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Effect of Seed Rate and Row Spacing on Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) Production at Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years (2012-2014) to determine optimum seed rate and row spacing for increasing productivity of tef at central highlands of Ethiopia. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with a factorial combination of three levels of seed rates (5, 10 and 15 kg/ha) and three rows spaces (15, 20, 25cm) with three replications in a factorial arrangement. One satellite treatment of broadcasting of 25 kg/ha seed rate was included. Results revealed that plant height and number of tillers were not significantly affected by a combination of seed rate and row spacing, however, panicle length was significantly affected by a combination of seed rate and row spacing. The lowest seed rate (5kg/ha) with 25 cm row spacing gave the highest panicle length. Yield and yield components of tef were also significantly affected by a combination of seed rate and row spacing at both locations. At both locations, 10 kg/ha seed rate with 20 cm and broadcasted with 25kg/ha seed rate gave significantly higher grain yield, but were not significantly different from other treatments except 5 kg seed rate with 25 cm row spacing. The Partial budget analysis revealed that highest net benefit was recorded from 10 kg/ha seed rate with 20 cm row spacing. Therefore, a seed rate of 10 kg/ha with 20 cm row spacing can be recommended for higher and economic yield of tef at central highlands of Ethiopia.