Participatory Evaluation of Improved Varieties of Linseed in Dabat District, Northwest highland of Ethiopia

Abstract

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the most important oil crops of Ethiopia and it is considered as the main food crop and the least expensive source of oil for the farmers in many highlands of the country. A study on adaptation of recently released linseed varieties were carried out at Dabat district with the objective of testing the adaptability and creating awareness among farmers. Seven improved varieties with one local variety were evaluated for their agronomic and yield performance on University of Gondar Research site in participatory approach for two consecutive years in 2014/15 and 2015/16 cropping season. Highly significant differences (p< 0.01) were observed among the varieties for the tested parameters except 1000 seed weight. On the other hand there is no significant difference (p> 0.01) between the two cropping seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16 ) for all parameters except 1000 seed weight in which 2014/2015 cropping season is best for 100 SW. While, year*variety analysis showed that there is no interaction effect between year and varieties on agronomic and yield performance of linseed which indicates all the tested varieties showed stability across years on their agronomic and yield performance. Berene, Belay-96 Jeldu, Geregera, Kassa-2, Kulumsa, Tolle and Local gave grain yield of 1107.23, 1067.23, 1054.43, 1043.33, 1029.45, 994.72, 928.05 and 835.83 kg h -1, respectively. The highest mean grain yield is recorded from variety Berene (1107.23 kg h-1). Therefore, based on yield and other agronomic performance and farmers’ evaluation Berene was selected as well adapted variety and for future promotion.