YIELD PERFORMANCE AND ADAPTATION OF DESI CHICK PEA VARIETIES IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF WOLAYTA AND HADIYA ZONES OF SOUTH ETHIOPIA

The experiments were conducted on station and on farm in three districts of Wolayta and Hadiya Zones, south region, Ethiopia, to evaluate the adaptation and yield, assess farmer's preferences of desi chick pea varieties to this agro ecological Zones during 2004/05 Meher Season. Data on plant height, hundred seed weight, pod per plant, days to flowering, days to maturity and grain yield were recorded. Five released varieties namely worku, Akaki, Mariye, Dubie, Dz-10-11 and local checks of respective locations were planted on 4.8m2 plots at spacing of 30cm*10cm. The trials were laid in randomized complete block design with three replications. Twelve farmers from three districts at four villages' three farmers at each village were participated in conducting on farm trials with each farmer as a replicate. There were significant differences among varieties for grain yield and some of traits. The varieties Akaki and worku were superior yielded overall to the standard and local check across villages 'and on stations. Thus, Akaki and worku out yielded other varieties and had average yields of 1440.95 kg/ha and 1434.75kg/ha at on station and similar trends on farm. The combined statistical analysis and farmers assessments revealed Akaki and worku out yielding other varieties which were also selected by farmers and researchers as the most preferred varieties'. It is therefore recommended that worku and Akaki which had higher yields be promoted for cultivation in the selected districts of south Ethiopia.