High yield in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production requires relatively high nitrogen (N) inputs. However, little information is available on whether the use of rhizobial inoculants for enhanced biological dinitrogen fixation can provide adequate N to support green pod yield. The objectives of this study were to test the use of rhizobia inoculation as an alternative N source for snap bean production under rain fed conditions, and to identify suitable cultivars and appropriate agro-ecology for high pod yield and N2 fixation in Ethiopia. The study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 during the main rainy season at three locations. The treatments were factorial combinations of three N treatments (0 and 100 kg·N·ha −1, and Rhizobium etli (HB 429)) and eight snap bean cultivars. Rhizobial inoculation and applied N increased the total yield of snap bean pod by 18% and 42%, respectively. Cultivar Melkassa 1 was the most suitable for a reduced input production system due to its greatest N2 fixation and high pod yield. The greatest amount of fixed N was found at Debre Zeit location. We concluded that N2 fixation achieved through rhizobial inoculation can support the production of snap bean under rain fed conditions in Ethiopia. OPEN ACCESSAgronomy 2015, 5 292

Sweetpotato plays an important role in ensuring food security and household income sources for local communities in Ethiopia. It is dominantly grown in southern parts of Ethiopia. However, its production and productivity over the last few years has declined due to the limited access of quality planting materials at the onset of the rainy season, disease, and severe pest infestation. Therefore, it was imperative to carry out this study to identify the main constraints related to the recent decline in sweet in Misrak Badawacho District. The survey result revealed that many varieties of sweetpotato were grown in the district; mainly, Awassa‐83, Ogan‐Sagan, and Wolaita‐local were the most preferred variety by producers. The main sweetpotato production and storage constraints in the study district are as follows: rodents, disease and insect pests, heat and drought, shortage of quality planting materials, and absence of best methods for long‐term storage. Ogan‐Sagan and Wolaita‐local were evaluated under different storage types (straw, soil, ash, sawdust, and sand storage). The combination of Awassa‐83 variety and sand storage was performed better in percentage of decay, weight loss, and weevil damage, whereas length and number of vine per storage roots were performed better in the separate treatment. Thus, Awassa‐83 variety and sand storage can be recommended for maintaining the storage roots during dry periods and access of quality vines at the onset of the rainy season. More importantly, sand storage provides an opportunity to maintain the quality of sweetpotato storage roots for a long period of time and producers can easily and timely access quality vines at the onset of rainy season.

Beshir (2020) Effect of liquid bio-slurry and nitrogen rates on soil physico-chemical properties and quality of green bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.

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