Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a key vegetable crop in Ethiopia, significantly contributing to nutrition, income generation, and foreign currency earnings. However, its production faces ch allenges f rom pests and a shortage o f improved v arieties t h at o ffer acceptable y ields and quality. T his study aimed to identify varieties with higher green pod yields and quality. A field experiment was conducted at four agricultural research centers—Melkassa, Woramit, Debre Markos, and Wendogenet—and one commercial farm in Koka during 2021 and 2022. Six hot pepper genotypes (CCA-984-A, CCA-321, CCA-323, Mr. Lee no. 3 selex, Melka Awaze, and Chala) were evaluated using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The combined analysis of variance across locations and years revealed significant differences among the genotypes in both marketable and total yield. CCA-323 achieved the highest marketable pod yield at 225.72 q/ha, followed closely by the Chala check at 204.81 q/ha. A similar trend was noted for total green pod yield. The performance of the genotypes was highly significant (P<0.01) under both irrigation and rain-fed conditions. Additionally, significant differences genowere observed in various traits, including days to 50% flowering, plant height, plant width, pod weight per plant, pod length, pod diameter, and pod wall thickness. The CCA-323 genotype demonstrated an elongated pod shape, dark green color, smooth surface, high storability, and medium pungency, aligning well with consumer preferences in the green pod market. It proved to be a highly stable and high-yielding genotype. As a result, CCA-323 was released as ‘Koka-1’ for green pod production in the tested sites and similar agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. This variety is expected to enhance both the economic and nutritional value for hot pepper farmers and consumers and can serve as a parental line for future breeding programs.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intercropping hairy vetch (HV) with Italian ryegrass (IRG), oat, and rye on forage productivity and nutritive value under a rice-forage double-cropping system. A field experiment was carried out in a paddy field using six treatments (IRG, IRG+HV, oat, oat+HV, rye, and rye+HV) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three biological replications. The results showed that dry matter (DM) yield and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yield were significantly higher in rye monoculture than in the rye+HV mixture, whereas no significant differences were observed between monoculture and intercropping in IRG or oat. In contrast, crude protein (CP) yield increased significantly under intercropping in IRG and oat, confirming the nitrogen contribution and protein-enhancing effects of the legume component. For forage quality, intercropping consistently reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations and improved DM intake (DMI), digestible DM (DDM), TDN, and relative feed value (RFV) in all three species. These findings indicate that the productivity-enhancing effect of intercropping is limited under paddy field conditions, while the improvement of forage quality is substantial and consistent. Therefore, intercropping with hairy vetch can serve as an effective strategy in systems where the primary objective is to enhance CP content and overall forage quality.

This study aimed to identify the optimal timing for scape removal and postharvest curing methods to effectively utilize the bulbils of the garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivar ‘Hongsan,’ which are usually discarded as by-products. Scapes were harvested five times from late May to mid-June in accordance with the bulb harvest schedule. The collected scapes underwent three curing treatments: natural drying, immersion in a solution containing 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 30 g⋅L⁻¹ sucrose, and a commercial floral preservative solution with sucrose. Results showed that as the timing of scape removal was delayed, bulb weight decreased, while the number and maturity of bulbils increased. For optimal production of both bulbs and bulbils, removing scapes 15 days before the expected harvest date was the most effective approach. Among the curing treatments, natural drying yielded the highest number of large-sized bulbils and demonstrated superior labor efficiency. In contrast, the floral preservative treatment resulted in a greater proportion of immature bulbils, likely due to microbial growth in the solution that obstructed vascular tissues. Thus, for the simultaneous production of bulbs and mature bulbils in ‘Hongsan’ garlic, it is recommended to remove scapes 15 days prior to bulb harvest and to use natural drying as the most effective method.

This study estimated whole crop maize (WCM; Zea mays L.) yield damage under abnormal climate conditions using a machine-learning approach based on Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 and visualized the results as spatial maps. A total of 3,232 WCM observations were compiled, and climate data were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) Open Data Portal. The machine learning model used DeepCrossing. Dry matter yield (DMY) was predicted using the DeepCrossing model and climate data from the Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS; 95 stations). The calculation of damage was the difference between the DMYnormal and DMYabnormal. The normal climate was set as the 40-year of climate data according to the year of WCM data (1978-2017). The level of abnormal climate by temperature and precipitation was set as RCP 8.5 standard. The predicted DMYnormal ranged from 13,845-19,347 kg/ha. The damage from WCM varied by region and the severity of abnormal climate, including abnormal temperature and precipitation. Under abnormal temperature conditions, damage in 2050 and 2100 ranged from –243 to –133 and –1,797 to –245 kg/ha, respectively. Under abnormal precipitation conditions, damage in 2050 and 2100 ranged from –2,998 to 1,447 and –11,308 to 29 kg/ha, respectively. Overall, DMY of WCM tended to increase with higher mean monthly temperature. The damage calculated through the RCP 8.5 standard was presented as a spatial distribution using QGIS. Although this study used an RCP scenario based on greenhouse gas concentrations, further research is needed to apply an integrated Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) that accounts for socioeconomic factors.

본 연구는 바이오차 기반 혼합 배지가 방울토마토(Solanum lycopersicum)의 생육, 수량 및 과품질에 미치는 영향을 평가 하고, 기존 코크피트(코이어) 배지를 대체할 수 있는 가능성을 검토하기 위해 수행되었다. 처리구는 코이어 단용구(T1)와 함께, 바이오차:피트모스:펄라이트의 혼합비를 달리한 네 가 지 혼합 배지(T2: 3:7:0, T3: 3:0:7, T4: 1:1:1, T5: 2:1:1)를 구 성하였다. 주요 생육 지표(초장, 경경, 엽장, 엽폭, 엽수, 화방 수), 배지의 이화학성, 배액의 pH 및 EC, 수량, 과품질을 조사 하였다. 그 결과 코이어 배지(T1)는 높은 보수력을 보였으나, 바이오차 혼합배지는 높은 공극률과 낮은 용적밀도를 나타내 어 통기성이 향상되었다. 모든 배지에서 중금속 함량은 비료 공정 규격 기준치 이하로 안전성이 확보되었다. 생육 후기로 갈수록 배액 EC가 점진적으로 증가하였으나, 이는 염류 축적 에 기인한 것으로 판단되며, 허용 범위 내에서 안정적으로 유 지되었다. 바이오차 기반 혼합배지는 코코피트에 비해 동등 하거나 더 높은 총수량 및 상품수량을 보였으며, 과실 품질 특 성은 처리 간 유의차가 나타나지 않았다. 따라서 본 연구 결과 는 바이오차·피트모스·펄라이트 혼합배지가 수입 코코피트 를 대체할 수 있는 수경재배용 배지로서 활용 가능성이 높으 며, 자원순환과 저탄소 농업을 촉진하는 지속가능한 재배 모 델을 제시함을 보여준다.

This study compared the growth, yield characteristics, and nutrient absorption of two perilla cultivars (‘Ipdeulkkae 1’ and ‘Donggeul 2’) treated with various nutrient solution levels (EC 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 dS·m-1). The results showed that plant growth and yield significantly increased with higher EC levels, particularly for ‘Donggeul 2’ under EC 1.4 dS·m-1, which exhibited superior production and high nutrient use efficiency. These results indicate that increasing EC improves nutrient status, thereby enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production. Furthermore, ‘Ipdeulkkae 1’ showed excellent growth at higher EC levels, while ‘Donggeul 2’ responded more sensitively to changes in NH₄ concentration but maintained stable productivity at lower EC conditions. The findings suggest the need for tailored nutrient solution management strategies that consider cultivar-specific differences. While elevated EC levels positively influenced yield, they also confirmed that excessively high EC can cause osmotic stress and ion imbalance. This study provides essential data for determining optimal EC levels for high-quality and stable perilla production. Future research should examine the interactions between nutrient solution concentration and environmental factors to develop more precise nutrient management techniques and to facilitate select superior cultivars.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of sowing dates on the growth, yield, and forage quality of two triticale cultivars, Joseong and Hanmiso-1ho. Field experiments were conducted with sowing dates ranging from September 25 to November 13, 2023. The results indicate that both cultivars and sowing date significantly influence growth characteristics, dry matter yield, and nutritional composition. The highest yields were obtained from the earliest sowing (September 25), with Joseong producing 10,979 ± 366 kg/ha and Hanmiso-1ho 12,201 ± 2,124 kg/ha. Yields remained relatively high on October 5 and 16 sowings but declined sharply after October 25, reaching the lowest levels on November 13 (Joseong 4,991 ± 458 kg/ha; Hanmiso-1ho 6,353 ± 338 kg/ha). Delayed sowing increased plant height but reduced forage biomass. Forage quality also varied with the sowing date. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 8–11%, with higher values in early sowing (10.7% for Joseong, 10.3% for Hanmiso-1ho) and lower at mid to late sowing dates. Fiber content such as NDF and ADF levels increased with the sowing dates delayed, but declined slightly with the November sowing dates. Overall, end September to early October sowings provide optimal yield and forage quality for both triticale cultivars.