Soil fertility decline is one of the factors that result in low productivity of turmeric (<em>Curcuma longa</em>, Zingiberaceae Lindl.,) in Ethiopia. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of N rate and time of application on growth, yield, and quality of turmeric crops in Ethiopia. The trial consisted of five N rates: 0, 46, 69, 92, 115 kg ha⁻¹, and five split application times: full dose at emergence, two times (1/2), three times (1/3), four times (1/4), and five times (1/5) equally split applications, arranged in a split plot design with three replications. Plant heights, tiller number per plant, pseudo-stem girth, mother and finger rhizome numbers and weights, fresh rhizome yield, oleoresin and essential oil contents – all were significantly affected by the interaction effects of N rate and time of application. The three times split application of 115 kg N ha⁻¹ produced higher values of these crop characteristics. This application rate also produced a better yield and quality than did two times of application, the most commonly used practice. Therefore, turmeric producers in southwestern Ethiopia should apply 115 kg N ha⁻¹ in three equally split applications to improve turmeric yield and quality.

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Turmeric is one of the most widely grown spice crop in southwestern part of Ethiopia. However, the yield and quality of this crop is low due to many factors. In 2016/2017 main cropping season, an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen rate and time of application on yield and quality of turmeric at Tepi. The study consists of five nitrogen rates (0, 46, 69, 92, 115 kg ha -1 ) and five split applications time (full dose at emergence, half at emergence + half at lag growth stage, 1/3rd at emergence + 1/3rd at lag growth stage + 1/3 rd at tillering stage, 1/4 th at emergence + 1/4 th at lag growth stage + 1/4 th at tillering stage + 1/4 th at slow growth stage, and 1/5 th at emergence + 1/5 th at lag growth stage + 1/5 th at tillering stage + 1/5 th at slow growth stage + 1/5 th at maturity stage ). A split plot design with three replications was used by assigning nitrogen rate as main plot factor while time of application as sub-plot factor. The result revealed that mother and finger rhizome number, mother and finger rhizome weight, fresh rhizome yield and oleoresin content were significantly affected by the interaction effects of nitrogen rate and time of application. The highest value for the variables measured was recorded at three equal split application of 115 kg N ha -1 (1/3 rd at emergence + 1/3 rd at lag growth stage + 1/3 rd at tillering stage). Three times split application of nitrogen produced more yield and better quality as compared to the two times of application in turmeric; the most commonly known time of nitrogen application in many crops. Therefore, turmeric producer in southwestern Ethiopia should apply 115 kg N ha -1 nitrogen in three times split application to maximize their turmeric yield and quality.

Spices are invaluable crops in Ethiopia and research. Just like coffee, their production started many years ago. Availability of diverse agro ecology allowed the country to cultivate different spices. Lowland (ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, and vanilla) and highland seed spices (black cumin and white cumin, fenugreek, and coriander) were some of the target in research. Appropriate crop management practices, next to varieties are very mandatory to improve productivity and production of spices. Suitable field management recommendations of the released spices varieties have been effected and because of that, productivity and production increased significantly. Spices such as korarima and long pepper are indigenous and special attention is needed to prepare their production packages. Cultural practices such as appropriate planting material preparation, planting time, propagation method, nursery and field management practices (shade/support management, pruning practices, and fertility requirement on some of the spices) have been conducted and important information is available for users. In addition, multiplication and distribution of planting materials has been underway for the released varieties. Also, attention has been given to the multiplication and dissemination of disease-free planting materials of ginger. This review paper summarizes the status of crop management practices, achievements, challenges and future prospects of spices.

Cardamom is mainly growing for its dry capsule used as a flavoring agent for food, beverages, medicinal, and source of income for the smallholder farmers in southwestern Ethiopia. Despite its advantages, the production and productivity of the crop hindered by several factors, for instance, poor agronomic practices, poor crop breeding, and management, from nursery to the main field of production. Therefore, a nursey-based experiment was conducted to identify the appropriate growth media ratios for cardamom seed germination, seedling uniformity, and vigor at Tepi, Southwestern Ethiopia. Gene cardamom variety was evaluated in six different growth media types namely;