Teff is a major staple cereal crop in Ethiopia. The need for its production as a staple food is increasing from year to year; however, its productivity is limited, amongst others, by the use of improper sowing methods and inappropriate seed rates. These effects were examined in this present study.
Row planting and optimizing seed rate should be in place to increase the productivity of the crop. A field experiment was conducted at Wolaita Sodo Agricultural College Farm, during the 2018/19 main cropping season under rain-fed condition, with the objective of evaluating the response of teff to seeding rates and sowing methods on phenology, growth, yield components and yield of teff. Factorial combinations of two sowing methods (Row and broadcast) and five seeding rates were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data related to phenology, growth, yield and yield attributes, were collected and analyzed using Gestate software. Plant parameters such as days to panicle emergence, lodging %, number of total and effect tillers per plant and grain yield were significantly affected by the interaction effect of sowing methods and seed rates. Plots sown with low seeding rate combined with row planting gave high grain yield. Therefore, using treatment combinations of seeding rate of 2.5 kg ha−1 together with the row planting can be advised for teff production in the study area. However, repeated experiment over different soil type, seasons and locations necessitates for conclusive recommendation.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Description of the Study Area
2.2 Treatments and Experimental Design
2.3 Agronomic Practices
3. Data Collected
3.1 Crop phenology
3.2 Growth parameters
4. Results and Discussion
4.1 Days to panicle emergence
4.2. Days to Physiological Maturity
4.3. Plant Height
4.4. Panicle Length
4.5. Panicle number
4.6. Thousand Seed weight
4.7. Panicle seed weight
4.8. Lodging percentage
4.9. Number of Total and Effective Tillers per Plant
4.10. Grain yield
5. Conclusion and Recommendation
Research Objective and Topics
The research aims to evaluate the response of teff (Eragrostis tef) to varying seeding rates and sowing methods to improve crop productivity, which is currently limited by traditional farming practices in Southern Ethiopia. The primary goal is to identify optimal management strategies that reduce competition for resources and minimize lodging.
- Comparison of broadcasting and row planting methods.
- Evaluation of five different seeding rates (2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg ha-1).
- Analysis of phenological and growth parameters like plant height and tiller numbers.
- Assessment of yield components and total grain yield.
- Determination of lodging percentages as a response to planting density.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Days to panicle emergence
Days to panicle emergence of teff was affected significantly (p<0.05) by the main effects of both sowing methods and the interaction effects of sowing methods and seed rates (Table 1). The longest (57.27) days to 50% panicle emergence were recorded at row planting with seed rate of 2.5 kg ha-1. The shortest (41.47) days to 50% panicle emergence were recorded from broadcasting method under higher seed rate (20kg ha-1).
The earlier days to 50% panicle emergence of plants under higher seed rate at broadcasting method might be attributed to the presences of competition for growth resources that made them to shift their phenology from vegetative to reproductive stage while plants grown at row planting with lower seed rate become free of competition for resources and get longer time to reach reproductive stage.
The delayed days to panicle emergence with at a lower seed rate might be related with reduced competition among plants while at higher seed rate there was a strong competition for capturing of growth resources which in turn brings stress on the plant and make them shift their vegetative growth stage to reproductive[19].
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the significance of teff as a staple crop in Ethiopia and identifies the lack of optimized sowing methods and seeding rates as a barrier to productivity.
2. Materials and Methods: Details the field experiment setup at Wolaita Sodo, including the randomized complete block design, the test variety Tsedey, and the specific agronomic practices applied.
3. Data Collected: Defines the specific parameters measured, including phenological stages, growth metrics such as plant height and tiller counts, and yield components.
4. Results and Discussion: Presents and analyzes the gathered data, demonstrating the significant impact of row planting and lower seed rates on panicle emergence, growth, and final grain yield.
5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Concludes that the combination of row planting and a 2.5 kg ha-1 seeding rate provides the best yield and recommends further testing across different soil types and locations.
Keywords
Broadcasting, Row planting, Seed Rate, Teff, Yield attributes, Phenology, Grain yield, Lodging, Crop management, Agronomy, Ethiopia, Plant density, Cereal production, Tsedey variety, Tillering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this scientific paper?
The study investigates the effects of different seeding rates and sowing methods (specifically row planting vs. broadcasting) on the growth, phenology, and yield attributes of teff in Southern Ethiopia.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The paper covers agricultural productivity, crop management techniques, plant competition, lodging resistance, and yield optimization strategies for teff.
What is the central research question?
The primary research question is how different combinations of sowing methods and seeding rates influence the growth and overall grain yield of teff, and whether optimizing these factors can mitigate the low productivity associated with traditional farming.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
A field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, testing five seeding rates and two sowing methods, with data analyzed using Gestate software.
What topics are explored in the main body of the work?
The main body evaluates phenological markers (days to emergence and maturity), growth parameters (plant height, tiller numbers), yield components (panicle size, thousand seed weight), and the extent of lodging under various treatments.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms like teff, seeding rate, row planting, broadcasting, yield attributes, and crop management.
How does row planting impact plant height compared to broadcasting?
Row planting typically results in taller plants (e.g., 84.93 cm) compared to broadcasting, as it provides a more uniform distribution and reduces intraspecific competition for light and nutrients.
What effect does a higher seed rate have on lodging?
Higher seed rates increase lodging percentages because they promote fast vegetative growth and succulent stem elongation, creating plants that are less resistant to climatic stress and physical displacement.
Why does the lower seeding rate (2.5 kg ha-1) produce higher grain yields?
Lower seeding rates reduce plant density, which minimizes competition for resources like light and nutrients, allowing the remaining plants to develop more effective tillers and larger panicles, ultimately increasing grain yield.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Wolde Tasew (Autor:in), 2021, Teff in Southern Ethiopia. Effect of Seed Rates and Sowing Methods on Phenology, Growth, Yield and Yield Attributes at Wolaita Sodo, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1023746
