Research Article
Effect of Cultivars, Row Spacing and Seeding Rates on Yield and Yield Components of Alfalfa (Medicagosativa)
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
38-44
Received:
4 June 2025
Accepted:
25 June 2025
Published:
21 July 2025
Abstract: The study was undertaken at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research center (ATARC) with the objectives to evaluate the effect of cultivars, seeding rates and row spacing on yield and yield components of alfalfa. Six alfalfa cultivars (Magna-801, Hunter-river (Check), FG-10-09, Magna-788, FG-09-09 and Alfalfa-Italy), three row spacing (20 cm, 35 cm and 50 cm) and three seeding rates (10, 15 and 20 kg ha1-) were arranged in split-split plot design with three replications. The results indicated that different cultivars influenced significantly the DM yield (P<0.01), leaf to stem ratio (P<0.01) and seed yield (P<0.001) parameters. Comparable DM yield were obtained from FG-10-09, Magna-788, FG-09-09 and Hunter river -(Check) cultivars with values of 1.22, 1.18, 1.09 and 1.08 t/ha respectively. Cultivar FG-09-09 was produced the highest seed yield (21.9 kg ha-1) and it performed well in all other tested parameters. Significantly the highest seed (16.9 kg ha-1) followed by (15.5 kg/ha) were recorded respectively from row spacing of 50 and 35cm. Hence, by considering all agronomic and yield performances, FG-09-09 was selected as best performing cultivar in the study area. Although the highest forage DM yield was produced by the highest seeding rate (20 kg ha-1), since there are no significant differences between seeding rate of 15 kg ha-1 and seeding rate of 20 kg ha-1, it is logical to recommend the intermediate seeding rate (15 kg ha-1) with row spacing of 35cm to be the optimal for alfalfa forage production. Thus, it can be concluded that alfalfa cultivar FG-09-09 with intermediate seeding rate of 15 kg ha-1under row spacing of 35 cm proved to be superior with respect to dry matter yield. However, if the target is for seed production, row spacing of 35cm wide with the lowest (10 kg ha-1) seeding rate should be used under Adami Tulu ecological conditions.
Abstract: The study was undertaken at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research center (ATARC) with the objectives to evaluate the effect of cultivars, seeding rates and row spacing on yield and yield components of alfalfa. Six alfalfa cultivars (Magna-801, Hunter-river (Check), FG-10-09, Magna-788, FG-09-09 and Alfalfa-Italy), three row spacing (20 cm, 35 cm and 50 ...
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Research Article
Seasonal Rainfall Variability and Its Impact on Wheat Crop Production Over North Showa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
45-64
Received:
27 May 2025
Accepted:
18 June 2025
Published:
28 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20251003.12
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Abstract: Rainfall play an important role in crop management and monitoring, as it directly influences planting calendar, irrigation needs, crop growth and yield outcomes. This study was attempted to analyze seasonal rainfall variability and its impact on wheat crop production to understand association of seasonal rainfall characteristics with wheat crop production over North Showa Zone Amhara Region. Both time series station and satellite gridded rainfall data sets were obtained from Ethiopian Meteorology Institute from 1985 to 2021. Wheat crop production for main rainy season (Meher) was obtained from Ethiopian Statistical Service from 2010-2021, collected from household farm association level. Analysis of rainfall data sets was provided with climate data tool (CDT V8), R studio and Microsoft excel and ArcGIS 10.8. Coefficient of variation, precipitation concentration index and Standardized anomaly index (SAI) were applied to analyze long year seasonal and annual rainfall variability. Man-Kendall trend analysis methods were applied for rainfall trend analysis. Correlation coefficient on the other side has been applied to analyze rainfall variability impact on wheat crop production. The findings of this paper indicate irregular variation of spring (Belg) rainfall, moderate to low variation in summer and annual rainfall over the study area. Using correlation and coefficient of determination (R²) analyses, significant spatial variability was observed in the rainfall-crop relationship. Strong positive correlations were found in districts such as Ensaro (r = 0.7, R² = 0.4384) and Tarmaber (r = 0.7, R² = 0.5223), where over 40% and 50% of the variability in wheat production can be attributed to rainfall, respectively. Conversely, weaker correlations were evident in areas like Mojana Wodera (r = 0.5, R² = 0.2049), and Ankober (r = -0.3, R² = 0.097), suggesting that in these districts, rainfall plays a less dominant role in determining crop production, with other factors such as soil fertility and agricultural practices possibly having a greater influence.
Abstract: Rainfall play an important role in crop management and monitoring, as it directly influences planting calendar, irrigation needs, crop growth and yield outcomes. This study was attempted to analyze seasonal rainfall variability and its impact on wheat crop production to understand association of seasonal rainfall characteristics with wheat crop pro...
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,
Dawit Abate,
Lalisa Diriba,
Belete Shenkute,
Fiqadu Nemera,
Nebi Husein
