The study's goal was to evaluate almond cultivars' vegetative growth performance and adaptability under Holetta conditions. The trial was carried out at the Holetta Agricultural Research Center with four almond varieties arranged in RCBD and three times replicated. Ferraduel had the highest tree height of 129.58 cm in the first growing season of 2011, followed by Desmayo (108.75 cm), Ferragnes (96.17 cm), and Marcona (95.56 cm). The Ferraduel variety has the highest recorded height except in 2014 and 2015. Annual growth differed significantly between years, with 2015 recording the most (42.7 cm) and 2013 following closely after (32.8 cm). The cross-sectional area of a tree trunk increased in general as the growth season progressed. In 2011, Marcona had the lowest TCSA (2.04 cm 2 ), whereas Ferragnes (86.58 cm 2 ) had a much lower TCSA in 2016. The exponential canopy stretch was somewhat limited from 2012 to 2013. The growing season 2016 has the most main branches, followed by the growing season 2013, with the values of 3.44 and 3.14, respectively. While the 2014 growing season had the fewest major branches, followed by the 2015 growing season with values of 2.19 and 2.58, respectively. Across all growing seasons, the Desmayo variety exhibited the highest branching height. With increasing tree height, TCSA and canopy stretch grow linearly. It also shows non-linear positive correlations of 0.43 and 0.35 with yearly growth rate and branching height, respectively. Keywords: almond, variety, year, vegetative, TCSA DOI: 10.7176/ALST/91-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2022
Foraging of wild birds on city waste dumps is one of the most popular forms of human–wildlife interactions in the world. The extensive bird-habitat destruction for urban development has restricted wild-bird feeding to city waste-dumps in most communities in Cameroon.
Field experiments were conducted at the Rivers State University Teaching and Research Farm Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, during the 2019 planting season under rainfed condition and complimented by irrigation in two different planting dates to access the genetic variability and heritability in yield and yield components of twenty-five rice varieties. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on eleven yield and yield components. Results from the analysis of variance indicated significant differences (P < 0.01 < 0.05) among the varieties for all parameters except plant height and tiller number in planting date one. Combined analysis of variance across planting dates showed that there was significant variation (P < 0.01) among the rice varieties for all parameters evaluated. The varietal mean performance for phenological parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.05) for all parameters except tiller number in planting date one. Variability evaluation of varieties for yield parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.05) for all parameters evaluated except for 100-grain weight in planting date two. The pooled mean values of the varieties differed significantly (P < 0.05) for all yield parameters evaluated. The highest grain yield per stand was recorded in UPIA 2 with 7.41 g/stand, and was significantly different from FARO 67 with the least (1.70 g/stand). The estimate of variance components showed that phenotypic variance (Vp) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PVC) were higher than their corresponding genotypic variance (Vg) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the parameters studied. Heritability estimates in broad sense were found to be moderate for majority of the parameters, except leaf area (68.12%), panicle number (63.41%), spikelet fertility (50.23%) and grain yield per stand (55.87%) that had high heritability estimates and tiller number (15.93%) which had a low estimate. However, only leaf area, panicle number and grain yield per stand had high heritability estimates which were accompanied by high genetic advance. There was considerable variation among the 25 rice varieties evaluated. UPIA 2 and FARO 44 had the best agronomic performance. However, UPN 324, UPN 228, FARO 61 and 66 could be selected for onward improvement programme. the different units of measurements of genetic advance. It expresses the values of genetic advance as the percentage of the variety mean for each character. Results of GAM showed parameters such as leaf area, panicle number, panicle weight, number of grains per panicle and grain yield per stand with values greater than 20% had high genetic advance. Panicle length and spikelet fertility with values ranging between 11 and 19% had moderate genetic advance, while plant height, days to 50% flowering, tiller number, and 100-grain weight with GAM values less than 10% have low genetic advance.
Livestock are an integral part of agriculture that contribute to 35 to 49% of the agricultural GDP, 37 to 87% of the household incomes, and 15 to 17% of the foreign exchange earnings of the country. There are about 33.02 million heads of sheep and 38.96 million heads of goats’ population in Ethiopia. They are important components of the livestock subsector and are sources of cash income, milk, meat, wool, manure, and saving or risk mitigation during crop failures, property security, monetary saving and investment in addition to many other socioeconomic and cultural functions. Despite their large number, the reproductive, as well as productive traits of small ruminant are affected by several factors including breed, a season of conception, interval between parturitions, age, sex and health and nutritional status of the individual animal. Therefore, this paper is to review of concerned issue on reproductive and productive performances, consequence and constraints of small ruminants in Ethiopia. Keywords: Lambing, Kidding, Productive, Reproductive, Small ruminant. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/90-03 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Government Information Technology Innovativeness defined as notion of openness to new information technology ideas in the government as an aspect of an organizational culture. In adopting the information technology innovativeness, information technology readiness plays a crucial effect. Misunderstood organizational characteristic within information technology innovativeness may generate unrealistic or inaccurate outcomes. Unfortunately, the effect of organizational context is nearly ignored in information technology innovativeness literature. In response, using the Resources based view (RBV) and Diffusion-Innovation-Theory (DIT), this paper argues on the interaction between the influence of organizational characteristic (information technology readiness), so as to explain information technology innovativeness. This proposition could improve understanding the information technology innovativeness and help to resolve inconsistency of findings in the literature. Keywords: Information Technology Readiness; Information Technology Innovativeness, Public Sector DOI: 10.7176/ALST/90-04 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Ultraviolet lamps irradiation has been extensively used in water treatment, surface disinfection, and as a germicidal agent. Yet, activation of some essential reactions in fruits and vegetables occurs at low doses of irradiation, which in turn leads to an improvement of their shelf-life or bioactive compounds. In this study, postharvest effects of ultraviolet irradiation at different wavelengths were investigated on antioxidants properties, nutritional and vitamin D contents of six leafy vegetables. The six vegetables were each subjected to UV-A, B, and C lamps irradiation at wavelengths of 400, 315, and 230 nm respectively in irradiation chambers. The results revealed that ultraviolet irradiation increased the phenolic and flavonoid contents with a better-reducing power ability and antioxidant capacity in tested vegetables. More also, the essential amino acid contents were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased. In UV-A treatment, increased nutritional and antioxidant properties were significant (P ≤ 0.05) in M. oleifera leaf extract. On the other hand, a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in the level of vitamin D2 and D3 synthesis in the leaves of all the vegetables was observed under UV-B treatment. The results revealed that M. oleifera leaf responds more positively to ultraviolet irradiation than other treated vegetables. Therefore, this study shows that postharvest treatments with UV-A and B lamps may be a useful biological strategy for enhancing the antioxidant and nutritional quality of vegetables. Keywords: Antioxidant activity, UV-radiation, Vegetables, Bioactive compounds, Vitamin D. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/88-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2021
Soil acidity coupled with soil nutrient depletion negatively affect the performance and yield of maize in the Amhara National Regional State Ethiopia. This study was carried out at Burie district in one cropping season to determine the effect of integrated use of lime and urea fertilizer rate on yield and yield components of Maize. The treatments include lime (0 and 0.5 t ha -1 ) and nitrogen (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg ha -1 ). The maize variety BH-661 was used as a test crop. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ten treatments replicated three times. Yield and yield components of maize were collected and analyzed. The analysis of variance result revealed that, interaction effect of lime and N fertilizer reduced the tassling period (88 days in the application of 0.5 t ha -1 lime with 100 kg ha -1 N to 85 days in the application of 0.5 t ha -1 lime with 400 kg ha -1 N) and silking period from 91 days to 88 days. Grain yield was highly and positively correlated with AGDB (r=0.996) and HI (r=0.987). But GY was highly and negatively correlated with DT (r=-0.957) and DS (r=-0.925). Grain yield of maize was positively and significantly correlated with yield components. The maximum AUE (3.76%) was recorded from T10 than T7 of (3.16%). Based on economic analysis the optimum rate of lime and N fertilizer was obtained 0.5 t ha -1 lime and 300 kg ha -1 nitrogen fertilizer. So, combined application of 0.5 t ha -1 lime and 300 kg ha -1 Nitrogen is economically reasonable and recommended to the farmers. Keywords : Integrated, Liming, yield, Optimum, Soil acidity DOI: 10.7176/ALST/88-03 Publication date: July 31 st 2021
Understanding the implication of genotype x environment interaction (GEI) structure is an important consideration in plant breeding programs. The phenotype of an individual is determined by both the genotype and the environment, these two effects are not always additive which indicates that genotype x environment interactions (GEI) are present. The presence of genotype x environment interaction contributes to the unreliability 'of crop yield over a wide range of environments. The occurrence of large genotype x environment interaction makes the selection of superior genotypes difficult and inhibits progress from selection. It prevents the full understanding of genetic control of variability. In the absence of GEI, the superior genotype in one environment may be regarded as the superior genotype in all, whereas the presence of the GEI confirms particular genotypes being superior in particular environments. Therefore, it is important to understand the nature of genotype x environment interaction to make testing and selection of genotypes more efficient. A variety of statistical procedures are available to analyze the results of multi-environment trials. Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model which combines the conventional analyses of variance for additive main effects with the principal components analysis (PCA) for the non-additive residuals and Genotypic Main effect plus genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplot are two popular graphical analysis systems for multi-environment trials. Other method like the regression of genotype means on the environment means is also worthwhile. Keywords: Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction, genotype x environment interactions, Stability DOI: 10.7176/ALST/89-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2021
Tomatoes are a high-value crop all over the world, including Ethiopia. Tomato ripening is highly dependent on ethylene action as a climacteric fruit, making this fruit highly perishable in a short period of time. Pre-storage treatments such as CaCl 2 and edible coatings are essential for preserving fruit quality after harvest and extending shelf life. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CaCl 2 and edible coatings on tomato postharvest quality and shelf life. The experiment was set up in the form of a Complete Randomized Design with three replications. The results revealed that both CaCl 2 and edible coatings had a highly significant (p˂0.01) effect on tomato shelf life and quality. Fruits treated with 6% CaCl 2 and coated with aloe Vera gel and beeswax significantly reduced physiological weight loss (PLW), percentage decay, TSS, pH of tomato juice, and ascorbic acid loss during storage, and increased the shelf life of the fruits by 15 days when compared to the control. The combination of treatments (6 percent CaCl 2 with AG and BW coating) resulted in the highest fruit marketability, firmness, and ascorbic acid levels over the storage period. According to the findings of the study, the combination of treatments 6 percent CaCl 2 with aloe Vera gel or bees wax can be recommended for Shanty tomato in terms of shelf life and quality. Keywords: fruit marketability, pre storage, shelf life, tomato, quality DOI: 10.7176/ALST/89-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2021
Striga (witchweed) is one of the most successful parasitic weeds of cereal crops in Africa.It is 'a poor farmer's problem' as there is a near perfect ecological overlap between areas of Striga infestation and where hunger prevails.It is originated in Semien hills of Ethiopia and the Nubian hills of Sudan and later expanded in about 42 African countries.Striga hermonthica, Striga asiatica, Striga gesnerioides, and Striga aspera constitute the greatest economic threat to cereal crops' yield losses.They are obligate root parasites causing growth inhibition and yield losses of 20-100% in maize, rice, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, sugar cane and cowpea.Cultural practices such as long-term rotational cultivation of cereal crops with legume crops unaffected by the parasite is effective in managing the weed.Besides, biological control by use of parasitic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum and Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza) play a role in managing the weed.In addition, chemical control with imidazolinone herbicide, ethylene gas, dicamba and 2,4-D are effective in managing striga in cereal crops in extreme cases.Integrated use of striga resistant crop varieties with water conservation practices, soil fertility amendment and use of parasitic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum and Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza) is effective in control, economically safe, socially acceptable and environmentally friendly than a single control measure.Therefore, the promising integrated striga management practices should be highly promoted.Moreover, host and Striga species specific integrated Striga management should be designed.
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important crop worldwide. It is important in the daily Ethiopian diet. It is widely produced by small farmers and commercial growers throughout the year for local use and export market. No strong study has been conducted to evaluate the suitability of onion cultivation in Biyo Awale district of Diredawa. Hence, the present experiment was conducted to study the performance of improved varieties of onion for their suitability for cultivation in Biyo Awale district of Diredawa. The study was carried out during 20182019 cropping season to test the performance of onion varieties. Five high yielding onion varieties were planted in complete randomized block design experiment with three replications including local check at farmer’s field. The quantitative data on bulb yield, plant height, bulb size and number of leaves of onion varieties were collected. Harvesting was done and weighed when all onion varieties reach maturity (90% tops down). The results revealed that the tested onion varieties differ significantly for leaf length, leaf number, neck diameter, bulb diameter, average bulb weight and bulb yield. Among the varieties Bombay red and Melkam produced higher bulb yield (25.56 and 21.13 t ha) and gave 140.68% and 98.96% yield advantage over local check varieties, respectively. Therefore, Bombay Red and Melkam varieties were recommended to the study area and similar agro-ecology.
World’s natural resource will be pressured by population increment that is to achieve high food production through intensive farming. Bulb crops are among largely produced which are characterized by a shallow root system and underground vertical shoots. They are also cool season crops, and their growth and production are influenced by water, nutrients, radiation and carbon-dioxide. Factors that determine their water use efficiency are tillage, stage of the crop, evapotranspiration, irrigation, soil types and elevated co 2 . Nutrient use efficiency of bulbs also influenced by factors like soil factors, fertilizer factors, plant factors, agronomic consideration, biological consideration and climate factors. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the major consumed nutrients of bulbs. Radiation use efficiency of the bulbs also the key determinant of photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration. Indicators of radiation use efficiency of bulbs are dry matter production, leaf area index and specific leaf area, ground cover, radiation interception and absorption, maintenance respiration of bulbs and dry matter partitioning. Another essential substrate for photosynthesis of bulb crops is co 2 and the main factors that determine co 2 use efficiency of bulbs are temperature and light. So as different studies indicated that for best production of bulb crops water, nutrient, radiation and co 2 use efficiency of them and the respective determinant factors should be considered and optimized. Keywords: Bulb, Water, Nutrients, Radiation, CO 2 DOI: 10.7176/ALST/90-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Water is a scarce resource in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia and is a major limiting factor for crop production. Onion is one of the major economically important vegetable crops grown under irrigation in central rift valley. The field experiment was conducted at Melkasa agricultural research center during the dry season to identify conventional furrow irrigation and irrigation application level with and without mulch that maximizes productivity of onion per unit of water consumed and enhanced onion crop production. The experiment was carried out using RCB design having six treatments with three replications. The FAO’s recommended allowable Manageable depletion level of onion is 100%. In this study 75%, 100% recommended and 125% were tested. The analysis of variance for the result of the study indicated highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences for yield, yield components and WUE’s. The highest yield of 320.7 ton/ha was obtained from the 75% MAD with mulch which was not significantly (P≤0.05) different to the 100% MAD irrigation level. In terms of irrigation and water use efficiency, 75% MAD irrigation level application gave the highest IWUE which was significantly different from all other treatment combinations. Yield and water use efficiency based comparison had shown that there was significant difference between the yield, CWUE, and IWUE obtained in the treatment. Therefore, it can be concluded that increased water saving and associated water productivity through the use of 75% MAD with Conventional furrow irrigation and mulch, can solve problem of water shortage which improve WUE without significant reduction of yield. 75% MAD irrigation level water applied system and mulch appears to be a promising alternative for water conservation and labor saving with negligible trade-off in yield.
Studies on the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers for maize are lacking at Jimma conditions. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of integrated uses of organic with inorganic fertilizers sources on productivity of quality protein maize (QPM) variety BHQPY545 at Kersa, Omonada woreda and Jimma on station, Southwestern Ethiopia during 2016 and 2017 main cropping seasons and one year validation at Omonada woreda. The experiment involved factorial combinations of inorganic and organic fertilizer with negative control, 150 kg ha -1 NPSZnB+140 kg ha -1 urea top dressed, recommended NP 2 O 5 (92/69 kg ha -1 ), 100% compost, 25% compost + 75% recommended NP, 50% compost + 50% recommended NP, 75% compost + 25% recommended NP and 100% compost + 100% recommended NP fertilizer which was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The compost was added based on N equivalency of recommended fertilizer rate. Data on yield and yield components of maize were subjected to ANOVA using SAS version 9.3. The over location and year highest grain yield (8443 kg ha -1 ) and above ground biomass (21.52 t ha -1 ) was obtained from 100% compost + 100% recommended NP fertilizer. Partial budget analysis revealed 100% compost + 100% recommended NP fertilizer realized the maximum net return (39,718 ETB) with marginal rate of return (94%). From farmers decision point and current on farm input availability and technical feasibility and economic analysis, 92/69 kg ha -1 N/P 2 0 5 fertilizer application taken as optimal fertilizer application and recommended for production of BHQPY545 in Jimma area and other similar humid agro-ecologies of southwestern Ethiopia. Keywords : Grain yield, inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, recommended fertilizer rate, soil health. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/88-01 Publication date: July 31 st 2021
Dodders ( Cuscuta spp.) are one of the worst weeds that causes economic damage to economically valued crops. Cuscuta campestris , C. kilimanjari, C. reflexa, C. australis , C. suaveolens , C. hyalina , C. cassytoides , C. epilinum and C. planiflora are the most widespread Cuscuta species globally. Most of them are originated in North America and later distributed to many countries in the world. Coffea spp., Camellia sinensis, Glycine max, Allium cepa and Phaseolus spp. are the major hosts of the weed . Dodders are holoparasites, which lack chlorophyll and derive all their resources from their host and impose serious damage to their hosts. Cultural practices such as planting non-host cereal crops by removing host plants; regular monitoring and removal of new dodder weeds and mixed cropping of host crop with non-host crops is effective in managing the weed. Besides, biological control by use of parasitic fungi ( Alternaria destruens , Fusarium tricinctum, Alternaria alternata , Geotrichum candidum and Alternaria spp and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides ) play a role in managing the weed. In addition, chemical control with pre-emergence herbicides (pronamide, trifluralin and pendimethalin) and post-emergence herbicides (pelargonic acid, imazamox, imazethapyr and paraquat) are effective to control dodders in many crops in extreme cases. Integrated use of herbicidal and mechanical control measures is effective in control, economically safe, socially acceptable and environmentally friendly than a single control measure. Moreover, host specific integrated Cuscuta Spp . management should be designed. Keywords: Cuscuta campestris, Hautoria, Holoparasite, Parasitic weeds, Stem parasite DOI: 10.7176/ALST/87-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2021
Plant virus diseases are serious constraints to the production and productivity of a wide range of crops among which maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) is a serious problem in maize production and productivity. The virus is primarily originated in South America (Peru) and later distributed into many countries of all the continents except Australia and Antarctica. It is transmitted from location to location, and from plant to plant mechanically, through seed, insect vectors, and/or soil. The virus has many host ranges of agricultural crops (Maize, Sorghum, Sugarcane and Finger millet) and wild species (Dinebra retroflexa, Setaria verticillata, Cyperus assimilis, Digitaria ternta and Oplismenus hirtellus). MCMV alone causes 10-15% crop loss and up to 100% loss when it co-infects maize plants with other maize viruses such as maize dwarf mosaic virus, Sugar cane mosaic virus or Wheat streak mosaic virus. No any single disease control measure alone is effective in controlling the MCMV. However, an integrated virus disease management options (the use of disease-resistant crop varieties, proper field sanitation, removal of infection sources, use of virus-free seeds and chemical pesticides to indirectly control insect vectors) play a critical role in controlling the virus. Since the current status of the disease is wide spreading and on increasing trend, intensive MCMV employment, combined with integrated disease management, requires ongoing practice in countries where the virus is prevalent and in those countries that have not yet reported MCMV. Keywords : Integrated management; Insect vector; plant residue; Soil transmission; Zea mays DOI: 10.7176/ALST/87-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2021
Potato was considered as food security crop in Ethiopia because of its high yielding potential, high nutritional quality, short growing period and wider adaptability. In area coverage, it is second widely grown crop next to ‘Enset’ (Ensete ventricosum L.). Its production is affected by many factors. Among these factors, optimum fertilizer application is the main factor degrading the productivity of the crop. Achieving optimum fertilizer application depends on the climate, soil, variety and availability of the water. This review was aimed to access all available fertilizer trials to point out the types of fertilizers soil is deficient in relation to potato crop response and needed additional application during production cycles for boosting yield. Almost all soil of arable lands of Ethiopia was deficient in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur(S). In addition, a larger part of arable land was deficient in N, P, S, and boron (B). Some lands’ soils require addition of either of potassium or Zinc other time both. Potato is requiring both macro and micro elements for high yield and better quality product. It is concluded that, most reviewed sources indicate that there was less recommendation concerning micro and macro elements for potato in the country in relation to the variable ecology of the country owned. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/87-05 Publication date: April 30 th 2021
Nitrogen (N) is the most common limiting nutrient in agricultural systems throughout the world. Crops need sufficient available N to achieve optimum yields and adequate grain-protein content. Consequently, sub-optimal rates of N fertilizers typically cause lower economic benefits for farmers. On the other hand, excessive N fertilizer use may result in environmental problems such as nitrate contamination of groundwater and emission of N 2 O and NO. In spite of the economical environmental importance of good N fertilizer management, the development of an optimum fertilizer recommendation is still a major challenge in most agricultural systems. Nitrogen supplies have a strong influence on the physiological and phonological characteristics of crop as well as on the quality of barley growth, which have the capacity to enhanced yield and production of barley. In order to evaluate the physiological and quality assessment of barley in response to soil fertilization of nitrogen a field trail was carried out having randomized complete block design with four replications and three different treatments of nitrogen allotted to plots at planting and tillering growth stages. Results indicated that maximum leaf area ratio, maximum crop growth rate and maximum dry weight was recorded when the crop was none fertilized with as compared to fertilized nitrogen. Likewise maximum leaf area index was obtained with the non-fertilization of nitrogen. Control practice resulted in high values for all recorded parameters. Thus it is possible to obtain maximum physiological traits as well as vigorous barley through non nitrogen application. Keywords: Barley, leaf area index, leaf area ratio, crop growth rate, Biomass and nitrogen. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/86-01 Publication date: March 31 st 2021
Plant virus diseases result in the loss of billions of dollars annually by limiting plant production quantity and quality in the world. Among different strategies adapted for plant virus disease management, proper diagnosis and detection are the most important and essential strategies for the development of appropriate control measures. The current advanced techniques developed for the detection of plant viruses provided the chance to take practical managemental actions timely. Nowadays one of the most advanced diagnosis methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used extensively for the detection and identification of plant viruses. PCR is the advanced method that allows the specific amplification and hence detection of target DNA sequences from a mixture of nucleic acid extract in which specific amplification of targeted fragments of a single or a few copies of source DNA material is achieved within a few hours. The PCR method copies each piece of DNA fragments through all the cycles that leading to an exponential doubling of copies over time. Several modifications of PCR methods have been developed to boost the effectiveness of the method in diagnostic settings based on their applications. Reverse transcriptase PCR, immunocapture PCR, Multiplex PCR, co-operational PCR, and real-time PCR are the common and widely used types of PCR variants. Keywords : Detection techniques; PCR; Plant virus DOI: 10.7176/ALST/86-02 Publication date: March 31 st 2021
Correlation and path analysis is the most important analysis that provides a better understanding of the magnitude, direction and actual contribution of traits on yield that are very useful in the selection of genotypes from the different genetic populations. Thus, the current study consists of forty-nine tef genotypes were evaluated under with and without lime treated soils in the lat house of Assosa Agricultural Research Centre during 2017 to study the association between yield and yield component; and identify the most influential traits under both soil conditions. At both phenotypic and genotypic levels grain yield was significantly (p < 0.01) and positively correlated with harvest index (r>0.90), yield of primary panicle (r>0.50), panicle weight (r>0.40) and negatively correlated with days to maturity (r<-0.50) under both soil environments and with days to heading (r<-0.30) only under acid soil. This indicates the improvement of these traits would contribute to the higher grain yield of tef. Path coefficient analysis revealed shoot biomass yield and harvest index were the most influential traits that determined grain yield under both soil environments. Therefore, the focus should be given for these traits during the selection of high yielding genotypes of tef. Keywords: correlation, direct effect, grain yield, indirect effect DOI: 10.7176/ALST/86-03 Publication date: March 31 st 2021
