Performance Evaluation of Tef Varieties for Yield and Yield Related Traits in Traditional and Non-traditional Growing Areas Under Irrigation Production in Ethiopia

Abstract

Tef is a foremost staple cereal crop with substantial contribution in the GDP of Ethiopia. Tef grain is highly nutritious gluten-free as well as high quality forage. However, yield losses of tef due to erratic rainfall and drought are estimated to reach up to 77%. Lodging is also the major bottleneck limiting tef quality and yield losses estimated at 30% - 35%. Hence, the purpose of this research was design to evaluate, and recommend best performing tef varieties under irrigation farming system in both traditional and non-traditional tef growing areas in Ethiopia. The field experiment comprised 35 released tef varieties using randomized complete block design with three replications in 2m² plot size were evaluated at six locations (eight environments). The result revealed highly significant (p < 0.001) varietal difference for grain yield at all locations under irrigation. For non- traditional tef growing areas (Somali region), there was highly significant (p < 0.001) varietal difference for all recorded traits except panicle length. This finding indicates that the lodging index in tef is reduced when it is cultivated under irrigation production. The variety by location interaction effect in Somali region showed that there were highly significant (p < 0.001) varietal difference for plant height, days to maturity and harvest index. However, there was no interaction significant varietal difference for grain yield, above ground shoot biomass, lodging index, panicle length and days to head in the three locations of Somali region. There was no single variety demonstrating steady superiority for grain yield across all tested environments. However, variety Gamechis was the best varieties at five tested environments. Performance of tef variety in non-traditional tef growing area (Somali region) is encouraging both for small holder farmers and large-scale investors to grow tef in the area. Thus, cultivated tef in this region is crucial to ensure food security in region as well as in the country. Moreover, growing tef in non-traditional regions has vital role to get additional quality feed source for their animals where it is a major problem in the region. In addition to tef yield increment using irrigation production but may also reduce variability in production through improved control of the crop environment. Therefore, variety Gamechis, Boset, Kora and Quncho should be used under irrigation production both in non-traditional and traditional tef growing areas where the experiment was conducted and other similar agro ecological areas.