Enhancing Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) Production via Adaptation Measures under Climate Projection in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Aim: The study was carried out with the specific objective to identify the best adaptation measure for lentil production under projected climate change in central highlands of Ethiopia.  Methodology: Baseline climate data were collected from the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia; whereas the projected climate data (for the period 2030s and 2050s) were downscaled using six ensembled climate models, namely: BCC-CSM1-1, CSIRO-Mk3-6-0, HadGEM2-ES, MIROC-ESM, MIROC-ESM-CHEM, and MIROC5, under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs): RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Crop data, such as yield, yield components and other crop management data, were obtained from Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center (DZARC). DSSAT model was employed to assess the impacts of projected climate on lentil prodcution, and to identify the best adaptation measure. Results: The results of the study revealed that sowing date, plant density, and row spacing would significantly influence the yields of Alemaya X FLIP 88-41L-02-AK-14 and Alemaya genotypes. The highest (26%) yield increase  for genotype Alemaya X FLIP 88-41L-02-AK-14 would be noticed if planted in the 2nd decade of June with CO2 fertilization by 2030s under RCP8.5. In contrast, the highest (11.5%) yield reduction  for same genotype would be expected by 2050s without CO2 fertilization under RCP4.5, if planted early in  June. Similarly, the highest (19.7%) yield increase for Alemaya genotype would be expected under RCP8.5 scenario with CO2 fertilization by 2050s; planting early in June would rather decrease the yield. The research results also showed that the highest (16%) yield increase would be experienced if planted with a density of 100 plants per square metre for Alemaya X FLIP 88-41L-02AK-14 genotype under RCP8.5 scenario by 2050s. However, it would be the highest (22%) yield increase under RCP4.5 scenario with CO2 fertilization for Alemaya genotype if planted with same density. The yield of both lentil genotypes would  increase if planted with plant spacing of 20 cm and 30 cm between rows. The study appreciates other studies to be conducted on other lentil genotypes to enhance the prodcution of lentil in the upcoming century.