Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of N fertilizer rates on growth, grain yield and yield components of Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter], in 2017 main cropping season. Three tef varieties (Kora, Boset and Asgori) and five Nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120kg N ha-1) were used in Randomize Completed Block Design with three replications with the same dose of Triple Super Phosphate. The total and productive tiller number were highly (P<0.01) significantly affected by varieties. The control plot had maximum days to heading and this may be due to nitrogen fixation may exist and its availability may be deficient in the soil. The less response to the N rate may be due to variability of fertility or soil N content, and genetically difference between varieties. From means of varieties, the early flowerings of Boset and Asgori varieties were 101.4 and 103.79 days to maturity, respectively, but Kora (108.9 days) was late matured. Kora had maximum plant height (135.9cm) and panicle length (56.07cm) followed by Boset (115.1cm) and (42.49cm) respectively. The lodging index was affected by N rates and Kernel weight was highly significantly (P<0.01) affected only by varieties. The highest mean of thousand kernel weight (0.3387) was noted from Asgori variety. The grain yield was decreased with N rates and a better grain yield was obtained at 60-90kg N ha-1. Overall N rates indicated that, both Kora (1800) and Boset (1883) had a better grain yield in kg ha-1, but Asgori had lowest grain yield (1560kg ha-1). Based on the economic point of view, it would be more profitable to use 60kg N ha-1 N rates.

Keywords

Tef varieties, Nitrogen, Fertilizer rates, Phenological growth and yield components