Gamachu Ayala*, Bayissa Muleta and Ayana Bulti
Coffee contributes more than 60% of the annual foreign currency and 30% of the government’s direct revenue and the livelihood of 25% of the Ethiopia’s population directly or indirectly depends on the whole value chain of coffee industry. Ethiopian coffee varieties are already well-known, and in high demand by the global market. The most limiting factors to coffee production in Ethiopia are climatic variability, soil moisture stress, poor agricultural practices, prevalence of pests and diseases. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of in-situ rain water harvesting structures on soil moisture, growth parameters, yield and quality of coffee arabica on two locations at Mechara Agricultural research on-station and Sakina kebele in Daro Lebu district, West Hararghe zone, where moisture stress and low soil fertility are limiting factors. The in-situ rain water harvesting structures used as treatments were Half-moon (semicircular bund), Contour ridge, Negarim micro catchment and normal pit (farmers practice). The treatments were laid out in RCBD with three replications. The data on soil moisture content, growth parameters, yield and coffee bean quality were collected.
Statistical analysis software (R version 4.1.2) was used for data analysis to show mean separation for their significance difference at (P<0.05). Soil moisture content, Plant height, first primary branch, and canopy diameter has highly significance difference at (P<0.05) among the treatments at both site. From the in-situ water harvesting practices Semi-circular bund and Negarim micro catchment had shown the best soil moisture retention at (0-20) cm and (20-40) cm depth among others. The mean coffee quality parameters such as color, overall aromatic quality and Flavor are shown significant difference (P<0.05) among in-situ water harvesting structures by conserving soil moisture under coffee root zone. There is also coffee quality attribute difference between treatments which is the best option for both consumption and market. Among treatments semi-circular bund and Negarim micro catchment structures shown better performance in improving soil moisture stored within the root zone, reduces soil erosion and increase coffee growth, quality and yield of coffee Arabica in moisture stress areas of West Hararghe Zone and similar agro ecologies..
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