Research Article Open Access

Evaluation of Desho (Pennisetum pedicellatum) Grasses for Adaptability and Yield Performance in Different Agro-Ecologies of East Showa and West Arsi Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

This experiment was undertaken at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center (ATARC), Shashemene and Kofele districts for two consecutive years of 2019 and 2020 cropping season with the objectives to evaluate the adaptability and yield performance of Desho grass varieties for forage production. Four Desho grass varieties (Areka-DZF#590, KK2-DZF#589, KK1-DZF#591 and Kulumsa-DZF#592) were used. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was employed. The result revealed that, the agronomic performance of plant height was none significance (P>0.05) at Kofele and Shashamane experiential sites except ATARC. The highest plant height was recorded at Shashamane (105.92 cm). Total dry biomass yield in ton per hectare was showed significance difference (P<0.05) at all experiential sites. High total dry biomass yield was recorded at Kofele study site from Areka-DZF#590 and KK2-DZF#589 varieties (23.71 and 23.02 t/ha, respectively), second was at Shashamane from Areka-DZF#590 (21.02t/ha) and the last was at ATARC from KK1- DZF#591(15.12t/ha).

Nabi Husein*, Daniel Wana

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