Abstract
The trial was carried out during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons in Hawa Gelan and Dale Sedi districts on 14 farmers' field by selecting two peasant associations from each district based on their tef production potentials. Accordingly, Immo and Arere Gebi kebeles were selected from D/sedi district while Arere and Hawa Moi were from Hawa Gelan district. Three varieties (Quncho, Guduru and Ziquala) including local check were evaluated with the objective of selecting adaptable and best performing tef variety under farmers management. Analysis of variance was done across location and the combined analysis of the two districts was also undergone. In Dale Sedi district, the mean grain yields of Guduru and Quncho varieties were 10.43 and 8.39 qt/ha while the yield of Ziquala (6.70 qt/ha) was less than the local variety. Similarly in Hawa Gelan district the mean yields of Guduru (8.92qt/ha) and Quncho (7.76qt/ha) remained higher than the local check (6.56qt/ha). The yield of Ziquala (6.16qt/ha) was also less than the local. The combined analysis of variance revealed the mean values of grain yield ranged from Ziquala (6.44 qt/ha) to Guduru (9.68qt/ha). Quncho and the local gave 8.07 and 7.39 qt/ha respectively. Farmers’ selection criteria were grain yield and seed color. Based on their selection criteria, farmers preferred Guduru for grain yield and Quncho for grain yield plus its very white seeded color. Since, both varieties were preferred by the target community they are recommended to be scaled up.
Highlights
Ethiopia is the center of origin and diversity for tef
Three improved varieties of tef namely, Quncho, Guduru, DZ-cr- 358 (Ziquala) and one local check were tested for their adaptability with full participation of farmers in the study areas
Among the farmers' selection criteria set in two districts, seed color and high market demand coincide with the participatory varietal selection of teff by [9]
Summary
Ethiopia is the center of origin and diversity for tef. It is adapted to a wide range of environments and is presently cultivated under diverse agro climatic conditions. Tef is cultivated in high rainfall areas with long growing periods. Most of Ethiopian farmers motivated to cultivate tef because of its relative merits over other cereals in the use of both the grain and straw. Kellem and West Wollega zones have a high amount of annual rainfall that can enable farmers to grow twice a year and double their produce. Farmers of these areas traditionally practice double cropping using local varieties of tef after. West and Kellem Wollega Zones maize harvest in late August [3] These local varieties of tef in spite of having early maturing character, are very poor in yield, susceptible to lodging and have little biomass than recently released varieties. The two way feedback between farmers and researchers is vital component of high yielder and disease and pest resistant varietal development process [6]
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