A study was conducted at Metahara Sugar Estate in Ethiopia with the objectives to determine the optimum rates of nitrogen and compost for sugarcane production, and the effect of compost on soil chemical properties. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 46, 92, and 138 Kg /ha) and five levels of compost (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ton/ha) were combined in factorial arrangement. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. It was conducted on clay soils (Haplic Cambisols). Soil samples were taken before and after treatment application, and analyzed for pH (1:2.5), ECe, organic carbon, total N, available P, and available K. All the cultural practices were executed as per the estate's practice. Analysis of the soil indicated that except for pH value, all the salient soil properties including ECe, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available P, and available K were slightly increased due to compost application. Analysis of variance indicated that interaction effect between nitrogen and compost was significant (p<0.05) on stalk girth, stalk weight, cane yield, and sugar yield. Highest cane and sugar yields were obtained when 46 Kg N/ha applied with 15 ton of compost/ha. Net benefit to cost ratio was also found to be the highest, 1.12, for this combination. Therefore, 46 Kg N/ha with 15 ton of compost/ha is recommended for clay soils (Haplic Cambisols).

The general objective of this study was to investigate EFL teachers' implementation experiences of communicative language teaching with reference to selected secondary school EFL teachers in East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. To achieve the intended objective, descriptive survey research design with mixed approach was employed. Data was collected through questionnaire, classroom observation, interview and textbook analysis. The teachers were selected through availability sampling technique for questionnaire, and randomly for classroom observation and interview. The quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20 while the qualitative data was analyzed by narrating the information thematically. Accordingly, it was found out that the teachers rarely implemented communicative language teaching in the EFL classrooms. Opportunities were rarely given for learners to communicate in English language. There was very little interaction between the teachers and the students or among the students themselves in English language. Teaching and learning through lecture was the regular teaching activity in the study area. Teaching was seen as writing note on the blackboard, letting students copy the notes, and explaining the notes with examples. Contrary to this, grades 11 and 12 English language textbooks are designed in a way they engage students in communication. Contextual challenges related to students, teachers, university entrance examination wash back and school context affect the implementation of communicative language teaching. Therefore, it is recommended that EFL teachers should get sufficient training to implement communicative language teaching.

Intercropping of short duration crop with sugarcane is a remunerative practices under different irrigation levels. This study was initiated with the objective of determining and evaluating different irrigation depth and intervals under intercropping of sugarcane with soybean on yield and water use efficiency. The experiment was carried out with three depth of (75, 100 and 125% ET) in combination with three irrigation interval of (7, 12 and 16 days) with three replication of randomized complete block design (RCBD). The result revealed that it was noted highly significant difference among treatment on stalk count, tillering, stalk weight and stalk height with a highest value of 116 × 10 3 ha -1 , 126.44 × 10 3 ha -1 , 1.89 kg stalk -1 and 2.87 cm, respectively at 100% ET Irrigation depth with interval of 7 days, 75%ET irrigation depth with 12 days interval, 75%ET with 7 days and 75% ET irrigation depth with 12 days irrigation interval. However no significant difference was observed among treatments on cane yield, sugar quality parameters and sugar yield. It was observed highly significant difference among treatments on biomass, plant population, pod per plant and seed per pod of soybean while no significant difference was noted on weight of 1000 seeds and soybean yield. Based on the result obtained it was concluded that intercropping is good practices in realizing and achieving a sustainable advantage of farming at different irrigation levels. It is recommended to use the treatment received 75% ET of irrigation depth and 12 days of irrigation interval especially when shortage of water supply is occurred. It has a net benefit cost ratio of with the advantage of 86.47% and 83.34% over the control. For further recommendation of the treatment it is better to verify T4 (75% ET with 12 days), T6 (125% ET with 12 days) and T10 (Conventional) irrigation depth and irrigation interval.

A study was conducted at Metahara Sugar Estate in Ethiopia to assess effect of vinasse disposal on sugarcane fields. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five replications. To simulate the amount of vinasse to be disposed, three levels of potassium chloride (0, 340, and 580 kg ha -1 ) were tested on three different soil types (brown clay loam, black non-vertic clay and black vertic clay). Soil analysis result showed that available K in the soil was ranged from 311-547 ppm. Potassium chloride application on cane fields had nonsignificant (P<0.05) effect for cane and sugar yields. Similarly, non-significant (p<0.05) effect was found for juice K2O and leaf nutrient contents (N, P and K%). Therefore, the level of potassium chloride applied at the proposed vinasse disposal rates didn't affect nutrient uptake, yield, and juice quality in the subsequent crop; thus at Metahara Sugar Plantation, sugarcane fields can be used as disposing site for vinasse. However, long-term effect of vinasse to sugarcane crop and dynamics of K in relation to availability and fixation in the soils of the plantation should be further investigated through vinasse application to sugarcane fields.

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