Evaluation of Faba Bean (Viciafaba L.) Varieties for yield at Gircha Research Center, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

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1 Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 6(6), pp October, 2016 Available online at ISSN Scholarly-Journals Full Length Research Paper Evaluation of Faba Bean (Viciafaba L.) Varieties for yield at Gircha Research Center, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia Degife, A.Z. *1 and Kiya, A.T. 2 1, 2 Department of Plant Sciences, Arba Minch University, P.O. Box 21, Ethiopia Accepted 13 October, 2016 Field experiment was conducted at Chencha woreda, Gircha research center, south Ethiopia with the objectives of evaluating faba bean varieties for yield during the main cropping season of The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In the experiment, ten improved faba bean varieties namely Degaga, Moti, Gebelcho, Hachalu, Gebelcho, Tumsa, Walki, Gora, Dosha, CS-20DK and Obse and two local controls namely Ordebaela and Baela were used to evaluate their performance. Parameters like seed yield (qt/ha), 1000 seed weight in gram, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, plant height (cm) were measured to assess the actual field performances of different faba bean varieties. The data were analyzed by Genstat. The results revealed that there were significant (P < 0.001) variations between the varieties for yield. Higher yield was recorded on Moti, Gora and Wolki varieties while low yield was recorded from Hachalu and Degaga. The lower yield recorded might be associated with strong acidic status of the soil. Heritability of the most traits measured was found to be high, ranging from 0.50 to The heritability of most traits above 0.5 indicating that more than 50% of the phenotypic variation observed for these traits was attributed to genetic factors. There were significantly positive and negative correlations between traits. In this study, it is found that there is % increment of yield for using Moti variety (high yielder) as compared to Baela local variety (low yielder) at the study area. Therefore, farmers located at the study area are recommended to use those varieties to increase faba bean yield. Key words: Faba bean Varieties, Yield, Gircha research center, Chencha Woreda. INTRODUCTION Crop diversification and low input agriculture are major drivers for sustainable agricultural policy. Pulse crops can contribute positively to these two policy goals because, as a result of biological nitrogen fixation, they require minimal inputs while acting as a very effective break crop in a cereal dominated rotation. Pulse crops are also an efficient source of plant-derived protein for food and animal feed. In Ethiopia, three pulse crops (Faba bean, Field pea and fenugreek) occupies an area of 759, hectares with a grain yield of 8.74 million quintals and its *Corresponding author asefadegife@gmail.com. productivity is quintal/ ha across the country (CSA, 2011). Faba bean ( ViciafabaL. 2n= 12), is a legume member belonging to the family Fabaceae. Vicia species are genetically separated from any other species in its family (Hawtin and Hebblethwaite 1983) according to differences in some of the seed characters such as weight, shape and size. Genetic variability of faba bean is quite large. The great variability may be due to the presence of intermediate crossing system between autogamy and allogamy (Hanelt and Mettin 1989). In fact, V. faba is partially pollinated by insects, so the pollinators can carry out both self-pollinations by the tripping process when they trip the flower and out crossing and when

2 Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 170 they visit other plants flowers (Nadal, Suso et al. 2003). Ethiopia is one of the largest producer of faba bean in the world only second to China (Hawtin and Hebblethwaite 1983). The country is considered as the secondary center of diversity and also one of the nine major agro-geographical production regions of faba bean (Telaye, Bejiga et al. 1994). The production is mainly concentrated in the high-altitudes of Ethiopia ranging between altitudes m.a.s.l with annual rainfall ranges from 700 to 1100 mm. and has suitable environmental and soil conditions for highland pulse crops production (Asfaw, 1985). The study area has a total area of 37,360ha land from this faba bean and field pea shares 2731 and 2285 ha of land annually, from these crops faba bean ranks first in pulse crops and considered as the most important pulse crop in the area (Sankura, 2015 and personal communication). Faba bean serves as a daily food and as cash crop in many parts of the country (Hawtin and Hebblethwaite, 1983). This crop is a multipurpose crop. It is vital for soil fertility, human nutrition, animal feeding and industry purposes. The pulses production and productivity is constrained by several biotic and abiotic stresses, of which lack of improved varieties, shortage of certified seeds, diseases such as rust, powdery mildew and root rot, insect pests such as aphids and low soil fertility are the major ones and becoming a major challenge to food security. In addition to this, its production in Ethiopia is limited and fails to face the increasing local consumption of seeds due to gradual decreases in its average yield. So, increasing crop production is the major target of the national agriculture policy and can be achieved growing high yielding and stable cultivars under favorable environmental conditions. In Ethiopia, the productivity of faba bean is far below its potential due to the aforementioned factors (Mussaet al., 2008). Winch (2006) reported that, the productivity of faba bean in Ethiopia is quite lower (15.2 qt/ha) (CSA, 2011), as compared to in UK, which is about 30 qt/ha). In Ethiopia, there are about 29 improved faba bean varieties which are adapted to different agro-ecology and have different disease reaction (Crop variety register issue No.17, 2014). Farmers in the Ethiopia commonly used to cultivate local varieties (Thijssen et al., 2008). Therefore, growing of high yielding varieties of faba bean is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the crop and food security. This can be achieved by continuous highland pulse research to develop high yielding, pest resistance/tolerant, excellent in other agronomic traits, high quality, and widely adapted varieties that suit different cropping systems and farming conditions. Moreover, adequate seeds of released varieties should be made available to small scale farmers and commercial producers. The principal aim of variety trial research on highland pulses is generally to contribute to the general development policy of the nation by increasing production, productivity and thereby increasing income- generation capacity for the farmer through testing highyielding and stable varieties with disease resistance. Agricultural experts in the study area raised many problems in their extension system with the farmer associated with the production and productivity of faba bean. Among this lack of improved varieties, introduction of new varieties to the locality without conducting variety trial by only considering similar agro-ecological conditions and there are also insect pests interfering with the growth performance of this crop. Therefore, this study is designed with the following objectives: To evaluate the performance different genotypes of faba bean for yield To recommend promising genotypes for further study with important agronomic practices in faba bean production MATERIALS AND METHODS Description of the study area The study was conducted at Gircha research Center which is located approximately 5km away from Chencha woreda. Chencha woreda is found in the Gamo Gofa administrative zone of the SNNPR of Ethiopia. The Woreda encompasses 45rural and 5 city administrative kebeles and with an altitude ranging between masl. It has two agro-eciological zones: Dega ( masl) covering about 82% of the total area and Woinadega ( m.a.s.l) encompassing 18% of the total area with total area coverage of 37,360ha. The mean annual temperature and rainfall of the study areas are c and mm/annum, respectively. The altitude of Gircha research is ranges up to 3007m.a.s.l.The soil condition is characterized as 60, 30, 6 and 4% brown, black, grey and black in color, respectively and the topography of the Woreda is described as 65, 17, 13 and 3% mountainous, steeply, valley and flat, respectively (Sankura, 2015 and personal communication). There are no histories of crop produced recently. Plant material and Planting Faba bean cultivars namely Degaga (R ), Gora (EK ), Dosha (COLL 155/00-3), Gebelcho (EH ), Hachalu (EH ), Walki (EH ), Moti (EH ), CS-20DK, Tumsa (EH ), and Obse (EH ) and local checks namely Baela and Orde Baela were used in the trial. The seeds of the cultivars were collected from Legumes research coordinating center (Kulumsa and Holeta Agricultural research centers) in Ethiopia. Recommended fertilizer

3 Agbo et al. 171 Table 1: Mean values of selected soil chemical properties of surface soil (0-20 cm). Soil properties Mean Value ph 5.1 OC (%) 3.3 EC (ds/m) 0.05 AvP (P 2O 5) (mg/kg) 37.9 Available K (meq/100g soil) 0.13 CEC (meq/100g soil) 20.3 Ex Al (meq/100 g soil) 1.75 *OC = Organic carbon; EC = Electrical conductivity; AvP = Available phosphorous; CEC = Cation exchange capacity; Ex Al = Exchangeable aluminum rate was added. Even though, the crop is nitrogen fixer in nature, recommended dose of nitrogen source fertilizer (Urea) was added to initiate nodulation process. Planting was done using seeds of faba bean at recommended rate per kilogram (kg) of seeds, in hills (2 seeds /hill) to guarantee the germination of the seeds on the two sides of the ridges. Thinning was practiced after 21 days from sowing to secure one plants/hill. The other recommended cultural practices for growing faba bean were followed like weed control, insect and disease control, watering and others. Experimental design Ten faba bean cultivars advanced from pre varietal trial will be tested along with two standard checks (local varieties) for one cropping season of June 2015 to Dec Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replication was used in the location. Soil physico- chemical properties the study area like PH, organic carbon (OC), Electric conductivity (EC), Available Phosphrous (AvP), Available Potasium (AvK), Exchangeable aluminum, cation exchange capacity (CEC) were studied at JIJE laboglass analytical laboratory. The plots consisted of five rows of four meter length with inter- and intra-row spacing of 15 cm and 60 cm, respectively. Plot size was arranged at 4m (length) x2m (width). The total area of this experiment was around 907.2m 2. The experimental field was managed as per the standard field plot techniques and standard agronomic practice. Data collection At harvest time, the parameters like seed yield (kg/m 2 ), 1000 seed weight in gram, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, plant height (cm) in different interval were measured on 5 representative sample plants to assess the actual field performances of different faba bean cultivars. Data analysis Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted by statistical software (Gene Stat. 15 th edition). Mean separation was done by Fisher s LSD test at 5% level of significance. The coefficient of variation was calculated by using Burton (1952). Broad sense heritability (h 2 = S 2 g/s 2 p or h 2 = S 2 g/s 2 g+s 2 e ) where; h 2 = heritability, S 2 g = variance due to genotype, S 2 p = variance due to phenotype = the sum of variance due to genotype and the experimental variance was calculated according to (Johnson, Robinson et al. 1955). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Physico-Chemical characteristics of soil The ratings of soil ph suggested by Murphy (1968) for Ethiopian soils are < 5 as very strongly acidic, 5.1 to 5.5 as strongly acidic, 5.6 to 6.0 as moderately acidic, 6.1 to 6.5 as slightly acidic, 6.6 to 7.3 as neutral, 7.4 to 7.8 as slightly alkaline, 7.9 to 8.4 as moderately alkaline, 8.5 to 9.0 as strongly alkaline and > 9 as very strongly alkaline ph status. Based on these ratings, the ph values of soil of the study area are qualified for strongly acidic soil reaction (Table 1). Aluminum toxicity is expected in the study area. Nair and Chamuah (1993) reported that excess concentration of Al 3+ is observed at ph below 5.5. The results of this study indicated that the ph of the soils in the study area is below 5.5 indicating that the basic cations had been leached from the exchange site being replaced by Al 3+ ions present in the soil solution in high concentration. Therefore, the soil of the study area requires lime amendments for crop production. Following CEC values of the soil suggested by Landon (1991); CEC of < 5 cmol (+) kg -1 is very low, 5 to 15 cmol (+) kg -1 is low, 15 to 25 cmol (+) kg -1 is medium, 25 to 40 cmol (+) kg -1 is high and > 40 cmol (+) kg -1 is very high CEC. The CEC values of the soils of the study area are qualified for medium soil CEC condition (Table 1). Average organic carbon (OC) per cent of soil was 3.3 which was high according to soil rating by Tekalign (1991). Soil ratings are OC < 0.5% as very low, 0.5 to 1.5% as low, 1.5 to 3% as medium and > 3% as high, respectively. According to Landon (1991) available soil P

4 Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 172 Table 2: Test methods for parameters analyzed. S/N Parameters Test methods 1 ph Water 1:2.5 FAO - Potentiometric Water extract. 2 Available Phosphorous (Av.P) FAO-Bray II 3 Electrical Conductivity ( EC) FAO - Conductivity Water extract 4 Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) FAO - Sodium equivalent by flame photometer 5 Exchangeable Aluminum FAO-Volumetric-On Kcl extract 6 Organic Carbon (OC) Modified ES ISO 14235: Available Potassium FAO-Ammonium Acetate Extract-Flame Photometry Tables 3: Mean values of parameters measured Cultivar Mean of plant ht Number of pod/plt Number of seed/pod 1000seed wt. Yield (qt/ha Baela 27.53c 1.667bc 6.08b 0.42b 8.033bc CS-20Dk 26.3c 2.067b 8b 0.51ab 6.887c Degaga 29.6c 2.333b 9.33b 0.59ab 6.91c Dosha 35.9bc 3ab 13.67ab a 8.74b Gebelcho 46.27a 3.333a 11.67ab a 9.457a Gora 46.6a 4.5a 18a a 10.08a Hachalu 37.53b 2.533b 10.67b ab 6.76c Moti 45.33a 3.667a 16a a a Obse 32.57bc 2.933ab 12.33ab a 8.713b OrdeBaela 45.87a 3.333a 15a 0.96a 9.733a Tumsa 44.6a 2.667b 12.33ab a 7.744b Walki 44.37a 2.017b 8.33b ab 9.993a S.e.d L.S.D (5%) CV (%) P-value < <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Means with the same letter at the same column are not significantly differentat (LSD-value = 0.05). of < 5 mg kg -1 is rated as low, 5-15 mg kg -1 as medium and > 15 mg kg -1 as high, respectively. Based on these ratings, the soil of the study area is qualified for high available soil P (Table 1). The soil of the study area is also free of salinity as indicated by the result of EC values. Growth and yield related traits Faba bean varieties had a significant ( P < 0.001) effect on plant height ( Table 3 and Fig. 1A). The tallest plants were measured from Gora and Geblcho with 46.6 and 46.27cm tall, respectively. This result was disagreed with the result of Ashenafi M. and Mekuria W. (2015). They reported that Geblecho had shortest plant height at Sina and Agarfa site, Ethiopia. On the other hand, shortest plant heights were recorded from CS-20DK and local Baela varieties with a height of 26.3 and 27.53cm, respectively. Thus, CS-20DK and local Baela varieties can be considered as dwarf varieties. Talal and Munqez (2013) reported that plant height was significantly affected by faba bean accessions. This is also in harmony with the findings of Della ( 1988) which stated that Faba bean genotypes showed significantly different in plant height of under rain fed conditions. Number of dry pods per plant was significantly ( P = 0.003) affected by all tested varieties (Table 3 and Fig. 1 B). Gora, Moti and Geblecho ranked first to 3 rd for number of pod per plant (4.5, 3.67 and 3.33). The result for Gebelcho was in line with the work of Ashenafi and Mekuria (2015) who reported that this variety had a higher number of pods per plant followed by variety Degaga at Agarfa experimental site. However, Tafereet al. (2012) Gebelcho and Moti varieties had the smallest number of pods per plant, which disagreed with our result. Whereas Walki from improved varieties and Baela from local check produced lowest number of pods per plant. Faba bean genotypes significantly varied in production of pods per plant ( Hassan and Ishaq, 1972; Pilbeamet al., 1992). The analysis of variance revealed that there were significant ( P < 0.001) differences among faba bean varieties in yield of dry seed ( Table 3 and Fig.1E). The total grain yield recorded in the study was lower than the national average yield of faba bean; which could be due to strong acidic potential of the soil in the study area. In this study, Moti (10.28qt/ha) and Gora (10.08qt/ha) produced dry seed yield, which is the highest yield

5 Agbo et al. 173 Figure 1 a,b,c: Effects of varieties on yield and yield components of faba bean varieties. recorded. However, Degaga and CS-20DK produced lowest yield with 6.91 and 6.887qt/ha, respectively. Following Gora and Moti varieties higher yield was obtained from Walki, Ordebaela and Geblecho varieties

6 Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 174 Figure 1 d,e: Effects of varieties on yield and yield components of faba bean varieties with average seed yield of 9.99, 9.73 and 9.45 qt/ha, respectively. Seed yield obtained from Walki was in line with the result reported by Ashenafi and Mekuria (2015) at Sinana district even if there were differences in yield obtained per hectare. However, Moti produced lowest grain yield in their study at this district. The report of ICARDA (2008) showed that shifting from traditional varieties to improved ones can bring an increment in yield of 18% in Egypt, 8% in Sudan and 42% in Ethiopia as reviewed by Ashenafi and Mekuria (2015). In current study, we found that there is % increment of yield for using Moti variety (high yielder) as compared to Baela local variety (low yielder) at the study area. There were significant variations in the values of 1000 seed weight shown by the faba bean varieties, indicating that the genetic variations among varieties. Of all tested varieties, Orde Baela (0.969kg) produced heaviest seed weight followed by Moti (0.93kg), Gora (0.77kg) and Gebelcho (0.75kg) while, Baela resulted the lowest 1000 seed weight followed by CS-20DK, Walki, Hachalu and Degaga (Table 3 and Fig. 1D). This result indicated that Orde Baela local, Moti, Gora and Geblecho varieties are large seeded while Baela local, CS-20DK, Walki, Hachalu, and Degaga are small seeded. Hachalu was small seeded variety in this study which resulted in reduced seed yield (Table 3). The result was in line with the study of Ashenafi and Mekuria (2015) who reported that Moti and Gebelcho varieties were the higher 100 grain weight while Degaga variety was the smallest grain weight. This result also coincides with the result of (Tamane et al., 2014). The varieties evaluated in the study showed significant (P = 0.003) in number of seeds per pod. Gora had more number of seeds per pod followed by Moti. This had significant and positive

7 Agbo et al. 175 Table 4: Heritability of traits measured. S/N Measured traits Heritability (%) 1 Mean of plant height 85 2 Number of pod/plant 65 3 Number of seed/pod seed weight 97 5 Yield (qt/ha) 78 orrelation with grain yield of faba bean varieties. Heritability of the tested varieties found to be higher in all measured traits. Heritability of the different traits of the faba bean varieties are given in Table 4. The heritability of most traits were above 0.5, indicating that more than 50% of the phenotypic variation observed for these traits was attributed to genetic factors. participation when the experiment was conducted. COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare that they have no competing interests. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Shortage of improved varieties, which are well adapted through trial in the study area to the farmers, was one of the main problems. Ten improved and 2 local check faba bean varieties were evaluated for their yield, yield components at Chencha woreda, Gircha research center, Southern Ethiopia. There were variations between the varieties for most of the parameters measured. The highest seed yield was harvested from Moti variety which was followed by Gora, Walki and Geblecho varieties where as Hachalu and CS-20DK varieties produced lower seed yield as compared to the other varieties. The varieties tested in this study produced lower yield compared to the national average yield of faba bean in Ethiopia, this could be associated with strong acidic status of the soil. Using improved varieties had an advantage of % increment of yield compared to Baela local variety at the study area. Therefore, farmers located at the study area are recommended to use Moti, Gora and Walki varieties to increase faba bean yield. Since this study was conducted in one season, further study is needed to give reliable conclusion and recommendation. AUTHORS CONTRIBUTIONS Both Authors designed the research, developed data collection tools, collected the data, participated in writing the paper, participated in drafting the manuscript and approved the final manuscript. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors want to thank Arba Minch University Research Directorate office for their financial support and Chencha woreda Agricultural office and for their active REFERENCES Ashenafi, M. and Mekuria, W. (2015). Effect of Faba Bean (ViciafabaL.) Varieties on Yield Attributes at Sinana and Agarfa Districts of Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia. Jordan J. Biol. Sci.,8: Central Statistical Agency (CSA) (2011). The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Agricultural Sample Survey Vol. I Report on Area and Production of Major Crops. Central Statistical Agency CSA (2011). Agricultural Sample Survey (2010/11). Report on Area and Production of Major Crops for Private Peasant Holdings, Meher Season. Addis Ababa. Della, A. (1988). Characteristics and variation of Cyprus faba bean germplasm. FABIS Newsletter, 2: Hanelt, P. and Mettin, D. (1989). "Biosystematics of the genus Vicia L.(Leguminosae)." Annual review of ecology and systematics: pp Hawtin, G. and Hebblethwaite, P. (1983). "Background and history of faba bean production." The faba bean: ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dryland Areas). (2008). Impact of improved faba bean technologies in Africa No-2. Johnson, H. W., H. Robinson, et al. (1955). "Estimates of genetic and environmental variability in soybeans." Agronomy J. 47(7): Landon, J.R. Ed., (1991). Booker Tropical Soil Manual: A Handbook for Soil Survey and Agricultural Land Evaluation in the Tropics and Subtropics. Longman Scientific and Technical, Essex, New York, USA. Murphy, H.F. (1968). A report on the fertility status and other data on some soils of Ethiopia, Experiment Station Bulletin No. 44, College of Agriculture Haile Sellassie I University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Mussa, J., Dereje, G. and Gemechu, K. (2008). Procedures o f Faba Bean Improvement through Hybridization.48p. Technical Manual No. 21, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. Nadal, S., M. Suso, et al. (2003). "Management of Vicia faba genetic resources: changes associated to the selfing process in the major, equina and minor groups." Gen. Resources and Crop Evolution. 50(2): Nair, K.M. and Chamuah, G.S., Exchangeable aluminum in soils of Meghlaya and management of Al3+ related productive constraints. Indian J. Soil Sci. 4(1/2): Sankura, (2015). Personal communication at Chencha woreda Agricultural office. Silim and Saxena, M.C. (1992). Study on comparative performance of some faba bean cultivars of contrasting plant type, growth and development in relation to yield. Sillero, J.C., Villegas-Fernandez, A.M., Thomas, J., Rojas-Molina, M.M., Emeran, AA., Fernandez-Aparicio, M. and Rubiales, D. (2010). Faba bean breeding for disease resistance. Field Crop Res. 115: Tafere M, Tadesse D and Yigzaw D., Participatory varietal

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