Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important strategic crops to overcome food security problems in the world including Ethiopia. This can be achieved through genetic improvement of the crop and its production practices. In this connection, information on the mutual association of traits is important for effective selection in wheat‐breeding programs. In 2021/2022 production year, a field experiment was undertaken to estimate the extent of genetic variability, path analysis, and association of yield and yield‐related characteristics for the selection of desirable wheat genotypes. A total of 64 bread wheat genotypes, including yellow rust‐resistant Boru (resistant), Hachalu (moderately resistant), and Madda‐Walabu (susceptible) as control, were used for the field experiment at Sinana and Agarfa Agricultural Research Centers. The experiment was laid out in a simple alpha lattice design. The mean analysis of variances showed highly significant differences (p < 0.001) for all traits among the tested genotypes. The value of the phenotypic coefficient of variance was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variance for all studied traits, indicating the presences of higher genetic variability among the tested genotypes. Grain yield had a significant positive correlation with days to maturity, grain‐filling period, plant height, kernels spike⁻¹, thousand seed weight, and biological yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels including spike length at phenotypic levels at both locations and with plant height, thousand seed weight, and biological yield at both locations at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Similarly, days to maturity and grain‐filling period also showed a significant positive phenotypic correlation with grain yield. The analyzed path coefficients at both genotypic and phenotypic levels also indicated how grain yield is influenced directly and indirectly by other yield and yield‐related traits. The result also showed the existence of good heritability values along with high genetic advance, higher phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation for grain yield, biological yield, and grain‐filling period. This implies the true relationship among these traits and grain yield; therefore, due attention should be paid to such traits during selection for further improvement. Hence, the present study indicated the importance of the direct and indirect effects of the studied traits on yield and yield components which makes selection desirable for improving the grain yield of wheat and its genetic resistance against yellow rust in the study area.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of tested fungicides against downy mildew of onion and determine the appropriate interval of fungicides application. Study Design: The experiment was laid out down in randomized complete block design with three replications for each treatments. Place and Duration of Study:  The experiment was carried out in farmers field of Aloshe village; Goba district of Bale zone in 2018/2019 during “Bona Season”. Methodology: Locally available onion variety and two tested fungicides (Mancozeb (Mancozeb 80 Wp) and Ridomil (Ridomil Gold MZ 68WG) were used. Locally available variety of onion was planted in a plot size of 3m x 2.4m with three replications. Each two fungicides were applied at interval of seven day, fourteen and twenty one day interval including unapplied fungicide plot as control. Results: The result indicated that, both fungicides (Mancozeb and Ridomil) were effectively reduces the severity level of the disease. The higher plant height(42.5cm), bulb weigh (289g), total weight of the bulbs (114Qt/ha) and lower severity (8.35%) were recorded from weekly application of Ridomil, fourteen day application of Ridomil and weekly application interval of Mancozeb. The higher marginal rate of return of 2833.45% and 1999.07% were recorded from weekly and fourteen applications of Mancozeb and Ridomil respectively. Conclusion: The minimum application frequency of three times of Ridomil in fourteen days and weekly interval application of Mancozeb were effective against downy mildew and profitable.

Highland spices, including black cumin, fenugreek, and coriander, are among the most important spice crops produced in the mid and highlands of Bale. The study was conducted along accessible roads with two diagonals (in ‘’X” fashion) in three districts (Goro, Ginir, and Sinana) to assess prevalence and severity and to identify and document the major diseases of spice crops. Accordingly, downy mildew, wilt, and powdery mildew were frequently observed diseases of fenugreek. Powdery mildew was observed as the most frequent fenugreek disease in Goro, whereas downy mildew was also the most frequent in Ginir and Sinana districts. Blight and wilt were also observed on the black cumin. The higher mean severity values of powdery mildew (31.5%) and downy mildew (24.2%) were noticed in Goro and Sinana, respectively. The highest mean incidence value of wilt was recorded in Ginir (43.3%), followed by Sinana (41.1%). The highest root rot incidence of 22.8% and 12.5% was recorded in Goro and Ginir, respectively. Thus, it is advisable to intervene through multiple management approaches, including cultural practices, field sanitation, biological, host resistance, and fungicide options to tackle the disease devastation in the studied areas.