*2.5. Agronomic Data*

Garlic, cabbage, potato, onion, and maize crops were grown in the study sites. Farmers at each experimental site (i.e., Alefa or Affesa) grew the same crop during each cropping cycle. Activities including planting, mulch application, fertilizer, and pesticide application and crop harvest information were monitored for each crop during each cropping cycle (Table 1). On average, 1 kg m−<sup>2</sup> of dried grass mulch was applied for CA plots. Farmers applied Urea (46-0-0: N-P-K) fertilizer at a rate of 100 kg ha−<sup>1</sup> for irrigated onion and potato. For rainfed maize, 240 kg ha−<sup>1</sup> of DAP (18-46-0: N-P-K), 500 kg ha−<sup>1</sup> of Urea fertilizer, and 5 L ha−<sup>1</sup> of Diazinon 60% chemical were applied. Crop characteristics such as plant height, potato tuber diameter, garlic and onion bulb diameter, cabbage head diameter, and crop/vegetable yield were recorded. Plant height was monitored every week. Measuring tape and Caliper were used to measure plant height and diameter, respectively. The digital balance was used to determine weight crop yield. A paired t-test was used at a 5% significance level to determine the effects of management practices on all crop characteristics.
