Thesis and Dissertations

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Growth, Yield and Quality Traits of Hybrid Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Varieties at Koga Irrigation Scheme, North Western Ethiopia

2026-07-03T09:25:24Z

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Growth, Yield and Quality Traits of Hybrid Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Varieties at Koga Irrigation Scheme, North Western Ethiopia Yezihalem Getaneh Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops in Koga Irrigation Scheme which is mainly produced by small holder farmers. However, the yield of the crop is constrained by several factors. Limited availability of improved varieties and inappropriate application of nitrogen fertilizer are among the major constraints of onion production. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Koga Irrigation Scheme during the 2022 Irrigation season to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth, yield and quality of hybrid onion varieties and to determine the optimum nitrogen fertilizer for economical production of onion varieties. The treatments consisted of four onion varieties (Red coach, Russet, Jambar and Bombay red) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 41, 82 and 123kg ha -1 ). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Growth, yield and quality parameters were collected and the analysis of variance for the collected data was performed by using SAS (version 9.4) software. The results of the study indicated that the main effect of varieties and nitrogen fertilizer very highly significantly affected stand count, days to bulb maturity, plant height, leaf length, leaf number, bulb neck diameter, bulb length, harvest index, total soluble solid and bulb dry matter contents. The interaction effects of varieties and nitrogen fertilizer highly significantly influenced the bulb weight, bulb diameter, marketable bulb yield and total bulb yield of onion. The highest marketable bulb yield (57.84 t ha ), bulb weight (165.87g) and bulb diameter (7.89cm) was obtained from the interaction of Russet variety with 82 kg N ha -1 . However, the lowest marketable yield (21.74 t ha ) was obtained from Bombay red variety with control treatments. Based on the partial budget analysis, the highest net benefits (969884.8 Birr ha -1 ) and the highest marginal rate of return (2007.50%) were recorded from Russet variety with 82 kg ha vi -1 nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, Russet variety with 82 kg N ha -1 is recommended for the production of onion for Koga Irrigation Scheme. As the results are limited to one season and location, further studies over multiple locations and seasons are necessary to establish sustainable recommendations.

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Rates on Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lettuce Sativa L.) Under Irrigation Condition in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

2026-07-03T09:20:56Z

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Rates on Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lettuce Sativa L.) Under Irrigation Condition in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia Sefinew Shibabaw Lettuce is the most popular salad and cash leafy vegetable with rising demand in urban and peri-urban areas of Ethiopia. However, the crop is neglected in relation to research in soil fertility management and thus its productivity remains very low. Therefore, this experiment was initiated to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus rates on growth and yield component of lettuce. The study was conducted in 2025 under irrigation at Zenzelima Campus of Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The experiment consisted 5*4 factorial combination of five nitrogen levels (0, 46, 92, 138 and 184 kg ha N), and four phosphorus levels (0, 23, 46 and 92 kg ha -1 P 2 O 5 ) using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data on the growth and yield parameters of lettuce were collected and analyzed using R software. The result indicated that the main effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates were significantly (P < 0.001) influenced plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length and leaf width of lettuce. The interaction effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates also significantly (P < 0.001) influenced days to maturity, fresh weight of leaf per plant, marketable fresh leaf yield and total fresh leaf yield of lettuce. Accordingly, increased application of nitrogen (0 – 184 kg ha N) and phosphorus rates (0 – 92 kg ha -1 P 2 O 5 ) enhanced plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and width of lettuce plants in their main effects. Moreover, the highest fresh weight of leaf per plant (330.59 g), highest marketable fresh leaf yield (19.57 t ha -1 ) and total fresh leaf yield (20.90 t ha ) of lettuce plants were recorded in response to the combined application of 184 kg ha -1 N with 92 kg ha . The partial budget analysis revealed that the highest net benefits of 241,070ETB ha -1 with acceptable MRR (190.51%) were obtained in response to application of 138 kg ha -1 N with 92 kg ha -1 which can be recommended for economical production of lettuce under irrigation condition in study area. The experiment is limited to one location and season, repetition of the study in multi-location and season is recommended. -1 -1 P 2 P 2 O 5 O 5 -1 -1

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Intra-Row Spacing on Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Shallot (Allium Ascalonicum L.) At Debark District, North Gondar, Ethiopia

2026-07-03T09:17:59Z

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Intra-Row Spacing on Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Shallot (Allium Ascalonicum L.) At Debark District, North Gondar, Ethiopia Misganaw Abeje Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) is an important horticultural crop in Ethiopia, valued for its economic and culinary versatility. However, its productivity remains low due to inadequate agronomic practices, particularly improper nitrogen fertilizer rate and intra-row spacing. A field experiment at Debark district was conducted during the 2024 main season to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha⁻¹) and intra-row spacing (5, 10, and 15 cm) on the growth, yield, and yield components of shallot. The experiment was laid out in 4x3 factorial arrangement using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications using R software. The results indicated that nitrogen fertilizer had a highly significant (P <0.001) influence on plant height, bulb diameter, bulb weight, and marketable yield. The highest marketable and total bulb yield of 32.22 and 33.77 t ha⁻¹ were obtained at a nitrogen application rate of 150 kg ha⁻¹, respectively representing to a 32.45% increase compared to the control treatment. Similarly, a wider intra-row spacing of 15 cm significantly improved a bulb diameter (5.01 cm), bulb weight (48.81 g), and dry matter content (8.64%) compared to narrower spacing of 5 cm. The interaction of 150 kg ha⁻¹ with 15 cm intra-row spacing produced the highest total bulb yield (38.62 t ha⁻¹), while the lowest bulb yield (16.71 t ha⁻¹) was recorded under the control treatment (0 kg ha-1) combined with 10 cm spacing. The partial budget analysis identified the combination of 150 kg ha⁻¹ with 15 cm intra-row spacing as the most economically viable treatment, providing the highest net benefit of 776,950 ETB ha⁻¹ with a MRR of 3147%. To enhance yield and maximize profit, it is recommended that farmers in the study areas use nitrogen application rate of 150 kg ha⁻¹ in combination with intra-row spacing of 15 cm. However, is advised to repeat the experiment and future research should explore various fertilizer combinations, including organic and inorganic blends, and their interactions with different intra-row and inter-row spacing strategies.

Effect of Node Number and Intra- Row Spacing on Growth, Yield Components and Yield of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam.) Under Rainfed Conditions in Burie Zuria District, North West Ethiopia

2026-07-03T09:14:23Z

Effect of Node Number and Intra- Row Spacing on Growth, Yield Components and Yield of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam.) Under Rainfed Conditions in Burie Zuria District, North West Ethiopia Mekuanint Basazinew Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas(L). Lam) is one of the widely produced root crops in Ethiopia. However, the yields are low due to many factors. Node number and intra- row spacing are among the agronomic factors that determine the productivity of Sweet potato. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of node number and intra-row spacing on growth yield components and yield of sweet potato during 2024/2025 main rainy seasons at in Wangedam Kebele, Burie Zuria District Debre Markos University Burie Campus Menkorer private limited company farm land. Alamura variety of sweet potato was used as a test crop for the experiment. The experiment consisted of three types of node numbers (4, 6, 8 nodes) and four intra row spacing (25, 30, 35, 40 cm). It was laid out in 3x4 factorial combination are in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data collected from new shoot development, physiological maturity, vine length, inter-node length, vine number, above ground biomass, root length, root diameter, average weight of root per plant, unmarketable root number per plat, marketable root number per plant and total root yield. The collected data was subjected to ANOVA using SAS (9.4) software. The ANOVA result revealed that the main factor intra row spacing and node number and their interaction had a highly significant(P<0.001) effect on days to maturity, vine and internode length, vine number, aboveground biomass, root length and diameter, root number per plant, average weight of root per plant, marketable root number per plant and total root yield per hectare except above ground biomass for the interaction effect. The maximum root yield of 42.83 tha -1 ) was recorded from 8 node number vine cutting planted at distance of 30 cm intra-row spacing, while the minimum yield(20.97t/ha) was recorded from treatment combination of four nodes with 25 cm intra-row spacing. Therefore, in the study area and similar agro-ecologies sweet potato growers can use vine cutting with 8 nodes with intrarow spacing of 30cm that would improve the productivity of the sweet potato. However, since this study was conducted for a single season at one location, conducting multiyear and multi-location trials would help to make the results more reliable."