Effects of Sowing Methods, Seed Rates and Sowing Depths on Growth Performance and Grain Yield of Tef [<i>Eragrostis tef</i> (Zucc.) Trotter]

Abstract

Three field experiments were carried out on black soil (Vertisols) at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center during the main season between 2011 and  2013 to determine appropriate sowing/planting methods, seed rates, inter- and intra-row spacings, and planting depth for tef. Each experiment was laid  out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were taken on days to panicle emergence and to maturity, plant height, panicle  length, lodging index, shoot biomass, and grain yield. Combined analyses of variance over years showed that sowing methods had no significant effect  on any of the traits assessed, while sowing methods and seed rates interaction effects were significant for all the traits evaluated. Irrespective of sowing  methods significantly higher grain yields were recorded with higher seeding rates (10-25 kg/ha). Among the spacing treatments, sowing with 10 cm row  spacing showed the highest mean grain (2621 kg/ha) and shoot biomass (21861 kg/ha) yield. Hill planting irrespective of the row spacing gave the lowest  grain and shoot biomass yield, while transplanting, gave intermediate grain and shoot biomass yield comparable to those of row sowing. In the third  experiment that combined row spacing and sowing depth, the highest grain yield (2404 kg/ha) was obtained from 20 cm row spacing by 3 cm planting  depth followed by 20 cm row spacing by 5 cm planting depth (2292 kg/ha). Overall, based on the results of this study, seed rates of 10-15 kg/ha for both  broadcasting and row spacing, and row spacing of 20 cm and sowing depth of 3 cm would be recommended for tef production on black soils at Debre  Zeit and other similar areas.