EFFECT OF SOWING METHODS AND SEED RATE ON YIELD OF BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) AT SOUTH ARI DISTRICT, SOUTH OMO ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops of the world and is a staple food for about one third of the world's population. Despite the significant area of wheat production in the country, the mean national yield 1.3 t ha-1 is 24% below than mean yield for Africa and 48% below than global mean yield. A field experiment was carried out at Senegal and Selmamer during 2014 cropping season to determine the effects of sowing methods and seed rate on yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Treatments were two sowing methods namely row planting and broadcasting with six Seed rate (kg/ha): 125, 150, 175, 200, 225 and 250 kg/ha.The experimental was laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with thee replications. The study result depicted that sowing method and seed rate had brought significant effect on the yield of bread wheat. The maximum grain yield of 3.9 t ha-1 and the minimum 2.7 t ha-1 were obtained from seed rate of 125 kg ha-1 and 200 kg ha-1 respectively. And the maximum grain yield of 3.5 t ha-1 was obtained from row planting and the least 3.13 t ha-1 was recorded from broadcast method; from these output we can conclude that, using of seed rate of 125 kg ha-1 and row planting is advisable for bread wheat production in the Senegal and Senmamer kebeles and their vicinities to increased wheat production and productivity.