MARCH 1993
Technical Committee of the Joint Vertisol Project Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Editors:
Tekalign Mamo
Abiye Astatke
K L Srivastava
Asgelil Dibabe
Correct citation: Tekalign Mamo, Abiye Astatke, K L Srivastava and Asgelil Dibabe (eds). 1993. Improved management of Vertisols for sustainable crop - livestock production in the Ethiopian highlands: Synthesis report 1986-92. Technical Committee of the Joint Vertisol Project, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
ISBN 92-9053-269-6
This electronic document has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) software and careful manual recorrection. Even if the quality of digitalisation is high, the FAO declines all responsibility for any discrepancies that may exist between the present document and its original printed version.
1 Development of coordinated research efforts
Introduction
2 Distribution and importance of Ethiopian Vertisols and location of study sites
Introduction
Land and soil features
Distribution
Land use
Study sites
Importance
3 A survey of the farming systems of Vertisol areas of the Ethiopian highlands
Farming systems of Vertisol areas in Ethiopia - Background
Farm surveys in some Vertisol locations in highland Ethiopia
Natural resources
Farm resources
Crop and livestock interaction
Feed production and livestock feeding
Constraints to production
Livestock production constraints
Researchable areas
Introduction
Physico-chemical characteristics
Phosphorus management
Nitrogen management
Secondary and micronutrients
Crop management for sustained productivity
Summary
5 Land, soil and water management
Introduction
Hydrophysical properties
Drainage improvement
6 Modifying the traditional plough - Maresha - For better management of Vertisols
Introduction
The traditional implement - "Maresha"
Traditional practices followed for growing crops on Vertisols
General criteria considered in designing the BBM and attachments
The broadbed maker and its evolution
BBM attachments and their significance
The evaluation of the broadbed maker
7 Grain, fodder and residue management
Introduction
Native pastures
Crop residues as main animal feed and possibilities for increased production
Fodder improvement in the Ethiopian highland Vertisols
Traditional management, cropping patterns and calendar of highland Vertisols
Evaluation of improved wheat varieties for drained Vertisols
Highlights of completed work
8 Technology validation and transfer
Introduction
Technology verification and transfer framework
9 The joint project on Vertisols management: Retrospect and prospects
Introduction
The scenario
The joint Vertisol project
Achievements lessons learnt
Lessons learnt and the prospects
Annex 1: Training, workshops/conferences and publications
Training
Public awareness
Scientific exchange
Annex 2a: Authors and co-authors of JVP'S synthesis report
Annex 2b: Technical committee members of the joint Vertisol project
Annex 2c: Advisory committee members of the joint Vertisol project
Background
Goals and objectives
Project duration and expected outputs
Implementation