Pre-Extension Demonstration of Fertilizer Rate in Taro (Boloso-1) Varietyin Boloso Sore Woreda, Wolaita Zone Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Seasonal food shortage is amongst the principal problems of farmers in mid-altitude areas of Southern Ethiopia. Taro and sweet potato are important part of food security packages in some of the world’s poorest nations. Taro is grown over a wide range of environments from 1,300-2,300m.a.s.l.; mostly by the resource poor farmers and the drought area. Its compatibility with various types of limited in put farming systems (versatility) and reliability under conditions such as drought, high rain fall, disease resistance and low soil fertility have made it attractive crop to farmers. There is no recommended fertilizer rate of taros so far demonstrated and popularized to farmers, and hence this pre extension demonstration of fertilizer rate in Boloso-1 was carried out to develop high yielding taro for the area. The research was carried out in Boloso sore woreda of Wolaita zone and two kebeles were selected which are Dubo and Gara Godo respectively in 2018. There were significant difference exists among the urea applied and non-applied Boloso-1 and Boloso-1 with urea application is recommended in the Boloso sore and in similar agro ecology.From the results of the treatment it was observed that farmers show great interest towards the Boloso-1 with urea application on top of the Boloso-1 applied without urea.