Tied ridging as insitu rainwater harvesting method: TIED RIDGING AS INSITU RAINWATER HARVESTING METHOD FOR IMPROVING SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L.) ... AREA, TIGRAY REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Sorghum is the third most important crop in the Ethiopia in total production and covers 1.3 million hectares. Despite of this fact, sorghum yield is low due to the shortage of soil moisture as one of the main constraints. Enhancing yield of sorghum using insitu rainwater harvesting technology was thus the main aim of this study. In doing so, the study was conducted in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia using the tied ridging tillage application time and planting patterns as part of an insitu rainwater harvesting techniques. In addition to this, local tillage practice and farmers view was also included. The present finding indicated significant yield and soil moisture increment due to the impact of the tied ridging systems and planting patterns. However, further work should be done to scale-up promising techniques of this study to the end users in the area and other similar environments.