Pure and Applied Science Advances

Effects of Seeding and Nitrogen Rate on Yield, Yield Related Traits and Grain Quality of Malt Barley Varieties in the Highlands of Bale

Mengistu Bogale — 2024-12-28

The experiment was conducted at major barley growing districts (Sinana,Goba and Dinsho) of Bale zone for three years from 2016-2018 during the main cropping season with the objective of elucidating the effects of seeding and nitrogen rate on agronomic performance and grain protein content of the improved malt barley varieties. The experimental design in all locations was a split-plot with three replications. Two malt barley varieties (Grace and Traveler) were randomly assigned as main plot factor. On the other hand, factorial combinations of three seeding rates (100,125 and 150 kg ha^-1) and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg N ha^-1) were arranged in sub-plot factors. The main effects of seeding rate significantly influenced Bio-mass yield and TKW, while main effects of nitrogen rate significantly (P < 0.05) influenced plant height, spike length, kernels per spike, bio-mass yield, harvest index TKW, HLW and grain protein content. The main effects of seeding rate and nitrogen rate interacted to significantly influenced grain yield of malt barley varieties. The grain yield ranged from 1905 kg ha^-1to 3957kg ha^-1.The lowest grain(1905 kg ha^-1)d was obtained from the interaction effect of the lowest seeding rate and nil nitrogen rate. The^.highest (3957kg ha^-1) was obtained from the interaction effects of the highest seed and nitrogen rate. The second highest grain yield was recorded from the interaction effects of the second and the highest nitrogen rate in statistical parity with the grain yield from the interaction effects of the highest seed rate and the second nitrogen rate. Main effects of nitrogen rate significantly and variably influenced TKW and grain protein contents of malt barley. The highest TKW (40.2g) and grain protein content (12.2%) were obtained from the highest nitrogen rate(69 kg N ha^-1).. The lowest TKW (36.1g) and grain protein content (9.2g) was recorded from nil nitrogen rate. According the result of this study optimum malt barley grain yield was obtained at seeding rate of 150kg ha^-1and economic analysis also indicated that optimum grain yield and quality of the improved malt barley varieties were obtained at the rate of nitrogen application (46 kg N ha^-1).Therefore, malt barley farmers in the study area should use seeding rate of 125 kg ha^-1and nitrogen rate 46 kg N ha^-1 to realize maximum grain yield and grain quality of the crop.

Verification of Soil Test Crop Response Based Calibrated Phosphorus for Food Barely (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Production in Sinana District, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Southeast Ethiopia

Mulugeta Eshetu — 2024-12-28

Nitrogen and phosphorus are the main variables restricting crop productivity in the soil of the study area, especially, in food barely productions. In the Sinana district, soil test-based phosphorus calibration studies were carried out in the past, and fertilizer 46 N kg ha^-1, P critical (20 ppm), and P requirement factor (4.60) were recommended for food barely production. To confirm the phosphorus critical (Pc) level and phosphorus requirement factor (pf) found during soil test crop response based phosphorus fertilizer calibration study for food barely production in 2022 bona (July to December) main cropping season, an on-farm field experiment was carried out in this study. The experimental setting comprised three treatments: (1) control (without fertilizer), (2) farmer practices as a blanket recommendation, and (3) soil test crop response-based phosphorus recommendation results. The improved food barely, Adoshe variety was used as a test using farmers as replication in seven sites with 10 m × 10 m plot sizes. Soil samples before planting were taken at 0 - 20 cm soil depth using a random sampling technique and analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. In contrast, the agronomic parameters were analyzed using R software 4.1.1 version. The results show soil sample analysis varied from 6. 03 to 6.25, 1.68 to 2.62%, and ranged from 1.01 to 3.30 mg/kg for soil pH (pH_H₂O), OM, and available phosphorus, respectively. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) difference between food yield and yield components. The soil test crop response-based phosphorus recommendation results yielded the highest grain yield (5682.43 kg ha^-1) with a marginal rate of return (4131.16%). Thus, for food barely production in Sinana District, the Pc (20 ppm) and pf (4.60) with optimal N (46 kg ha^-1) were verified from this study. It should be recommended that further demonstrate and scale up the application of soil test-based fertilizer recommendations, to extrapolate Pc and Pf for similar soil types, and to determine the adjusted NPS fertilizer rate using calibrated phosphorus for food barely production.

Effects of Nitrogen Rate on Yield, Yield Related Triats and Grain Quality of Recently Released Durum Wheat Varieties in Bale highlands

Mengistu Bogale — 2024-12-28

Shortage of improved varieties and low soil nitrogen status are some of the major constraints limiting durum wheat yield and grain quality in Bale zone , which is the major wheat producing belt in the country.An on-farm experiment was conducted at Sinana and Gololcha, districts of bale zone for three years(2016-2018), to assess the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate on yield, yield components and grain quality of durum wheat varieties. Factorial combinations of four durum wheat varieties ( Toltu, Dire ,Bekelcha and Ingliz ) and five rates of nitrogen (46,92,138,184 and 230 kg N ha^-1) were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main effects of nitrogen and variety significantly (P < 0.05) influenced plant height, spike length,kernels per spike,bio-mass yield,grain yield, harvest index TKW,HLW and grain protein content.The grain yield for main effects of variety ranged from 3653 to 4650 kg ha^-1.Dire recorded the highest grain yield (4650 kg ha^-1) in statistical parity with Bekelcha(4563 kg ha^-1). Toltu produeced the next highest grain yield (4477kg ha^-1) while the lowest yield was obtained from local variety Ingliz(3653 kg ha^-1). These results clearly indicated that the improved durum wheat varieties are more productive and responsive to nitrogen fertilizer than the local cultivar. Grain yield for main effects of N fertilizer rates ranged from 3815 kg ha^-1to 4536 kg ha^-1.The^.heghest N rate (230kg N ha^-1) recorded the highest grain yield(4536 kg ha^-1). The second was from (138 kg N ha^-1) in statistical parity with 184and 92 kg N ha^-1, 4519, 4439 and 4370 kg ha^-1,respectively.The lowest yield (3815 kg ha^-1) was recorded by the lowest N rate (46 kg N ha^-1).Bekelcha gave the highest TKW(46.6g) and grain protein content(14.6%). The lowest TKW (42.9g) and grain protein content (12.9g) was recorded from lacal variety Ingliz. The highest grain protein content (15.1%) was obtained from the application of the highest N rate (230kg N ha^-1), the lowest (12.8%) was from the lowest N rate (46 kg N ha^-1).The economic analysis indicated that optimum grain yield and quality of the improved durum wheat varieties Toltu,Dire and Bekelcha were obtained at the rate of nitrogen application (92 kg N ha^-1).Therefore, durum wheat farmers in the study area should use 92 kg N ha^-1 to realize maximum grain yield and quality of the crop. The results also imply that there is a need to formulate variety-specific N fertilizer recommendation rates for enhancing the productivity and grain quality of durum wheat for pasta/macaroni making.

The Role of Feed Resources in Optimizing Reproductive Efficiency in Goats and Sheep

Never Assan — 2025-01-01

Reproductive performance in sheep and goats is significantly influenced by the type of food and nutrition consumed. Dietary environment significantly impacts sheep and goat reproductive processes, ranging from minor adjustments in ovulation frequency on suboptimal diets to complete shutdown in adverse nutritional indicators due to adverse nutritional environment. The study explores the influence of different feed resources (traditional and non-traditional) on reproductive performance in goats and sheep, emphasizing the need to understand this to optimize productivity and prevent nutrient deficiencies that can negatively impact reproductive hormones, fertility, and fetal development. Nutrition plays a crucial role in reproductive functions, particularly in small ruminant production, with inadequate nutrition negatively impacting reproduction, especially in females. Grazing is the primary source of nutrition for these animals, and the quality of grazing directly affects their reproductive capacity. Nutritional imbalance can alter reproductive outcomes and pose a life-threatening threat to both mother and offspring. The type, quantity, and composition of feed resources fed to sheep and goats can influence reproduction, particularly during the breeding season. Seasonal feed shortages and poor fodder quality can hinder the reproductive success of grazing animals. Focus feeding strategy focuses on understanding the physiological mechanisms affecting reproduction in female small ruminants to improve their reproductive performance. To maintain sustainable production, the discussion provides direction in selecting suitable feed resources, feeding practices, and reproductive and nutritional scope. Feed resources can be classified into classical and non-classical types, with classical feed resources traditionally used in the commercial sector. To ensure optimal reproductive outcomes, sufficient nutrition and high-quality feed resources are essential. The study offers valuable insights into the intricate connections between feed resources and reproductive performance in goats and sheep, guiding strategies for enhancing fertility and productivity.