Performance of Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.)Trotter) Varieties at Chora District, Buno Bedele Zone

Abstract

Tef is the most important staple cereal crop in Ethiopia. However, its productivity is low due to several biotic and abiotic constraints. The diverse and dynamic environmental condition of Ethiopia needs detailed and sustainable study of under different environment for developed Tef varieties. The objective of this study was to evaluate and select better performed Tef varieties for the study area and similar agro ecologies. Ten (10) improved Tef varieties were tested at Chora district during the 2019-2020 main cropping seasons using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. An important data like Days to heading, Plant height, Panicle length, Total productive tillers per plant, Biomass yield and Grain yield were recorded and mean performances of these traits were evaluated using Genstat 18th edition software. The results showed significant differences among Tef varieties for grain yield and yield related traits. Combined mean grain yield of the Tef varieties varied from 1733kg ha-1 for variety Dega-Tef, to 2217kg ha-1 for variety Dursi. The maximum yield was obtained from Dursi variety (2217kg ha-1) followed by Dukem variety (2171kg ha-1). The results from this study gave valuable information and input for researchers who were interested to examine the effect of environment on the performance of Tef varieties for future breeding program in the Southwest Ethiopian condition (Buno-Bedele Zone). Therefore, these two varieties were recommended to be demonstrated under farmers’ field for further scaling up. Keywords: Adaptability: Eragrostis Tef: Varieties: Yield Related: Oromia: Bedele: Ethiopia.