Adaptation trial of Bracharia ruziziensis and Bracharia decumbens grass ecotypes in midland and lowland areas of Bale Zone, South East Oromia, Ethiopia

Four ecotypes of Bracharia ruziziensis and five Bracharia decumbens were separately evaluated across two locations with their respective local check under rain fed condition during 2022 to 2024. The basic Agronomic and yield data were collected. Both grass species basic Agronomic parameters such as plant height and biomass yield had shown statistically significant difference (P<0.05) within ecotypes. The leaf to stem ratio of dry biomass is not significantly influenced (P>0.05) between B. ruziziensis ecotypes but, within B. decumbens ecotypes. From the B. ruziziensis ecotypes the combined mean of dry Biomass yield obtained were 5.92 t ha-1 and the tope yielders were ILRI-14774 (7.46 t ha-1) followed by the ILRI-14813, (6.66 t ha-1). From B. decumbens ecotypes ILRI-14721 had yielded the highest average dry biomass (8.61 t ha-1) followed by Local Check, (7.63 t ha-1). B. ruziziensis ecotypes had generally shown more fitness in low land and B. decumbense performed similarly in both tested agroecologes. Therefore, the ecotype ILRI-14774 from B. ruziziensis and B. decumbens ecotype ILRI-14721 can be recommended for further popularization.