Nationally Released Tef Variety Adaptation Trial in North Western Tigray, North Ethiopia, 2018

Nowadays tef is becoming the most preferred crop both for consumption and market value. However, its production and productivity is still very low due to traditional agronomic practices, nutrient deficiencies, and lack of improved varities and susceptibility of the crop to lodging. So, the current trial was carried out during 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons in Medebay zana district at onstation with twenty eight nationally released tef varieties including standard and local check were evaluated with the objective of selecting adaptable and best performing tef variety/ies. Alpha lattice experimental design with three replications was used on plot size of 2mx2m [1]. The data recorded were days to 50% heading and 75% physiological maturity plant height, panicle length, grain yield, biomass yield and harvest index. The data was analyzed using Genestat software and means were separated using Duncan mulple range test (DMRT). The combined two years data analysis showed that varieties varied significantly for most studied traits at (P<0.01 and (P<0.05). Based on the obtained result, two improved tef varieties namely; Niguse shown to be high yielder variety followed by the varieties Tesfa and Guduru with the values of 1880.0, 1769.0 and 1692.0 kg ha-1, respectively, greater than 20% yield increment than local variety . The varieties Guduru, Wollenkomi and Magna were found to be having high biomass with the values of 9599.0, 9166.0 and 9139.0 kg ha-1, respectively. So, Niguse was superior in almost all the agronomic traits evaluated while the local variety of Abat tef and was out performed by most of the improved varieties of teff tested. Therefore, based on objectively measured traits, the variety Niguse was found most promising having the potential to increase the average yield of tef in Medebay zana district and is therefore recommended for general cultivation through demonstration and pre extension popularization activity as alternative tef variety for production at the testing and similar sites.