Abstract:
Ethiopian pea (Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum A.Braun) is a rare and problematic taxon
requiring evaluation of present farmers‟ local knowledge. Cross-sectional data were collected
from 444 respondents and analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics were used; one
way ANOVA for significance test of variance and Exhaustive CHAID growth method for
predictions. Prediction results showed that the crop requires about two good rains, Nitisol soils,
and about 21-30 kg ha
-1
seeding rate. The flowering to maturity time ranges 1
months
depending on the agroecology (highland, midland, and lowland), with a yield of about 300-400
kg ha
-1
on average. The crop distribution is currently limited to three to four districts and sown
after other crops are harvested. Major factors hindering its distribution are agroecological
suitability, lack of intervention and preference of high yielding pea varieties. The crops‟
inferiority in yield and pest susceptibility is the main reason for less extensive awareness of the
crop. Though inferior in yield and susceptible to pests, farmers still prefer to grow the crop
because of its marketability for local exchange and consumption. The core production problems
currently remarked by farmers are small landholding and the expensive price of the seed to buy.
Farmers should be awarded to enhance the productivity of the crop.
Keywords: Agronomic descriptors, Indigenous knowledge, Soil type, Yield
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