Pre-Extension Demonstration of Brachiaria Grass Technologies in Midlands of Guji Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/fjsr.v4i9.652Keywords:
Brachiaria Grass, Demonstration, Farmers’ Perception, Midland Guji ZoneAbstract
Improved Brachiaria mutica 6964 (Dzf No 484) and mutica Dzf No 18659 (Dzf No 483) grasses were demonstrated to evaluate their biomass production and assess farmers’ feedback on the farmers’ field. The grass was planted on 100m2 of 14 farmers during 2022/23 and 2023/2024 seasons. Fresh biomass yield, survival rate regeneration and plot cover and plant height were collected by measurement and interview methods. Training and mini-field day were used to promote Brachiaria grass in midlands of Guji zone. The result of demonstration showed that Dzf No 483 has more survival rate 87.29% than Dzf No 484 (81.21%). Dzf No 483 was also generated more fresh biomass (37.29t/ha) than 484 (32.59t/ha). In addition, Dzf No 483 grass has more regeneration, plant height and plot cover than Dzf No 484. However, the result of independent t test showed that there was only mean difference between regeneration and fresh biomass yield of both varieties at 10% and 5% significance level. Farmers mentioned that Brachiaria grass is used for different livestock feeding. In addition, the grass is used for land conservation through mulching and erosion control.
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