Research Article
Effect of Different Rates of Phosphorus Fertilizer on Yield and Yield Components of Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) at Sidamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Adisu Longale*,
Gobena Tesfaye
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
50-54
Received:
2 July 2025
Accepted:
16 July 2025
Published:
5 August 2025
Abstract: Low soil fertility, particularly phosphorus (P) deficiency, is a primary constraint to faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production in Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of faba bean to varying P fertilizer rates and to identify a rate that optimizes productivity. The study was carried out at the Hawassa University Research Farm, Southern Ethiopia, during the 2020 off-season under irrigated conditions. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed with three replications, using four P application rates (0, 50, 100, and 150kg P ha-1) on the ‘’Hachalu'’ faba bean variety. Data analysis revealed that phosphorus application had a significant (P<0.05) positive effect on all measured parameters. The number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, and grain yield all increased with higher P rates. The highest grain yield (3913kg ha-1) was achieved at the 150kg P ha-1 rate, a significant increase over the control treatment (3666kg ha-1). These results indicate that P is a critical limiting nutrient for faba bean in the study area. While the 150kg P ha-1 rate was biologically optimal in this study, further multi-location trials that include an economic analysis are necessary to formulate a comprehensive fertilizer recommendation for farmers.
Abstract: Low soil fertility, particularly phosphorus (P) deficiency, is a primary constraint to faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production in Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of faba bean to varying P fertilizer rates and to identify a rate that optimizes productivity. The study was carried out at the Hawassa University Research...
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Research Article
Socio-economic Characterization, Identification and Prioritization of Major Constraints and Opportunities in Burka Jiren Community Watershed of Gechi District, South-western Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
63-72
Received:
3 July 2025
Accepted:
14 July 2025
Published:
8 August 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.innov.20250603.13
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Abstract: Watershed management is perceived as a promising strategy to improve production and productivity. Even though numerous programs have targeted watershed management, farmers have been passive participants due to their weak identification of their watershed-related constraints and socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, the activity was intended to characterize, identify, and prioritize the existing constraints and opportunities of the Burka Jiren Community Watershed. A cross-sectional research design with multi-stage sampling was used to select 108 respondents to collect quantitative data, whereas qualitative data were collected from focus group discussions and key informants. Secondary data were collected from available published and unpublished documents. Pairwise matrix ranking and simple descriptive statistics were used. SPSS version 20 was used for data entry and analysis. The descriptive results showed that about 93.5% of the respondents were men, about 54.6% were at primary (1-6) education level, the mean age was 40.6 years, and the mean family and land size were 5.5 members and 1.6 ha, respectively. Pairwise ranking results showed soil erosion, soil fertility, and crop productivity declines were the first, second, and third major prioritized constraints in the watershed, respectively. Based on this finding, different development practitioners should emphasize the socio-economic characteristics and major constraints of smallholder households in the Watershed study.
Abstract: Watershed management is perceived as a promising strategy to improve production and productivity. Even though numerous programs have targeted watershed management, farmers have been passive participants due to their weak identification of their watershed-related constraints and socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, the activity was intended to...
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