Yield and Yield Components Response of tef (Eragrostis tef) Varieties to Seed Rates in the Highland Vertisols of North Shewa, Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted at Enewari, Ethiopia to determine appropriate seed rate for broadcast planting of tef in the highland Vertisols during 2012 and 2014 from July to December. Factorial combination of two varieties (‘Dega-tef’ and ‘Holetta-key’) with six seed rates (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 kg/ha) was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Main effects of varieties and seed rates showed significant effect on some parameters considered including grain- and straw yield. Most of the interaction effects showed non-significant effect on most parameters measured. However, seed rate of 25 and 30 kg/ha found to be economically optimum for variety ‘Dega-tef’ and ‘Holetta-key’, respectively, by showing highest net benefits and marginal rate of return. Accordingly, use of variety Dega-tef at a seed rate of 25 kg/ha and variety Holetta-key at a seed rate of 30 kg ha-1 found to be preferable under broadcast sowing of tef at Enewari and similar areas where feed shortage is very critical. Keywords: Broadcast sowing, Economic analysis, Reduced seed rate, Tef intensification, Vertisols, Yield DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-13-04 Publication date:July 31st 201