Evaluation of Seed Rates and Sowing Methods on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributes of Tef [Eragrostis Tef (Zucc.) Trotter] in Simada District, South Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

The Field experiment was conducted at Simada, South Gondar zone during the main cropping seasons for two consecutive years (2020/21and 2021/22) to assess the effects of seed rate and sowing method on grain yield and yield component of Teff. Five seed rates (10,15, 20, 25and 30 kg/ha) and two sowing methods (Broadcasting and row sowing) were combined factorially and laid out in RCB Design with three replications. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of seed rates and sowing methods on growth, yield and yield components of tef. The results of the experiment showed that the main effect of seed rate was significantly affected grain yield, straw yield and lodging index whereas, sowing method was significantly affected grain yield, straw yield, plant height and logging index. The interaction effect of seed rate and row spacing was significantly (p<0.05) on plant height, lodging and grain yield. The highest grain yield (2.57 tha-¹) was obtained at a seed rate of 25 kgha-¹ and row planting method. The economic analysis indicated that a seed rate of 25 kg ha-¹ and row planting method is the most profitable treatment with mean net benefit of 340070.00 Birr ha-¹. Therefore, it can be concluded that a seed rate of 25 kg/ha and row planting method is preferable and recommended for tef production in Simada areas and other Similar agro-ecologies.