Performance of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

Two genotypes of hibiscus sabdariffa (Sudan and Jamaica) type was evaluated for the purpose of agronomic adaptability and economic traits. The experiment was done in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia at Wondogenet and Hawassa and Qoqa by using randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on agronomic and economical traits were collected for two years from 2012 to 2013 and statistically analyzed by analysis of variance using SAS PROC GLM (2002) at P<0.05. Differences between means separated using the least significance difference test at P<0.05. The overall respective mean performance across the test locations varied from 87.13-131.4 cm, 18.8-66.83, 43.93-72.17, 95.93-159.69 g, 19.41-33.59 g, 58.7-98.06 g, 5.87-9.88 g, 2.66-4.44 ton, 5.39-9.33 ton, 16.30-27.50 ton, 1.63-2.75 ton for plant height; number of branches/plant; number of pods per plant; pod yield/plant; dry seed yield/ plant; fresh calyx yield/plant; dry calyx yield/plant; pod yield/hectare; dry seed yield/hectare, fresh calyx yield/ hectare, dry calyx yield /hectare respectively. The highest value for all this parameter were recorded at Hawassa; and the lowest value were recorded at Qoqa for plant height and number of branch /plant and Wondogenet for the other parameter and Jamican type was highly preformed than Sudan type. Therefore, these variations are due to fluctuating features of the environmental factors and the two types of hibiscus were adapted well over the testing locations and years. Hence, it is possible to use the existing the two hibiscus cultivars for the production of pod, calyx and seed for local and international consumption for the food and medicinal purpose in Ethiopia