Sowing methods and seeding rates effects on yield and yield components of Tef(Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) at Adet, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Tef is one of the most important staple cereal crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of the crop remain low due to lack of appropriate agronomic recommendations. Lack of optimum sowing methods and seed rates are key agronomic factors limit the productivities of the crop. Hence, field experiment was conducted to study the effects of seed rates and sowing methods on growth, yield and yield components of tef. The treatments contains factorial combination of two sowing methods (row and broadcast) and five seeding rates (5, 7.5,10, 12.5, and 15 kg ha−1in randomized factorial complete block design with three replications. Days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, spike length, total number of tiller, total number of effective tiller, above ground dry biomass yield, grain yield and straw yield collected and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS system. The main effect seed rate significantly affect days to physiological maturity, plant height, panicle length, and straw yield and the maximum values of these parameters were recorded at the seed rate of 5 kg ha−1. Similarly, number of total tillers, fertile tillers, total biomass, grain yield, and lodging percent were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by interaction effect of sowing methods and seeding rates. The highest grain yield (2.301 kg/ha) and other growth parameters recorded at the interaction effect of 5 kg ha−1 of seed rate and row planting method compared to other treatments. Maximum net benefit (795,689.21ETB) with acceptable marginal rate of return (104.32) also recorded at the interaction effect of 5 kg ha−1 of seeding rate and row planting. Hence, 5 kg ha−1 seed rate with row planting method could be recommended for maximum yield of tef in Adet soil and climatic conditions.