Participatory Varietal Evaluation and Selection of High-yielding Desi Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties in the Central Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Background and Justification: Since farmers/users preferred different types in different localities, not all of the released, high-yielding varieties were adopted equally by users. This is due to the fact that the varieties were generated using traditional/ conventional breeding methods without taking users preference into account. Therefore, participatory varietal evaluation and selection (PVS) approach is the best method to increase efficiency and effectiveness of technology(variety) adoption rates. This is because the PVS research study is carried out at the target (real) condition.

Objective: To evaluate and select high yielding, best adapted and farmers preferred chickpea variety/ies.

Material and Methods: Grandmother trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Moreover, mother trial was done on four farmers aimed for the ranking of varieties by farmers. Data were collected on important yield and yield components. Besides, Atotal of 100 farmers in the two districts evaluated and ranked the varieties based on their own selection criteria.

Results: Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among varieties for their yield and yield components. Dimtu and Teketay in Tahtay Maichew; Dimtu and Dalota in Laelay Maichew were found early maturing varieties. Dimtu, Dalota and Teketay had bigger seed size. Higher grain yield were obtained from Dimtu (2462.5 kg ha-1), in Tahtay Maichew and Teketay (2804.6 kg ha-1) in Laelay Maichew respectively. Similarly the cummulative percent selection result revealed farmers selected Dimtu (97.83%) in Tahtay Maichew and Teketay (87%) in Laelay Maichew respectively.

Conclusion: Dimtu in Tahtay Maichew (district) and Teketay in Laelay Maichew (district) that performed better in grain yield and attracted farmers preference could be applied in the study areas and in similar agro ecologies to improve chickpea production and productivity.