Performance Evaluation of Improved Sesbania Sesban Varieties at Highland of Guji Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Research Article

Ann Agric Crop Sci. 2024; 9(1): 1146.

Performance Evaluation of Improved Sesbania Sesban Varieties at Highland of Guji Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Teshale Jabessa*; Ketema Bekele

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Bore Agricultural Research Center, Bore, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Teshale Jabessa Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Bore Agricultural Research Center, Bore, Ethiopia. Email: teshalejabessa@gmail.com

Received: November 27, 2023 Accepted: January 10, 2024 Published: January 17, 2024

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of four Sesbania sesban varieties including local check at Songo Baricha on station of Bore Agricultural Research Center (BOARC) during the main cropping season of 2019. The treatments evaluated were Sesbania sesban (DZF-092), Mancarata, Sesbania sesban (No-136) DZF-403 and local check in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The collected data includes Dry Matter Yield (DMY/tha-1), number of pruning, number of regeneration, Leaf to stem ratio and plant height. The analysis data showed that there were significant (p<0.05) difference among tested variety in dry matter yield, leaf to stem ratio,number of pruning and regeneration. The higher dry matter yield were recorded from Mancarat variety (6.87tha-1) followed by (DZF-092) (5.66tha-1).Leaf to stem ratio traits were also showed statistical significant (p<0.05) difference. Sesbania sesban (N0-136) performs higher (83%) followed by DZF-092 (72%). Seed yield was not shown statically significant (p>0.05) differences among tested varieties however, numerically, the maximum seed yield was obtained from Mancarata (3.75qha-1) followed by local check (3.07qha-1). Therefore, the Mancarata variety could be recommended for the study areas and similar agro-ecology however, further research should be done to put the recommendation on a strong basis.

Keywords: Dry matter yield; Fodder tree; Leaf to stem ratio; Sesbania sesban; Performance

Introduction

The livestock subsector supports and sustains livelihoods for 80% of the total rural population [1]. Despite the importance of livestock in the country, productivity is low [2]. One of the major constraints leading to such low productivity is shortage of feed in terms of both quantity and quality, especially during the dry season [3,4], combined with high feed prices [5].

Tree legumes are multipurpose, and their superior rooting depth delivers excellent water use efficiency and drought and water logging tolerance [6]. The use of woody leguminous species in agro forestry, alley cropping and browse coppice systems is one of the key elements of sustainable agricultural systems in Ethiopia [7]. The economic benefit of Sesbania sesban in terms of milk and meat has shown considerable success both under research and farmer’s condition as well as, their dual roles in animal nutrition and the improvement of soil fertility hence crop production [8]. Contour strips of forage legumes combined with grasses increase the sustainability and productivity of most soils whilst also providing high quality forage to supplement low quality roughages and crop residues [8].

Sesbania [Sesbania sesban (L.) Merril.]Belongs to family Fabaceae and is a multipurpose small stature tree [9]. It is grown as a short duration perennial green manure deep rooting shrub with high-quality foliage, and it serves as a protein supplement [9]. As production systems intensify, the inability of farmers to adequately feed their livestock year round will be even more important. The outstanding value of legumes in general is needed to meet the dry season feed gap, with the additional benefit of increased intake of associated poor quality roughage [10]. Sesbania sesbanis adapted to a wide variety of soil types, ranging from loose sandy soils to heavy clays. It has an excellent tolerance to water logging and flooding [11]. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance and dry matter yield of Sesbania sesban varieties at songo on-station of Bore agricultural research center.

Material and Methods

Description of the Study Area

The study area is located in Guji zone, southern Oromia 420 km far from Addis Ababa. Astronomically this station is located between 060 24’ 080’’ and 0380 35’ 080’’ northing and easting latitude respectively. Bore district is characterized by two type of temperate zone, namely Dega (locally known as ‘Bada’) which starts in early April up to October and Woina dega (locally known as ‘Bada-dare’) which starts late November up to reaches beginning of March. It is the most humid and sub-humid moisture condition, which relatively longer growing season. The rainfall is about (1400-1800) mm and the minimum and maximum temperatures are 11.2 C0 and 21C0 respectively. Its Geographically elevation is about 1600-2900 meters above sea level having soil type clay loam (BOARC Profile, 2002).