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There were few released pigeon pea varieties in Ethiopia. This study was primarily conducted to diversify the availability of varieties, thus addressing socioeconomic cross-cutting issues. From eight pigeon pea genotypes after continuous evaluation, one variety, including the local check, was promoted with the objectives of evaluating the agronomic performance and registering a new variety in lowland areas of Ethiopia. The study was carried out during the main rain seasons of 2018-2019 to enhance pigeon pea productivity in the study area. A plot size of 10 meters by 10 meters was used in six locations. The spacing between rows and plants was 1.2 and 0.5 meters, respectively. Accordingly to the simple descriptive statistics, there were variabilities in the studied traits among the tested pigeon pea genotypes. The yield advantage of 39% was recorded for the test variety, Ashenafi (ICEAP00554), over the local check, which gave an opportunity to select the best-adapted material for the test and similar agroecologies. From the current study, an average yield of 1.83 t/ha was recorded across locations for a candidate variety, Ashenafi (ICP00554). The grain yield of the local cultivar had a mean of 1.04 t/ha. As a variety, Ashenafi (ICP00554) took the shortest duration to 75% flowering and 90% maturity (115 days and 171 days), respectively. In contrast, the local cultivar (Humbo local) took a long duration to 75% flowering and 90% maturity (164 days and 221 days), respectively. As a variety, Ashenafi (ICP00554) had superior performance over the local cultivar in terms of grain yield and earliness for flowering and maturity. Based on the overall performance, Ashenafi (ICP00554) was selected and registered. Therefore, this variety is recommended to popularize and thereby enhance pigeon pea production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) is a staple food crop in drought-prone areas. An experiment was conducted in Konso zone and Dirashe districts, Southern Ethiopia, in order to obtain high yielding varieties using eight improved and one local finger millet varieties in 2018. The experiment was laid down in a randomized completely block design with three replications. The combined analysis of variance for grain yield revealed a significant effect (P < 0.05) due to varieties, locations, and their interactions. Combined mean yield of varieties indicated that Bonaya (2992 kg/ha), Padet (2909 kg/ha), Wama (2733 kg/ha), and Tessama (2727 kg/ha) had the highest grain yield without significant difference among the four and had yield advantage of 41.8%, 38.7%, 31.9%, and 31.7% compared to the local check (1899 kg/ha), in the given order. The present study revealed that Bonaya, Padet, Wama, and Tessama varieties could be recommended for further pre-extension and dissemination in the study areas and similar agro-ecologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, there are several sorghum production constraints, among which shortage of high yielding varieties is the major one. The objective of this experiment was to select superior lowland sorghum varieties in Basketo special and Melokoza districts. An experiment was conducted in the 2017 main cropping season with seven improved varieties (Teshale, Melkam, Dekebe, Meko, Seredo, Gubiye, 76T1#23) and one local check arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. The result of the study revealed that the effect of variety was significant for all the measured traits. Among the varieties, the highest average grain yield (2945 kg ha-1) was obtained from Teshele variety. Thus, this variety would be recommended for further demonstration and pre-scaling up in Melokoza and Basketo special districts and other similar agro ecologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at selecting maize varieties that perform better in midland maize production areas. Seven improved midland maize varieties were tested in Basketo Special district (Motikesa and Sasa Kebeles) and Darashe district, southern Ethiopia. The experiment was done using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Seeds were sown on a plot size of 15 m2(3 m × 5 m) having four rows with a spacing of 75 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants. Combined analysis of variance was conducted after testing the uniformity of error variance. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between varieties for grain yield and other studied traits over locations. Mean separation for grain yield over locations indicated that varieties BH 547 (6851 kg/ha) and BH-546 (6638 kg/ha) gave better grain yield as compared to others. These two varieties gave 41.6% and 39.7% yield advantages over the national (4000 kg/ha) maize average productivity, respectively. Generally, the result revealed that the existence of variation for the characters studied in midland maize varieties, and so, testing of the varieties has paramount importance before large-scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]