Abstract
Participatory variety selection trials were conducted in 2018 G.C in Laelay-maichew, Tahtay-maichew and Ahferom districts of central zone of Tigrai to evaluate the performance of improved bread wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) Variety and to assess farmers’ criteria for bread wheat variety selection. Six improved bread wheat varieties (Mekelle-1, Mekelle-2, Ogolcho, Kingbird and Hedasse) including the most popular variety ‘Kakaba’ were used for the study at eighteen farmers (six from each district). The experiment was laid out using randomized complete block design at baby trial with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference among the tested varieties for most of the agronomic traits except for kernels per spike and harvest index in all the tested locations. In the preference ranking, farmers used their own traits of interest which were very important in their wheat varieties for selection. Hence, common criteria’s identified by the farmers to select the best varieties were; grain yield, biomass yield, earliness, disease resistance, spike length and seed size. Accordingly direct matrix ranking by farmers showed that Ogolcho was top ranked both at L/maichew and Ahferom followed by Kakaba, however Mekelle-1 was first ranked followed by Kakaba at T/maichew. Therefore farmers of L/maichew and Ahferom were recommended to use Ogolcho and Kakaba, whereas Mekelle-1 was recommended for T/maichew.
Highlights
Participatory variety selection trials were conducted in 2018 G.C in Laelay-maichew, Tahtay-maichew and Ahferom districts of central zone of Tigrai to evaluate the performance of improved bread wheat
Direct matrix ranking by farmers showed that Ogolcho was top ranked both at L/maichew and Ahferom followed by Kakaba, Mekelle-1 was first ranked followed by Kakaba at T/maichew
Wheat is a major cereal crop in Ethiopia, which is largely grown in the highlands and the country is considered the largest producer of the crop in the sub-saharan Africa (FAOSTAT, 2015)
Summary
Wheat is a major cereal crop in Ethiopia, which is largely grown in the highlands and the country is considered the largest producer of the crop in the sub-saharan Africa (FAOSTAT, 2015). Variety recommendation is done based on the average performance of the varieties in most cases without considering genotype by environment interactions and farmers’’ needs and preferences, and the released varieties are distributed to the growers across the country (Workneh et al, 2014). This top-down approach did not convince the farmers to grow more improved varieties. In crop improvement and other technology development process the involvement of the end-users (participatory approach) may fasten the process and increase the adoption and dissemination of the new technology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
