Abstract            Volume:12  Issue-1  Year-2024         Original Research Articles

Online ISSN : 2347 - 3215 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcret@gmail.com

Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum L) originate in the Mediterranean basin. It is one of the Allium vegetable crops growing in Ethiopia particularly leeks of the country. Variety and location specific optimum vermicompost/organic fertilizer rate recommendation is one of the agronomic principles used to increase intensive farmer and food security of leek. However, there is a blanket recommendation across locations and varieties of leek in Ethiopia. Hence, field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of inter- and intra- row spacing on the phenological, growth, yield and yield related traits of three leek varieties during 2023 cropping season at Dalbo Wogene Kebele, Zuria Woreda, in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia. Factorial combinations of three leek varieties (Carentan Giant, 'Titan' and. 'Dawn Giant'), three vermicompost (2.5, 3.75 and 5 t/h were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Days to 90 % physiological maturity, leaf length, leaf width and Leave Number per plant were significantly affected by the main effect of variety, vermicompost. Moreover, the main effect of variety showed a significant effect on the plant height and Dry matter weight, biological yield and total shaft yield were also affected significantly by the main effects of inter- and intra-row spacing. Varieties Titan' (8.44) days and 'Dawn Giant' (9.06 days) germinated earlier than variety Carentan Giant (9.94) days. However, variety 'Titan' took the maximum number of leaves (46.33), days to 90 % physiological maturity (111.67) and pods per plant whereas variety Carentan Giant gave the highest plant height (41.24 t/h) and hundred seed weight (63.54 g). As the inter- and intra-row spacing increases the days to 90 % physiological maturity and leaf number per plant increases whereas biological and shaft yield decreases. From this, it could be concluded that leek varieties (Carentan Giant, 'Titan' and 'Dawn Giant') could be applied at optimum levels of vermicompost 3.75t/h with Carentan variety in Dalbo Wogene area to attain maximum yield though it is done in one year and variety characterization.

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