Evaluation of Improved Forage Production Technologies under Irrigation in Korra, Denan district, Shebelle Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: In arid and semi-arid regions, such as the Denan district, access to quality forage is a major constraint to sustainable livestock production. Enhancing forage availability through improved technologies is essential, particularly under irrigation-fed systems where water can be utilized efficiently. This study was conducted to address the forage gap by introducing and evaluating improved forage varieties suited to local conditions. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to introduce and evaluate the performance of improved forage technologies-specifically Sudan grass, Rhodes grass, and Buffle grass-through participatory on-farm trials under irrigation-fed cultivation in Denan district during the 2022 production season. Methods: The experiment employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Three forage varieties (Sudan grass, Rhodes grass, and Buffle grass) were tested under irrigation conditions. Data were collected on agronomic traits including flowering days, maturity days, plant height, and biomass yield. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS software to assess significant differences among the varieties. Results: The analysis revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among the forage varieties in terms of growth and yield parameters. Sudan grass attained the highest plant height (185.3 cm), followed by Rhodes grass (121 cm), while Buffle grass recorded the shortest height (93 cm). Sudan and Buffle grasses matured significantly earlier (P<0.05) than Rhodes grass. In terms of biomass yield, Sudan grass outperformed the others significantly (P<0.01). Rhodes grass, however, recorded a significantly higher dry matter yield (P<0.05) than Buffle grass. Participating pastoralists ranked Sudan grass highest based on forage yield, palatability, early maturity, drought tolerance, ease of establishment, and manageable harvesting height. Conclusion: Sudan grass demonstrated superior performance in growth, yield, and farmer-preferred traits, making it a suitable forage option for irrigation-based cultivation in Denan Woreda. It is therefore recommended for adoption by farmers in Denan and similar agro-ecological zones. Further multi-location and multi-season trials are advised to confirm its broader adaptability and performance consistency.