IJFAF | Adaptation and Performance Evaluation of Released Napier Grass Varieties under Rain Fed Condition, in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Indexing and Abstracting

Adaptation and Performance Evaluation of Released Napier Grass Varieties under Rain Fed Condition, in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Yien Deng , Mesfin Dejene , Wasihun Gebeyew

Article Info: Received: 20 Jan 2024; Received in revised form: 08 Mar 2024; Accepted: 18 Mar 2024; Available online: 28 Mar 2024

Download | Downloads : 4 | Total View : 580

DOI: 10.22161/ijfaf.8.1.4

Journal : International Journal Of Forest, Animal And Fisheries Research(IJFAF)

Abstract:

Five Napier grass varieties were evaluated for agronomic performance and yield at Abobo agricultural research center under rain fed condition in Gambella. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on agronomic parameters such as plant height, survival rate, leaf to stem ratio, node number per plant, internodes length per plant, tillering performance and dry matter yield were analyzed using general linear model(GLM) procedure of SAS, least significant difference (LSD) at 5% was used for mean separation. Combined analysis indicated that tested varieties varied significantly (p<0.05) for survival rate, plant height, leaf to stem ratio, tillering performance, internodes length per plant and dry matter yield. The highest plant survival rate (86.33%) was recorded for Check followed by varieties 16819(73.60%), 16984(71.92%), and 16791(67.83%) respectively. On the other hand, variety 15743(66.67%) showed the lowest plant survival rate. The mean plant height ranges from 2.09m to 2.49m with an overall mean plant height of 2.31m. The tallest mean plant height (2.49m) was recorded in 15743 while shortest mean plan height (2.09m) was recorded in check. The mean leaf to stem ratio range from 1.71 to 1.28 with the overall mean of 1.52, and The higher leaf to stem ratio value (1.71) were recorded from check, followed by 16984(1.67), 15743(1.59), 16819(1.35) while the lowest value were recorded in 16791(1.28). In a combined analysis the mean dry matter yield range from 20.02 t/ha to 14.05 t/ha with the overall mean of 16.24 t/ha. The higher dry matter yield value (20.02 t/ha) were recorded from 16819, followed by 16791(16.77t/ha) and check (16.12t/ha) respectively. The lowest mean dry matter yield were recorded in 16984(14.05 t/ha) and 15743(14.26t/ha). Generally, Napier grass varieties tested has shown variation for agronomic performance and yield under rain fed condition in Gambella

Keywords:

Agronomic performance, Napier grass, Varieties, Rain fed, Dry matter yield

References:

[1] Gadisa B., Dinkale T. and Debela M. (2021). Agronomic Performance Evaluation of Elephant (Pennisetum purpureum L.) Schumach) Grass Cultivars for Fodder Production at Mechara Research Station, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia, World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 17 (3): 169-176, 2021
[2] Gamachu N. and Wekgari G., (2017). Adaptation Study of Improved Elephant Grasses (Pennisetum purpureum) and Oats (Avena sativa L) at Haro Sabu, Kelem Wollega zone, Ethiopia Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol.7, No.17, 2017
[3] Gemiyo D., Jimma A., and Wolde S. (2017). Biomass Yield and Nutritive Value of Ten Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Accessions at Areka, Southern Ethiopia World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 13 (5): 185-190, 2017
[4] Getiso A, Mijena D (2021). Performance Evaluation of Napier Grass (Penisetum Purpuruem (L.) Schumach) accessions under rain fed and Irrigation System at Wondo Genet. Glob J Ecol 6(1): 028-033. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/gje.0000141
[5] Getiso A, Mijena D. (2023). Adaptation and Herbage Yield Performance of Pennisetum purpureum Grass Genotypes in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia, Cross Current Int J Agri Vet Sci, Jul-Aug, 2023; 5(4): 33-42
[6] Hidosa D, Zeleke B. and Nahom F. (2022). Evaluation of Elephant (Pennisetum Perpureum) Grass Variety for Agronomic Parameters and Biomass Yields under Rain Fed Condition to Improve Feed Availability in South Omo, Southwestern Ethiopia. J Vet Med Animal Sci. 2022; 5(1): 1107
[7] Hidosa D. and Kibiret S., (2020). Evaluation of Pennisetum perpureum grass variety to improve feed availability in South Omo. Trends Applied Sci. Res., 15: 193-200
[8] Jabessa T., Bekele K., Tesfaye G., and Amare Z. (2022). Evaluation of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum L) Accessions for Their Agronomic Performances in Lowland Areas of Guji Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. American Journal of Biological and Environmental Statistics. Vol. 8, No. 1, 2022, pp. 31-35. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbes.20220801.14
[9] Kebede G., Feyissa F. , Assefa G. , Alemayehu M. , Mengistu A. , Kehaliew A. , Melese K. , Mengistu S., Estifanos Tadesse E. , Shewangizaw Wolde s. and Abera M.(2016) . Evaluation of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach) Accessions for Agronomic Traits under Different Environmental Conditions of Ethiopia, International Journal of Advanced Research (2016), Volume 4, Issue 4, 1029-1035
[10] Kebede G., Feyissa F. , Assefa G. , Alemayehu M. , Mengistu A. , Kehaliew A. , Melese K. , Mengistu S., Estifanos Tadesse E. , Shewangizaw Wolde s. and Abera M. (2017). Agronomic performance, dry matter yield stability and herbage quality of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach) accessions in different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research Vol. 5(4), pp. 49-65,
[11] Kebede G., Feyissa F., Assefa G., Mengistu A., Minta M. and T/Tsadik T. (2016). Agronomic Performance and Nutritive Values Of Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum (L.) Schumach) Accessions In The Central Highland Of Ethiopia, International Journal of Development Research Vol. 06, Issue, 07, pp.8717-8726, July, 2016
[12] Onjai-uea, N.; Paengkoum, S.; Taethaisong, N.; Thongpea, S.; Sinpru, B.; Surakhunthod, J.; Meethip, W.; Purba, RAP.; and Paengkoum, P. (2023).Effect of Cultivar, Plant Spacing and Harvesting Age on Yield, Characteristics, Chemical Composition, and Anthocyanin Composition of Purple Napier Grass. Animals 2023, 13, 10. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ani13010010
[13] Pipat Lounglawan , Wassana Lounglawan and Wisitiporn Suksombat (2014). Effect of Cutting Interval and Cutting Height on Yield and Chemical Composition of King Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum x Pennisetum americanum) APCBEE Procedia 8 ( 2014 ) 27 – 31 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
[14] Sarker, NR., Habib, MA., Yeasmin, D., Tabassum, F. and Mohammed, RA. (2021) Studies on Biomass Yield, Morphological Characteristics and Nutritive Quality of Napier Cultivars under Two Different Geo-Topographic Conditions of Bangladesh. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 12, 914-925. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2021.126061
[15] Tesfaye M. (2018). Evaluation of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach) accessions for agronomic traits under acidic soil conditions of Nejo Area, Ethiopia. Inter J Agri Biosci, 7(1): 30-35. www.ijagbio.com (©2018 IJAB. All rights reserved)
[16] Tessema Z, Alemayehu M (2010). Management of Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum (L.) Schumach) for High Yield and Nutritional Quality in Ethiopia: A Review. Eth. J. Anim. Prod. 10(1):73-94. ©Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP) EJAP ISSN: 1607-3835, Volume 10, Number 1, 2010
[17] Tulu T., Diribsa M., and Temesgen W.(2021). Dry matter yields and quality parameters of ten Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) genotypes at three locations in western Oromia, Ethiopia, Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales (2021) Vol. 9(1):43–51
[18] Kabirizi, J.; Muyekho, F.; Mulaa, M; Msangi, R.; Pallangyo, B.; Kawube, G.; Zziwa, E.; Mugerwa, S.; Ajanga,S.; Lukwago, G.; Wamalwa N.I. E; Kariuki, I.; Mwesigwa, R.; NannyeenyaNtege, W.; Atuhairwe, A.; Awalla, J.; Namazzi, C. and Nampijja, Z.( 2015). Napier grass feed resource: production, constraints and implications for smallholder farmers in Eastern and Central Africa. ISBN: 978-9970-9269-1-6
[19] Yibarek T., Kibret K. and Beyene S. (2017). Physical Land Suitability Evaluation for Irrigation in the Lower Alwero River Area of Abobo, Western Ethiopia. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry. Vol. 5, No. 3, 2017, pp. 60-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20170503.14
[20] Mengistu A, Kebede G, Assefa G, Feyissa F (2016). Improved forage crops production strategies in Ethiopia: A review. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 4(6): 285-296
[21] Alvarez Aranguiz, A., and Creemers J., (2019). Quick Scan of Ethiopia’s Forage Sub-Sector, Working paper, Wageningen, Wageningen UR-Livestock Research.
[22] Tekalign, E. (2014). Forage seed systems in Ethiopia: A scoping study. ILRI Project Report. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
[23] Shapiro, BI, Gebru, G., Desta, S., Negassa, A., Nigussie, K., Aboset G. and Mechale. H. (2017). Ethiopia livestock sector analysis. ILRI Project Report. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
[24] Yimer E. and Kidane T. (2015). Workshop preceding on Forage and Forage-Seed Industry Development for Improved Livestock Production and Productivity, 30 November 2015, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
[25] Fekede F., Gezahegn K. and Getnet A. (2018). Integration of Forage Legumes into the Farming System in Ethiopia: A Review of Some Research Results Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Special Issue Vol. 6 No.3 (2018)
[26] Emana MM, Ashenafi M, Getahun A. (2017). Opportunity and Constraints of Livestock Feed Resources in Abol and Lare Districts of Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Nutri Food Sci Int J. 2017; 3(4): 555620. DOI: 10.19080/NFSIJ.2017.03.555620.
[27] Kumar V., (2013). Napier grass (Elephant grass) variety. http://goo.gl/tYvmea
[28] Kesang W., Krishna R., Harilal N., Thukten, Chhoyten D. and Durba M. (2015). Forage growth, yield and quality responses of Napier hybrid grass cultivars to three cutting intervals in the Himalayan foothills, Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales (2015) Volume 3, 142−150 DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)142-150
[29] Muhammad R., (2016). Elephant grass as forage for ruminant animals, livestock research for rural development 28(4)2016