Thesis and Dissertations

Effects of Vine Pruning and Inter-Row Spacing on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) At Bahir Dar Zuria District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

2022-04-19T06:27:53Z

Effects of Vine Pruning and Inter-Row Spacing on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) At Bahir Dar Zuria District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia Yimenu, Andargie Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia which is produced by smallholder farmers. The production and productivity of the crop is however low which is mainly constrained by improper agronomic practices including stem pruning and inter-row spacing. The study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of vine pruning and inter-row spacing on the growth and yield of tomato at Bahir Dar zuria district, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four levels of vine pruning (unpruned plant, single vined, two vined, and three vined) and three levels of inter-row spacing (40cm, 70cm and 100cm)in 4x3 factorial arrangements with three replications. Phenological, growth and yield parameters were collected and analysed using SAS 9.0 software and means were separated by using LSD at 5% probability level. Results revealed that the main effects of vine pruning and inter-rowspacings significantly influenced most of the tested tomato parameters (fruit width, fruit length, fruit weight). Moreover, the interaction effect of inter row spacing and vine pruning had a very highly significant (p<0.001) effect on number of fruit clusters per plant, fruit weight, marketable, unmarketable and total fruit yields. The highest marketable (73.33 t ha -1 ) and total (73.36 t ha ) fruit yields were recorded with the combination of 70 cm inter-row spacing and three vined pruning. Similarly this treatment combination also recorded the highest net benefit (496166.70 Eth-Birr ha ) with acceptable (217.6%) marginal rate of return. Based on the present study 70 cm inter-row spacing combined with three vined pruning is recommended for economical production of tomato under irrigation at Wondata kebele, Bahir Dar zuria district and areas with similar agro-ecology. Since the present study is conducted only one season and on a single location, it is better to repeat the experiment at different locations and seasons.

Effects of Integrated Application of Farmyard Manure and Blended Nps Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Varieties under Irrigation Condition In Arbegona District Of Sidama Region, Ethiopia

2022-04-19T06:18:01Z

Effects of Integrated Application of Farmyard Manure and Blended Nps Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Varieties under Irrigation Condition In Arbegona District Of Sidama Region, Ethiopia Bala, Ale Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food security and cash crop for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. However, the yield of potato is very low as it is produced with inappropriate fertilizer rates and types application and lack of adapted variety which are critical challenges of crop productivity. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to identify appropriate rates of FYM and blended NPS fertilizers for optimum growth, tuber yield, and quality of potatoes during 2020/21 under irrigated condition at Arbegona District of Sidama region, Ethiopia. The treatments were consisted of five levels of integrated FYM and NPS fertilizer rates ( no fertilizer; 5 t ha -1 FYM and 75% NPS; 10 t ha -1 FYM and 50 % NPS; 15 t ha -1 FYM and 25% NPS; and 100% sole NPS ha -1 ) and three potato varieties (Belete, Gudenie and local), and laid out in RCBD in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Results revealed that combined application of FYM and NPS fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) influenced days to flowering and maturity, plant height, total and marketable tuber number, total and marketable tuber yield, dry matter content and specific gravity. The highest total tuber yield of Belete (34.53 t ha ) followed by Gudenie (33.2 t ha -1 ) over local variety (24.67t ha -1 ) were fetched with 10 t ha FYM+50% NPS fertilizer rate which were at par with the tuber yield obtained by application of full dose of NPS fertilizer alone. Thus, the supplement of 10 t ha -1 FYM with 50% NPS blended fertilizer resulted in a saving of 50% of the recommended NPS fertilizers without significantly reducing the yield obtained by applying of full dose of NPS fertilizer alone. Based on the budget analysis, application of 10 t ha -1 FYM+50% NPS fertilizer rate gave the maximum net benefit of Belete (Birr 214,277 ha -1 ) with an acceptable MRRs(1136.81%) over others. Therefore, combined application of FYM and NPS blended fertilizer at the rate of 10 t ha -1 -1 -1 FYM +50% (100 kg ha ) can be recommended for the production of potato in the study area and in the same agroecological areas. However, as this is a one seoson experiment, similar study has to be needed to repeat over multi locations of the district and same agro-ecologies to reach conclusion.

Effect of Intra row Spacing and Rate of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Baby Corn (Zea Mays L.) in North Mecha District, Amhara Region.

2022-04-19T05:58:50Z

Effect of Intra row Spacing and Rate of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Baby Corn (Zea Mays L.) in North Mecha District, Amhara Region. Belay, Tesfahun Baby corn production is a new venture in Ethiopia, which may help to improve the economic status of poor farmers and help boost agriculture in Ethiopia. To make use of this potential new crop, optimizing the agronomic practices like intra row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer is quite necessary. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and intra row spacing on the growth and yield of baby corn. The study was conducted during 2020/2021 irrigation season at Koga Irrigation Scheme, North Mecha district of Amhara Region where the baby corn variety of SG-17 Baby corn was used as test crop. The experiment consisted of factorial combination of five nitrogen levels (0, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha -1 N) and three intra row spacing (15, 25 and 35 cm). The treatments were arranged in factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data on phenology, growth and yield parameters of Baby corn were collected timely as per their respective standard procedures and analyzed using SAS version 9.4. The results of the study had shown that intra row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer influenced most of the tested parameters. Accordingly, the tallest plant height (165 cm), highest marketable yield (8.3 t ha -1 ), unmarketable yield (1.3 t ha -1 ), total yield (9.6 t ha -1 ) and stover yield (21.5 t ha -1 ) were recorded from treatment combination of 200 kg ha -1 N × 15 cm intra row spacing. The same treatment combination also generated the highest net benefit (417,797 ETB ha ) with acceptable MRR (3992.3%), which can be recommended for profitable production of Baby corn under irrigation in the study area and areas with similar agro-ecologies. As the study was conducted at one location for a single season, repetition of the study across different representative agro-ecologies and seasons is also recommended.

Effects of Plant Spacing and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Swiss Chard (Beta Vulgaris L.) Under Irrigation Condition in Dangila District, Amhara Region

2022-04-19T05:43:16Z

Effects of Plant Spacing and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Swiss Chard (Beta Vulgaris L.) Under Irrigation Condition in Dangila District, Amhara Region Getaneh, Birhanu Swiss chard is a valuable and nutritious leafy vegetable crop with short growing period and year round availability. The crop is neglected in relation to research. Inappropriate plant spacing and poor soil fertility managements are among the major factors constraining Swiss chard production in Ethiopia, where the response of the crop to nitrogen fertilizer and intrarow spacing not well documented. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during the 2020/2021irrigation season in Dangila District to assess the influence of intra-row spacing (20,30 and 40 cm) and nitrogen rate (0, 50, 100,150 and 200 kg N ha -1 ) on growth and yield components of Swiss chard. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) of factorial arrangement with three replications where, Ford Hook Giant variety of Swiss chard was used as a test crop. Results indicated that nitrogen and intra-row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) influenced days to first harvest of Swiss chard in their main effects. The interaction effects of nitrogen rate and intra-row spacing influenced plant height, leaf number, and leaf fresh weight and nitrate concentrations of Swiss chard highly significantly (P < 0.01). Accordingly, the highest leaf number per plant (14.83), total number of leaves harvested per plant (12.00) and average leaf fresh weight (93.37g) and nitrate concentrations (4523.1mg kg -1 fw) of Swiss chard plant were recorded in response to the application of 200 kg N ha -1 and 40 cm intra-row spacing. The highest leaf length per plant (67.30 cm), marketable (36.54 t ha -1 ) and total leaf fresh yields (37.31t ha ) of Swiss chard were recorded by application of 100 kg N ha -1 on plants spaced with 40 cm intra-row spacing. The same treatment combinations also recorded nitrate concentration of 3,465mg kg -1 leaf fresh weight, which is below the maximum acceptable limits (3500 mg kg fw). The partial budget analysis revealed that the highest net benefit (124,298 Birr) and marginal rate of return (1,112.12%) were obtained in response to the application of 100 kg N ha and the intra-row spacing of 40 cm, which can be recommended for economical production of Swiss chard in Dangila District and areas with similar agro-ecology. As the results are limited to one location and season, repetition of the study in multi-location and season is also recommended.