Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Inter-Row Spacing on Yield and Yield Components of Teff [Eragrostis teff (Zucc.) Trotter] in Limo District, Southern Ethiopia

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is the major staple food of Ethiopia. It ranks the first among cereals in the country in area coverage and second in the production Volume; however, its productivity is almost stagnant. Teff variety Quncho (Dz-Cr-387) was sown during the main cropping season of 2016/2017 at Limo District, Southern Ethiopia. The objective of this research was to study the effect of four nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 32.5, 65 and 97.5kg N/ha-1) and three inter-row spacing (15, 20 and 25cm), to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer rate and inter-row spacing on yield and yield components of teff and to identify the economically appropriate nitrogen rates and inter-row spacing that maximize yield of teff. A factorial experiment was laid out in RCBD with 12 treatment combination and three replications. The characteristics of days to 50% panicle emergence, days to 90% physiological maturity, plant height, panicle length, number of effective tillers per plant, lodging index, biological yield, grain yield, thousand seed weight, straw yield, harvest index were measured. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis using SAS and means differences were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The main effects of N rate and inter-row spacing showed significant differences (P≤0.05) for all yield and yield components studied. The effects of N rate by inter-row spacing interaction were not significant for some traits studied except for lodging index, biomass, grain, and straw yield and harvest index. Application of N rate at 97.5 kgha−1and inter-row spacing with 25 cm significantly (P≤0.01) increased grain yield of teff. Moreover, both N fertilizer rates and wider inter-row spacing increased the magnitudes of the important yield attributes including plant height, panicle length, number of effective tillers per plant, thousand seed weight, Biomass yield and straw yield significantly (P≤0.01) and also inter-row spacing increased the magnitudes of the important yield attributes including significantly (P≤0.05). From the results of the study it is possible to conclude that increased application of nitrogen fertilizer rate and row spacing improves yield and yield components of teff. Therefore, application of 97.5 kg N ha−1 and inter-row spacing of 25 cm gave maximum profit which can be recommended for the study area. Keywords: Nitrogen, inter-row spacing; teff; fertilizer rates DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-23-05 Publication date: December 31st 202