Farmers Participatory Evaluation of Chickpea Varieties in Mirab Badwacho and Damot Fullasa Districts of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Chickpea is one of the grain food legumes contributing an enormous amount of protein to the human diet in Southern Ethiopia. Though a lot of improved varieties were released by research centers farmers depend on low yield and local varieties. Hence, participatory variety selection is one of the methods used to evaluate varieties through involvement of users. Participatory Variety Selection (PVS) were conducted during 2015/2016 in Mirab Badwacho and Damot Fullasa districts of South region, Ethiopia to assess the performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties and to evaluate farmers' selection criteria for chickpea. Six improved varieties with local check were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Significant variation among chickpea varieties were observed for most the agronomic traits collected except for number of pod per plant which was not significant. Concerning location, the majority of the traits were showed significant difference indicating dissimilarity in agro ecologies of the two districts. The study also revealed that in some cases the researchers' selection match with farmers' preferences. However, in general farmers have shown their own way of selecting a variety for their localities. These parameters include earliness, diseases and pest resistance, seed colour, branch number and length and seed size. Hence, including farmers' preferences in a variety selection process is a paramount important. Therefore, based on attentively measured parameters, farmers' favourites and the agro ecologies of the site the varieties Natoli, Dalota and Arerti are selected for the area. The varieties Habru and Ejere should also be given due consideration by farmers for its earlier maturity in the study area.

Effect of P Application Rate and Rhizobium Inoculation on Nodulation, Growth, and Yield Performance of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

“…P 2 O 5 of 160 and 200 kg ha −1 had 5.91 (stem dry matter) and 2.71 t ha −1 (grain) yield, consecutively [126]. Such grain yield was considered high against other countries, such as India, Pakistan, and Ethiopia with mean yield of 0.91, 0.47, and 1.91 t ha −1 , sequentially [152,153].…”

Participatory on Farm Evaluations and Selection of Improved Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Varieties in Four Districts of South Ethiopia

“…To improve the problem, participatory variety selection is the better option to fit the crop bring together of both target environments and user preferences. Participatory varietal selection is being conducted in many crops like chickpea, common bean, Bread wheat and Maize [4][5][6][7][8]. Danial et al [9] reported that farmer's selection criteria vary with environmental conditions, traits of interest, ease of cultural practice, processing, use and marketability of the product, ceremonial and religious values.…”

Evaluation of Chickpea Varieties Growing on Residual Moisture of Vertisols in Southern Ethiopia

“…Chickpea varieties Yelibe and Fetenech showed the lowest (42 and 42) days to flowering and the shortest (96 and 109) days to maturity, respectively; whereas Ararti and Habru showed the highest (140 and 132) days to maturity, respectively. This variation might be due to the genetic variation as reported by Goa et al [14]; Alemu et al [9]; Gonzales and Gonzales [10].…”

“…To fully exploited production potential, the varieties should be productive and match the growing conditions in the country. Several research findings [9][10][11][12][13][14] indicated that chickpea varieties produce significantly different yields at different locations emphasizing the need for their evaluation under various climatic and soil conditions. The participation of small-scale farmers is also limited during improved variety development.…”