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Research Article
Water Soaking Duration as a Dormancy-Breaking Strategy for Enhancing Germination of Decoated Garcinia kola (Heckel) Seeds
Tchinmegni Felenou I*
,
Djeukam Pougoum Stelle Vartant
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
39-44
Received:
5 April 2026
Accepted:
16 April 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20261103.11
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Abstract: Seed dormancy remains a critical bottleneck in the nursery propagation of Garcinia kola Heckel, a socioeconomically and medicinally important non-timber forest species of West and Central Africa. This study investigated the effect of varying water-soaking durations on dormancy alleviation and germination performance of decoated G. kola seeds under controlled nursery conditions. Freshly collected seeds were decoated and subjected to four pre-germination treatments: no soaking (T1, control), 24-hour soaking (T2), 48-hour soaking (T3), and 72-hour soaking (T4). A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with 10 seeds per tray and five replicates per treatment, sown in sterilized river sand. Germination onset was earliest in T4 (Week 5), followed by T3 (Week 6), T2 (Week 7), and T1 (Week 9). The highest cumulative germination percentage (CGP) was recorded in T4 (80%), compared with T3 (64%), T2 (56%), and T1 (38%). The complete dormancy period (CDP) ranged from 35 days (T4) to 63 days (T1), decreasing significantly with longer soaking duration. These results indicate that G. kola seeds exhibit both seed coat dormancy and chemically-imposed dormancy, and that 72-hour soaking of decoated seeds is an effective, low-cost, and farmer-accessible method for hastening germination onset and improving seedling yield.
Abstract: Seed dormancy remains a critical bottleneck in the nursery propagation of Garcinia kola Heckel, a socioeconomically and medicinally important non-timber forest species of West and Central Africa. This study investigated the effect of varying water-soaking durations on dormancy alleviation and germination performance of decoated G. kola seeds under ...
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Research Article
Evaluation of Improved Head Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var capitata oleraceae L.) Varieties for Head Yield in West Hararghe, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
45-55
Received:
27 April 2026
Accepted:
22 June 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20261103.12
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Abstract: Cabbage (Brassica olearacea var capitata L.) is one of the most important leafy vegetables worldwide and is adapted to cool, moist conditions. This study aimed to identify high-yielding, disease-tolerant and adaptable cabbage varieties suitable for the study areas. Four head cabbage varieties (Chaka, Tana, Cabbice and Copenhagen Market) were evaluated using randomized complete block design with four replications. The experiment was conducted in Chiro, Tulo and Oda bultum districts during 2023 and 2024 cropping season. The results of the combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the presence of highly significant (P<0.01) differences among varieties for all traits studied, except number of expanded true leaves. The mean squares for location were also significant, indicating the influence of environmental factor on the performances of the tested varieties. From the combined analysis of variances, Cabbice variety produced the highest head yield (126. t ha-1, followed by Tana variety (100.38t ha-1). In contrast, the lowest total head yield (92.52 t ha-1) was recorded from Copenhagen Market variety. AMMI analysis showed that the effect of environments, varieties and their interaction effects were highly significant. The stability and yield performance of the varieties were further explained using a GGE bi-plot. Significant variation in head yield among the varieties was observed across different environments. Cabbice variety exhibited wide adaptability and superior yield performance across high yielding environments. Generally, the study indicated that Cabbice variety was recommended for the study areas and other similar ago-ecologies for further demonstration and scaling up.
Abstract: Cabbage (Brassica olearacea var capitata L.) is one of the most important leafy vegetables worldwide and is adapted to cool, moist conditions. This study aimed to identify high-yielding, disease-tolerant and adaptable cabbage varieties suitable for the study areas. Four head cabbage varieties (Chaka, Tana, Cabbice and Copenhagen Market) were evalua...
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Research Article
Fungicide Application Frequency and Wheat Varietal Response to Yellow Rust (Puccinia Striiformis f.sp. tritici) Disease in Western Amhara, Ethiopia
Workineh Fenta*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
56-64
Received:
12 June 2026
Accepted:
2 July 2026
Published:
24 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20261103.13
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Abstract: Wheat is a major staple crop in Ethiopia, but its productivity is severely constrained by yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici), the most economically important wheat disease. A rain-fed field experiment was conducted in 2019 in the mid-highlands of East Gojjam (Goncha Siso Enesie district, Enesie Qole Kebele) to evaluate integrated management options combining fungicide application frequency and varietal resistance. Three bread wheat varieties (Tay, Picaflor, and Kubsa) with differing reactions to yellow rust were tested under four Tilt 250 EC (propiconazole) application frequencies (0, 1, 2, and 3) in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Terminal disease severity was recorded at 18.2% for Tay, 23.0% for Picaflor, and 44.0% for Kubsa under untreated conditions. When fungicides were applied three times at 10?day intervals, the highest percent disease control (PDC) achieved was 59.2% in Tay, 52.9% in Picaflor, and 71.9% in Kubsa. Yield and thousand kernel weight increased significantly (p<0.01) with three applications: up to 40.9% and 27.7% in moderately resistant Tay, 48.3% and 55.2% in moderately susceptible Picaflor, and 41.2% and 70.4% in highly susceptible Kubsa. These results demonstrate that combining host resistance with optimal fungicide frequency effectively manages yellow rust in bread wheat. Further research is needed to deploy eco-friendly management strategies.
Abstract: Wheat is a major staple crop in Ethiopia, but its productivity is severely constrained by yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici), the most economically important wheat disease. A rain-fed field experiment was conducted in 2019 in the mid-highlands of East Gojjam (Goncha Siso Enesie district, Enesie Qole Kebele) to evaluate integrated mana...
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Research Article
Growth and Yield Response of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) Varieties to Applied Rates of NPSZn Fertilizer at Omorate, Southern Ethiopia
Berihanu Sime*,
Daniel Abebe,
Damtew Atnafu,
Hafiz Adem
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
65-73
Received:
21 June 2026
Accepted:
6 July 2026
Published:
24 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20261103.14
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Abstract: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a key cereal crop in the arid and semi-arid lowlands of Ethiopia, where it contributes significantly to food security, livestock feed, and household income. However, its productivity remains low due to declining soil fertility, limited use of improved varieties, and inadequate fertilizer management. A field experiment was conducted during the 2023/24 main cropping season in Dassenech district, Southern Ethiopia, to evaluate the growth and yield performance of sorghum varieties under different rates of NPSZn blended fertilizer and to determine the optimum fertilizer rate for the study area. The experiment consisted of five sorghum varieties (Dhekeba, ESH-4, ESH-5, Melkam, and a local check) and four NPSZn fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha⁻1) arranged in a factorial combination using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on phenology, growth, yield, and yield components were analyzed using SAS software. The results indicated that both main and interaction effects of variety and fertilizer rate significantly (P < 0.05) influenced most measured parameters, including days to flowering, maturity, plant height, panicle length, grain yield, straw yield, and biomass yield. The Melkam variety consistently outperformed other varieties, producing the highest grain yield (4.28 t ha⁻1), while the local check yielded the least (2.74 t ha⁻1). Grain yield increased with increasing fertilizer rates, with the highest mean yield recorded at 150 kg NPSZn ha⁻1, although yields at 100 and 150 kg ha⁻1 were statistically comparable. The highest combined yield (4.97 t ha⁻1) was obtained from Melkam fertilized with 150 kg NPSZn ha⁻1. Based on agronomic performance and economic considerations, Melkam variety with 100 kg NPSZn ha⁻1 is recommended for sorghum production in the study area. Further multi-location and multi-season studies are recommended to confirm the findings.
Abstract: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a key cereal crop in the arid and semi-arid lowlands of Ethiopia, where it contributes significantly to food security, livestock feed, and household income. However, its productivity remains low due to declining soil fertility, limited use of improved varieties, and inadequate fertilizer management. A field ...
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