Effect of Seed Sources and Rates on Productivity of Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L. ) Varieties at Kersa, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

The experiment was conducted with the objectives of evaluating the effect of seeds sources, seed rates and varieties on yield and yield related traits and to determine seed quality of different sources of bread wheat varieties. This experiment consisted of laboratory and field experiments. Laboratory experiment was conducted at Haramaya University in Seed Science and Technology laboratory using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications in factorial arrangement of two bread wheat varieties (Digalu and Qulqulluu) and 10 seed sources (seeds obtained from Haramaya University, Kersa Local Seed Business Project and seeds collected from 8 Farmers). The analysis of variance showed that, the interaction of seed source and variety had significant effect on all physical and physiological seed quality parameters. The field experiment was laid out by means of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in factorial arrangement of two varieties, three seed sources (seeds obtained from Haramaya University, Kersa Local Seed Business Project and Farmers) and three seed rates (100, 125 and 150 kg ha-1). The highest yield (5.652 t ha-1) and (5.162) were recorded from Kersa Local Seed Business Project seed source and seed rate of 150 kg ha-1 respectively. Thus, bread wheat variety (Qulqulluu) obtained from Kersa Local Seed Business Project sown at the seed rate of 150 kg ha-1 showed better yield response as compared to other seed sources. However, it is necessary to conduct the experiments considering more number of seed sources, seed rates and varieties at major wheat growing areas for more than one cropping seasons to make conclusive recommendation.