EFFECT OF SEED SOURCES AND RATES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) VARIETIES AT KERSA, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

productivity is low due to use of poor quality seeds, inappropriate seed rate and unavailability of adaptable improved varieties to wide range of agro-ecologies. Therefore, this experiment was conducted at Kersa, eastern Ethiopia with the objectives of evaluating the effect of seeds sources, seed rates and varieties on yield and yield related traits and to determine seed quality of different sources of bread wheat varieties. The laboratory experiment was laid out as Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications in factorial arrangement of two (Digalu and Qulqulluu) wheat varieties and 10 seed sources conducted at Haramaya University Seed Science and Technology laboratory. The interaction of seed source and variety showed significant effect on all physical and physiological seed quality parameters. Interaction of Digalu variety and seeds obtained from Haramaya University gave highest values of purity percentage (99.86%), hundred kernel weight (4.13 g) and germination percentage (98.25%); and the same variety seeds obtained from farmer two and four gave highest inert matter (0.74%) and moisture content (13.65%) respectively. Also, highest speed of germination (24.22), seedling length (28.08) and dry weight (0.01762 g) and seed vigour index I (27.59) and index II (0.01731) recorded on Qulqulluu variety seed obtained from Kersey Local Seed Business Project. The field experiment was laid out as Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in factorial arrangement of two varieties, three seed sources (seeds obtained from Haramaya University, Kersa Local Seed Business Project and Farmers), and three seed rates (100, 125 and 150 kg ha-1). Among the parameters related to plant height, grain filling period and harvest index were significantly influenced by the interaction of three factors (variety × seed source × seed rate). Digalu variety seed obtained from farmers saved seeds was late maturing which took the longest duration (120.2 days) and Qulqulluu variety seeds obtained from Haramaya University took the shortest duration (117.6 days) for physiological maturity. The maximum productive tillers (56.56) and kernels spike-1(68.24) obtained from the interaction of Qulqulluu variety and seed obtained from Kersey Local Seed Business Project and the maximum biomass yield (14.75 t ha-1) was obtained from Qulqulluu variety seed obtained from farmers. The highest grain yield of (5.652 t ha-1) and (5.162) recorded on plants seed obtained from Kersey Local Seed Business Project seed source and seed sown at the seed rate of 150 kg ha-1, respectively. The results of this study suggested the importance of using appropriate seed rate and seeds to be taken from reliable sources of adaptable improved varieties to increase yield of bread wheat in the study area. Thus, Qulqulluu variety, seed obtained from Kersa Local Seed Business Project and seed rate of 150 kg ha-1could be used to increase productivity of wheat. However, it is necessary to conduct the experiments considering more number of seed sources, seed rates and varieties at major wheat growing areas for more than one cropping seasons to make conclusive recommendation.