Pre-extension demonstration of improved durum wheat technologies in Bale and West Arsi zones, Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Recently released durum wheat varieties (Dirre and Toltu) were demonstrated against one standard check (Bakkalcha) with participation of farmers and other stakeholders in 2016/17 cropping season in order to enhance the farmers to select the best performing variety/ies. The demonstration activity was carried out in Adaba and Dodola districts of West Arsi zone and Sinana, Gassara, Agarfa and Ginnir districts of Bale zone. These districts were AGP II beneficiary and purposively selected based on their potential for durum wheat production and two kebeles from each district were selected on the basis of accessibility and potentiality. One FRG/FREG having 20 member farmers was established at each kebele and trained on durum wheat production and management packages. Two improved varieties (Dirre and Toltu) and one standard check (Bakkalcha) were planted on adjacent plot size of 32mx32m (1024m²) on 43 farmers’ fields. All recommended agronomic practices were equally applied to all the plots and the fields were closely supervised and were managed well. Participatory training was given for a total of 384 participants (300 farmers, 48 DAs and Supervisors, 36 experts and 12 researchers) on durum wheat production and post-harvest handling practices. Field day also organized in representative potential kebeles on which a total of 470 participants (357 farmers and 113 experts) were attended on the event to show the field performance of the varieties. At maturity stage of the crop, the varieties were jointly evaluated with a team composed of researchers, farmers, development agents and experts. Tillering capacity (fertile tillers), disease tolerance for rusts, spike length, fertile spikelets, seeds per spike, plant height, lodging resistant, crop stand, seed color and size (marketable), threshability and overall yield were the common identified selection criteria across all locations for selecting the best performing variety/ies. Agronomic data and yield data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics in order to evaluate the performance of the varieties. With regard to mean yield, 64qt/ha, 55.5qt/ha and 50.9qt/ha were obtained from Dirre, Toltu and Bakkalcha, respectively. The maximum yield of Sannate (69 qt ha^-1) was recorded in Agarfa district where as the minimum yield was recorded in Ginnir district (58 qt ha^-1). Besides, the combined analysis showed that Dirre has 15.32% and 25.74 % yield advantage over Toltu and Bakkalcha, respectively. Whereas Toltu has 9.04% yield advantage over Bakkalcha. Since, Dirre was selected by the farmers, it is recommended to be scaled up/out in all demonstration sites and similar agro-ecologies of the study zones.