-
Research Article
Pre-extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Fenugreek Technologies in Goro District of Bale Zone
Bayeta Gadissa*
,
Ayalew Sida
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
81-86
Received:
23 October 2025
Accepted:
3 November 2025
Published:
11 December 2025
Abstract: Fenugreek is an important seed spice crop widely grown all over the world. It is one of the most important spice crops in Ethiopia. The country has suitable environmental conditions for fenugreek production and the crop has extraordinary economic importance in the country. Despite its suitable agro-ecology for the production of fenugreek in Ethiopia, its production and productivity is low compared to its potential. This is due to lack of improved optional varieties and production packages. Pre-extension demonstration and evaluation of improved fenugreek technologies was conducted at Goro district of Bale zone. The district was selected purposively based the potential of the crop. Two kebeles were selected from the district based on the potential of the crop and accessibility. Improved fenugreek variety Arganne was demonstrated and compared against the standard check Burka. Accordingly, an improved variety Arganne have relatively higher yield (19.17 qt/ha) than the standard check (17.42 qt/ha. Moreover, Arganne variety was selected by farmers due to its Arganne variety was selected by participant farmers due to its high yield, bigger seed size, higher number of seed/pod, early maturing, better tolerant to disease, better tolerant to insects and good plant height. Thus, Arganne variety was recommended for pre-scaling up.
Abstract: Fenugreek is an important seed spice crop widely grown all over the world. It is one of the most important spice crops in Ethiopia. The country has suitable environmental conditions for fenugreek production and the crop has extraordinary economic importance in the country. Despite its suitable agro-ecology for the production of fenugreek in Ethiopi...
Show More
-
Research Article
Effect of Pseudomonas Fluorescens as Biocontrol of Rice Blight Disease Cause by Curvularia Lunata on Rice Variety Gawal R1
Yabagi Abdullahi Muhammad*
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
87-93
Received:
16 August 2025
Accepted:
28 August 2025
Published:
24 December 2025
Abstract: Curvularia lunata is a soil-borne fungal pathogen that attacks rice and causes significant losses in its production, while Pseudomonas fluorescens is one of the common biocontrol agents used for managing foliar infection in soil born pathogen. The aim of this research was to study the effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens as biocontrol agent against Curvularia lunata on rice variety Gawal r1. The isolate were tested for pathogenicity. In a pot experiment, P. fluorescens significantly reduced the disease severity of rice blight caused by C. lunata. After application of a spore suspension of Pseudomonas fluorescens -biofungicide and Synthetic fungicide (Mancozeb) to rice seedlings inoculated with C. lunata, the disease severity was reduced by 2.00, 2.55, 3.2, and 4.66, respectively. In Screen house trial, the concentrations Pseudomonas fluorescens concentrations at 3.0 × 108 CFU/ml gave the best results in all plant parameters, as compared to the inoculated control with C. lunata.
Abstract: Curvularia lunata is a soil-borne fungal pathogen that attacks rice and causes significant losses in its production, while Pseudomonas fluorescens is one of the common biocontrol agents used for managing foliar infection in soil born pathogen. The aim of this research was to study the effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens as biocontrol agent against Cu...
Show More
-
Research Article
Investigating Tef [Eragrostistef(Zucc.) Trotter] Yield and Yield Components Under Sowing Method and Inorganic Fertilizer Application in Guduru District, Western Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
94-106
Received:
13 November 2025
Accepted:
28 November 2025
Published:
26 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20251004.13
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Tef (Eragrostistef(Zucc.) Trotter) is the main cultivated cereal crops in Ethiopia. The grain and straw of tef has more values than other cereal crops. However, the actual yield of tef is below its potential which mainly due to poor soil fertility, high seeding rate and inappropriate sowing method. Due to these constraints the study was carried out on the farmers’ field at two sites, namely, Gabate and Kobo, in 2012 in Guduru district with the objective to investigate the effect of fertilizer types and sowing methods of varying seeding rate on yield components and yield of tef. The treatments were made from 3 fertilizer types (DAP, NPKSZn and control) and 2 sowing methods (row and broadcast) which arranged in RCBD and replicated three times. The result of the study revealed that DAP and NPKSZn fertilizers gave statistically at par and increased panicle lengths of tef by 35.83 and 37.91% at Gabate and by 27.11 and 31.13% at Kobo, respectively, over unfertilized plots. Minimized seeding rate-row sowing method produced 6.12 and 6.50% more panicle length at Gabate and Kobo, respectively over high seeding rate-broadcast sowing method. Broadcast sowing method under DAP and NPKSZn applications gave the highest and at par lodging percentage over row sowing method whereas the more and similar effective tillers number per plant were recorded under row sowing method using DAP and NPKSZn at both sites. Application of DAP and NPKSZn under row sowing method produced significantly the highest and similar yields (3189.67 and 3250.33 kg ha–1 at Gabate, and 3164.00 and 3222.67 kg ha–1 at Kobo, respectively). The partial budget analysis also showed that row sowing under DAP application provides maximum net profit (197825.6 ETB) with MRR (948.46%). Therefore, tef production using DAP under row sowing-minimized seeding rate provides the highest yield and yield components and also economically profitable treatment combination. Thus, farmers of the study area will benefit using minimized seeding rate-row sowing method under DAP application. The result implies that field evaluation of the selected treatment combination should be done to verify the finding at multi-locations and years.
Abstract: Tef (Eragrostistef(Zucc.) Trotter) is the main cultivated cereal crops in Ethiopia. The grain and straw of tef has more values than other cereal crops. However, the actual yield of tef is below its potential which mainly due to poor soil fertility, high seeding rate and inappropriate sowing method. Due to these constraints the study was carried out...
Show More
-
Research Article
Survey of Distribution, Infestation, and Damage Level of Major Insect Pests on Faba Bean and Field Pea Crops in the North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Adisu Regasa*,
Megersa Terafa,
Shellama Feyisa,
Woubalem Abera
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
107-114
Received:
16 October 2025
Accepted:
10 November 2025
Published:
29 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20251004.14
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Faba beans and field peas are the major pulse crops widely produced in North Shoa, Ethiopia. Despite these crops being widely grown in the northern parts of the country over a wide range of altitudes, the distribution, infestation, and damage level of the major insect that affects these crops have not been well studied. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the objective of assessing the distribution, infestation, and damaging level of major insects on faba bean and field pea crops in the North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, during the 2022 and 2023 main cropping seasons. The survey was conducted in five selected districts: GirarJarso, Dagam, DebreLibanos, Wachale, and Jida. A total of 180 fields were randomly sampled across 30 Kebeles within these districts. The study utilized a purposive multistage sampling method, and data were collected using various sampling patterns, including ―X‖, ‖U‖, ‖ W, ‖ and ―Z‖ formations, with 1m² quadrants placed at intervals. The results revealed that significant variation (p < 0.05) in insect infestation and damage levels across the surveyed districts and insects identified. Insects recorded during this survey identified several major insect pests, including pod borer (Marucavitrata), caterpillar (Catopsiliapyranthi), flea beetle (Scelodontastrigicollis), and African bollworm (Helicoverpaarmigera) in faba bean crops, and pod borer (Marucavitrata), caterpillar (Catopsiliapyranthi), flea beetle (Scelodontastrigicollis), and aphids (Aphis craccivora) in field pea crops. Infestation levels varied across districts, with the highest infestation for faba beans recorded in Girar Jarso (30.5%) for leaf beetles and for field peas in Jida (40%) for pod borers. Damage levels ranged from 0% to 26% for faba beans and from 0% to 29% for field peas, with significant regional variations. The results highlight the economic importance of these pests, which require urgent attention through integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. The study emphasizes the need for timely and effective pest control measures to mitigate the damage to pulse crops in the North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Abstract: Faba beans and field peas are the major pulse crops widely produced in North Shoa, Ethiopia. Despite these crops being widely grown in the northern parts of the country over a wide range of altitudes, the distribution, infestation, and damage level of the major insect that affects these crops have not been well studied. Therefore, the current study...
Show More
-
Research Article
Fungal Pathogens Associated with Postharvest Rotting of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in Eastern Ethiopia
Abdirshikur Reshid Jemal*
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
115-120
Received:
4 December 2025
Accepted:
15 December 2025
Published:
29 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20251004.15
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Tomato is a very perishable and highly susceptible to postharvest fungal diseases that cause rotting of the fruits in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. Investigations were conducted to isolate and identify fungal pathogens causing post-harvest rotting of tomato fruits. Samples were collected from stores and markets in Dire Dawa, Harar, Haramaya, and Bate towns and fungal pathogens were isolated and identified. Fourteen different fungal genera were found associated with the evaluated tomato fruits. These were Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Saccharomyces spp., A. niger, Geotrichum spp., Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Phoma spp., Trichoderma spp., Cladosporium spp., Helminthosporium spp., Colletotrichum spp., Rizhoctonia spp., and Diplodia spp. Fusarium spp. had the highest (46.2%) frequency of occurrence, while Trichoderma spp. were the least (0.22%) encountered. Pathogenicity tests revealed that all of the isolated fungi except Trichoderma spp. were pathogenic. Penicillium was the most aggressive genus which produced lesion diameter of 42 mm in five days. A. niger was the least (9.5 mm) aggressive species. Fusarium was identified to species level and F. oxysporium, F. chlamydosporium, F. avenaceum, F. solani, F. acuminatum, and F. sporotrichiodes were recovered. F. oxysporium was the most frequently (54.21%) recorded one, while the lowest (0.93%) was F. acuminatum. Also the highest (28.25 mm) lesion diameter was produced by F. oxysporium, while the least (20 mm) was by F. avenaceum. In conclusion, the study revealed high occurrence and distribution of diverse fungi associated with post-harvest rotting of tomato fruits in eastern Ethiopia. However, further studies are important for identifing the isolated fungal pathogens to species level except fusarium and to develop appropriate manegement options for fruit rotting fungi.
Abstract: Tomato is a very perishable and highly susceptible to postharvest fungal diseases that cause rotting of the fruits in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. Investigations were conducted to isolate and identify fungal pathogens causing post-harvest rotting of tomato fruits. Samples were collected from stores and markets in Dire Dawa, Harar, Ha...
Show More
-
Research Article
Evaluation of Adult Plant Resistance in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes to Wheat Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) Races in Ethiopia
Tamene Mideksa*,
Zerihun Eshetu
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
121-132
Received:
8 November 2025
Accepted:
15 December 2025
Published:
29 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20251004.16
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during the 2021 main cropping season using an augmented design to evaluate adult plant resistance in bread wheat genotypes against wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) in Ethiopia. Final rust severity (FRS), coefficient of infection (CI), and relative area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC) were used to identify slow rusting genotypes. These parameters proved reliable for assessing resistance. Eleven Pgt races were tested on 20 near-isogenic lines carrying single stem rust resistance genes. Greenhouse results showed seven lines were resistant to all races. Genotypes were grouped based on infection types: Group I (e.g., genotypes 40 and 56) showed low infection types (ITs); Group II (e.g., genotypes 2, 3, 12, 13, 43, 91, 98) showed high ITs; Group III included 68 lines with variable reactions. TTKTF and TKPTF caused the highest ITs, while TTKTT showed the lowest. Thirty slow rusting genotypes were identified based on field FRS (Trace MS to 25 MS) and seedling ITs (2+ to 4). These cultivars offer valuable genetic resources for wheat improvement programs targeting durable resistance to stem rust. These findings demonstrate the importance of combining field-based slow rusting parameters with greenhouse race-specific evaluations to obtain a comprehensive understanding of resistance. The identification of genotypes with stable resistance across multiple environments provides a strong foundation for breeding programs aimed at durable stem rust resistance. Such cultivars are particularly valuable in Ethiopia, where stem rust epidemics pose a recurring threat to wheat production and national food security. This study contributes to the global effort of developing improved wheat varieties by offering genetic resources that can be integrated into international breeding pipelines. By highlighting both race-specific and slow rusting resistance, the research underscores the need for continuous monitoring of pathogen variability and the deployment of diverse resistance genes to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during the 2021 main cropping season using an augmented design to evaluate adult plant resistance in bread wheat genotypes against wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) in Ethiopia. Final rust severity (FRS), coefficient of infection (CI), and relative area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC) were...
Show More
