ARARI: BNJAR

Current Issue

BNJAR 2025 | 6(1)

Morphometric Characteristics and Herbage Accumulation of Guinea (Panicum Maximum) Grass Influenced by Cultivar and Harvesting Age in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Adebabay Adane1*, Fentahun Meheret Zeleke2, Abule Ebro3, and Adolfo Alvarez Aranguiz4

1Andassa Livestock Research Center, Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI), P.O. Box 27, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. 2College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P. O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. 3Former WUR/SNV-BRIDGE Project, P. O. Box 40675, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 4Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, P. O. Box 338, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Guinea (Panicum maximum) grass has shown promising results for livestock producers to cope with feed shortages in tropical areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphometric characteristics and herbage accumulation of Guinea grass cultivars across different harvest ages. The experiment was set up with a 3×3 factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block design. The Guinea grass cultivars were Mombasa, Tanzania, and Degun gizia, and harvesting ages were at 60, 81, and 102 days after planting. The parameters measured were morphometric characteristics (plant height, tiller number, number of leaves per plant, length of leaf, number and length of root, leaf-to-stem ratio) and herbage accumulation. Data were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS (9.0), and mean separation was done using Duncan Multiple Range Test, and significance was declared at P<0.05. All examined morphometric characteristics of guinea grass, except for leaf-to-stem ratio and herbage accumulation values, showed no interaction (P > 0.05) effect with the harvesting age and cultivars. The result indicated that morphometric characteristics and herbage accumulation were affected (P < 0.05) by harvesting age and cultivars. At Yigoma Huletu location, Mombasa had scored better values on herbage accumulation (11.94 t/ha DMY) at late harvesting age. Mombasa and Tanzania had better values on most morphometric characteristics except LSR, which had the highest values (1.77) by Degun gizia. At Kudmi location, Mombasa scored better values on plant height (109.1cm) and DMY (6.16 t/ha). Degun gizia scored the highest values on LSR and DMY (6 t/ha). Early harvest age (60 days) resulted in the highest leaf-stem ratio, while at late harvesting age (102 days) high morphometric characteristics and herbage accumulation. In order to increase ruminant productivity, these grass varieties are potential forages as an alternative fodder feed.

Keywords: Cultivars, guinea grass, harvesting age, herbage yield,

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BNJAR 2025 | 6(1)

Performance Evaluation of Phalaris Grass Accessions in Northwestern Highlands of Sekela District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Beyadglign Hunegnaw1*, Misganaw Walie1, Desalegn Ayichew1 and Wondimeneh Mekonnen1

1Andassa Livestock Research Center, P.O.B 27, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to assess the adaptability, morphological characteristics, dry matter yield, and chemical composition of four Phalaris grass accessions at Sekela district, Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The treatments were Phalaris aquatica grass that was widely used in the area as a control, along with three new accessions (ILRI 6853, ILRI 10552, and ILRI 14353) sourced from Debre Berhan Agricultural Research Center. Root splits were planted for all accessions. The study was carried out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications over two consecutive years. All data were collected at a 10% heading at each harvest. Measurements for plant height (PH) and leaf length (LL) were taken from 10 plants in the middle rows, excluding the border rows. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) following the GLM procedure of SAS software (9.0). Phalaris accessions ILRI 6853 and ILRI 14353 had higher (P < 0.05) plant height (PH), number of tillers per plant (NTPP), and dry matter yield (DMY) compared to the control. Additionally, accession ILRI 6853 exhibited lower (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content than the other tested accessions. Based on overall performance, accessions ILRI 6853 and ILRI 14353 were selected for their superior production performance and lower fiber content, making them well-suited to address the critical feed shortages for improved livestock production in the study area. Therefore, Phalaris grass accessions ILRI 6853 and ILRI 14353 are recommended for further demonstration and adoption in the study area and similar agroecologies.

Keywords: Dry matter, Feed, Growth characteristics, Phalaris, Fiber

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BNJAR 2025 | 6(1)

Preliminary Identification of Poisonous Honeybee Plants in Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Zewdie Abay1*, Enigdaw Maled1, Bereket Fekade1, and Demelash Dagnaw1

1Andassa Livestock Research Center, P.O. Box 27, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

The knowledge about poisonous honeybee plants in the Amhara regional state, in general, and in Western Amhara, in particular, is inadequate. The survey was conducted in the western Amhara region: Awi, East Gojam, and South Gondar to identify and determine the distribution of major poisonous honeybee plants. A total of 186 respondents who have knowledge and experience with poisonous honeybee plants were used to collect the primary data through interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Twenty plants were identified as poisonous plants against honeybees, among which Croton macrostachyus, Vernonia amygdalina, Justicia schenckiana, and Euphorbia abyssinica are the major and widely distributed ones in all study areas. About 65% of these poisonous plants flower during scarcity of nectar and pollen (December to February, and June to August), and thus there might be a high chance of being visited by honeybees and honeybees getting poisoned. Therefore, it is important to feed colonies during the dearth period and plant the non-poisonous major honey plants that flower during the dearth period to minimize the poisoning of honeybees by these poisonous honeybee plants.

Keywords: Dearth Period, Flowering, Honeybee, Poison Plants

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BNJAR 2025 | 6(1)

Effects of inter and intra row spacing on seed yield and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) at northwestern Gondar of Ethiopia

Fentahun Biset1*, Melaku Azanaw1, Mogose Marie1, Simachew Kasahun1, Anteneh Adebabay1, Tesfa Kasahun1, Gizat Adugna1, Getahun Ademe1, Stotaw Zemene1 and Yisemawu Degnet1

1Gondar Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 1337, Gondar, Ethiopia

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum inter- and intra-row spacing for maximizing sunflower seed yield in the lowland areas of Metema and West Armachiho districts during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 main rainy seasons. The study employed a factorial combination of four inter-row spacings (55, 75, 95, and 115 cm) and three intra-row spacings (20, 30, and 40 cm), arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on phenological, growth, and yield-related traits, including days to flowering and maturity, plant height, head diameter, head weight, number of seeds per head, thousand seed weight, and grain yield. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the main effects of inter- and intra-row spacing significantly (p < 0.01) influenced most parameters. The interaction effect significantly affected head weight and grain yield. The highest grain yield (2,375.2 kg ha⁻¹) and net benefit (89,671.4 ETB) were achieved with a spacing of 75 cm between rows and 30 cm within rows. Conversely, the lowest yield (1,704.3 kg ha⁻¹) was recorded at 115 cm × 40 cm spacing. Therefore, a 75 cm inter-row and 30 cm intra-row spacing is recommended for optimizing sunflower seed yield and economic return in the lowlands of Gondar and similar agro-ecologies.

Keywords: Interaction, plant population, row-spacing, sunflower, yield

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BNJAR 2025 | 6(1)

Optimal Planting Date of Watermelon Under Irrigation Conditions at Metema District of Northwestern Ethiopia

Asnakew Takele Negash1*, Tegegne Ashagrie Endalew1, Azeze Wubie Kassa1, and Hayat Yasin Mohamed1

1Gondar Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 1337, Gondar, Ethiopia

Watermelon has been introduced recently as a significant cash crop in the Amhara region. As an emerging crop, the agronomic practices of watermelon have to be studied to maximize productivity. One aspect of this is determining the planting date of watermelon. Hence, field experiments were conducted under irrigation conditions at Metema district in 2021 and 2023. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with five sowing dates (December 15, January 1, January 15, February 1, and February 15), each replicated three times. Agronomic data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance, with significant treatment means distinguished using LSD at a 5% significance level. The findings indicated substantial variations (P < 0.05) among the sowing dates in terms of fruit length, diameter, average fruit weight, and marketable and total fruit yields per hectare. The highest total fruit yield (30.75 tons per hectare) was recorded from the January 1 sowing date, followed by 27.20 tons per hectare from the December 15 sowing date. Hence, planting watermelon between the second week of December and the first week of January is recommended for the Metema district and similar agro-ecological regions. Moreover, further research is required to determine the optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates and irrigation frequency to reduce the incidence of fruit cracking and enhance crop performance.

Keywords: Fruit and vegetable, fruit yield, nutrient-rich food, sowing date, and Watermelon.

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Current Issue

Morphometric Characteristics and Herbage Accumulation of Guinea (Panicum Maximum) Grass Influenced by Cultivar and Harvesting Age in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Performance Evaluation of Phalaris Grass Accessions in Northwestern Highlands of Sekela District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Preliminary Identification of Poisonous Honeybee Plants in Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Effects of inter and intra row spacing on seed yield and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) at northwestern Gondar of Ethiopia

Optimal Planting Date of Watermelon Under Irrigation Conditions at Metema District of Northwestern Ethiopia

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