Article Sidebar
Published:
Jan 1, 2019Keywords:
Combined mean values Eleusine coracana finger millet pair-wise and direct matrix ranking participatory evaluation selection criteria variety yield.
Article Details
Issue
Section
Articles
Copyright is owned by the Haramaya University.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content, upon registration, on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
East African Journal of Sciences by Haramaya University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://haramayajournals.org/index.php/ej.
This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon the work as long as they credit for the original creation.
Main Article Content
Performance and Participatory Variety Evaluation of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn] Varieties in West Gojam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia
Abstract
Ten released and elite finger millet varieties were evaluated during 2013 in West Gojam Zone,
Northwest Ethiopia under rain fed conditions through involvement of farmers in participatory variety
selection. The study was carried out with the specific objectives to: (1) identify farmers’ selection
criteria/parameters for finger millet genetic improvement; and (2) select high yielding varieties through
participatory variety selection approach. The research was conducted at Adet and Koga Agricultural
Research sites in Yilmana-Densa and Mecha Districts (Woredas), respectively. The data were collected
from agronomic and Farmers’ Research and Extension Group members with involvement of fifteen
(Koga) and seventeen (Adet) farmers of both sexes (male and female) in pair-wise and direct matrix
ranking; on varieties, including Necho, Degu, Mecha, Acc.229380, Padet, Tadesse, Debatsi, Gute, Wama
and Barieda. All collected agronomy and farmer selected criteria were analyzed. Combined mean values
indicated that, Wama (2067 kgha-1) followed by Gute (1967 kgha-1) and Barieda (1717 kgha-1) were found
to be high yielding finger millet varieties, and Debatsie (1367 kgha-1) was identified as the least seed
yielding variety. According to farmers’ evaluation criteria, over all higher rank was scored by the varieties
Barieda and Degu followed by Wama and Gute varieties, in that order, with reference to ease of
threshing, early maturity, high biomass yield and quality. The researcher and farmers together identified
and suggested Barieda, Degu, Wama and Gute finger millet varieties for production in different ranks.
Among the traits preferred by farmers seed color was given priority at Mecha as well as tillering capacity
per mat and number of fingers per panicle at Adet. Early maturation was scored 146.5 and 146.8 days on
wama and barieda, respectively. High tillering capacity (6.3) and (5.37) for barieda and degu shown in that
order; as well as, low disease susceptibility depicted on barieda, degu and gute. The farmers also prefer
white seed color for sale and injera making, and also the black seed color for local beer, arki and bread
making. Therefore the results indicated, farmers are interested in a wider range of traits or combinations
of traits than breeders expected.
Northwest Ethiopia under rain fed conditions through involvement of farmers in participatory variety
selection. The study was carried out with the specific objectives to: (1) identify farmers’ selection
criteria/parameters for finger millet genetic improvement; and (2) select high yielding varieties through
participatory variety selection approach. The research was conducted at Adet and Koga Agricultural
Research sites in Yilmana-Densa and Mecha Districts (Woredas), respectively. The data were collected
from agronomic and Farmers’ Research and Extension Group members with involvement of fifteen
(Koga) and seventeen (Adet) farmers of both sexes (male and female) in pair-wise and direct matrix
ranking; on varieties, including Necho, Degu, Mecha, Acc.229380, Padet, Tadesse, Debatsi, Gute, Wama
and Barieda. All collected agronomy and farmer selected criteria were analyzed. Combined mean values
indicated that, Wama (2067 kgha-1) followed by Gute (1967 kgha-1) and Barieda (1717 kgha-1) were found
to be high yielding finger millet varieties, and Debatsie (1367 kgha-1) was identified as the least seed
yielding variety. According to farmers’ evaluation criteria, over all higher rank was scored by the varieties
Barieda and Degu followed by Wama and Gute varieties, in that order, with reference to ease of
threshing, early maturity, high biomass yield and quality. The researcher and farmers together identified
and suggested Barieda, Degu, Wama and Gute finger millet varieties for production in different ranks.
Among the traits preferred by farmers seed color was given priority at Mecha as well as tillering capacity
per mat and number of fingers per panicle at Adet. Early maturation was scored 146.5 and 146.8 days on
wama and barieda, respectively. High tillering capacity (6.3) and (5.37) for barieda and degu shown in that
order; as well as, low disease susceptibility depicted on barieda, degu and gute. The farmers also prefer
white seed color for sale and injera making, and also the black seed color for local beer, arki and bread
making. Therefore the results indicated, farmers are interested in a wider range of traits or combinations
of traits than breeders expected.
