Adaptation Trial of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) varieties in low land areas of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia

The shortage of livestock feed are major constraints in Ethiopia particularly in lowlands of Bale Zone in terms of quality and quantity through a year. A study was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), South East Ethiopia for Three consecutive cropping season (2020/21-2022/23) in two locations (Delo Menna sub-site and Ginnir on farm) to evaluate the adaptability of Five Varieties of Pigeon pea (Belabas, Degagsa, Dursa, Kibret and Tsegab). Experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All varieties were performed well. However, there is significant variation among the varieties of Pigeon pea. The combined result over locations over years indicated that, Belabas Followed by Gegagsa Varieties gives the highest leaf fresh biomass yield (6.1 t ha-1) and (5.7 t ha-1), leaf dry biomass yield (1.87 t ha-1) and (1.95 t ha-1) respectively. In addition to biomass yield Belabas and Degagsa varieties of pigeon pea had obtained higher in plant height (145.87 cm and 149.97 cm) and leaf to stem ratio (2.65 and 2.57) respectively. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that the Pigeon pea Belabas and Degagsa varieties were found a promising in terms of all major parameters than others. It is concluded that Belabas and Degagsa varieties to demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and with similar climatic and conditions of lowlands of Bale Zone Keywords: Cajanus cajan, Improved Forage, livestock feed DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/126-03 Publication date: February 28th 2026