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Full Length
Research Paper
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Seed size
effect on grain weight and agronomic performance of tef [Eragrostis
tef (Zucc.) Trotter]
G. Belay*, A.
Zemede, K. Assefa, G. Metaferia and H. Tefera
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeit
Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
tef-res@ethionet.et ;
getab62@yahoo.com.
Tel: +251-11-4331187.
Accepted 1 August, 2009 |
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Abstract |
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Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter], the indigenous
Ethiopian cereal, has a very minute seed size, yet it has a
strong bearing both on the preferences of farmers for planting
material and consumers as quality measure. The objectives of
this study were to determine the effects of sieve-graded seeds
on the grain weight of tef, and to investigate whether large
seed size offers yield and agronomic advantages over using
un-graded planting seed materials. Seeds of two tef varieties,
DZ-01-974 and DZ-Cr-37 (early type) were sieve-graded in to five
seed size treatments, and were field grown at Debre Zeit and
Akaki experiment stations, in 2005 and 2006, along with the
un-graded seed (Mix) as a control. A split-plot design
replicated three times in randomized complete block arrangements
was used; varieties were used as main plots while seed sizes
were kept as sub-plots. Grain yield, days-to-panicle emergence (DPE),
plant height, biomass yield and panicle length were considered.
There was clear increase of 100-seed weight when seed size
increased. However, seed size effects were statistically
significant, but not agronomically meaningful, only for DPE.
Generally, there were trends of increased grain yield (up to 7%)
due to large seeds, but the advantages for the other traits were
nil. Relative growth rates (RGR) were similar for the seed-size
groups, and therefore, were unable to explain the lack of
significant effects. In conclusion, under optimum production
conditions, the added advantages of large seed size do not
justify tef-seed grading. On the other hand, farmers may
consider the use of smaller size seeds for planting and sell
large size seeds for consumption purpose.
Key words:
Eragrostis tef,
seed size, tef, tef agronomy. |
