Demonstration of improved bread and durum wheat varieties in South Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was planned to demonstrate promising durum and bread wheat varieties to farmers, extension workers and other stakeholders; and to analyze farmers’ perception towards these varieties. Four improved wheat varieties, two from each, were demonstrated in Ofla and Emba-Alaje districts in ten voluntary farmers in total. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The average yields for mangudo and mukiye (durum wheat varieties) were 56.64 and 54.3 Qt/ha in Emba-Alaje, Ayba kebele while they were 23.36 and 24.16 Qt/ha in Ofla, Awlie-gara kebele. There was no reasonable yield difference between the varieties in the same locations but there was a huge yield difference within varieties across location. Participatory varietal evaluation was also taken at the maturity stage where evaluation criteria were set by the farmers themselves. Mangudo was ranked first in Ofla, Awliew-gara kebele, in its early maturity and spike length while Mukuye was ranked first in Emba-Alaje, Ayba kebele in its head size and number of tillers. 100% of the farmers laid their response between good and excellent for each given crop attribute. Both varieties were preferred by farmers in Emba-Alaje, Ayba kebele even they are late matured and low yielder varieties than bread wheat varieties. Bread wheat (Mekelle-4 and Besha-2) varieties also had the same trend to durum wheat varieties in both locations. The only difference that has been observed was that the yield difference within the varieties in the same location was quite different. Mekelle-4 had 17.6% and 23.8% yield advantage over Besha-2 in Awlie-gara and Ayba respectively. Farmers do not preferred both varieties in Emba-Alaje, Ayba kebele as these varieties were highly affected by septorea blotches especially Besha-2 was totally discarded.

Keywords: demonstration, durum wheat, bread wheat, yield, farmers’ perception