of the East Gojjam and Awi zone (p > 0.05). In contrast, a significant difference in mean TPC and TFC-Q.E were noted between the sampling zone of East Gojjam and West Gojjam and between West Gojjam and Awi zones (p < 0.05). These significant variations in TPC and TFC might be due to observable variations in the agroecological zones and the genetic-make-up of the samples. Person correlation indicated a significant positive correlation matrix between the three variables (p = 0.01). The teff samples were trying to be classified based on their geographical origin using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and biplots. Accordingly, the variance explained by component 1 (PC1) is 67.2%, and the variance explained by component 2 (PC2) is 20.0%.

Abstract: Tef Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) r) is a panicle bearing C4 self-pollinated cereal that originated and diversified in Ethiopia. Urbanization displaces the major tef production belts of the country resulting a serious threat to this an income-generating preferred endemic grain and emerging global commodity. Tef should now expand its horizons to all suited agro-ecologies and poise the country to take advantage of the emerging global opportunities. So, the aim of the study was to evaluate the best performing improved tef variety/es and advances the outstanding and tef variety/ies via participatory variety selection to large scale demonstration by incorporating farmers’ selection criteria. To strengthen the partnership of tef growers in order to enhance adoption levels and reduce limited technology outreaching. The trial was composed of 12 newly released tef variety including one standard check and one local check. As results of combined analysis of the two year data indicated that there was high (p≤0.01) significant difference among most of the varieties at variable traits. Accordingly; 50% heading, 95% maturity, Plant height, panicle length, grain yields exhibit significant difference indicates the presence of large genetic variation among the genotypes and further improvement through simple selection is possible; whereas lodging index and shoot biomass were non-significant indicating no genetic variability between genotypes in these two traits which insures further improvement of the varieties with this traits is limited success. Thus; DZ-Cr-429 (Neguse) 1335.9 (kg/ha), Areka-1 1257.1 (kg/ha), and Quncho 1071.3 (kg/ha) revealed the highest grain yield. Farmers’ visual selection of the varieties based on grain yield, white seed color, panicle length, low loading index, and high shoot biomass and plant height was practiced. Thus; farmers’ selected DZ-Cr-429 (Neguse) 65 total scores, Quncho 52 total scores and Areka-1 39 scores respectively with rank of one to third as overall preference of the farmers. The three varieties DZ-Cr-429 (Neguse), Quncho and Areka-1 were recommended in that DZ-Cr-429 (Neguse), and Areka-1 on the yield advantage of the varieties and Quncho for the honor of farmer’s preference by common discation and similar consensus based on the results of field experiment and farmers preference.

Abstract. Belay H, Wondimu T. 2018. Functional food plants in Debre Markos district, East Gojjam Ethiopia. Asian J Ethnobiol 2: 8-21. An ethnobotanical analysis of functional food plants was conducted in Debre Markos District, East Gojjam, Ethiopia, to record indigenous knowledge. Ethnobotanical methods were used to collect data from October 2015 to July 2016. Ten villages were chosen at random from the District's 21 villages to perform the analysis. A total of 80 informants (61 men and 19 women) ranging in age from 20 to 79 were chosen to participate in the study and provide information on functional food plants grown and used in the District. Twenty of the 80 informants were chosen (as key informants) on the basis of recommendations from elders and kebele administrators, while the rest were chosen at random. Semi-structured interviews and group discussions were used to gather ethnobotanical data. As functional food plants grown in the District, 29 species from 27 genera and 19 families were identified. The Poaceae and Fabaceae families proved to be the most diverse, with 5 and 4 species, respectively. Herbs (23), shrubs (3), and trees are the species' habits (growth forms) (3). Grains (23.4%) and leaves (23.4%) were the most commonly used plant components (13.8%). Cooking/boiling seeds was the most common form of preparation (23.4%), followed by raw/unprocessed seeds (12.9%). According to informant consensus, Lupinus albus L. (Gibto) was the most commonly recorded species (90%) followed by Eragrostis tef L. (Dabbo teff) (78.8%). Linum usitatissimum L. (Telba) was found to be the most favored species for preventing multiple diseases in a preference rating. Based on the general use-value of functional food plants, a direct matrix analysis showed that Eragrostis tef L. (Dabbo teff) was the most important species. Cinnamomum verum L. was identified by the fidelity level index. Lupinus albus L. (Kerefa) (Gibto) to have a high practical benefit in the prevention of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The key threat to a few functional food plants such as Lupinus albus (Gibto) in the study area was the loss of agricultural lands due to new building construction. The woreda is the central city of East Gojjam Zone. As a result, stalk owners must focus their efforts on resolving the problem

BackgroundFood insecurity remains highly prevalent in developing countries and over the past two decades it has increasingly been recognized as a serious public health problem, including in Ethiopia. An emerging body of literature links food insecurity to a range of negative health outcomes and causes of a decline in productivity. The objectives of the present study were to determine the level of food insecurity in East Gojjam zone where the productive safety net program is available, and in West Gojjam zone where there is no program, and to identify the determinants of food insecurity in both East and West Gojjam zones of Amhara Region, Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based comparative cross-sectional study design was used from 24 May 2013- 20 July 2013. Multistage sampling technique was implemented. A total of 4110 randomly selected households in two distinct populations were approached to be included in the study. Availability and absence of the productive safety net program between the two study areas was used to categorize them as comparative groups; otherwise the two communities are comparable in many socio-cultural characteristics. The household food security access scale questionnaire, developed by the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistant Project, was used to measure food security level. Socio-demographic and other household level information were collected by using a structured questionnaire. The binary logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with food insecurity.ResultsFrom the total 4110 households, 3964 (96.45 %) gave complete responses. The total prevalence of food insecurity was 55.3 % (95 % CI: 53.8, 56.8). To compare food insecurity levels between the two zones, nearly sixty percent, 59.2 % (95 % CI: 57 %, 61.4 %) of the East Gojjam and 51.3 % (95 % CI: 49.1 %, 53.5) of West Gojjam households were food insecure.Family size (2–4) (AOR = 0.641, 95 % CI: 0.513, 0.801), non-merchant women (AOR = 1.638, 95 % CI: 1.015, 2.643), household monthly income quartiles, 1st (AOR = 2.756, 95 % CI: 1.902, 3.993), and 2nd (AOR =1.897, 95 % CI: 1.299, 2.775) were the significant socio-demographic determinants in east Gojjam zone. Illiterate mothers (AOR = 1.388, 95 % CI: 1.011, 1.905), household monthly income quartiles, 1st (AOR = 3.110232, 95 % CI: 2.366, 4.415), 2nd (AOR =2.618, 95 % CI: 1.892, 3.622) and 3rd (AOR = 2.177, 95 % CI: 1.6911, 2.803) were the significant socio-demographic predictors in west Gojjam zone.Rural residential area (AOR = 3.201, 95 % CI: 1.832, 5.594) and (AOR = 2.425, 95 % CI: 1.79, 3.272), highland agro-ecology (AOR = 2.193, 95 % CI: 1.348, 3.569 and AOR = 3.669, 95 % CI: 2.442, 5.513) and lack of livestock (AOR = 1.553, 95 % CI: 1.160, 2.078 and AOR = 1.568 95 % CI: 1.183, 2.080) were significant environmental predictors in east and west Gojjam zones respectively.ConclusionFood insecurity is highly prevalent in both study areas; however, there are different predictor factors. Intervention strategies should give emphasis to women’s education, diversified income generating opportunities, and for each agro-ecological zone, mixed agriculture strategy.

Participatory variety evaluation and selection of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties; an underpinning to novel technology uptake in northwestern Ethiopia

Drawing upon consequentially growing food insecurity in mid-hills attributed to poor adoption levels inter alia inflicted by narrow range of locally adaptive farmer’s preferred cold tolerant rice varietal options in national agricultural system, the present study was undertaken. We conducted on farm diversity assessment of 60 high altitude rice genotypes from ex-situ and on farm employing un-replicated diversity block in 2015. Subsequently, we identified eight promising locally adaptive genotypes as candidate genotypes based on the inferences of diversity block trial and evaluated them through participatory variety selection (PVS) using randomized block design in 2016 under on-farm conditions. Our studies revealed marked diversity among the Nepalese cold-tolerant rice genotypes. The UPGMA cluster analysis categorized the 60 genotypes into six distinct clusters. Strong positive correlation between grain yield and plant height; panicle length; straw yield and strong negative correlation between grain yield and 1000-grain weight was detected. PCA suggested traits viz., plant height, panicle length, days to 50% heading, and grain yield to be principal discriminatory characteristics of the cold-tolerant rice. Seto Kattike, Naulo Dhan, and Borang were most promising and adaptive genotypes whose eminence were justifiably corroborated and validated by farmer’s overall evaluation. The most valued farmer’s selection criteria were grain and straw yield, earliness, disease resistance, and stem borer tolerance. The findings bolster employment of novel and proven participatory plant breeding approach using diversity kits and IRD kits to expand and promote varietal choice options for immediate benefits to the farmers and facilitate rapid varietal release and registration.

Abstract. Belay H, Wondimu T. 2018. Functional food plants in Debre Markos district, East Gojjam Ethiopia. Asian J Ethnobiol 2: 8-21. An ethnobotanical analysis of functional food plants was conducted in Debre Markos District, East Gojjam, Ethiopia, to record indigenous knowledge. Ethnobotanical methods were used to collect data from October 2015 to July 2016. Ten villages were chosen at random from the District's 21 villages to perform the analysis. A total of 80 informants (61 men and 19 women) ranging in age from 20 to 79 were chosen to participate in the study and provide information on functional food plants grown and used in the District. Twenty of the 80 informants were chosen (as key informants) on the basis of recommendations from elders and kebele administrators, while the rest were chosen at random. Semi-structured interviews and group discussions were used to gather ethnobotanical data. As functional food plants grown in the District, 29 species from 27 genera and 19 families were identified. The Poaceae and Fabaceae families proved to be the most diverse, with 5 and 4 species, respectively. Herbs (23), shrubs (3), and trees are the species' habits (growth forms) (3). Grains (23.4%) and leaves (23.4%) were the most commonly used plant components (13.8%). Cooking/boiling seeds was the most common form of preparation (23.4%), followed by raw/unprocessed seeds (12.9%). According to informant consensus, Lupinus albus L. (Gibto) was the most commonly recorded species (90%) followed by Eragrostis tef L. (Dabbo teff) (78.8%). Linum usitatissimum L. (Telba) was found to be the most favored species for preventing multiple diseases in a preference rating. Based on the general use-value of functional food plants, a direct matrix analysis showed that Eragrostis tef L. (Dabbo teff) was the most important species. Cinnamomum verum L. was identified by the fidelity level index. Lupinus albus L. (Kerefa) (Gibto) to have a high practical benefit in the prevention of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The key threat to a few functional food plants such as Lupinus albus (Gibto) in the study area was the loss of agricultural lands due to new building construction. The woreda is the central city of East Gojjam Zone. As a result, stalk owners must focus their efforts on resolving the problem.

A participatory variety selection (PVS) approach was used to evaluate the varieties when selecting new soybean varieties. Farmers were requested to state the most important traits when deciding which soybean varieties to adopt. The study aimed to identify a high-yielding variety that fulfills farmers’ preferences, creates wider demand, and strengthens linkage among the possible actors in improved soybean varieties. The study was conducted at Jawe, Guangua, and North Achefer locations in the Awi and West Gojam zones during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Eight improved soybean varieties were considered in the experiment. Farmers identified seven biological attributes as their selection criteria and considered social factors when deciding which variety to grow. High grain yields of 1830 kg.ha-1 and 1680 kg.ha-1 were recorded for varieties “Pawe-02” and “Wegayen,” respectively, whereas the lowest grain yield of 1430 kg.ha-1 was recorded for the variety “Ethio-Yugoslavia.” “Pawe-02” variety was ranked 1st by farmers’ selection in two districts among the eight varieties. The average performance of the “Pawe-02” variety in the pre-scale-up activity was 2580 kg.ha-1 with a yield advantage of 48.87%. Likert-scale analysis indicated that farmers positively perceived the important traits “Pawe-02” against the existing soya bean variety. Therefore, the “Pawe-02” variety should be recommended to farmers on a large scale to benefit them in this study area and similar agroecology.

Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R Wilczek var. radiata) is an important pulse in the climatically marginal areas of Eastern Kenya. The pulse is cultivated primarily for food grain and income generation. Its productivity in Eastern Kenya has declined, because of drought and use of late maturing varieties. The objectives of the experiment were to (i) evaluate green gram introductions for adaptability and seed yield in semi-arid areas of eastern Kenya and (ii) identify farmer preferred green gram lines through participatory variety selection. Twenty green gram lines including recent introductions, improved commercial varieties and a land race were evaluated in nine environments. Participatory variety selection was conducted to identify farmer selection criteria and acceptability. Genotypic variation and genotypes × environment interactions were observed. A wide range of seed sizes among the lines from small, medium to large was recorded. Lines AVMU 8501, AVMU 0801 and AVMU 1003 yielded higher grain in almost all the environments indicating broad adaptation. Line AVMU 8501 was superior for grain yield giving yield advantage of 13%, 70% and 32% over the best commercial variety KAT N26 and 21%, 17% and 28% over KS 20 at Environment 4, Environment 7 and Environment 9, respectively. Early maturity, yield and pod/seed size were important traits that influence adoption of green gram in Kenya. AVMU 0801, AVMU 1003 and AVMU 8501 were identified as the most farmer preferred lines. These, if well adopted, can go a long way in increasing the green gram productivity in drought prone Kenyan arid and semi-arid lands that experience erratic rainfall.

Faba bean is the most important pulse crop in area coverage and volume of annual production in Ethiopia. However, the productivity in terms of yield is still far below its potential. This research was designed to select and promote the best varieties based on farmers’ preferences. Participatory variety selection was conducted with eight faba bean varieties using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The trial was conducted in the Hagere Mariam District during the 2019 and 2020 main cropping seasons. The result showed that a highly significant variation was observed among the tested varieties in days to flowering (50 to 55.67), thousand seed weight (39.16 to 91.62 g), grain yield (1.88 to 3.03 t ha−1), and percent severity index (11.10% to 30.67%) for faba bean gall disease. A significant difference was also detected in days to maturity (134.67 to 140.67) and plant height (83.27 to 106.57 cm). The highest grain yield was recorded by Hachalu (3.03 t ha−1) followed by Walki (2.92 t ha−1) and Numan (2.86 t ha−1). Farmer’s variety had a lower yield (2.29 t ha−1) by 24.5%, 22.6%, and 18.8% than Hachalu, Walki, and Numan varieties, respectively. Dosha, Numan, and Hachalu have better tolerance to faba bean gall than the farmer’s variety under natural infestation. Among the tested varieties, Walki got a high preference score from farmers based on their selection criteria such as plant height, grain and straw yield, no. of pods/plant and no of seeds/pod, seed size, early maturity, and better adaptability in the area. Consequently, Walki was scaled up and widely disseminated in the region, achieving an average grain yield of 2.64 tons per hectare and a 107.9% yield advantage over the framer’s variety.

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; In order to determine the direct and indirect effects of yield and yield components of rice, a field experiment was conducted in each of the wet seasons of 2016 and 2017 at Irrigation Research Stations of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Bokolori, Talata Mafara, in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria (12° 34’ N; 06° 04’E). The treatment consisted of four (4) weed management practice (Oxadiazon at 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 [pre-emergence], Orizo-plus [proponil 360 g/l + 2,4-D 200 g/l] at 2.8 kg a.i ha-1[post emergence at 3 WAS], manual weeding [at 3 and 6 WAS] and weedy check [control]); three (3) each of seeding method (Drilling, Dibbling and Broadcast) and seed rate (40 kg ha-1; 70 kg ha-1; 100 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid in a split plot design replicated three times. Weed management practice was assigned to the main plots while the combination of seeding method and seed rate to the subplots. Data were collected on plant height, leaf area, crop dry matter, tillering ability, crop growth rate, harvest index (HI), panicle length, number of grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight and paddy yield. The result indicated that, the highest individual contribution of 25.04% to paddy yield was made by dry matter followed by 1000-grain weight (8.74%), tillering ability (8.46%), leaf area (3.13%), number of grains per panicle (1.03%) and the least was from panicle length (0.83%). The contribution of these growth and yield attributes to yield suggests that, priority be given to these traits when making selection for improvement.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Participatory variety selection was conducted at Marwoled Kebele, Womberma Woreda, to select superior bread wheat varieties on farmers&rsquo; fields with their participations. Bread wheat variety called Kubsa (HAR1685) is the sole variety grown by farmers. Twelve alternative bread wheat varieties were evaluated under rainfed conditions using a randomized complete block design with three replications as grandmother trial and three farmers&rsquo; fields with one replication each as mother trial. In both trials, highly significant differences among the genotypes were observed in terms of plant height, spikelets per spike, hectoliter weight, thousand grain weights, leaf rust, yellow rust and days to maturity. HAR3730 (5.4 t ha-1), ETBW5518 (5.3 t ha-1), Plcafeor (4.8 t ha-1), ETBW5521 (4.7 t ha-1), ETBW5520 (4.4 t ha-1) and HAR1685 (4 t ha-1) were highest yielding over the check variety Kubsa (HAR1685) and selected by farmers and researcher. Developed participatory bread wheat varietal selections have solved many constraints related to farmers&rsquo; participations, set parameters, select superior varieties, evaluating the performance of better varieties, and identify better varieties and accelerating the dissemination of farmers&rsquo; selected varieties at Marwoled Kebele. Therefore, promotion of higher yielding selected cultivars is necessary at Marwoled Kebele to diversify wheat varieties to cope up with evolving disease pathogens and epidemic occurring in wheat system in the region. &nbsp; Key words: Participatory selection, bread wheat, varietal selection.