Abstract:
Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is currently considered as a strategic food security crop in Ethiopia. However, its yield is low due to lack of specific appropriate agronomic practices for different varieties. A filed experiment was carried out during 2023 with the objective of examining the response of Varieties to inter-row spacing under irrigation condition in Libo kemkem district. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial combination of four inter-row spacing (15cm, 20cm, 25cm and 30cm) and three varieties (Kakaba, Deka and Ogolcho) with three replications. The data on phenological and yield related traits were collected on appropriate time and analyzed using SAS software package. The result of the study revealed that most of the yield and yield components were significant. Days to 50% heading, days to 90% physiological maturity, plant height and spike length were affected highly significantly by the main effect of varieties However straw yield and harvest index were affected by the main effect of inter row spacing. Deka variety on an inter-row spacing of 20cm gave the maximum grain yield (3.653t ha-1), number of kernels per spike (50.53), above ground dry biomass (9.21t ha1), thousand grain weight (43.61gm), and number of effective tiller per m2 (282.64). Planting of Deka variety at the same spacing also gave the highest net benefit (188,620Birr ha-1) with the acceptable marginal rate of return (124.5%). However, low number of effective tillers (160m2), number of kernels per spike (44.8), above ground dry biomass (6.186tha-1), thousand grain weight (33.46g) and grain yield (2.34tha-1) were recorded for Kakaba variety at 25 cm spacing, Deka variety with 15 cm, Ogolcho with 30 cm inter row spacing, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that planting variety Deka in an inter-row spacing of 20cm improve the productivity and profitability of bread wheat under irrigation condition and can be recommended for the study area and similar agro-ecologies. However, the experiment should be repeated for one or two additional seasons to recommend confidentially.
