Molla Fentie
Eight finger millet varieties including local check were evaluated with the objective of selecting adaptable and best performing finger millet varieties with full participation of farmers. The trial was conducted during 2010 cropping seasons at two districts (Chilga and Delgi) of north western Ethiopia. The design was randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance at both districts showed that there were significant (P<0.01) difference among varieties for all agronomic traits measured. Grain yield was generally higher at Delgi than at Chilga. At Delgi, Varieties Wama and Tadesse gave the highest grain yield (1691 kg/ha) and (1591 kg/ha) and had yield advantage of 135% and 121% over local check (721 kg/ha) respectively. Similarly, varieties Degu and ACC#213572 had yield advantage of 12.5% and 3.5% over the local check respectively. Farmers�¢���� selection criteria was similar in both districts and farmers�¢���� selection criteria were uniformity, maturity date, finger length, number of fingers per ear, blast reaction, tillering capacity, biomass yield and seed color. Therefore, based on quantitatively measured agronomic traits (grain yield and maturity date) and farmers�¢���� visual observation at field, Varieties Tadesse and Wama for Delgi, and Degu and ACC#213572 for Chilga are recommended with their full packages.
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