Onion is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. A survey was conducted during the off-season of 2011 to document nutrient management and post-harvest handling practices in onion production in four districts (Adama, Merti, Dugda Bora and Adamitulu-Jiddokombolcha) in the region. Data were collected from 128 farmers using a standard questionnaire and focus group discussions. The results revealed that all of the sampled smallholder onion growing farmers used Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea whilst only 10.9% and 5.5% used farmyard manure (FYM) and compost, respectively. The growers on average used 298.8 kg ha-1 Urea and 299.21 kg DAP ha-1. Only small amounts of farmyard manure (1.71 t ha-1) and compost (1.56 t ha-1) were applied by the onion growers. The data also showed that farmers did not practise curing and storing of onion bulbs, and sold the produce on the field during harvest at farm-gate prices. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that farmers in the region produce onions with application of higher rates of inorganic mineral NP fertilizers than the rates commonly recommended by the research system. The results also showed that the farmers did not subject harvested onion bulbs to any post-harvest management practices for enhancing shelf-life and marketability of the crop.
| Published in | Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 2, Issue 5) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12 |
| Page(s) | 184-195 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2013. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Inorganic Fertilizers, Farmyard Manure, Organic Fertilizer, Soil Fertility Management
| [1] | T.C. Ketter and W. M. Randle. Pungency Assessment in Onions. In: S. J. Karcher (Eds.). Tested studies for laboratory teaching. Proceedings of the 19th Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), Volume 19. 1998. |
| [2] | D. Lemma and A. Shemelis. Onion: Research results and experiences in dry bulb and seed production in Ethiopia. Vegetable crops improvement research, EARO, Melkassa Agricultural Research Centre. 39p. 2003. |
| [3] | M. Fekadu and G.Dandena. Review of the status of vegetable crops production and marketing in Ethiopia. Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences 12(2): 26-30. 2006. |
| [4] | F. Joosten, D. Boselie, W. Bekele and D. Lemma. Exporting fruit and vegetables from Ethiopia: Assessment of the development potentials and investment options in the export-oriented fruit and vegetable sector. Ethiopia-Netherlands horticulture partnership programme, a study commissioned by Ethiopian Horticultural Development Agency and Ethiopian Horticultural Producers’ and Exporters’ Association. pp51. 2011. |
| [5] | H. Jansen, H. Hengsdijk, L. Dagnachew, A. Tenalem, P. Hellegers and P. Spliethoff. Land and water resources assesement in the Ethiopian central Rift valley. Project: ecosystems for water, food and economic development in the Ethiopian central rift-valley. Alterra-rapport 1587, Alterra, Wageningen. 2007. |
| [6] | CSA (Central Statistical Authority). Ethiopia Agricultural, Sample Enumeration of ETFRUIT. Annual Report. 983/84-1997/98, 2002. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. |
| [7] | MOWR (Ministry of Water Resources). Awash River Basin Flood Control and Watershed Management Study Project, Phase-2 Summary Report, Vol-2 Annex-B, 2007. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. |
| [8] | CSA (Central Statistical Authority). Report on area and production of Private peasant holdings. Statistical Bulletin. Volume 4. 2010. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. |
| [9] | FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations), 2010. FAOSTAT data, 2010. www.FAO.org. |
| [10] | F. Tadesse. Post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables in horticultural state farms. Acta Hort. 270:261-270. 1991. |
| [11] | AVRDC (Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre). Global Horticulture Assessment. University of California Davis, 2005. 144 p. http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs /PNADH769.pdf |
| [12] | M. Choudhury. Recent Developments in Reducing Postharvest Losses in the Asia-Pacific Region. In: Rosa, S.R.(Eds.). Postharvest Management of Fruit and Vegetables in the Asia-Pacific Region. Reports of the APO seminar on Reduction of Postharvest Losses of Fruit and Vegetables held in India, 5–11 October 2004. Asian Productivity Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. pp.15-22. 2006 |
| [13] | G. Peter, F. Graham and J.E. Orchard. Crop Post-Harvest: Science and Technology Volume 1: Principles and Practice. Blackwell Science Ltd, a Blackwell Publishing Company. Pp577. 2002 |
| [14] | E. Ouedrago, A. Mando and N.P. Zombre. Use of compost to improve properties and crop productivity under low input agricultural system in West Africa. Agriculture ecosystem and environment 84:259-266. 2001. |
| [15] | C.S. Pathak, L.L. Ko, S.S. Black, S.J. Cherng and T.C. Wang. Genetic improvement of onion for the Tropics. Onion news letter for the tropics. 1996. 7: 12-15. |
| [16] | I.R Gubb and M.S.H. Tavis. Onion preharvest and postharvest considerations. In: H.D. Rabinowitch, and L. Currah (Eds.). Allium Crop Science. CABI publishing, UK. 2002. pp. 237-250. |
| [17] | M.J. Markin, T.J. Kingham, A.E. Waddams, C.J. Brichall and T. Tamene. Development prospects in the Southern Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Volume 2. Land Resource Division, Land Resource Study 21. 1975. Ministry of Overseas Development, Tolworth Tower, Surbiton, Surrey, England. |
| [18] | F. Itanna. Sulphur distribution in five Ethiopian Rift Valley soils under Humid and Semi- Arid Climate. J. Arid Environ. (Article in Press). 2005.www.elsvier.com/locate/ jnlabr/yjare, pp16. |
| [19] | J. Moti. Interlocked markets and intensity of input use in vegetable production: A case around Lake Ziway, Oromiya region, Ethiopia. 2002. MSc. Thesis, Wageningen University, Neitherlands |
| [20] | Gebremeskel Gebretsadik, Getachew Animut and Frew Tegegne. Assessment of the Potential of Cactus pear(Opuntia ficus indica) as livestock feed in Northern Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural development, 25(02), 2013. |
| [21] | A. Tadesse. Farmers’ evaluation and adoption of improved onion production package in fogera district, south Gondar, Ethiopia. 2008. MSc Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia. |
| [22] | T. Emile, T.H. Ntangmo, T. Njine, M.A. Serve. Vegetable Production Systems of Swamp Zone in Urban Environment in West Cameroon: Case of Dschang City. Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology 2:2: 83-92. 2012. |
| [23] | K. Agyarko and W.J. Adomako. Survey of the use of organic manure among vegetable farmers in selected districts in Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 9(4):1-15. 2007 |
| [24] | M. E. Madisa, Y. Assefa and M.Obopile. Assessment of Production Constraints, Crop and Pest Management Practices in Peri-Urban Vegetable Farms of Botswana. Egypt. Acad. J. biolog. Sci., 1(1): 1 – 11. 2010 |
| [25] | T. Agajie, D. Mesfin, K. Getu, K. Aemiro, A. Leyusew and M. Takele. Socio-Economic Assessment of Production and Utilization of Crop Residues in the Central Highlands. Efficient use of Crop Residues: Animal Feed Vs Conservation Agriculture. Research Project. Research Report 93, EIAR, Addis Ababa. 2011. pp.20-21 |
| [26] | B. Dereje, A. Girma, G. Abdissa and H. DeGroote. The determinants of fertilizer and manure use in maize production in western Oromiya, Ethiopia. Seventh Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Maize Conference, 11-15 February 2001. pp. 438-441. |
| [27] | C. Ssekabembe, K. C. Bukenya and W. Nakyagaba. Traditional knowledge and practices in local vegetable production in central Uganda. In: African Crop Science Conference Proceedings, Vol. 6. 14-19, 2003, Uganda. 2003. pp. 14-19. |
| [28] | Y. Takashi and A. Ayumi. Fertilizer Policies, Price, and Application in East Africa. National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, 2010. 7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| [29] | M. W. Stewart, W.D. Dibb, E.A. Johnston and J.T. Smyth. The Contribution of commercial fertilizer nutrients to food production. Agronomy Journal 97:1-6. 2005. |
| [30] | C. Qing, Z. Xiaosheng, Z. Hongyan, C. Peter, L. Xiaolin, H. Dieter and L. Hans-Peter. Evaluation of current fertilizer practice and soil fertility in vegetable production in the Beijing region. Nutrient Cycling in Agro ecosystems 00: 1–8. 2004. |
| [31] | E. Bezabih, and H. Gebremedhin. Constraints and Opportunities of Horticulture Production and Marketing in Eastern Ethiopia. DCG Report No. 46, 2007. p105. |
| [32] | C.B. Smith, K.T. Demchak and P.A. Ferretti. Fertilizer Placement Effects on Growth Responses and Nutrient Uptake of Sweet Corn, Snap beans, Tomatoes and Cabbage. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 21(1&2)107-123. 1990 |
| [33] | . P.K. Kwakye, and S.J. Wapastda. Phosphorus requirement of onion (Allium cepa L.) in the Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria. Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. 28•29. 53-59.1995. |
| [34] | G. Zelleke, G. Agegnehu, D. Abera and S. Rashid. Fertilizer and Soil Fertility Potential in Ethiopia: Constraints and opportunities for enhancing the system. IFPRI working paper Soil Fertility Potential. 2010,42p. |
| [35] | J. Hopkins, C.P. Berry, and P. Gruhn. Soil fertility management decisions: Evidence from Niger. 1995. Report to USAID BOA DAN- 4111-B- 00-9112-00. |
| [36] | R. Senait. Decision making on manure use and fallowing as soil fertility maintenance techniques in the Northern Highlands of Ethiopia: The case of Ankober District. 1999. Paper to be submitted to An International Conference on: Contemporary Development Issues in Ethiopia, August 16-18, 2001, Western Michigan University Campus, USA. |
| [37] | A. Bationo, A. Hartemink, O. Lungu, M. Naimi, P. Okoth, E. Smaling and L. Thiombiano. "African Soils: Their Productivity and Profitability of Fertilizer Use". Background Paper Prepared for the African Fertilizer Summit, 2006. Abuja, Nigeria |
| [38] | . B. Charlotte and T. Cathryn. The Contribution of Soil and Water Conservation to Sustainable Livelihoods in Semi-arid areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Agricultural Research and Extension Network. No 102. 2000. |
| [39] | G. Fisseha. The effects of alternative sources of organic fertilizers in increasing the yield of onions (Allium Cepa L.). 1983. MSc Thesis, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa. |
| [40] | F. Place, B.C. Barret, H.A. Freeman, J.J. Ramisch and B. Vanlauwe. Prospects for integrated soil fertility management using organic and inorganic inputs: Evidence from smallholder African agricultural systems. Food Policy 28 (2003): 365-378. 2003. |
| [41] | J. Odhiambo and N. Magandini. An assessment of the use of mineral and organic fertilizers by smallholder farmers in Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa. African. Journal of Agricultural Research 3 (5):357-362. 2008. |
| [42] | D. Shah. An economic evaluation of onion production and its marketing in Maharashtra. Indian J. Agric. Markt. 13(3): 11-20. 1999. |
| [43] | G.K. Waman and P.S. Patil. Production, storage and marketing constraints faced by onion growers. Maharashtra J. Extn. Edu., 19: 104-108. 2000. |
| [44] | G. Adugna. Analysis of fruit and vegetable market chains in Alamata, southern zone of Tigray: The case of onion, tomato and papaya. MSc Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia. 2009,114pp |
| [45] | A.J. Barakade and T. Lokhande. A Study of Problems Faced by Onion Growers in Satara District of Maharashtra. International Referred Research Journal Vol-II (18):80-82. 2011. |
| [46] | M.S. Islam. Use of Bioslurry as Organic Fertilizer in Bangladesh agriculture. International workshop on the use of bioslurry domestic biogas programmes, 27-28 September 2006, Bangkok, Thailand. |
| [47] | J. F. Onim, P. Ochola, P. Fitzhugh and H. A. Oduor. Potential of goat manure as a valuable fertilizer for small-scale farmers. In: Proceedings of the Eighth Small Ruminants Scientific Workshop. Small Ruminants Collaborative Research, ILRAD, Nairobi, Kenya. 1990. Pp.157-170 |
| [48] | S.K. Mukhopadhyay. Adapting household behaviour to agricultural technology in West Bengal, India: wage labor, fertility, and child schooling determinants. Econ. Devt Cult. Change 43 (1). 91-115.1994. |
| [49] | G. Benneh. Toward sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: Issues and strategies. IFPRI Lecture Series No. 4. 1997. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C. |
| [50] | V.R. Kiresur and N. Ganeshkumar. Impact of regulation on vegetable marketing in Indian – A case study in Dharwad district of Karnataka state. Indian J. Agric. Markt., 2(1): 23-30. 1998. |
APA Style
Negasi Tekeste A., Nigussie Dechassa R., Kebede Woldetsadik, Lemma Dessalegne, Abuhay Takele. (2013). Characterization of Soil Nutrient Management and Post-harvest Handling Practices for Onion Production in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2(5), 184-195. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12
ACS Style
Negasi Tekeste A.; Nigussie Dechassa R.; Kebede Woldetsadik; Lemma Dessalegne; Abuhay Takele. Characterization of Soil Nutrient Management and Post-harvest Handling Practices for Onion Production in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. Agric. For. Fish. 2013, 2(5), 184-195. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12
AMA Style
Negasi Tekeste A., Nigussie Dechassa R., Kebede Woldetsadik, Lemma Dessalegne, Abuhay Takele. Characterization of Soil Nutrient Management and Post-harvest Handling Practices for Onion Production in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. Agric For Fish. 2013;2(5):184-195. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12
Share This Article
Twitter
Linked In
Facebook
Copy
Download@article{10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12,
author = {Negasi Tekeste A. and Nigussie Dechassa R. and Kebede Woldetsadik and Lemma Dessalegne and Abuhay Takele},
title = {Characterization of Soil Nutrient Management and Post-harvest Handling Practices for Onion Production in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia},
journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
volume = {2},
number = {5},
pages = {184-195},
doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20130205.12},
abstract = {Onion is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. A survey was conducted during the off-season of 2011 to document nutrient management and post-harvest handling practices in onion production in four districts (Adama, Merti, Dugda Bora and Adamitulu-Jiddokombolcha) in the region. Data were collected from 128 farmers using a standard questionnaire and focus group discussions. The results revealed that all of the sampled smallholder onion growing farmers used Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea whilst only 10.9% and 5.5% used farmyard manure (FYM) and compost, respectively. The growers on average used 298.8 kg ha-1 Urea and 299.21 kg DAP ha-1. Only small amounts of farmyard manure (1.71 t ha-1) and compost (1.56 t ha-1) were applied by the onion growers. The data also showed that farmers did not practise curing and storing of onion bulbs, and sold the produce on the field during harvest at farm-gate prices. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that farmers in the region produce onions with application of higher rates of inorganic mineral NP fertilizers than the rates commonly recommended by the research system. The results also showed that the farmers did not subject harvested onion bulbs to any post-harvest management practices for enhancing shelf-life and marketability of the crop.},
year = {2013}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Characterization of Soil Nutrient Management and Post-harvest Handling Practices for Onion Production in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia AU - Negasi Tekeste A. AU - Nigussie Dechassa R. AU - Kebede Woldetsadik AU - Lemma Dessalegne AU - Abuhay Takele Y1 - 2013/09/20 PY - 2013 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12 DO - 10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12 T2 - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JF - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JO - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries SP - 184 EP - 195 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2328-5648 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20130205.12 AB - Onion is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. A survey was conducted during the off-season of 2011 to document nutrient management and post-harvest handling practices in onion production in four districts (Adama, Merti, Dugda Bora and Adamitulu-Jiddokombolcha) in the region. Data were collected from 128 farmers using a standard questionnaire and focus group discussions. The results revealed that all of the sampled smallholder onion growing farmers used Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea whilst only 10.9% and 5.5% used farmyard manure (FYM) and compost, respectively. The growers on average used 298.8 kg ha-1 Urea and 299.21 kg DAP ha-1. Only small amounts of farmyard manure (1.71 t ha-1) and compost (1.56 t ha-1) were applied by the onion growers. The data also showed that farmers did not practise curing and storing of onion bulbs, and sold the produce on the field during harvest at farm-gate prices. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that farmers in the region produce onions with application of higher rates of inorganic mineral NP fertilizers than the rates commonly recommended by the research system. The results also showed that the farmers did not subject harvested onion bulbs to any post-harvest management practices for enhancing shelf-life and marketability of the crop. VL - 2 IS - 5 ER -
Email: