Optimizing sowing rates and methods for irrigated Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) (Trotter) production in North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Tef is considered the major crop in Ethiopia, serving as a staple food for the majority of the population and occupying the largest area under cultivation among cereal crops in the country. However, crop management for tef produced under irrigation is mainly based on its recommended rates for the respective tef production under rain-fed conditions. A field experiment was conducted at the Koga irrigation scheme during the 2020/2021 dry season to determine the effects of sowing methods and seeding rates on the yield of tef produced under irrigation conditions. The treatments consisted of two sowing methods (broadcast and drill row) and five seed rate levels (5, 10, 15, 25, and 30 kg ha^-1), which were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on growth, yield, and yield component parameters were collected. The data were analysed using SAS-JMP13 software. Results showed that the row and broadcast sowing methods at a seed rate of 5 kg ha^-1 and 15 kg ha^-1, respectively, gave the maximum plant height, panicle length, grain yield, and harvest index.  Sowing tef in broadcasting with a seed rate of 15 kg ha^-1 is a profitable sowing method as compared to others. Thus, it could be concluded that sowing tef in broadcasting method with a seed rate of 15 kg ha^-1 gave both maximum grain yield and net benefit for irrigated tef production and recommended for the farmers in the study area. Further extensive research needs to be conducted in all agro-ecologies of the country as far as the irrigation water is available.