YIELD PERFORMANCE OF FINGER MILLET (ELEUSINE CORACANA) VARIETIES ACROSS DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF JIMMA AND BUNO BEDELE ZONES

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate performance and identify high yielding and stable varieties for
southwestern part of Ethiopia
Materials and Methods: Ten released finger millet varieties and one local check were tested at
different locations of Jimma and Buno bedele zones. The experiment was laid out in randomized
complete block design with four replication. Each finger millet genotypes was planted on plot
(8m2
) consisting of 4 rows, each with 5m long the distance between rows was 20 cm. Spacing
between plots was 1 m whereas that between replications was 1.5 m. The seed rate was 15 kg/ha.
Growth parameters, phenologic and yield and yield related traits data was collected according to
finger millet descriptor. All relevant field trial management practices were carried out throughout
the experimentation period across all locations as per the recommendations.
Result: The results of analysis revealed that significant differences and non significant were
observed among all parameters at 5% level of significance across different locations. The
ultimate objective of plant breeding was to increase grain yield so as to ensure food security at
the country level. Grain yield varied across locations. High grain yield was harvested from
BD2018 and low from Limu kosa. Variety Gudetu showed similar performance across tested
locations.
Conclusion. Variety Gudetu was high yielding and stable across the locations, so that it was
recommended