Adaptation Trial of Sweet Lupine (<i>Lupinus angustifolius</i> L.) Varieties in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Little or no information is known about the adaptability and uses of sweet lupine in the Oromia region, especially in Hararghe zones where animal feed shortage is the bottleneck for smallholder farmers. This activity was initiated to evaluate and identifying the best performing sweet lupine varieties in herbage yield, best adaptive and high seed yielder from 2020/21 to 2021/22. The results of the analysis of variance indicated a significant (p<0.05) variation for most evaluated parameters. The longest date of 50% flowering and maturing date was recorded for Walala but the other varieties were similar. Statistical (P>0.05) variation was not recorded. Dry matter yield ranged from 0.66 to 3.10 t/ha at on station while at Quni Segeria and Arba Rakate FTC, it varied between 2.77 to 4.75t/ha and 2.58 to 3.78t/ha respectively. Lupines seed yield varied from 7.56 to 13.93 qt/ha at on station, from 3.92 to 57.5 qt/ha at Quni Segeria FTC, and from 6.22 to 18.6 qt/ha at Arba Rakate FTC. This study showed that there is a high potential to cultivate sweet lupines in the study area. Sweet lupine Walala followed by Propor varieties tolerant to diseases and pests. From this study, it is concluded that the sweet lupine variety Walala followed by Propor was found promising in terms of agronomic traits, DM yield, and seed yield than other varieties during the experimental years that need further evaluation of animal palatability and absorption potential. So, it is possible to recommend Walala and Propor varieties as alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and other places of the West Hararghe zone of the Oromia region with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.