[01] Legesse Hidoto Gerbu, Hawassa Agricultural Research Centre, Southern Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

In low moisture stress areas, low productivity of crops has been attributed to low moisture stress, low soil fertility, lack of improved varieties and lack of appropriate moisture conservation practices in most areas of the region. Field experiment was conducted under rain-fed conditions between 2005-2008 to evaluate five improved sorghum varieties (Seredo, Teshale, Meko, 76T1#23, Gambell 1107) and one local(landrace) with 46kgP2O5+18kgNha-1 and an improved moisture conservation practices (tie ridge) was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications for growth, yield and yield component. The data were combined over year after carrying out analysis of variance for each year separately and homogeneity tested (the ratio of larger error mean square to smaller error mean squares). Means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD). There was significant variation observed among varieties to the tested parameters. Varieties 76T1#23 gave the highest sorghum grain yield (5877kg ha-1) whereas the landrace with traditional management gave the least (1901kg ha-1). Yield advantage of 56% to 68% improved varieties with fertilizer and conservation practice over traditional sorghum cultivation (local cultivar without fertilizer sown in flat planting) could be an attractive option to boost sorghum yield under moisture stress environment. Furthermore, the results indicate that soil and water conservation with improved crop varieties is indispensable for increasing crop yield. Based on these results, therefore, sowing improved varieties 76T1#23 in ridge tied three meters apart with 46kgP2O5+18kgNha-1 fertilizer is an attractive option and recommended for sorghum production in areas where there is short and erratic rain fall.

Tied Ridge, Varieties, Moisture Stress

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