EFFECT OF TIED-RIDGE AND MULCHING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD RELATED PARAMETERS OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicol-or (L.) Moench) IN BABILE DISTRICT EAST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract:

Soil moisture stress is one of the major problems that affect the growth and yield of sorghum crops during the main season in arid and semi-arid areas of East Hararghe. In such an area, integrated in-situ water conservation techniques and the application of mulching are very important. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of tied ridge and mulching on sorghum growth, yield, yield-related components, and water use efficiency in Babile District East Ha-rarghe Zone which is highly affected by moisture stress. The field study was conducted using a randomized complete design in which nine treatments consisted of the combination of in situ water conservation techniques (Tied-ridge plus furrow planting, Tied-ridge plus ridge planting and Flatbed plus row planting) and mulching types (Plastic, Straw and No mulch) with three replications constituting 27 plots. The results revealed in different in-situ soil moisture conservation and mulching types were a significant differences.