ASSESSMENT OF SEED PRODUCTION, SUPPLY AND QUALITY OF BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) IN ARSI, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A quality seed supply of improved wheat varieties is one of the productivity constraints in Arsi zone. The study was conducted to assess and identify bread wheat seed sources, factors affecting utilization of improved bread wheat seed, and determine seed quality of wheat varieties of different seed sectors. Two districts (Digeluna Tijo and Tiyo) and two kebeles in each district were selected by purposive multistage sampling method while random sampling technique was employed to select 140 respondents and collect seed samples of the two (Deka and Ogolcho) bread wheat varieties from 20 farmers. The seed samples of the two varieties were also collected from formal and intermediary seed sectors. The seed quality test was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) in 4 replications as factorial combination of two wheat varieties and 3 seed systems. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, t-test and binary logistics model were used to analyze the data while analysis of variance and mean comparison of treatments were employed to analyze the data collected from laboratory seed quality test. The findings revealed that 57.85 and 42.25% of households were users and non-users of seeds of improved bread wheat varieties, respectively. Results from binary logistic regression model revealed that six (sex, education level, annual income, credit access, improved seeds availability, and membership in a farmer cooperative) independent variables are the determinant factors for the decision of farmers to use the seeds of improved bread wheat varieties. The interaction effect of seed system and variety was influenced on other seeds, weed seeds, inert matter, thousand seed weight, seedling dry weight, and seedling vigor index two, while the interaction effect of variety and seed source in a system was influenced on other seeds and weed seeds. The maximum mean of thousand seed weight (39.87 g), seedling dry (0.267 g), and seedling vigor index two (24.61) were recorded for the Deka variety collected from the formal seed system. The maximum mean of pure seed (99.72%), germination percentage (96%), and speed of germination (19.87) were recorded for seeds accessed from Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center. The research results suggested the importance of supporting the efforts of formal seed sectors to supply quality seed of high yielding and disease resistant improved varieties in the study areas.