Sinana Agricultural Research Center Research Articles

Factors Affecting Seedling Growth Performance and Quality of Two A<i>cacia Species and Shinus Molle </i>on Nursery Stage, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

The study was carried out within the Nursery of the Department of Forestry, at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, on the effects of different soils media and varying pot sizes on the early growth of <i>Acacia abyssinica, Acacia saligna and Shinus molle </i>were investigated. Four different soils media used were forest soil (FS), compost (Co), sand soil (SS) and local soil (LS) in different pots size (PS1=8 cm=control, PS2=10 cm and PS3=12 cm lay flats) 15 cm in length and five growing media (GM) or soil mix proportion based on volume GM1= (2 part local/Top soil:2 part forest soil:1 part sand; GM2=2 part local soil:2 compost: 1 part sand; GM3=1 part local soil:2 part forest soil:2 part sand; GM4=3 part local soil:2 part compost:1 sand soil and GM5=3 local soil:2 forest soil:1 sand=control) were filled up of different types of soil named above, and quantified using weighing balance. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the Forestry nursery in the study area. The study involved the use of five (5) planting media and three different plastic pots in three (3) replicates. The parameters measured are plant height (cm), seedling root collar diameter (mm) and dry matter (shoot, root and root to shoot ratio). The data collected at the end of twenty weeks were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan test showed that <i>Schinus molle, A.abyssinica </i>and<i> A.saligina</i> tree species plant and grown in large pot size (PS2) and growing media (GM3) had the highest performance with mean value of plant height 19.83cm, 7.833cm and 13.167cm and seedling root collar diameter in GM5PS3 (4.09mm), GM4PS3 (3.35mm) and GM4PS1 (3.97mm) respectively were high significantly (P< 0.05). It is therefore recommended that large pot size (PS3) and GM2 and GM3growing media be used for optimal production of all <i>Schinus molle, A.abyssinica </i>and<i> A.saligina </i>tree species seedling production at nursery stage and their plantation success. This study revealed that optimum ratio of compost and forest soil in growing media and relatively big container/pot size have favorable good quality of seedling growth for all studied tree species for all growth parameters. This is may be due to nutrient variation in the growing media which is farther needs investigation on growing media nutrients contents.

Registration of Newly Released Hull Less Food Barley (<i>HondiumVulgare L.</i>) Variety, ‘Sena’, for High Potential Barley Growing Areas in Ethiopia

Twenty hull less barley genotypes from the local crossing program and germplasms introduced from ICARDA were evaluated in a multi-location variety trial to identify stable genotypes with high grain yield, desirable agronomic characters and good level of disease resistance. Results of combined analysis showed that genotype (G5 and G19) with pedigree name <i>TOCTE/M112/6/VMORALESCBSS04M00436T-11M-0Y-0M-3M-0AP and PENCO/CHEVRON-BAR/3/LEGACYU//PENCO/CHEVRON=BAR CBSS04Y00048S-23Y2M-0Y-0M-0Y-0AP--0TR-0TR </i>exhibited the highest mean grain yield with good agronomic performance and good level of disease resistance across the testing environments, while genotype. Accordingly, the two varieties were promoted to variety verification trial in 2022, and genotype G5 released in 2023; this genotype was named Sena. The variety showed good physical grain quality, coupled with high grain yield of 5.2 t/ha. Sena variety is suitable to the high potential barley growing areas. This variety is characterized by early maturity, white seed color, has good physical grain quality, resistance to leaf rust and scald, moderate resistance to net blotch, moderate tolerance to barley shoot fly, lodging tolerance and good biomass yield. The variety’s demonstration and seed multiplication is underway. Therefore, cultivation of the new variety in the higher altitude areas of major barley growing environments of the country is highly recommended. Six-rowed semi hulled barley Sena was developed by Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), Southeastern Oromia region, Ethiopia. If the variety is sufficiently demonstrated, scaled up and adopted by farmers, it can play significant role in increasing hull less barley production and productivity thereby increasing the income of farmers and can also be source of raw material for local market engaged in the <i>kolo</i> production.

Association mapping of septoria tritici blotch resistance in bread wheat in Bale and Arsi highlands, Ethiopia

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici, anamorph Septoria tritici Rob. ex Desm., is an important wheat pathogen worldwide, reported to be major wheat production threating factor, posing considerable yield loss every year. Developing resistant cultivars is an efficient, economical, environmentally friendly and simple approach for managing STB. This study was carried out to evaluate spring bread wheat lines for their reaction to STB disease under field conditions; to associate phenotypic and genotypic data for identification of STB disease resistance; and to identify genomic region(s) associated with resistance to STB in spring bread wheat lines. Two hundred forty (240) spring bread wheat lines were evaluated under field conditions in non-replicated trials, using an augmented design. The trials were conducted at three locations (Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Madda Walabu University Research Site and Sinana Agricultural Research Center) in 2017 main cropping season (July to December). Out of these 240 wheat lines, 123 of them were genotyped with 10263 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) markers and population structure and association mapping analysis was done. The wheat lines showed significant variations in percentage disease severity and area under the disease progress curve at all the three locations they were evaluated. The wheat lines were classified as resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible and susceptible based on the percentage disease severity scored. Five wheat lines were found to be resistant to STB in all the three locations and are recommended for direct release by the national program and parentage purposes in wheat breeding programs. The 123 wheat lines were clustered into 3 subpopulations in which the first cluster contained 99 wheat lines; the second 17 and the last one 7. Among the polymorphic 8127 SNPs markers, 26 markers on chromosomes 7B, 1D, 3A, 2B, 6B and 3D were found to be significantly (P < 0.001) associated with STB resistance so that they can be utilized for marker assisted selection and gene pyramiding in resistance breeding programs.

Performance Evaluation and Adaptability Study of Fodder Beet (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Beta vulgaris L&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;.) Cultivars in Highlands of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia

Shortage animal feed interims of quality and quantity is the major bottle neck in livestock production through the year in Ethiopia particularly in the highlands of Bale Zone. A study was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), South East Ethiopia for three consecutive cropping season (2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23) in two locations (Sinana on station and Agarfa subsite) to evaluate the adaptability of four Cultivars of Fodder beet (namely Bircks, Kulumsa, Magnum and Robbos). Experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All cultivars were performed well. However, there is significant variation among the Cultivars. The combined result over locations over years indicated that, Kulumsa cultivars gives the highest shoot fresh biomass yield (41.88 t ha&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;), root fresh biomass yield (86.49 t ha&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;) and shoot Dry biomass yield (4.52 t ha&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;). The remaining cultivars have not statistically significant different. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that the Fodder beet Kulumsa cultivars was found a promising in terms of grain and biomass yield, than others that could be demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.

Registration of newly released fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) variety Arganne for mid altitude of Bale, South Eastern Ethiopia

Arganne with the accession name Acc. 202209sno3-5) is a fenugreek variety released by Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia in 2021. The trial was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Centre from observation nursery to preliminary yield trial and promising fenugreek genotypes were selected from yield trial based on seed yield and reaction to diseases, especially powdery mildew. These promising genotypes were evaluated against standard check Hunda’ol and Ebisa across three locations for three consecutive years (2017 to 2019). Arganne showed superior yielding ability, producing a mean seed yield of 17-26 Qt ha-1 on the research field and 15-21 Qt ha-1 on the farmers’ field. The seed yield of the new variety exceeded that of the standard check Hunda’ol and Ebisa varieties by about 12.00% and 11.23%, respectively. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(2): 53-55, December 2022

Registration of Mieso, a Newly Released Field Pea (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pisum sativum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Varieties for Highlands of Bale, Southeast Ethiopia

Field pea (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L.) variety named Mieso with the pedigree designation of Acc 32003-2 has been officially released by Sinana Agricultural Research Center in 2021. The variety is best adapted to altitudes ranging between 2300 to 2600 meters above sea level in the country. Mieso variety evaluated along sixteen Field pea genotypes including the standard check “Harena and T/Shenene” under a regional variety trial for three years (2016 to 2018) at Sinana, Sinja and Agarfa districts. Promising genotype, “ACC32003-2” were selected and promoted to variety verification trail with the standard check during the 2020/21 cropping season. Finally, the National Variety Release Technical Committee decided “ACC32003-2” genotype for release. This Field pea variety showed superior performance particularly in terms of productivity and resistance/ tolerance level to disease across the years and locations. The released variety out-yielded the other tested Field pea genotypes on both research plots and farmers’ fields. Based on most stability parameters, Mieso showed relatively better grain yield performance (3570kg/ha) and stability across a range of environments and years than the standard checks (Harena and Tulu Shenene) and could be cultivated across a number of locations in the highlands of Bale and other similar agro-ecologies for increasing productivity of the crop.

Groundwater quality evaluation for irrigation, Modjo River catchment, a wash basin, Central Ethiopia

Irrigated agriculture is dependent on an adequate water supply of usable quality. Water containing impurities, which are injurious to plant growth, are not satisfactory for irrigation. Water quality for agricultural purposes is determined on the basis of the effects of the water on the quality and yield of the crops, as well as the effects on drainage efficiency and characteristic changes in the soil [16]. This study aims to assess the quality of groundwater in Modjo river catchment for irrigation. Hence, the groundwater samples were collected from well and borehole situated at different site within the catchment to analyze for necessary parameters. Consequently, in-situ measurements such as; EC, pH and TDS were carried out in the field inventory using portable ( pH) meters, whereas major ions are analyzed in Sinana Agricultural Research Center Soil laboratory. The chemical analysis of the samples shows that Na-Ca-HCO3 water type in the recharge area, intermediate water type Ca-Mg-Na HCO3 in northern and central part of the area and Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type towards the east of the subbasin. Most of the water in the study area is clustered as Calcium-Sodium-Magnesium-Bicarbonate type, which is characterized by a high concentration of HCO3 and Ca. Generally water quality analysis shows that as the concentrations in the water sample is below the maximum allowable limits for irrigation (i.e.EC&lt;2000 µS/cm and SAR&lt;9) and therefore the groundwater could be used safely for irrigation.

Diversity within and among Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces in resistance to barley net blotch (Pyrenophora teres F. teres (Ptt))

In this study, we evaluated a collection of 585 barley landraces along with 10 checks at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC) and Bale-Goba research sites in 2018/19 and 2019/20 cropping seasons for resistance to net blotch (Pyrenophora teres F. teres (Ptt)). The experiments were laid out in an augmented complete block design. Data on agronomic performance and disease response were recorded. Analysis of variance showed highly significant variations between and within the landraces and cultivars in net blotch percent severity index (PSI), area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), apparent infection rate, days to heading, plant height, number of fertile tillers per plant, seeds per spike, spike length and thousand seed weight. The overall mean net blotch epidemics varied from area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) of 86 to 1835. The disease was as high as AUDPC of 1378 on the susceptible check ‘Abdanie’. Similarly, the variations between and within barley landraces in terms of regions of origin, altitude classes and ear-types were significant. Out of the 585 barley landraces evaluated, 198 (33.85%) had significantly lower disease than the susceptible check, of which 12 (2.05%) and 186 (31.79%) landraces, respectively showed resistant (R) and moderately resistant (MR) infection types. The frequency of resistant landraces was more in third (2000-2500 m) and fourth (>2500 m) altitude classes and six-rowed and irregular barley types than in lower altitude areas and two-rowed ear-types. Furthermore, the correlation analysis among PSI and some yield components revealed adverse effect of the disease on grain yield of barley.

Field evaluation of different fungicides for their effectiveness against cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora sesame Zimm.) of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is one of the well known oil crop produced and Ethiopia is one of the major producer country of the crop in the world. The Field experiment was conducted for two years (2015/2017 GC) at Delo-mena site of Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC) with the objective of identify effective fungicides for the management of Cercospora leaf spot of Sesame. The trial was arranged in RCB Design with three replication and the treatment fungicides were; Odeon 825 WDG, Mancozeb 80% WP, Natura 250 EW, Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WG, RexDuo, Tilt 250 EC and unsprayed control were included for treatment comparison. The highest Cercospora leafspot disease severity of 41.11% and the lowest (5.00%) were recorded from unsprayed control and Tilt 250 EC treated plots, respectively. Similarly, the highest AUDPC (1474.67%-days) and r (0.038292 units-1) and the lowest AUDPC (165.67%-days) and r (-0.004976units-1) were similarly calculated from unsprayed control and from Tilt 250 EC treated plots, respectively. Regarding yield and yield related traits; ANOVA has shown significant variations (P

Influence of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Yield and Yield Components of Chickpea in Southeastern of Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted on research field of Sinana Agricultural Research center and Goro sub site in the highlands of Bale, south eastern Ethiopia under rain fed conditions during main cropping season of 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the integrated effects of pre-emergence (Dual gold 960 EC), post emergence (Gallant super) herbicides and hand weeding frequencies on yield and yield components of chick pea. The experiment consisted of eight weed management options; sole dual gold 960 EC, dual gold 960 EC + one time hand weeding at two weeks after crop emergence, and dual gold 960 EC at four weeks after crop emergence, sole gallant super, gallant super and one time hand weeding, weedy check, one time hand weeding at two weeks after crop emergence and two times hand weeding at two and four weeks after crop emergence along with two varieties (Dhera and Habru) laid out in randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that a significant difference in number of branches per plant, biological yield (kg ha^-1), and grain yield (kg ha^-1) were observed on different herbicidal treatments and hand weeding at Sinana while at Goro significant effects of integrated weed management were observed on dry matter, plant height, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index. The remains parameters studied at both locations were no significant for the treatments studied. The highest net return obtained from the application of 1.5 lit ha^-1 dual gold 960 EC integrated with hand weeding at four weeks after crop emergence while the highest net return at Goro was obtained from two times hand weeding at two and four weeks after crop emergence and hence can be recommended for the end users. Moreover, similar experiments should be carried out in different cold and warmer regions of chickpea potential areas of the zone to confirm the present findings.

Diversity and resistance components analysis of barley landraces to barley shoot fly (Delia flavibasis)

Barley shoot fly (Delia flavibasis) is one of the destructive insect pests of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at seedling stage. Resistance to barley shoot fly is governed by complex traits that derived from both morphological and/or biochemical characters of the plant. These host plant characters influence the relative degree of damage caused by the insect. The study aimed to evaluate phenotypic variability and interrelationships of factors influencing barley shoot fly resistance. Five hundred eighty-five landraces and ten cultivars were tested at Sinana Agricultural Research Center on station and Goba on-farm, during 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons using augmented design consisting six blocks. High heritability percentage was obtained for yield and shoot fly resistance components like biomass (95.38%), early seedling growth vigour (91.41%), total tillers plant−1 (89.41%), fertile tiller plant−1 (88.91%), seedling colour (85.36), plant height (82.83%), 1000 seed weight (82.53%), number of seeds spike−1 (81.80%), spike length (81.11%), oviposition (65.74%) and dead heart (61.26%). Thus, this study revealed the presence of sufficient variability among the barley landraces in the country that can be exploited for germplasm enhancement. Furthermore, the defensive characters of accessions for shoot fly strongly influence the oviposition and dead heart percentage.

Genome-wide association mapping for grain shape and color traits in Ethiopian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum)

Grain shape and color strongly influence yield and quality of durum wheat. Identifying QTL for these traits is essential for transferring favorable alleles based on selection strategies and breeding objectives. In the present study, 192 Ethiopian durum wheat accessions comprising 167 landraces and 25 cultivars were genotyped with a high-density Illumina iSelect 90K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) wheat array to conduct a genome-wide association analysis for grain width (GW), grain length (GL), CIE (Commission Internationale l'Eclairage) L* (brightness), CIE a* (redness), and CIE b* (yellowness) traits. The accessions were planted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia in the 2015/2016 cropping season in a complete randomized block design with three replications. Twenty homogeneous and healthy seeds per replicate were used for trait measurement. Digital image analysis of seeds with GrainScan software package was used to generate the phenotypic data. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences between accessions for all traits. A total of 46 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for all traits across all chromosomes. One novel major candidate QTL (−lg P ≥ 4) with pleiotropic effects for grain CIE L* (brightness) and CIE a* (redness) was identified on the long arm of chromosome 2A. Eighteen nominal QTL (−lg P ≥ 3) and 26 suggestive QTL (−lg P ≥ 2.5) were identified. Pleiotropic QTL influencing both grain shape and color were identified.

The Effect of Honeybee (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Apismellifera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Pollination in Enhancing Yield of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Nigella sativa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Darbera Variety) in the High Land of Bale

Pollination is an essential process in the production of seed plants, it results in a genetically diverse production of offspring and its role is not well understood and appreciated in the local farming system. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of honeybees pollination on Black cumin seed yield and yield related parameters at Sinana Agricultural Research center at on-station. The study had three experiment; these includes plots caged with honeybees (T1), plots caged without honeybees (T2) and open pollinated plots (T3). All collected data were analyzed using One-way-Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). <i>In the study seven species of insects were identified as</i> Nigella sativa <i>visitors or pollinators with the most frequent visitors were honeybees at 11:30 am time and minimum at 3:00 pm on open pollinated plot</i>. There were no significant different (P>0.05) on Date of blooming, Date of flowering, Flowering period, Primary and secondary branches among the three treatments. Whereas, there were a significant difference (P<0.05) on shading time, Number of capsule, Thousand kernel and total seed yield per hector. In general the present study showed that the highest seed yield/hector was achieved from crops caged with honeybees (20.20Qt/ha) and followed by open pollinated crop (17.54Qt/ha). The result also revealed that about 30.84% of seed yield advantage of Nigella sativa pollinated by honeybees over control/un pollinated by any insect. From this result it was concluded that visits of honeybees at flowering time of Nigella sativa have very helpful in boosting seed yield and yield related components of this crop.

Effects of Different Seeding Rate and Row Spacing on Yield and Yield Components of Narbon Vetch (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Vicia narbonensis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) in Bale Highlands

Narbon vetch (<i>Vicia narbonensis</i>) is among vetch species adapted to highlands of Bale. It is semi-erect to erect vetch with striking similar to faba bean. Seed rate and row spacing are among the most important factors affecting dry matter and seed yield of any crops. However, optimum seed rate and row spacing were not determined for narbon vetch under conditions of Bale high lands. Therefore, the experiment was conducted from 2014-2017 on research field of Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Sinana on-farm and Agarfa research subsite with the objective of determining optimum seed rate and row spacing for yield and yield components of narbon vetch under conditions of Bale highlands. Narbon vetch variety ‘Abdeta’ that was released from Sinana Agricultural Research Center in 2011 was used as a test crop for this experiment. The treatments consisted of three row spacing intervals (20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm) and six seed rate levels (30 Kg/ha, 45 Kg/ha, 60 kg/ha, 75 Kg/ha, 90 Kg/ha and 105 Kg/ha) laid out in factorial combination of randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The analysis of variance showed that seed rate and row spacing had a significant effect on yield and yield components of narbon vetch. The highest seed yield (43.22 qt/ha) was obtained from narbon vetch planted at a seed rate level of 60 kg/ha. Row spacing of 20 cm had also leaded to highest seed and dry matter yield. Based on the current study it was concluded that narbon vetch can be produced at a seed rate of 60 kg/ha and 20 cm row spacing in high lands of Bale and similar agro-ecologies.

The Role of Honeybee (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Apis mellifera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Pollination in Enhancing Seed Yield and Yield Related Parameters of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Coriandrum sativum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is one of the most important annual spice and medicinal herbplant. It is an open pollinated crop and honeybees are effective pollinators for open pollinated crops because of a lot of nectar and pollens are available on the flowers of Coriandrum sativum. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of honeybees pollination on Coriandrum sativum seed yield and yield related parameters at Sinana Agricultural Research center at on-station. The study had three experiment; these includes plots caged with honeybees (T1), plots caged without honeybees (T2) and open pollinated plots (T3). All collected data were analyzed using One-way-Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). There were no significant different (P>0.05) on Date of blooming, Date of flowering,, Primary and secondary branches among the three treatments. Whereas, there were a significant difference (P<0.05) on Flowering period, shading time, Number of capsule, Thousand kernel weight and total seed yield per hector. The result also revealed that about 29.70% of seed yield advantage of Coriandrum sativum pollinated by honeybees over control/un pollinated by any insect. From this result it was concluded that visits of honeybees at flowering time of Coriandrum sativum have very helpful in increasing seed yield and yield related components of this crop.

Yield loss of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) due to chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae Sard.) in Sinana, Southeastern Oromia

Field experiment was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center in the 2014 main cropping season with the objective to assess yield losses caused by chocolate spot ( Botrytis fabae ) of faba bean varieties. The highest number of days to physiological maturity was recorded on the variety Shalo (141.6 days) and lowest in the variety Mosisa (138.5 days). The maximum biomass on hectare basis (6.6t/ha) was obtained from plot sprayed at weekly interval. The maximum relative grain yield loss were recorded from the varieties of Mosisa and local, 47.8% and 46.7% on unsprayed plots, respectively. Losses in hundred seed weight greater on the variety local than others, this variety had maximum hundreds seed weight loss of 16% when it was protected against the diseases. The local variety shows the maximum biomass loss compared to other varieties under unsprayed plots. This variety has a biomass loss of 33% under unsprayed plots. The highest marginal benefit (32022.9 ETB/ha) was obtained from variety Mosisa sprayed at weekly intervals and highest (233.7 ETB) marginal rate of return was obtained also from this variety when treated at weekly intervals.

Assessment of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) yield loss due to weed in Sinana, highland condition of Bale, South Eastern Ethiopia

Weed plays an important role in important role in proper stand establishment of the growing crops, which finally hinder productivity and quality of the crop . Field experimental was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center on station during 2013-2015 growing season to determine optimum weeding frequency for weed management in linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.). Weeding treatments consisted of five levels weedy check (no weeding), weeding at 30-35 days after emergency, weeding at 55-60 days after emergency, weeding at 30-35 and 55-60 days after emergency and total weed free . The results indicated that effects of weeding frequency observed on all yield parameter showed that the importance of weeding frequency for linseed growth, yield and yield component. However, significant (P≤0.05) effect of weeding frequency was not observed in the case of flowering date and plant height. The maximum seed yield was recorded from weed free plot (1808.35kg/ha) and weeding two times (30-35 and 55-60 days after crop emergence) (1621.58kg/ha) respectively. Weed significantly reduces the vegetative growth and productivity parameter of the crop. In this field trail 24.6% yield loss was observed in linseed when weeds are allowed to grow for the whole season. Weeding twice at 30-35 and 55-60 days after emergence was optimal for growth, yield and yield component of linseed. The major weed identified during the experimental conducted in the experimental site were Cyperus esculantus, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus spp. Guizotia scabra, Bromus pectinatus and Commelina benghlensisa.

Evaluation of post-emergence herbicides against major weed species in wheat in Bale highlands, South-eastern Ethiopia

A field experiment on weed control in wheat was conducted at Sinana agricultural research center and Robe area during the main bona season of 2016. Different post-emergence herbicides were evaluated together with the hand weeding and weedy check for weed control and yield and yield components of wheat. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Improved bread wheat variety ‘‘Mada walabu’’ with a seed rate of 150kgha -1 and different recommended agronomic practices was used in the experiment. The treatments consist of three post-emergence herbicides: Atlantis OD 37.5, Pallas 45 OD, and Topic plus and two times hand weeding and weedy check were used for comparison. The analysis result of the two locations showed that the yield and yield components of wheat were significantly responded to the applied treatments, except plant height, Biomass and HLW at Sinana on-station and plant height and spike length at Robe area. Maximum wheat grain yield was recorded (4622kgha -1 ) at Sinana on-station and (4645kgha-1) at Robe area in plots treated with Atlantis OD 37.5. The second maximum grain yield was recorded at both locations Sinana on-station and Robe area, 4311kgha -1 and 4289kgha -1 respectively, in plots treated with Pallas 45 OD. The third maximum grain yield at both locations was recorded in plots weeded twice. The lowest grain yield was recorded in weedy check plots at both locations Sinana on-station and Robe area, 2867kgha -1 and 2911kgha -1 respectively. The highest weed control efficacy at both locations for both grass and broad leaved weeds was recorded for Atlantis OD 37.5 followed by Pallas 45 OD. From one year result possible to conclude that if economically affordable and available Atlantis OD 37.5 is the best weed management option in wheat in Bale highlands.

Variation of Yield Components in Some Coriander Accessions (Coriandrum sativam L.) of Ethiopia

Though Ethiopia is a center of diversity coriander that cultivated for its income generation and local consumption, there is little information on its genetic variation. For a true assessment of the diversity of coriander, characterization and evaluation for its component traits should be considered essential. Twenty-five accessions of coriander were collected from potential growing areas of Arsi-Bale districts and evaluated for the variation of vegetative traits during 2012 at Sinana Agricultural Research Center in single plot of four rows. The result of the analysis revealed that there was a large variation among the accessions for most of the traits under study. The most variable was the number of basal leaf per plant ranging from 55 to 4 with a variance of 113.34 and a mean of 17.52. On the other hand, branching of the plant showed least variation ranging from 2 to 1 with a variance of 0.08. Next to the number of basal leaf, the accessions showed large variation with respect to the length of the longest basal leaf and the basal leaf with a range of 52 to 27 and 45.80 to 23.60 and a variance of 43.56 and 38.95 respectively. Foliation (9 to 1), habitus of the basal leaves (4 to 1), Blade Shape of Upper Stem Length (6 to 4), blade shape of the longest basal leaves (5 to 4) and Branching of the plant (2 to 1) showed a decreasing range of variation. The present study focused on the vegetative traits for the assessment of variation in coriander accessions. Including the generative traits in the characterization work is considered essential for assessment of the diversity of coriander.

Management of Chocolate Spot ( Botrytis fabae L. ) on Faba Bean in Bale Highland’s, Ethiopia

Field experiment was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center in the 2014 main cropping season with the objectives wasto study the reaction of faba bean varieties to infection of the chocolate spot and to assess yield losses caused by chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) of faba bean four varieties. The highest mean final disease severity at (118 DAP) 38.29% was recorded on the main plots of the local variety and lowest mean final disease severity 32.75% was on the main plots of the variety Mosisa. The maximum Area Under the disease progress curves (AUDPC) was calculated on the unsprayed plots of local variety and Walki, which were 1817%-days and 1716.42%- days respectively. On unsprayed plots of variety local chocolate spot development was increasing at a rate of 0.03 units per day. For the variety local, chocolate spot severity index assessed from 90 DAP had significant negative correlation with yield and had highly significant negative correlation with hundred seed weight with coefficient of correlation ranging from(r=-0.67 to r=-0.62, P<0.05 and r–0.71 to r=-0.75, P<0.01) for yield and hundred seed weight, respectively. The linear regression of AUDPC better described the relationships between faba bean yield and disease severity compared to percent severity index for the variety Shallo. The estimate showed that for each unit increase in percent of chocolate spot AUDPC, there was a grain yield loss of 1.19 kg/ha The estimated slope of the regression line obtained for the variety Shallo was -1.19. Based on coefficient of determination (R2) value, the equations explained about 78% of variation in yield due to chocolate spot severity. Maximum relative grain yield losses of 47.8 and 46.7% were recorded due to chocolate spot severity on the varieties Mosisa and Sinana local, respectively.