Determination of seeding rate and inter row spacing on the yield of tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc. Trotter) in the dryland areas of Wag Lasta, North Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

Tef production and productivity in Wag lasta is very low as compared to the national average due to many production constraints, including use of inappropriate agronomic practices and low yielder varieties. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to optimize seeding rate and inter-row spacing of tef in the study areas of Wag-Lasta in 2013 and 2014 cropping season. Five seeding rates (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kg ha^-1) and three inter row spacing’s (15, 20, 25 cm) were laid out in a factorial RCBD with three replications. An additional plot of broad cast of tef seed with 25 kg/ha as a satellite control was included and making a total of 16 treatments. Grain yield showed significance difference at Woleh 2014 on both seeding rate and inter row spacing and combined analysis by location for the year 2014 cropping season for the factor seeding rate. At Lalibela, grain yield and other agronomic traits did not show a significance difference except days to heading, in case of inter row spacing in 2013 and number of tillers in case of seeding rate in 2014 cropping seasons. Based on the combined analysis result the highest grain yield was recorded from 15 kg/ha seeding rate with 20 cm inter row spacing. Generally sowing of tef with the rate of 15 kg ha-1 and 20cm inter row spacing is effective in attaining higher grain yield and economic benefit.