https://survey.amu.edu.et/ojs/index.php/OMOIJS/issue/feedOmo International Journal of Sciences2026-02-09T20:00:03+03:00Awoke Guadieawoke.guade@amu.edu.etOpen Journal Systems<p>The Omo International Journal of Sciences publishes peer-reviewed original research, critical literature reviews, technical notes, future articles, policy briefs, and short communications in the fields of Natural and Computational Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, Food Science, and Postharvest Technology. The editorial board invites interested researchers and scientists to submit manuscripts and join the reviewer and editorial advisory board. You are welcome to contribute to this flourishing scientific journal.</p>https://survey.amu.edu.et/ojs/index.php/OMOIJS/article/view/728Pre-extension demonstration of ploughing dimension in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivation at Laska Zuria district, Basketo Zone of South Ethiopia2026-02-09T20:00:03+03:00Lakamo Libenlibenlakamo79@gmail.comAmare Gojamamaregojjam@gmail.comAbebaw Bergenaabebawbergena767@gmail.comMelese Ejamomeleseejamo@gmail.comAnteneh Bulkeantenehbulke@gmail.com<p>In sweet potato cultivation, the land preparation method plays a significant role in yield improvement and soil and water conservation. Depending on their experiences, farmers continuously use vertical ploughing dimensions for sweet potato cultivation without clear justification in the Basketo Zone without considering its long term impact. The aim of the study was to show the comparative advantage of applying ploughing dimensions on sweet potato cultivation at farm land measured with a moderate slope 10-15%s of Laska Zuria district of Basketo Zone in the 2024 Belg cropping season. A total of 12 trial farmers were selected from two sweet potato growing kebeles. The selected trial farmers prepared their farmlands in vertical and horizontal ploughing dimensions. Locally adapted sweet potato (FAO) was used as a test crop. Spacing of 60 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants with a seed rate of 55,555 cuttings per hectare, stem cutting length of 25 cm, and a plot size of 200m<sup>2</sup> in each ploughing dimensions was used. A thick geo-membrane plastic sheet was used to collect eroded soil particles. A total of 42 participants took part in training from 2 kebeles. Agronomic data were collected and analyzed using the mean. Other social data were collected using focus group discussion. A sweet potato yields 12.5 and 14 t/ ha of vertical and horizontal ploughing dimensions, respectively, and yield advantage of 12 % per hectare and mean annual soil losses reduced to 21.6% (6.5 t/ha) in horizontal ploughing dimension. The result revealed that the practice of vertical ploughing increases soil loss where farmers commonly set rows parallel to slope direction. This means the rainwater may take soil sediment and increase the water lodging condition. Accordingly, the farmer’s first preference was implementing horizontal ploughing on their farm land in terms of fewer occurrences of flood and good root yield and better soil and water conservation. Thus, the horizontal ploughing dimension of the land preparation method can be recommended to increase the yield of sweet potato and conserve soil in the study area and similar land settings.</p> <p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Demonstration ratio; Horizontal ploughing; Moderate slope; Root yield; Soil loss; Vertical ploughing</p>2026-02-09T15:01:22+03:00Copyright (c)