Review Study on the Effect of Different Varieties Seed Size to Yields and Economic Benefits of Bread Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) Crop

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to determine the best plant population level of bread wheat crop by identifying the most economic-effective variety’s seed size and to deliver an overview of wheat production management requirements in general and specifically in Ethiopia, comparing with current research trends as well as to make some recommendations on the appropriate seed rates for yields, and economic benefits of bread wheat. This paper reviewed that application of the optimum seed rate under ideal environment availability of which may help in improving yield and yield components of bread wheat. To optimize seed rate and plant density of wheat, some experiments have conducted so far across most wheat growing areas of Ethiopia. The field experiments were conducted in different times at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center from July to November 2012. Quite similar field experiment was also conducted at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center from June to 2018 cropping season, Three bread wheat varieties (Hidassie, Dendea and Shorima) representing different seed sizes of large, medium, small, respectively and four plant population levels of 250, 300, 350 & 400 plants m^-2 were tested. The interaction effects of varieties seed size and plant population on grain yield showed statistically significant (p<0.01) variation, likewise biomass yield and straw yield indicated significant (p<0.05) variations. The grain yield resulted in (4.309 Ton ha^-1), similarly biomass yield and straw yield are (11.00 Ton ha^-1) and (5.28 Ton ha^-1) respectively, and it suggests that these traits are generally enhanced by the genetic makeups of the variety Hidassie /large seed size. Economic analysis using partial budget procedure was performed on grain yields to determine the treatment with most profitable returns. The beneficial marginal rate of return (8.50) and benefit cost ratio (8.07) was obtained from the variety Hidassie/large seed size at a plant population of 300 seeds m^-2 followed by a marginal rate of return (9.55) and benefit cost ratio (8.05) were also recorded again from the variety Hidassie/large seed size at plant population of 250 plants m^-2. So the most cost-effective variety and plant population level for farmers with low cost of production and higher benefits were identified to be the variety Hidassie/large seed size at the plant population level of 300 plants m^-2 in the rain fed cropping season is identified as low cost of production with highest benefit and can be recommended for the producers of wheat crop.