Repeated cuttings under farmer management effect on growth and yield performance of Pennisetum glaucifolium varieties in major agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia

Feed supply, in terms of energy and protein, has been not sufficient to feed the Ethiopian livestock population. On farm trials of repeated cuttings assessing growth and dry matter yield of Desho (Pennisetum glaucifoilum) varieties was undertaken in trials run in different agro-ecologies of Southwestern Ethiopia during 2019 and 2020. Field trials of three varieties (Areka-DZF#590, Kulumsa-DZF#592, and Kindokoisha-DZF #589) established at six planting sites with an altitude variation of 832–1797 m above sea level were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four cuttings were taken, in June, August, October and December 2020, after an establishment period of 16 months. Plant height, leaf morphology (leaf length, leaf width, leaf number per plant), and tiller number per plant, leaf to stem ratio, dry matter yield and farmers perception were measured to identify the best adapted and yielding Desho variety. There was significant variation (P < 0.01) in dry matter yield and plant height recorded due to variety, harvesting frequency, agro-ecological zone and management variation, and their interaction in the trial. Leaf morphology varied across agro-ecological zones and farms in the trial. The variety Kulumsa-DZF#592 performed the best across both agro-ecological zones and farms. The highest dry matter yield recorded at the interaction between variety, harvesting frequency, agro-ecological zone and trial farm, was 39.70 t/ha, with a mean value of 22.56 t/ha. Scaling up of the varieties in the experimental area and similar agro-ecologies is recommended for the forages contribution to filling the energy feed gap in farming system of Southwestern Ethiopia. Assessing the productivity of the varieties under irrigation after each cut and under intensive management could be warranted for the future.