Review Article
Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review
Bethlehem Melese*
,
Werotaw Sisay,
Hailu Garkebo
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2024
Pages:
132-137
Received:
15 April 2024
Accepted:
16 May 2024
Published:
11 September 2024
Abstract: Similar to other cereal crops finger millet is being produced in a large volume in Ethiopia, as they are the principal staple food crop. Finger millet is considered as underutilized cereal crop which is commonly grown in the northern, west-northern, and western parts of the country and it is considered as a crop which is important to overcome malnutrition. Regions including Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) and Gambela are considered as the potential regions for the production of finger millet in Ethiopia. Relatively, it is considered as drought tolerant as compared to other major cereals such as rice, wheat, and barley. In addition to this finger millet is considered as a highly resilient crop which can grow in different weather conditions, including drought, floods, and marginal soils. In Ethiopia it is commonly grown for the preparation of local foods like ‘injera’ and porridge and local drink such as ‘areki’ or ‘tella’. About 26 varieties of finger millet are cultivated in main season in the country. In Ethiopia, there are a limited source of cereal crop seeds which includes, farmer’s own saved seeds and government seed distributing companies. In this review the status of production, seed source and nutritional importance of finger millet in Ethiopia is presented.
Abstract: Similar to other cereal crops finger millet is being produced in a large volume in Ethiopia, as they are the principal staple food crop. Finger millet is considered as underutilized cereal crop which is commonly grown in the northern, west-northern, and western parts of the country and it is considered as a crop which is important to overcome malnu...
Show More
Research Article
Factors Affecting Seedling Growth Performance and Quality of Two Acacia Species and Shinus Molle on Nursery Stage, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia
Hirpa Abebe*,
Wondmagegn Bekele
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2024
Pages:
138-147
Received:
18 April 2024
Accepted:
16 May 2024
Published:
11 September 2024
Abstract: The study was carried out within the Nursery of the Department of Forestry, at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, on the effects of different soils media and varying pot sizes on the early growth of Acacia abyssinica, Acacia saligna and Shinus molle were investigated. Four different soils media used were forest soil (FS), compost (Co), sand soil (SS) and local soil (LS) in different pots size (PS1=8 cm=control, PS2=10 cm and PS3=12 cm lay flats) 15 cm in length and five growing media (GM) or soil mix proportion based on volume GM1= (2 part local/Top soil:2 part forest soil:1 part sand; GM2=2 part local soil:2 compost: 1 part sand; GM3=1 part local soil:2 part forest soil:2 part sand; GM4=3 part local soil:2 part compost:1 sand soil and GM5=3 local soil:2 forest soil:1 sand=control) were filled up of different types of soil named above, and quantified using weighing balance. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the Forestry nursery in the study area. The study involved the use of five (5) planting media and three different plastic pots in three (3) replicates. The parameters measured are plant height (cm), seedling root collar diameter (mm) and dry matter (shoot, root and root to shoot ratio). The data collected at the end of twenty weeks were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan test showed that Schinus molle, A.abyssinica and A.saligina tree species plant and grown in large pot size (PS2) and growing media (GM3) had the highest performance with mean value of plant height 19.83cm, 7.833cm and 13.167cm and seedling root collar diameter in GM5PS3 (4.09mm), GM4PS3 (3.35mm) and GM4PS1 (3.97mm) respectively were high significantly (P< 0.05). It is therefore recommended that large pot size (PS3) and GM2 and GM3growing media be used for optimal production of all Schinus molle, A.abyssinica and A.saligina tree species seedling production at nursery stage and their plantation success. This study revealed that optimum ratio of compost and forest soil in growing media and relatively big container/pot size have favorable good quality of seedling growth for all studied tree species for all growth parameters. This is may be due to nutrient variation in the growing media which is farther needs investigation on growing media nutrients contents.
Abstract: The study was carried out within the Nursery of the Department of Forestry, at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, on the effects of different soils media and varying pot sizes on the early growth of Acacia abyssinica, Acacia saligna and Shinus molle were investigated. Four different soils media used were forest soil (FS), compost (Co), sand soil ...
Show More
