Browsing by Author "Diriba Geleti"

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    Agronomic and Nutritional Evaluation of Selected Forage Legumes and Locally Available Feedstuff, and Characterization of Forage and Dairy Innovation Systems in Bako and Nekemte Peri-Urban Areas, Oromia, Ethiopia
    (2014-06) Diriba Geleti; Mekonnen Hailemariam
    The role of forage legumes in enhancing the quality of fibrous feeds has been widely advocated. Their selection and integration into ruminant feeding systems is thus vital. Yield and quality of five accessions each of alfalfa, cowpea and Centrosema were evaluated; the former under Debre Zeit, and the latter two species under Bako conditions. Quality of leguminous forages adapted to Bako was assessed concomitantly with locally used roughages. Systemic problems hindering forage adoption were also pinpointed using value chain and innovation system frameworks in Bako and Nekemte peri-urban areas. In the alfalfa experiment, dry matter yield (DMY) was higher (P<0.05) for FG9-09(F) than in Magna 801-FG(F) whereas the other cultivars (FG10-09(F), Magna-788 and Hairy Peruvian)) had intermediate values between the two. The crude protein (CP) content was higher for Magna-788 (P<0.05) than Hairy Peruvian, while FG10-09(F), FG9-09(F) and Magna801-FG (F) had intermediate values between the two. The in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) did not vary between the accessions (P>0.05). Accordingly, Magna-788, FG9-09(F) and Magna801-FG(F) were suggested for promotion to varietal verification stages. In cowpea, DMY was least for ILRI-11976 (P<0.01) and highest for ILRI-9325. The mean CP was 17%, values ranging from 16% (WWT) to 18% (ILRI-9325), while IVOMD ranged between 64% (ILRI-6783) and 69% (WWT). Overall, WWT, ILRI-9325 and ILRI-11976 were top performers in DMY, CP content and IVOMD. In centrosema, DMY was highest for C. plumeri ILRI-191 and lowest for C. pubescens ILRI-233. The CP content ranged from 18.9% (C. pubescens ILRI-243) to 22.4% (C. virginianum ILRI-14541). The IVOMD ranged from 38.6% (C. pubescens ILRI-233) to 50.7% (C. plumeri ILRI-191). Generally, C. Plumieri ILRI-191, C. Virginianum ILRI-14541 and C. pubescens ILRI-12297 outperformed others in DMY, CP content and IVOMD. In fourth experiment, CP content was highest for “noug” cake xxv (32%), followed by herbaceous (24%) and browse (23%) legumes and least for cereal straws (3%). The IVOMD values were highest for browses (68%) followed by herbaceous legumes (67%) and least for straws (45%). The value chain analysis revealed that the role of improved forages in dairy feeding was not remarkable, with farmers widely depending on purchased feed ingredients. “Noug” cake (92%), pulse grain hulls and mill house scraps (58%) and cereal straws (50%) were indicated to be widely purchased in Nekemte area, while “noug” cake, (88%) and sugar cane tops (75%) were commonly purchased in Bako. The innovation system diagnosis revealed that diverse actors exist but they are poorly interacting. The key problems indicated to hinder forage/feed technology adoption were: informal institutional problems, formal institutional problems, actors’ capability problems and poor interaction problems affecting 81%, 45%, 63% and 45% of the system actors, respectively. Crafting appropriate regulations for enabling feed and peri-urban dairying system were recommended. Promoting dialogue platforms and participatory and collaborative working cultures were also indicated to reinforce inter-actor interactions. Increased public investment to stimulate effective functioning of basic physical infrastructures (electricity, roads and water supply) was also indicated to be pivotal.
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    Agronomic Performance, Nutritional Value, and Simulation of the Impacts of Climate Change on Growth and Yield of four Brachiaria (Trin.) Griseb. (Syn. Urochloa P. Beauv.) Species Under two Locations in Central and Western Ethiopia
    (Addis Abeba University, 2025) Fantahun Dereje; Ashenafi Mengistu; Diriba Geleti; Diriba Diba; Fekede Feyissa
    Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa, yet productivity is limited by chronic feed shortages, largely due to shrinking pasturelands, poor-quality crop residues, and the increasing impacts of climate change. Improved forages like Brachiaria grass offer a promising solution. However, adaptation must prioritize not only biomass yield but also nutritional quality and climate resilience. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance, feeding value, and simulate the growth and yield of Brachiaria species under future climate scenarios in central and western subhumid agroecology of Ethiopia. Four Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) species—B. mutica, B. brizantha, B. decumbens, and B. humidicola— was compared with Rhodes and Desho grasses (2020–2022). Results showed significant effects of species, year, and interactions. B. mutica revealed the highest DM yield, followed by B. brizantha and Desho grass. CP yield showed a similar pattern. The highest CP content was in B. humidicola, followed by B. mutica and B. brizantha, while Desho grass had the lowest. No significant differences were observed in NDF and lignin. Rhodes grass had the highest ADF, while B. humidicola had the highest ash content. IVDMD was highest in B. humidicola and B. brizantha, and lowest in Rhodes grass. B. mutica and B. brizantha emerged as the most promising forages for subhumid areas. In the feeding value trial, Arsi-Bale rams were fed B. mutica hay supplemented with 100, 200, 300, or 400 g/day of concentrate (noug seed cake and wheat bran). Higher supplementation significantly improved DM intake, digestibility, and growth rates. Rams fed 300 g and 400 g showed the highest gains, with no significant difference between them. Carcass traits, including carcass weight, dressing percentage, and rib-eye area improved with increased supplementation. Economic analysis showed that 200–300 g/day supplementation offered the best cost–performance balance. Thus, supplementing B. mutica hay with 300 g/day of concentrate optimizes growth and return, while 200– 300 g/day is recommended for cost-effective feeding. Further research is needed to validate these findings under small-holder farmer conditions. The CROPGRO-PFM simulation model predicts that B. brizantha showed increases in shoot (9%), herbage (11%), and stem (25%) biomass, but a 7% reduction in leaf biomass and CP content. B. humidicola followed a similar trend. In contrast, B. mutica showed projected biomass reductions of up to 34% by the end of the century and a 14–20% drop in CP content. Overall, B. brizantha and B. humidicola appear more resilient to climate change, while B. mutica is more vulnerable. Further research is recommended to refine adaptive strategies, improve crop management, and support sustainable livestock production in Ethiopia.