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Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) also known as green gram, golden gram, Oregon peas and chokoro (Swahili), is an economically important short duration legume crop for drought prone/ moisture stressed areas. Due to drought escape/early maturity in case of terminal drought in Ethiopia, improvement of grain yield of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is the main objective to avoid food insecurity. A field experiment was carried out during the 2016 and 2017 main cropping seasons using a randomized complete block design with three replications in order to evaluate eight characteristics viz., days to 50% flowering, seed filling period, 90% physiological maturity, plant height, number of pod per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed yield and thousand seed weight for six mung bean varieties under rain-fed conditions at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center on station in Ethiopia. Analysis of variance showed that, differences varietal was observed for traits studied (p≤ 0.05) except number of pods per plant. The variety Rasa had better performance than the other varieties with the highest seed yield (1776 kg ha-1), while the lowest seed yield was obtained from local Sheraro (889 kg ha-1). Thus, Rasa is recommended as promising variety to the farmers of Abergelle areas.

Background:Objective of the study was to investigate the response of groundnut genotypes to combined application of phosphorus and zinc on yield and nutritional contents. A field experiment was conducted at Sheka-Tekli in 2017/18 cropping season. Methods:The treatments were consisted of three groundnut genotypes (ICGV00308, ICGV91114 and Sedi) as main plot and four combined PZn fertilizer levels (00), 10 kg P/ha +0.50 g Zn/L, 20 kg P/ha +1 g Zn/L and 30 kg P/ha+1.5 g Zn/L as sub plot were assigned in split plot design with tree replications.Result: The result indicated that yield and yield components respond significantly to the main and interaction effects. The highest significant seed yield (2,529 kg/ha) and protein content (37.79%) were obtained in response to the application of P30Zn1.5 fertilizer on sedi variety in the loamy sand soil The percentage of crude protein and fat content had significantly affected by interaction components. Most of the yield component traits showed strong positive correlation with seed yield. While the lowest seed yield was recorded from ICGV00308 without fertilizer. The highest fat content (43.95%) was gained from genotype ICGV00308 at P30Zn1.5 fertilizer. From the interaction of sedi with P30Zn1.5 fertilizer was recorded highest protein content. Based on economic analysis the highest MRR (380.58%) was obtained from ICGV00308 genotype at P10Zn0.5 fertilizer. Conclusion: From the result of the study, application of PZn fertilizer increases seed yield of groundnut. Therefore, based on the MRR result ICGV00308 genotype at P10Zn0.5 fertilizer was optimum for groundnut production in the study area and similar agro-ecologies.

Shortage of widely adapted and high yielding variety is one of the major bottlenecks for production and productivity of sorghum in dry lowlands of Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted during the main seasons of 2017and 2019 at four locations using randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate the performance of ten early maturing sorghum genotypes for grain yield using AMMI (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction) model. The combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P≤0.01) genotype (G), environment (E) and genotype × environment interaction (GEI). The significant genotype by environment interaction effects were further partitioned in to two significant interaction principal components by using AMMI model. The AMMI analysis of variance showed that the genotype, environment and interaction sum squares contributed 41.55 %, 28.67 % and 29.78 % to the treatment sum squares for grain yield respectively. In addition the first two IPCAs and interaction residual were significant. The first two IPCAs accounted for a total of 82.20 % of the interaction sum square. The results revealed that the observed yield variation among genotypes were due to genetic potential of genotypes and interaction rather than location differences. The highest yield was obtained from ESH-1 (3276 kg ha-1), while the lowest was from Grana-1 (2094 kg ha-1) and the average grain yield of genotypes was 2462 kg ha-1. Therefore, ESH-1 is selected as the best stable hybrid with consistent yielding performance across the testing environments in dry lowland areas of Abergelle and similar agro-ecologies in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia.

Background Adequate phosphorus (P) and foliar zinc (Zn) in groundnut required for obtaining Zn-enriched grain and optimum yield. However, it was very low in the area. Due to that objective of the study was to investigate the response of groundnut genotypes to combined application of phosphorus and zinc on yield and nutritional contents. A field experiment was conducted at Sheka-Tekli in 2017/18 cropping season. Methods The treatments were consisted of three groundnut genotypes (ICGV00308, ICGV91114 and Sedi) as main plot and four combined PZn fertilizer levels (00), 10 kg P/ha + 0.50 g Zn/L, 20 kg P/ha + 1 g Zn/L and 30 kg P/ha + 1.5 g Zn/L as sub plot were assigned in split plot design with tree replications. Result The result indicated that yield and yield components respond significantly to the main and interaction effects. The highest significant seed yield (2529 kg/ha) and protein content (37.79%) were obtained in response to the application of P30Zn1.5 fertilizer on sedi variety in the loamy sand soil. The percentage of crude protein and fat content had significantly affected by interaction components. Most of the yield component traits showed strong positive correlation with seed yield. While the lowest seed yield was recorded from ICGV00308 without fertilizer. The highest fat content (43.95%) was gained from genotype ICGV00308 at P30Zn1.5 fertilizer. From the interaction of sedi with P30Zn1.5 fertilizer was recorded highest protein content. Based on economic analysis the highest MRR (380.58%) was obtained from ICGV00308 genotype at P10Zn0.5 fertilizer. Conclusion From the result of the study, application of PZn fertilizer increases seed yield of groundnut. Therefore, based on the MRR result ICGV00308 genotype at P10Zn0.5 fertilizer was optimum for groundnut production in the study area and similar agro-ecologies.

Background: Maize is an important cereal crop grown and consumed in Ethiopia. However, its yield is constrained by low soil fertility and improper utilization of fertilizer. Therefore the objective of this finds was to study the effect of NPSZNb fertilizer rates on grain yield, nutrient uptake and economic feasibility of maize. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Bega-Sheka in 2018/19 & 2019/2020 cropping season. The treatments were consisted of six blended fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg NPSZnB ha -1 ) and recommended p (40 kg ha -1 ). Treatments were arranged in RCBD design with three replications. Result: Analysis of variance indicated that blended fertilizer rate had statistically significant (p < 0.005) effect on plant height, ear length, number of seeds per row, grain and biomass yield. However, it did not have a significant effect on phonological traits, number of grain rows and 1000-grains weight. Application of NPSZnB fertilizer ranging from 150 to 250 kg ha-1 and 200 kg ha-1 of DAP gives the highest grain and biomass yields. Hence the higher nutrient uptake of N and P was recorded from the maximum rate of NPSZnB and P fertilizer, respectively. The MRR value showed that the highest MRR of 529% was obtains from 150 kg NPSZnB ha -1 . Conclusions: From the result of the study, application of 150 kg NPSZnB ha -1 increases yield and yield component of maize and give maximum return from unit investment which can be recommended for the study area.

The survey was carried out in 2016 in the production of citrus fruits at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes of Kolla Tembien and Tanqua Abergelle districts, to assess the type of diseases, the causes and the characteristic symptoms of the diseases and to identify the types of insect pests that inflict serious damage. The laboratory analysis result depicted that bacteria and fungi caused most of the diseases of citrus at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes. Exceptionally cyst nematode and climbing weed were problems in production of citrus at the irrigation schemes. Diseases like citrus melanose, brown rot, root rot, blue mold, sooty mold, leaf spot and fruit spot were among the fungal diseases identified at the irrigation schemes. Moreover, citrus greening, and citrus canker were also some of the bacterial diseases of citrus at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes. Conversely, the type of insect pest that predominantly constrained the production of citrus in both areas were woolly whitefly, citrus mealybugs, orange dogs, cottony cushion scale insects, brown scale insect, citrus leafminer, citrus psyllid, fruit fly, adult flatid planthoppers, citrus aphid, red scale and root weevil respectively. Most of these insect pests belong to the Hemipteran order followed by lepidopteron insect group. Milk vine had also been observed as one of the weeds that pose serious problems to some of the citrus trees at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes. Therefore, further research intervention should focus on management of these insect and disease pests at Adiha and Sheka Tekli irrigation schemes. Key words: Citrus disease, insect pest, symptoms and identification.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) known as queen of oil seed crops is mainly grown for its oil of local consumption, sources of income and great contribution for the national economy of Ethiopia. However, there is a low productivity and production due to environments, genotypes, interaction and management variation. Four sesame genotypes were evaluated for their interactions with environments and seed yield stability analysis at three environments during the 2015 main cropping season. The objectives of the study were to estimate the magnitude and nature of GEI and to identify stable and/or high yielding white seeded sesame genotypes in Abergelle Agricultural Research Center mandate areas, Northern Ethiopia. The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at each environment. The combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P≤0.01) environment (E), genotype (G) and genotype × environment interaction (GEI). Environment explained 79.84% of the total (G + E +GE) variation, whereas G and GE explained 17.21 and 2.95% of the total variation, respectively. The magnitude of the environment was 4.6 times greater than the genotype, implying that most of the variation in seed yield was due to the environment. The significant genotype by environment interaction effects were further partitioned into two significant interaction principal components using the genotype main effect plus genotype x environment interaction (GGE) biplots model. The first two principal components for seed yield stability of the GGE biplot analysis explained 96.81% of the total variation caused by G+GE of PC1 and PC2 accounted for 90.88 and 5.93% sum of squares, respectively, while 3.19% was attributed to noise. Thus, model diagnosis (fitting) showed that the first two PCs were significant and can be taken to interpret this data. The which-won-where biplot identified one winning genotype in one mega environment. The winning genotype across locations was Humera-1. Thus, the GGE (genotype and genotype by environment interaction) biplot analysis indicated that Humera-1 was considered as the most desirable and stable one’s, therefore, can be recommended for wider cultivation due to better seed yield and stability performance across the test environments in the dry lowland areas of Southeast and Central zones of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. Key words: Dry lowland, GEI, GGE biplot, mega environment, S. Indicum L.

This study investigates integrated striga management (ISM) technologies for enhancement of sorghum productivity and reduction of striga infestation using demonstration conducted in 2016/2017 production season in Tanqua-Abergele district in one of the striga prone areas at ‘Imba-Rufeal’ kebele. The results implied that there was a highly significant difference among application of ISM technologies and conventional practices for grain and straw yield. The mean sorghum grain yields obtained from ISM technologies and conventional practice were 32.86±2.96 and 25.08±5.49 qt ha-1, respectively. Conversely, the mean sorghum straw yields obtained from ISM technologies and conventional practice were 123.29±11.22 and 138.20±16.46 qt ha-1, respectively. Partial budget analysis indicated that maximum net benefit (11,468.33 ETB ha-1) with the highest marginal rate of return (136.01%) was generated from sorghum grown fields treated with ISM technologies compared to cultivation of local cultivar through conventional practices (9,207.83 ETB ha-1). That means for every 1 ETB invested on sorghum production using ISM technologies, the return was 1.36 ETB. Farmers’ perceptions also indicated that ISM technologies are quite good at solving the recurrent striga infestation, yield increment and drought escaping mechanism of improved variety (Gobiye). Unlike straw yield, the improved variety grown using the ISM technologies proved better in grain yield, earliness, striga resistance and economically feasible compared to conventional practices. Therefore, farmers should implement ISM technologies with its full packages to enhance yield and reduce scourge of striga. Moreover, further popularization and scaling out of ISM technologies to locations prone to striga infestation should be implemented by the research center and stakeholders. Key words: Cultivar, demonstration, farmers’ perception, net benefit, partial budget analysis.

The demonstration was conducted in 2014/15 production season at Tanqua-Abergelle district, particularly at Hadash-Tekhli (Zembaw) irrigation scheme at farmers’ land. The scheme has high irrigation potential for horticultural crops production. But, improved technologies have not yet demonstrated. Therefore, the objective of this research was to demonstrate improved variety of pepper with improved management practice in to the irrigation scheme. The improved pepper variety (Melkashote) and local cultivar, ’Tsalet’ were used in the demonstration. The mean fresh fruit yield obtained from the improved pepper variety was higher (13.87 t/ha) than the local cultivar (10.16 t/ha). This shows 36.5% fresh pepper fruits yield increment over local cultivar, implying yield productivity per unit area can be increased by using the improved pepper variety. In addition, the improved pepper variety (Melkashote) required 115 days to mature whereas the local cultivar matured in 129 days. This shows the improved pepper variety was earlier in maturity than the local cultivar. In terms of monetary value, an average gross income of 202,859.60 Birr/ha or US$ 96,46.33 per hectare was generated from the improved pepper variety while from the local cultivar was 114,277.50 Birr/ha or US$ 5,434.10 per hectare. This implies the farmers were able to generate more income from the improved pepper fresh yield over the local cultivar. Besides, based on farmers’ perception results, except the attributes of fruit size, most of the respondents had favored the improved pepper variety (Melkashote) in its productivity, fruit length, fruit color, maturity, insect and disease resistance, marketability, fruit quality and taste than the local cultivar (Tsalet). Hence, the farmers decided to grow the variety in the next production season. Therefore, further popularization and scaling out activities should be done by the research center and office of agriculture and rural development of the district. Key words: Farmers’ perception, maturity, Melkashote, Tsalet, yield.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown under rain-fed conditions is usually affected by moisture stress at different stages, resulting in reduced yield. The assessment of variation in agronomic traits contributing towards drought escaping at these stages is of vital importance. This study was conducted during 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons using a randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate 12 sorghum hybrids (one standard check) for their better performance under moisture stress conditions at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center on station. The data of 9 different agronomic traits were subjected to combined analysis of variance, estimation of genetic variability and heritability. Data was analyzed for variance for number of seeds per panicle, panicle length, plant height, days to flowering and maturity, 1000 seed weight, grain yield, biomass yield and harvest index under moisture stress conditions. The combined analysis of variance result for grain yield of the hybrids evaluated over seasons was highly significant at p 20%) for grain yield, biomass yield and harvest index as well as high heritability (>80%) for biomass yield were recorded. Generally, the present study entails the presence of significant variations among sorghum hybrids. Therefore, the hybrid sorghum genotypes Enforce (3263 kg ha-1), NGC22319 (3113 kg ha-1) and NGC76319 (3068 NGC76319 kg ha-1) were identified as superior for grain yield under moisture stress conditions of Abergelle district. Key words: Agronomic traits, grain yield, heritability, hybrid, moisture stress.

Groundnut, an important crop provides significant sources of cash, oil and an important role in diets but the yield is low due to different constraints like earthening up. In this regard, this study was carried out to improve yields by identifying the best stages of earthening up practices. The experiment was conducted at Abergelle Agricultural Research Centre testing site in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 cropping seasons. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were seven treatments of earthening up (pre-flowering, 25% flowering stage, 50% flowering stage, 75% flowering stage, 50% pegging, pre-flowering + 50% flowering + 50% peg formation and control). The analyzed variables (days to 90% maturity, biomass yield, grain yield, harvest index, 1000 seed weight, number of pods/plant and number of seeds/pod) revealed significantly difference (p=5%). The analysis of variance showed that highest yield was obtained from 50% earthening up (23 ql/ha) and lowest grain yield was observed in control/no earthening up (18 qt/ha). Generally, earthening up practices at 50% flowering stage enhances the yield of groundnut. So, it should be practiced or applied at similar agro-ecology for better yield of ground nut. Key words: Yield, yield components, groundnut, earthening up.