Abstract

Twenty-four teff varieties obtained from DebreZiet Agricultural Research Center were evaluated for agronomic traits such as days to emergence, days to heading, days to maturity, grain filling period, plant height, panicle length, shoot biomass, straw yield and grain yield in a randomized complete block design, at Dejen Woredain 2015/16 cropping season. The analysis of variance showed that the varieties had significant variation (p<0.01) for days to heading, days to maturity, grain filling period, plant height, shoot biomass, straw yield and grain yield. However, the varieties did not show significant variation for days to emergence and panicle length. It was observed that varieties were significantly different from each other in plant height. Dz-01-3186 (Etsub, 103.06cm) and DZ-01-1681(kayt-ena) (99.73 cm) showed greatest height as compared to other varieties whereas SR-RIL-273(Laketch) (80.46 cm) was the shortest in plant height. Similarly for grain yield per plot, Dz-01-3186 (Etsub) (28.1 qt/ha), Dz-01-2053 (Holeta Key) (24.48 qt/ha) and DZ-01-99 (Asgori) (22.6 qt/ha) were showed significant superiority of yield per plot over the other varieties. Significant variation was observed for straw yield among varieties. Superior performance was observed by varieties Dz-01-3186 (Etsub) (112.8 qt/ha), Dz-01-2053 (holeta key) (105.1 qt/ha) and DZ-01-99 (Asgori) (103.2 qt/ha). Dz-Cr-385 RIL295 (Simada) had the longest grain filling period which was 66.33 days. DZ-Cr-44 (Menagasha) took 114 days to mature. The highest heritability value was observed for days to heading (69.77%) and plant height (49.43%). Days to heading, days to maturity, shoot biomass, plant height, panicle length and lodging index showed positive correlation with grain yield. Shoot biomass (0.81) and plant height (0.66) showed strong significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) with grain yield. It can be summarized that farmers of Dejen district get an access for high yielding varieties Dz-01-3186 (Etsub), Dz-01-2053 (Holeta Key) and DZ-01-99 (Asgori) which would be recommended for better productivity and production of teff.

Key words: Teff, genotypic, phenotypic, heritability, genetic advance, correlation.