http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/14022 Sat, 13 Jan 2001 06:30:46 GMT 2001-01-13T06:30:46Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16821 Optimizing nitrogen and Phosphorus Management for beard wheat (Triticum Aestivum ) Yield and Nutrient use efficiency in Nitisols of Wadla District, North Wollo, Ethiopia Kassa Sisay Optimizing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Management for Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Nitisols of Wadla District, North Wollo, Ethiopia Kassa Sisay, 1 Yihenew G.Selassie 2 , and Birru Yitaferu 3 1. Amhara Agricultural Research Institute, Sirinka agricultural Research Center 2. Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR-E) Wageningen University and Research 3. Senior Soil Scientist and Researcher Coordinator, CapSha Fertilizer DST Project Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) Soil fertility depletion, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, is a major constraint to wheat productivity in Ethiopia, influencing crop yields and food security. A field experiment was conducted to determine the optimum nitrogen and phosphorus rates for wheat yield, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and economic returns in Wadla District, Ethiopia during the 2023/2024 cropping season. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment was comprised of four N levels (46, 92, 138, and 184 kg ha⁻¹) and four P 2 O 5 levels (23, 46, 69, and 92 kg ha⁻¹). Yield and yield component parameters, plant sample for uptake, and use efficiency were collected. The collected data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.0), and mean separation was carried out using the Duncan Multiple Range Test at a 5% significance level. The results showed that the nutrient levels significantly influenced wheat growth, yield components, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and economic returns. The highest performance economically yields and yield-related parameters were recorded with the combined application of 138 kg N ha⁻¹ and 69 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, resulting in biomass and grain yields of 7.8 t ha⁻¹ and 3770 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The maximum biological grain (3,840.0 kg ha -1 ) and biomass (7.91 tons ha-1) yields were recorded at 138 kg N ha⁻¹ with 92 kg P 2 O 5 ha⁻¹. Total nitrogen uptake was high for 138 kg N ha⁻¹ (82.52 kg N ha⁻¹), while phosphorus uptake was high for 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha⁻¹ (18.42 kg P ha⁻¹), with uptake efficiency decreasing at higher rates. Agronomic use efficiency, partial factor productivity, and recovery efficiency also reached their highest values at lowest to moderate N and P levels. Partial budget analysis indicates that the applications of 138 kg N ha⁻¹ with 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha⁻¹ gave the highest net benefit 258,954.2 ETB ha⁻¹ with marginal ret of return 5825.3 %. Therefore, the application of 138 kg N ha⁻¹ and 69 kg P 2 O 5 ha⁻¹ is recommended for maximizing wheat yield, economic returns and also enhancing nutrient uptake and nutrient efficiency in Wadla and similar agroecological areas. Further research should be done on the long-term residual effect of P and nutrient efficiency through regular soil testing and monitoring to enhance nutrient uptake while minimizing environmental footprints. Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16821 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16806 A Comparative Financial Analysis of Homegarden Agroforestry, Mono-Cropping, And Eucalyptus Woodlots in Dangila District, North Western Amhara, Ethiopia Gizachew Wassie Homegarden agroforestry, mono-cropping, and Eucalyptus woodlots are common farming practices in northwestern Amhara region, Ethiopia. However, the financial profitability of these farming practices is not well known. Therefore, this study is conducted to assess the financial profitability of homegarden agroforestry, mono-cropping, and Eucalyptus woodlots in Dangila district, northwestern Amhara region, Ethiopia. A mixed research methods approach was applied to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select the study area, Kebeles, and sample households. A total sample size of 332 households was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Primary data were collected from household surveys; focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KII). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. The findings revealed that all those farming systems show positive values for all financial indicators. Comparatively, the eucalyptus woodlot is found to be a more profitable farming system with an Equal Annual Equivalent value (EAE) of 655,130.64 ETB which is 1.7 times higher than homegarden agroforestry and three times higher than monocropping. Monocropping is more sensitive to output price while eucalyptus woodlot is more sensitive to interest rate. The average annual income of households is 57,793 ETB of which the main farming practices that include homegarden agroforestry, mono-cropping, and Eucalyptus woodlots contribute 13,656.33 ETB (23.6%), 21,976.08 ETB (38.7%), 18,093.51.66 ETB (31.3%), respectively and non-farm income contributes 4,067.22 ETB (7%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that distance to the market, educational status, and age of household positively and significantly influenced the choice of households to practice homegarden agroforestry, mono-cropping, and eucalyptus woodlot farming system. However, the number of livestock, input price, pests and diseases, and family size negatively influenced the choice of household to these practices. It is concluded that monocropping, closely followed by Eucalyptus woodlots, is the main contributor to household income. In terms of financial attractiveness, eucalyptus woodlots are more profitable than the other land-use systems in the study area. This study suggests that the agricultural sector should create awareness to enhance the profitability of farming practices; create market linkage access, develop infrastructure and distribute inputs timely to farmers. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16806 2024-06-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16784 Estimating the amount of Litterfall and Rate of Decomposition for Cordia Africana and Croton Macrostachyus From Agroforestry Systems in The aba Gerima Watershed, Amhara Region, Northwestern Kerebih Aragaw The selection and use of appropriate agroforestry tree species that maintain soil nutrients thereby improving productivity remains to challenge in low-input agricultural systems. Therefore, this research focuses on two agroforestry tree species, C.macrostachyus and C.africana. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of litterfall and rate of decomposition in the Aba Gerima watershed. The decomposition rate was analyzed using the litter-bag technique, while soil and litter samples were used to analyze the soil's physicochemical properties. The litterfall was collected every 15 days using litter bags from February to May 2023. Besides, the rate of decomposition was determined using RCBD design; considering species types as the main factor and incubation period (30, 60, 90, and 120 days) in the dry and wet seasons of the sub-plot factors. Soil samples were collected from four directions (north, south, east, and west) beneath and outside the canopy of each tree species. Composite soil samples were then prepared from these collections, and selected soil physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Results showed that the total amount of litterfall in four months was greater for C.africana than for C.macrostachyus at 5.89 t/ha and 5.19 t/ha, respectively. Regarding the rate of decomposition, C.macrostachyus decomposed significantly faster than C.africana for the incubation period (30-120 days) with a rate constant (k) of 0.012 to 0.04 g/days and 0.13 to 0.04 g/days for C.macrostachyus and 0.01 to 0.02 g/days and 0.09 to 0.04 g/days for C.africana for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The mass loss is 94% and 47%; C.macrostachyus recorded a greater mass loss than C.africana during the 120 days of the dry season. However, the wet season from 120 days had no significant difference in mass loss between the two tree species. The effect of tree species in the soil nutrient input as observed from C.macrostachyus was significantly higher than that of C.africana. Hence, Utilize litterfall and organic matter from the two indigenous tree species as mulch or compost to enhance soil fertility. Therefore, Raise awareness and encourage the community to conserve these agroforestry trees in cropland to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16784 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16783 Investigating Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Homegarden and Scattered Trees on Farmland in Danglia District, North Western, Ethiopia Esubalew Bitew In Ethiopia, agroforestry practices are an ancient practices with a new name. Agroforestry practices and data regarding their value to small-holder farmers' family income in Danglia District are, nevertheless, few. Thus, the purpose of this research is to determine the socioeconomic variables influencing agroforestry in the Danglia district as well as assess the value of agroforestry practices to household income. A mixed-methods research approach was applied to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select the study area, Kebels, and sample households. A total of 304 sample sizes were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Primary data were collected from household survey, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KII). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The Simpson Index of Diversity (SID) result indicates that the mean value of the income diversification index is 0.69, which is high in the study area based on on-farm, off-farm, and non-farm activities. The average total annual income of agroforestry practices adopter and non-adopter households was 39221.96 Birr and 31024.36 Birr, respectively with men difference of 8197.60 Birr. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of livestock, irrigation access, and total annual income had positively and significantly influenced the adoption of agroforestry practices. However, distance from the market and extension services had negatively influenced the adoption of agroforestry practices. It is concluded that agroforestry practices contribute positively to household livelihood income. Therefore, it is suggested that farmers need to use knowledge based farming system and increase their awareness of the contribution of agroforestry practices. The study also recommends that infrastructure, particularly road access, be improved for credit and extension services. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16783 2024-06-01T00:00:00Z