Achievements of Cassava Agronomy Research in Southern Ethiopia in the Last two Decades

Abstract

The paper describes research results of obtained in the process of generation of appropriate cultural practices, cropping systems and other agronomic studies of cassava in Ethiopia. Based on plant population studies carried out for three consecutive years on major cassava growing areas of SNNPR, plant spacing of 100 cm x 80, 120 cm x 80 and 80 cm x 80 was recommended for Awassa, Amaro kele and Amaro Jijola areas, respectively. The moisture content of cassava roots were invariably higher in varieties Qule, Kele and local in 12th and 15th MAP; But, decreases there after markedly in a linear way. Conversely, viscosity and root yield of the cassava increases significantly (P < 0.05) starting the 12th MAP. Results of intercropping maize and cassava showed that alternate rows (1C:1M) had LER advantage of 71%. Similarly, growing cassava intercropped with haricot bean, cow pea, soy bean and mung bean resulted in LER of 1.82, 1.49. 1.48 and 1.62 compared to sole beans in Amaro area. In one study that investigated planting positions and planting parts, slant and vertical plantings are suitable in Awassa sandy soils compared to horizontal planting. Similarly, this study revealed that planting materials shall be taken from middle and top part of the main stem of cassava compared to its branches. In another study that investigated land preparation methods, it was found that furrow and ridge planting produced comparable results of 48t/ha and 43t/ha compared to 38t/ha produced by flat plantings. Planting date trial carried out for three consecutive seasons elaborated that rainfed cassava planting could be carried out from mid April to early May based on optimum marketable and total tuber yield obtained. Thus, the crop responded very well to crop management practices like plant density, land preparation methods, planting positions, intercropping, etc.and farmers or investors could optimize production by using these recommendations.

AMMI and GGE Biplot Analyses for Mega Environment Identification and Selection of Some High-Yielding Cassava Genotypes for Multiple Environments

“…Mature cassava cuttings, measuring 25-30 cm long, were planted in a single row plot of 7 m long with an interrow spacing of 1 m and intrarow spacing of 1 m (7 m 2 ) on the top of the ridge at an angle of 45 °to the ground surface. All cultural practices were conducted as recommended by Markos et al [33] and farmers' practices in the area. Te middle fve plants within a row were marked and sampled for the root yield data collection.…”

Post-harvest management and associated food losses and by-products of cassava in southern Ethiopia

“…The average yields on researcher managed sites for the varieties (Qulle and Kelle) reported from the southwestern part (Jimma zone) of Ethiopia ranged from 36 to 49 t/ha(Mulualem and Weldemicheal 2013). Various other studies from the region also reported similar yields (on the farm) ranging from 23 t/ha in the Jimma zone(Mulualem 2012) to 20-24 t/ha in the southern region (Tadesse et al 2013; Mulualem and Dagne 2015;Markos et al 2016)…”

“…Inter-cropping was practised by nearly one-third of the farmers, mostly with common beans during the first six months to a year from planting cassava before the canopy developed. In a recent review of the development of cassava agronomy for the last two decades in Ethiopia, Markos et al (2016), highlighted that intercropping with haricot beans resulted in a land equivalent ratio of 1.82, which was the highest among all the other (cowpea, soybean, mung bean) intercrops.…”

“…The practice was very similar to other SSA countries where cassava is planted at the beginning of the rainy season and harvested in the following long dry season when the starch content of the roots is highest (Howeler et al 2013). Markos et al (2016), mentioned that the best time for cassava planting in the major cassava growing areas of Ethiopia would be from March to May. The survey revealed that more than 75% of the crop holders were planting cassava in the first four months of the dry season.…”

Assessment of Cassava Utilization Patterns, Postharvest Handling Practices, and Productivity Influencing Factors in South and Southwest Ethiopia

“…According to Legese and Gobeze [8], some NGOs introduced cassava to some drought prone Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region of the country, including Amaro, Gamu Gofa, Sidama, Wolaita, and Gedeo, primarily to fll the void left by the failure of other crops due to the drought for subsistence farmers. Farmers typically grow cassava in these areas in scattered plots, either alone or intercropped with common beans, maize, taro, and sweet potatoes [9,10].…”