Optimizing Sowing Date for the Productivity of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. Durum) in Central Highland of Ethiopia

摘要

The field experiments were carried out at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center during the main cropping season between 2015 and 2017 to determine best sowing date for durum wheat productivity. The treatments were consisted of a factorial combination of four sowing date (late-June, mid-July, Late-July and mid-August) and two durum wheat varieties (Ude and Mangudo). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replication. Results showed that the main effect of sowing date had a significant effect on growth, yield and yield components of durum wheat. In contrast, main effect of variety and interaction effects of variety with sowing date had not a significant effect on growth, yield and yield components of durum wheat. The highest aboveground biomass yield (8990.7 kg/ha) and grain yield (3504.6 kg/ha) were obtained when durum wheat was sown in mid-July, but it was not significantly different yield from late-June. Based on 30 years rainfall data, the possibility of occurrence of dry spell is less during this period. Therefore, sowing of durum wheat from late-June to mid-July can be recommended for durum wheat production in the study area.