Haile Deressa - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Haile Deressa

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2013

The use of optimum seeding rate for the genotype may enhance productivity and grain protein conte... more The use of optimum seeding rate for the genotype may enhance productivity and grain protein content of durum wheat. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at two locations in south-eastern Ethiopia during the main cropping season of 2008 with the objective of elucidating the effects of seeding rate and genotype on agronomic performance and grain protein content of the crop. The experiment consisted of factorial arrangements of four improved durum wheat genotypes and five seeding rates, which were laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Seeding rates significantly influenced agronomic performances including number of fertile spikes m-2, plant height, number of seeds spike-1, and grain yield. Number of fertile spikes m-2 was increased proportionally with the seeding rate and the highest number (382 spikes m-2) was recorded in the highest seeding rate of 200kg ha-1. Inversely, the highest number of kernels spike-1 (29.8) was at the seeding rate of 100 kg h...

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2012

The number of fruits per bunch and nutritional quality of the fruits are important horticultural ... more The number of fruits per bunch and nutritional quality of the fruits are important horticultural and breeding selection indices in Musa improvement programs. Three plantain hybrids ('30456-3', 'PITA 14' and '29525') and a landrace genotype, 'Agbagba', were evaluated for response to organic and inorganic fertilizers in a 4 x 3 factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in triplicate. Fruit parameters measured were fruit weight, edible proportion and pulp dry matter content; also, the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in fruits were determined. These parameters were measured in two cropping cycles, the plant and ratoon crops, respectively. The hybrid, '29252' had the highest pulp N, K, Ca, Fe and Zn concentrations in the plant crop. In the ratoon crop, N and P were highest in '29525' and '30456-3', while the concentrations of the other nutrients did not differ among the genotypes. The landrace, 'Agbagba', produced the heaviest fruits, accumulated the highest pulp dry matter and fresh edible proportion in both crop cycles. Although in the plant crop, the fertilizer treatment did not affect most of the pulp nutrient concentrations, the P concentration decreased by 14.29 and 118.18%, respectively when inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure was applied. The N, K and Zn concentrations, respectively, increased by 6.45, 14.55 and 62.50% with inorganic fertilizer application, while all the nutrient concentrations were lowest when no fertilizer was applied. The fresh fruit weight, pulp dry matter content and fresh edible proportion were highest when poultry manure was applied.

Abstract: Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are the major limiting factors in most soils. The h... more Abstract: Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are the major limiting factors in most soils. The highland vertisols of Ethiopia are prone to nutrient deficiency especially of N and P as the result of monocropping and leaching losses. An experiment was conducted at Bale highlands, South-eastern Ethiopia to investigate the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers on grain hardness, hectolitre weight and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). No interaction was observed between N and P rates on all of the parameters. Grain hardness was higher at Robe while hectolitre weight was higher at Agarfa sites. Grain hardness was not significantly affected by phosphorus while hectolitre weight was not influenced by nitrogen rates. Flour and tissue N concentrations and flour P concentration were higher at the highest rate 1 of N (92 kg N ha). N concentrations of the flour and tissue were higher at the lowest phosphorus rate and 1 flour P conce...

Ethiopia’s food security and economy depends on its agricultural production. Crop yields are, how... more Ethiopia’s food security and economy depends on its agricultural production. Crop yields are, however, below expected values, particularly on the high degraded soils in the highlands. Cereals account for about 75 % of the total area cultivated. We investigated the increased production of selected cereals along with that of the legume faba bean by using integrated soil fertility management practices restoring soil fertility and thereby increasing productivity. To reduce the impact of environmental factors, such as terrain elevation/slope, weather/climate or soil’s water/nutrition availability, we used a paired data approach by splitting fields of small-scale farmers into a treatment and control plot growing the same crop with varying treatment elements. This study examined the yield response of teff, wheat, maize, and faba bean to the individual and combined effects of multiple technologies of integrated soil fertility management practices (ISFM) under small scale farming conditions....

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center Abstract: Nitrogen an... more Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center Abstract: Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are the major limiting factors in most soils. The highland vertisols of Ethiopia are prone to nutrient deficiency especially of N and P as the result of monocropping and leaching losses. An experiment was conducted at Bale highlands, South-eastern Ethiopia to investigate the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers on grain hardness, hectolitre weight and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). No interaction was observed between N and P rates on all of the parameters. Grain hardness was higher at Robe while hectolitre weight was higher at Agarfa sites. Grain hardness was not significantly affected by phosphorus while hectolitre weight was not influenced by nitrogen rates. Flour and tissue N concentrations and flour P concentration were higher at the highest rate of N (92 kg N ha ). N concentrations of the flo...

Phytoparasitica, 2019

We conducted three different on farm experiments in three major sorghum producing areas of Ethiop... more We conducted three different on farm experiments in three major sorghum producing areas of Ethiopia to find solutions to major grain sorghum pests (weeds and stalk borer) prevailing in the respective areas. These were: 1) effect of integrated technologies to control grain sorghum stalk borer, 2) screening early maturing grain sorghum varieties that could tolerate stalk borer, and 3) weeding effect on sorghum yield. These experiments were conducted on farm and demonstrated to farmers in south Tigray, west Hararghe and south west Ethiopia, respectively. In south Tigray, we found that grain sorghum yield increased by 68% (5600 kg ha −1). Whereas, among the five varieties introduced in west Hararghe, Gedo variety outstripped, and gave the highest yield (2162 kg ha −1) but, notably, with the highest infestation of stalk borer. In southwest Ethiopia, about threefold yield increment was obtained by hand-removing weeds and applying 100 kg ha −1 DAP and urea. Applied the same amount and types of fertilizers, but without removing the weeds, resulted in total crop failure because broad-leaved weeds might have competed for nutrients and light and suppressed the crop. We conclude that weeds and stalk borer are significantly reducing grain sorghum yield in the respective areas, but they can be managed with integrated approaches to potentially enhance sorghum grain yield.

American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 2013

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in the wheat growing belt of southeastern Ethiopi... more Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in the wheat growing belt of southeastern Ethiopia to assess effects of rate and in-season N application on seed and seedling performance of local and improved bread wheat varieties. For the field experiments, a factorial combination of four N levels, two bread wheat varieties, and three times of N application were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Laboratory tests were conducted in a Completely Randomized Design with four replicates to evaluate seed germination capacity and seedling vigor. The rate and timing of N application had significant (P = .01) effects on seed hectolitre weight, seed germination capacity and seedling vigor index. 1000-kernels weight was not affected by the rate of N application but significantly influenced by time of N application. Three times split application of N at 120 kg ha-1 resulted in significantly (P = .01) higher hectolitre weight, percentage of normal seedlings, seed germination speed, seedling dry weight and vigor index compared to the other treatments. The results revealed that application of 120 kg N ha-1 in three-split doses with ¼ dose at planting, ½ dose at mid-tillering and ¼ dose at anthesis led to enhanced seed quality and seedling performance of the crop.

Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 2012

The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) rate and time of application o... more The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) rate and time of application on N use efficiency (NUE) of bread wheat, and their association with grain yield and protein content. Factorial combinations of four N levels, two bread wheat varieties and three timings of N applications were laid out in a randomized complete block design. N rate significantly influenced grain yield, protein content, N uptake efficiency, N biomass production efficiency, N utilization efficiency, N use efficiency for grain and N use efficiency for protein yield. Time of N application had highly significant effect on grain yield, protein content and NUE traits. Rate of N application and variety were significantly interacted to influence grain yield. Grain yield for Madda Walabu found sharply increase with each increase in N application rate. The improved variety provided significantly higher grain yield, N utilization efficiency and N use efficiency for grain yield (NUEGY) when N was applied 1/4 at planting, 1/2 at mid-tillering, and 1/4 at anthesis. Variations in NUEGY were explained more by the variations in N uptake efficiency. Harvest index contribution to NUEGY was higher for the local variety. Although NUE significantly decreased with increasing N rates, yield response of the varieties did not plateau out.

Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 2010

... Var durum) Yield, Yield Components and Wild Oat (Avena fatua L.) Control, in South Eastern Et... more ... Var durum) Yield, Yield Components and Wild Oat (Avena fatua L.) Control, in South Eastern Ethiopia Haile Deressa and Girma Fana Oromia Agricultural ... There was a general decline in wild oat density in the early application and as the herbicide rate increased, but the effect of ...

East African Journal of Sciences, 2013

Although a number of improved wheat varieties have been released in Ethiopia, most farmers contin... more Although a number of improved wheat varieties have been released in Ethiopia, most farmers continue cultivating local varieties, which are low yielders and highly susceptible to diseases. The low adoption rate of improved wheat varieties is attributable mainly to farmers’ uncertainty about the expected benefit. Hence, on-farm trials consisting of three improved bread wheat varieties [Madda Walabu (HAR-1480), Digalu (HAR-3116), Danda’a], with one local variety as a control treatment, were conducted in Gurawa district in the highlands of eastern Ethiopia in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The objective of the trials was to evaluate the varieties for agronomic performances jointly with farmers’ research groups, researchers, and experts of agriculture in the region. Visual observation and data collection were done from planting up to harvesting. The visual assessment revealed that the growth performances of the improved varieties were superior to that of the local variety. The analy...

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2013

The use of optimum seeding rate for the genotype may enhance productivity and grain protein conte... more The use of optimum seeding rate for the genotype may enhance productivity and grain protein content of durum wheat. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at two locations in south-eastern Ethiopia during the main cropping season of 2008 with the objective of elucidating the effects of seeding rate and genotype on agronomic performance and grain protein content of the crop. The experiment consisted of factorial arrangements of four improved durum wheat genotypes and five seeding rates, which were laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Seeding rates significantly influenced agronomic performances including number of fertile spikes m-2, plant height, number of seeds spike-1, and grain yield. Number of fertile spikes m-2 was increased proportionally with the seeding rate and the highest number (382 spikes m-2) was recorded in the highest seeding rate of 200kg ha-1. Inversely, the highest number of kernels spike-1 (29.8) was at the seeding rate of 100 kg h...

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2012

The number of fruits per bunch and nutritional quality of the fruits are important horticultural ... more The number of fruits per bunch and nutritional quality of the fruits are important horticultural and breeding selection indices in Musa improvement programs. Three plantain hybrids ('30456-3', 'PITA 14' and '29525') and a landrace genotype, 'Agbagba', were evaluated for response to organic and inorganic fertilizers in a 4 x 3 factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in triplicate. Fruit parameters measured were fruit weight, edible proportion and pulp dry matter content; also, the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in fruits were determined. These parameters were measured in two cropping cycles, the plant and ratoon crops, respectively. The hybrid, '29252' had the highest pulp N, K, Ca, Fe and Zn concentrations in the plant crop. In the ratoon crop, N and P were highest in '29525' and '30456-3', while the concentrations of the other nutrients did not differ among the genotypes. The landrace, 'Agbagba', produced the heaviest fruits, accumulated the highest pulp dry matter and fresh edible proportion in both crop cycles. Although in the plant crop, the fertilizer treatment did not affect most of the pulp nutrient concentrations, the P concentration decreased by 14.29 and 118.18%, respectively when inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure was applied. The N, K and Zn concentrations, respectively, increased by 6.45, 14.55 and 62.50% with inorganic fertilizer application, while all the nutrient concentrations were lowest when no fertilizer was applied. The fresh fruit weight, pulp dry matter content and fresh edible proportion were highest when poultry manure was applied.

Abstract: Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are the major limiting factors in most soils. The h... more Abstract: Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are the major limiting factors in most soils. The highland vertisols of Ethiopia are prone to nutrient deficiency especially of N and P as the result of monocropping and leaching losses. An experiment was conducted at Bale highlands, South-eastern Ethiopia to investigate the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers on grain hardness, hectolitre weight and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). No interaction was observed between N and P rates on all of the parameters. Grain hardness was higher at Robe while hectolitre weight was higher at Agarfa sites. Grain hardness was not significantly affected by phosphorus while hectolitre weight was not influenced by nitrogen rates. Flour and tissue N concentrations and flour P concentration were higher at the highest rate 1 of N (92 kg N ha). N concentrations of the flour and tissue were higher at the lowest phosphorus rate and 1 flour P conce...

Ethiopia’s food security and economy depends on its agricultural production. Crop yields are, how... more Ethiopia’s food security and economy depends on its agricultural production. Crop yields are, however, below expected values, particularly on the high degraded soils in the highlands. Cereals account for about 75 % of the total area cultivated. We investigated the increased production of selected cereals along with that of the legume faba bean by using integrated soil fertility management practices restoring soil fertility and thereby increasing productivity. To reduce the impact of environmental factors, such as terrain elevation/slope, weather/climate or soil’s water/nutrition availability, we used a paired data approach by splitting fields of small-scale farmers into a treatment and control plot growing the same crop with varying treatment elements. This study examined the yield response of teff, wheat, maize, and faba bean to the individual and combined effects of multiple technologies of integrated soil fertility management practices (ISFM) under small scale farming conditions....

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center Abstract: Nitrogen an... more Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center Abstract: Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are the major limiting factors in most soils. The highland vertisols of Ethiopia are prone to nutrient deficiency especially of N and P as the result of monocropping and leaching losses. An experiment was conducted at Bale highlands, South-eastern Ethiopia to investigate the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers on grain hardness, hectolitre weight and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). No interaction was observed between N and P rates on all of the parameters. Grain hardness was higher at Robe while hectolitre weight was higher at Agarfa sites. Grain hardness was not significantly affected by phosphorus while hectolitre weight was not influenced by nitrogen rates. Flour and tissue N concentrations and flour P concentration were higher at the highest rate of N (92 kg N ha ). N concentrations of the flo...

Phytoparasitica, 2019

We conducted three different on farm experiments in three major sorghum producing areas of Ethiop... more We conducted three different on farm experiments in three major sorghum producing areas of Ethiopia to find solutions to major grain sorghum pests (weeds and stalk borer) prevailing in the respective areas. These were: 1) effect of integrated technologies to control grain sorghum stalk borer, 2) screening early maturing grain sorghum varieties that could tolerate stalk borer, and 3) weeding effect on sorghum yield. These experiments were conducted on farm and demonstrated to farmers in south Tigray, west Hararghe and south west Ethiopia, respectively. In south Tigray, we found that grain sorghum yield increased by 68% (5600 kg ha −1). Whereas, among the five varieties introduced in west Hararghe, Gedo variety outstripped, and gave the highest yield (2162 kg ha −1) but, notably, with the highest infestation of stalk borer. In southwest Ethiopia, about threefold yield increment was obtained by hand-removing weeds and applying 100 kg ha −1 DAP and urea. Applied the same amount and types of fertilizers, but without removing the weeds, resulted in total crop failure because broad-leaved weeds might have competed for nutrients and light and suppressed the crop. We conclude that weeds and stalk borer are significantly reducing grain sorghum yield in the respective areas, but they can be managed with integrated approaches to potentially enhance sorghum grain yield.

American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 2013

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in the wheat growing belt of southeastern Ethiopi... more Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in the wheat growing belt of southeastern Ethiopia to assess effects of rate and in-season N application on seed and seedling performance of local and improved bread wheat varieties. For the field experiments, a factorial combination of four N levels, two bread wheat varieties, and three times of N application were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Laboratory tests were conducted in a Completely Randomized Design with four replicates to evaluate seed germination capacity and seedling vigor. The rate and timing of N application had significant (P = .01) effects on seed hectolitre weight, seed germination capacity and seedling vigor index. 1000-kernels weight was not affected by the rate of N application but significantly influenced by time of N application. Three times split application of N at 120 kg ha-1 resulted in significantly (P = .01) higher hectolitre weight, percentage of normal seedlings, seed germination speed, seedling dry weight and vigor index compared to the other treatments. The results revealed that application of 120 kg N ha-1 in three-split doses with ¼ dose at planting, ½ dose at mid-tillering and ¼ dose at anthesis led to enhanced seed quality and seedling performance of the crop.

Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 2012

The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) rate and time of application o... more The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) rate and time of application on N use efficiency (NUE) of bread wheat, and their association with grain yield and protein content. Factorial combinations of four N levels, two bread wheat varieties and three timings of N applications were laid out in a randomized complete block design. N rate significantly influenced grain yield, protein content, N uptake efficiency, N biomass production efficiency, N utilization efficiency, N use efficiency for grain and N use efficiency for protein yield. Time of N application had highly significant effect on grain yield, protein content and NUE traits. Rate of N application and variety were significantly interacted to influence grain yield. Grain yield for Madda Walabu found sharply increase with each increase in N application rate. The improved variety provided significantly higher grain yield, N utilization efficiency and N use efficiency for grain yield (NUEGY) when N was applied 1/4 at planting, 1/2 at mid-tillering, and 1/4 at anthesis. Variations in NUEGY were explained more by the variations in N uptake efficiency. Harvest index contribution to NUEGY was higher for the local variety. Although NUE significantly decreased with increasing N rates, yield response of the varieties did not plateau out.

Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 2010

... Var durum) Yield, Yield Components and Wild Oat (Avena fatua L.) Control, in South Eastern Et... more ... Var durum) Yield, Yield Components and Wild Oat (Avena fatua L.) Control, in South Eastern Ethiopia Haile Deressa and Girma Fana Oromia Agricultural ... There was a general decline in wild oat density in the early application and as the herbicide rate increased, but the effect of ...

East African Journal of Sciences, 2013

Although a number of improved wheat varieties have been released in Ethiopia, most farmers contin... more Although a number of improved wheat varieties have been released in Ethiopia, most farmers continue cultivating local varieties, which are low yielders and highly susceptible to diseases. The low adoption rate of improved wheat varieties is attributable mainly to farmers’ uncertainty about the expected benefit. Hence, on-farm trials consisting of three improved bread wheat varieties [Madda Walabu (HAR-1480), Digalu (HAR-3116), Danda’a], with one local variety as a control treatment, were conducted in Gurawa district in the highlands of eastern Ethiopia in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The objective of the trials was to evaluate the varieties for agronomic performances jointly with farmers’ research groups, researchers, and experts of agriculture in the region. Visual observation and data collection were done from planting up to harvesting. The visual assessment revealed that the growth performances of the improved varieties were superior to that of the local variety. The analy...