Effect of Different Sowing Depth on Germination and Growth Performance of Maize (Zea mays l.) at Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

Maize (Zea mays L.) one of the most important cereal crop in Ethiopia, but growth performance and yield is very low due to in appropriate sowing depth. A green house experiment was conducted at Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine during 2014/15 cropping season to investigate the effects different sowing depth on germination and growth performance of maize. The experiment was consisted of five level of sowing depth (2cm, 4cm, 6cm, 8cm and 10cm) in randomized complete design with three replications. The data were collected based on seed germination which determined by germination percentage and germination date with their growth performance. The results showed that sowing at depth of 6cm produced the tallest plant, highest number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf fresh weight and dry weight. The 10cm depth showed late in germination date and has poor performance as compared to other sowing depth when looked over the result. However, the results of the experiment were only growth parameters and did not include yield. So, similar research is needed to be conducted until final yielding of maize for better recommendation.