Yield Performance and Adaptability of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) in Horro Guduru Wallaga, Ethiopia

Technical Summary: Yield Performance and Adaptability of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) in Horro Guduru Wallaga, Ethiopia

Problem Statement
Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) is a culturally and economically significant endemic root crop in western and southwestern Ethiopia, particularly among the Oromo people. It serves as a staple food during scarcity, a nutritional source rich in calcium and protein, and a material for traditional rituals. Despite its potential to contribute to food security, anchote remains under-researched and underutilized compared to other tuber crops. Production is constrained by a lack of improved cultivars, limited knowledge of agronomic practices (such as planting time and density), and a scarcity of evidence-based recommendations regarding ecological adaptation. Furthermore, institutional neglect has resulted in minimal breeding programs and extension services. There is a critical need to evaluate the genetic diversity and adaptability of existing accessions across different agro-ecologies to support wider utilization and improvement.

Methodology
To address these gaps, a field experiment was conducted in the Horro Guduru Wallaga zone of Ethiopia during the 2020/2021 main cropping season. The study evaluated eight anchote accessions: one released variety (Desta 01) and seven local accessions (90801, 240407B, 220563, 223090, 223098, 223101, and Kuwe) collected from various districts in the Oromia and SNNPRS regions.

The experiment utilized a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications across two distinct locations:

1. Abay Coman: A mid-altitude area (880–2,400 m.a.s.l.) with annual rainfall between 510–1,530 mm and temperatures of 22–27°C.
2. Jimma Geneti: A mid-to-high altitude area (2,485 m.a.s.l.) with an average annual rainfall of 1,832.06 mm and temperatures ranging from 14.6°C to 23.19°C.

Seeds were sown at a rate of three per hill at a depth of 5 cm. Standard cultural practices, including weeding, hoeing, and staking, were applied. Data collection focused on phenological parameters (emergence percentage, days to physiological maturity), growth parameters (vine number, vine length, internode length, leaf number, leaf area, total biomass), and yield components (storage root diameter, total root weight, marketable and unmarketable yields, total yield, and harvest index). Data were analyzed using SAS 9.3, with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) tests at a 5% significance level.

Key Results
The analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) among accessions for all measured traits, indicating substantial genetic variability and genotype-by-environment interactions.

• Emergence and Maturity: The Desta 01 variety and accession 223098 demonstrated superior emergence rates (92% and 94.5%, respectively) at Jimma Geneti. The vegetation period varied from 110 to 124 days depending on the variety and location. Desta 01 consistently reached physiological maturity earlier (112.50 days at Jimma Geneti; 110.83 days at Abay Coman) compared to other accessions.
• Growth Characteristics: Accession Kuwe produced the highest vine numbers (5.11 at Jimma Geneti; 4.56 at Abay Coman). Accession 240407B exhibited the longest vine lengths (3.91 m at Jimma Geneti) and internode lengths (15.44 cm at Jimma Geneti). However, Desta 01 recorded the largest leaf area (143.45 cm² at Jimma Geneti; 136.45 cm² at Abay Coman) and the highest total biomass (12.63 kg at Jimma Geneti; 10.63 kg at Abay Coman).
• Yield Performance:
  • Root Diameter and Weight: Desta 01 produced the largest storage root diameters (75.25 mm at Jimma Geneti; 72.25 mm at Abay Coman) and the highest total root weights at both locations.
  • Total and Marketable Yield: At Jimma Geneti, Desta 01 achieved the highest total yield (46.73 t/ha) and marketable yield (40.60 t/ha). At Abay Coman, accession 220563 recorded the highest total yield (30.39 t/ha) and marketable yield (29.73 t/ha), while Desta 01 also performed strongly.
  • Harvest Index (HI): Desta 01 and 220563 exhibited the highest harvest indices (83.62% and 79.86% respectively at Jimma Geneti), indicating efficient partitioning of assimilates to storage roots.
• Adaptability: The study highlighted that while some accessions performed well in specific environments, Desta 01 and 220563 demonstrated superior adaptability and yield stability across both tested agro-ecologies.

Significance and Conclusions
The paper concludes that significant genetic diversity exists among anchote accessions, offering a strong foundation for breeding and selection programs. The study identifies Desta 01 as a superior variety with high adaptability, early maturity, and high yield potential, making it a prime candidate for promotion among farmers in the study areas. Additionally, locally adapted accessions such as 220563 and 90801 showed strong performance and should be considered for wider utilization.

The authors assert that promoting these high-yielding, adaptable varieties is essential for enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in the region, particularly for resource-poor farmers. The study emphasizes that expanding cultivation through the use of improved and locally adapted genotypes can address production constraints. Finally, the authors recommend further agronomic and nutritional research to optimize growth practices and fully realize the crop's potential as a health food and economic asset.