Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (<i>Brachiaria humidicola</i>) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia

Tola Geleta Jawi; Wakjira Takala Dibaba; Amsalu Tilahun Fite; Obsu Hirko

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia

Tola Geleta Jawi^*

, Wakjira Takala Dibaba, Amsalu Tilahun Fite, Obsu Hirko

Published in International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 13 February 2025 Accepted: 17 April 2025 Published: 14 May 2025

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Degradation of fragile lands and gully formation are pressing challenges in Western Ethiopia, particularly in the Mana Sibu District. The integration of Chomo grass (Brachiaria humidicola), a stoloniferous perennial grass with strong adaptive and restorative properties, has shown promising potential for ecological restoration and soil conservation. This study aimed to characterize the morphological traits of Chomo grass across different age categories and assess its role in the sustainable rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. A randomized complete block design was employed to evaluate both above- and below-ground morphological traits, including plant height, stolon length, leaf sheath, root depth, and plant density. Results revealed statistically significant differences (p<0.001) in most traits across age groups, indicating rapid early development and increasing restoration capacity with plant age. The highest ground cover (98.67%) and root length (125 cm) were recorded in older stands, supporting its effectiveness in enhancing soil stability, vegetation recovery, and water retention. Field observations further confirmed Chomo grass’s role in stabilizing gullies and fragile lands, reducing erosion, and supporting livelihoods through fodder production. The study recommends the expansion of Chomo grass as a viable biological soil and water conservation strategy in degraded areas.

Published in	International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11
Page(s)	57-64
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Chomo Grass, Morphological Traits, Degraded Land Restoration, Gully Rehabilitation, Mana Sibu District

References

[1]	Adie A, Duncan A., 2013. Chomo grass (Brachiariahumidicola) to rehabilitate degraded land manages termites. CGIAR Challenge program, Water and Food Nile.
[2]	Cook M. I., Beissinger, S. R., Toranzos, G. A. and Arendt, W. J., 2005. Incubation reduces microbial growth on eggshells and the opportunity for trans-shell infection. Ecology Letters, 8(5), pp. 532-537.
[3]	CSA (Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (2008) Summary and statistical report of the 2007 population and housing census: population size by age and sex, Addis Ababa.
[4]	DoVale, J.; Fritsche-Neto, R. Root Phenomics. In Phenomics; Fritsche-Neto, R., Borém, A., Eds.; Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland, 2015; pp. 49–66.
[5]	FAO, 2010. Statistical developmental series 12. 2010. 2000 World census of agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. 238 p.
[6]	Fisher, R. J., Abu-Saad, H. H., Champion, G. D., Crawford, M. R., Juniper, K. H., Ziegler, J. B. and Arts, S. E., 1994. Age-related response to lidocaine-prilocaine (EMLA) emulsion and effect of music distraction on the pain of intravenous cannulation. Pediatrics, 93(5), pp. 797-801.
[7]	Forde, B. G., 2014. Nitrogen signalling pathways shaping root system architecture: an update. Current opinion in plant biology, 21, pp. 30-36.
[8]	Guenni, O., Marín, D. and Baruch, Z., 2002. Responses to drought of five Brachiaria species. I. Biomass production, leaf growth, root distribution, water use and forage quality. Plant and soil, 243(2), pp. 229-241.
[9]	Gyssels, G., Poesen, J., Bochet, E. and Li, Y., 2005. Impact of plant roots on the resistance of soils to erosion by water: a review. Progress in physical geography, 29(2), pp. 189-217.
[10]	Haling, R. E.; Brown, L. K.; Bengough, A. G.; Young, I. M.; Hallett, P. D.; White, P. J.; George, T. S. Root hairs improve root penetration, root-soil contact, and phosphorus acquisition in soils of different strength. J. Exp. Bot. 2013, 64, 3711–3721.
[11]	Lynch, J. P., 2015. Root phenes that reduce the metabolic costs of soil exploration: opportunities for 21st century agriculture. Plant, Cell & Environment, 38(9), pp. 1775-1784.
[12]	Lynch, J. P.; Wojciechowski, T. Opportunities and challenges in the subsoil: Pathways to deeper rooted crops. J. Exp. Bot. 2015.
[13]	Maass BL, Midega CAO, Mutimura M, Rahethah VB, Salgado P, Kabirizi J, Khan ZR, Ghimire SR, Rao IM. 2015. Homecoming of Brachiaria: Improved hybrids prove useful for African Animal Agriculture. East African Agric For J 81: 71-79.
[14]	Mickovski, S. B. and Van Beek, L. P. H., 2009. Root morphology and effects on soil reinforcement and slope stability of young vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) plants grown in semi-arid climate. Plant and soil, 324(1-2), pp. 43-56.
[15]	Miguel, M. A.; Postma, J. A.; Lynch, J. Phene synergism between root hair length and basal root growth angle for phosphorus acquisition. Plant Physiol. 2015, 167, 1430–1439.
[16]	Oliveira, P. D., Kluthcouski, J., Nascente, A. S., Freitas, R. J. D. and Favarin, J. L., 2014. Land use and rice cultivars intercropped with palisade grass rice in the Cerrado. Revista Ceres, 61, pp. 1022-1029.
[17]	Postma, J. A.; Dathe, A.; Lynch, J. P. The optimal lateral root branching density for maize depends on nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Plant Physiol. 2014, 166, 590–602.
[18]	Rewald, B.; Ephrath, J. E.; Rachmilevitch, S. A root is a root is a root? Water uptake rates of Citrus root orders. Plant Cell Environ. 2011, 34, 33–42.
[19]	Singh, R. J. 2009. Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement. Series Forage Crops Volume 5, Publisher: CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group), Boca Raton, Florida.
[20]	Sun, H.; Li, J.; Song, W.; Tao, J.; Huang, S.; Chen, S.; Hou, M.; Xu, G.; Zhang, Y. Nitric oxide generated by nitrate reductase increases nitrogen uptake capacity by inducing lateral root formation and inorganic nitrogen uptake under partial nitrate nutrition in rice. J. Exp. Bot. 2015, in press.
[21]	Tanaka, K. L., Skinner Jr, J. A., Dohm, J. M., Irwin III, R. P., Kolb, E. J., Fortezzo, C. M., Platz, T., Michael, G. G. and Hare, T. M., 2014. Geologic map of Mars.
[22]	Tuberosa, R. Phenotyping for drought tolerance of crops in the genomics era. Front. Physiol. 2012, 3.
[23]	Zhan, A.; Lynch, J. P. Reduced frequency of lateral root branching improves N capture from low-N soils in maize. J. Exp. Bot. 2015.
[24]	Meseret, D. (2016). Land degradation in Amhara Region of Ethiopia: review on extent, impacts and rehabilitation practices. J. Environ. Earth Sci, 6(1), 120-130.
[25]	Kala, S., Singh, A. K., Rao, B. K., Meena, H. R., Rashmi, I., & Singh, R. K. (2020). Bamboo-based technology for resource conservation and management of Gullied Lands in Central India. Gully Erosion Studies from India and Surrounding Regions, 307-319.
[26]	Power, A. G. (2010). Ecosystem services and agriculture: tradeoffs and synergies. Philosophical transactions of the royal society B: biological sciences, 365(1554), 2959-2971.
[27]	Seybold, C. A., Herrick, J. E., & Brejda, J. J. (1999). Soil resilience: a fundamental component of soil quality. Soil science, 164(4), 224-234.
[28]	Damene, S., Bahir, A., & Villamor, G. B. (2020). The role of Chomo grass (Brachiaria humidicola) and exclosures in restoring soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and associated functions in degraded lands in Ethiopia. Regional Environmental Change, 20(3), 92.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Jawi, T. G., Dibaba, W. T., Fite, A. T., Hirko, O. (2025). Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia. International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment, 10(3), 57-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Jawi, T. G.; Dibaba, W. T.; Fite, A. T.; Hirko, O. Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia. Int. J. Econ. Energy Environ. 2025, 10(3), 57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Jawi TG, Dibaba WT, Fite AT, Hirko O. Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia. Int J Econ Energy Environ. 2025;10(3):57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11,
  author = {Tola Geleta Jawi and Wakjira Takala Dibaba and Amsalu Tilahun Fite and Obsu Hirko},
  title = {Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia
},
  journal = {International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {57-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijeee.20251003.11},
  abstract = {Degradation of fragile lands and gully formation are pressing challenges in Western Ethiopia, particularly in the Mana Sibu District. The integration of Chomo grass (Brachiaria humidicola), a stoloniferous perennial grass with strong adaptive and restorative properties, has shown promising potential for ecological restoration and soil conservation. This study aimed to characterize the morphological traits of Chomo grass across different age categories and assess its role in the sustainable rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. A randomized complete block design was employed to evaluate both above- and below-ground morphological traits, including plant height, stolon length, leaf sheath, root depth, and plant density. Results revealed statistically significant differences (p) in most traits across age groups, indicating rapid early development and increasing restoration capacity with plant age. The highest ground cover (98.67%) and root length (125 cm) were recorded in older stands, supporting its effectiveness in enhancing soil stability, vegetation recovery, and water retention. Field observations further confirmed Chomo grass’s role in stabilizing gullies and fragile lands, reducing erosion, and supporting livelihoods through fodder production. The study recommends the expansion of Chomo grass as a viable biological soil and water conservation strategy in degraded areas.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia

AU  - Tola Geleta Jawi
AU  - Wakjira Takala Dibaba
AU  - Amsalu Tilahun Fite
AU  - Obsu Hirko
Y1  - 2025/05/14
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11
T2  - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
JF  - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
JO  - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
SP  - 57
EP  - 64
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5021
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11
AB  - Degradation of fragile lands and gully formation are pressing challenges in Western Ethiopia, particularly in the Mana Sibu District. The integration of Chomo grass (Brachiaria humidicola), a stoloniferous perennial grass with strong adaptive and restorative properties, has shown promising potential for ecological restoration and soil conservation. This study aimed to characterize the morphological traits of Chomo grass across different age categories and assess its role in the sustainable rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. A randomized complete block design was employed to evaluate both above- and below-ground morphological traits, including plant height, stolon length, leaf sheath, root depth, and plant density. Results revealed statistically significant differences (p) in most traits across age groups, indicating rapid early development and increasing restoration capacity with plant age. The highest ground cover (98.67%) and root length (125 cm) were recorded in older stands, supporting its effectiveness in enhancing soil stability, vegetation recovery, and water retention. Field observations further confirmed Chomo grass’s role in stabilizing gullies and fragile lands, reducing erosion, and supporting livelihoods through fodder production. The study recommends the expansion of Chomo grass as a viable biological soil and water conservation strategy in degraded areas.

VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Tola Geleta Jawi

Soil Resource and Watershed Management Department, Wallaga University, Gimbi, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-1480-9633
Wakjira Takala Dibaba

Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering Department, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Amsalu Tilahun Fite

Department of Natural Resource Management, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Obsu Hirko

Department of Natural Resource Management, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Jawi, T. G., Dibaba, W. T., Fite, A. T., Hirko, O. (2025). Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia. International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment, 10(3), 57-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Jawi, T. G.; Dibaba, W. T.; Fite, A. T.; Hirko, O. Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia. Int. J. Econ. Energy Environ. 2025, 10(3), 57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Jawi TG, Dibaba WT, Fite AT, Hirko O. Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia. Int J Econ Energy Environ. 2025;10(3):57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11,
  author = {Tola Geleta Jawi and Wakjira Takala Dibaba and Amsalu Tilahun Fite and Obsu Hirko},
  title = {Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia
},
  journal = {International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {57-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijeee.20251003.11},
  abstract = {Degradation of fragile lands and gully formation are pressing challenges in Western Ethiopia, particularly in the Mana Sibu District. The integration of Chomo grass (Brachiaria humidicola), a stoloniferous perennial grass with strong adaptive and restorative properties, has shown promising potential for ecological restoration and soil conservation. This study aimed to characterize the morphological traits of Chomo grass across different age categories and assess its role in the sustainable rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. A randomized complete block design was employed to evaluate both above- and below-ground morphological traits, including plant height, stolon length, leaf sheath, root depth, and plant density. Results revealed statistically significant differences (p) in most traits across age groups, indicating rapid early development and increasing restoration capacity with plant age. The highest ground cover (98.67%) and root length (125 cm) were recorded in older stands, supporting its effectiveness in enhancing soil stability, vegetation recovery, and water retention. Field observations further confirmed Chomo grass’s role in stabilizing gullies and fragile lands, reducing erosion, and supporting livelihoods through fodder production. The study recommends the expansion of Chomo grass as a viable biological soil and water conservation strategy in degraded areas.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Morphology and Rehabilitation Roles of Chomo Grass (Brachiaria humidicola) in Gully and Fragile Degraded Lands in Mana Sibu District, Western Ethiopia

AU  - Tola Geleta Jawi
AU  - Wakjira Takala Dibaba
AU  - Amsalu Tilahun Fite
AU  - Obsu Hirko
Y1  - 2025/05/14
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11
T2  - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
JF  - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
JO  - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
SP  - 57
EP  - 64
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5021
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20251003.11
AB  - Degradation of fragile lands and gully formation are pressing challenges in Western Ethiopia, particularly in the Mana Sibu District. The integration of Chomo grass (Brachiaria humidicola), a stoloniferous perennial grass with strong adaptive and restorative properties, has shown promising potential for ecological restoration and soil conservation. This study aimed to characterize the morphological traits of Chomo grass across different age categories and assess its role in the sustainable rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. A randomized complete block design was employed to evaluate both above- and below-ground morphological traits, including plant height, stolon length, leaf sheath, root depth, and plant density. Results revealed statistically significant differences (p) in most traits across age groups, indicating rapid early development and increasing restoration capacity with plant age. The highest ground cover (98.67%) and root length (125 cm) were recorded in older stands, supporting its effectiveness in enhancing soil stability, vegetation recovery, and water retention. Field observations further confirmed Chomo grass’s role in stabilizing gullies and fragile lands, reducing erosion, and supporting livelihoods through fodder production. The study recommends the expansion of Chomo grass as a viable biological soil and water conservation strategy in degraded areas.

VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download