Response of tef (<i>Eragrostis tef</i> [Zucc.] Trotter.) variety to varying seed rates and inter-row spacings for growth, yield and lodging severity in Western Ethiopia

Tef is a small-seeded staple crop endemic to Ethiopia. However, its yield low, constrained partly due improper agronomic practices and lodging. Thus, during the 2019–2020 cropping season, field experiment was carried out at Reef Tokko Taanne Hamilee in Hababo Guduru district, Western Ethiopia examine effects of seed rate inter-row spacing on growth, phenology, yield, lodging severity tef crop. Three levels rates (10, 15, 20 kg ha−1) three styles row cm) were combined factorial combination randomized block design with replications.Tef variety called ‘Guduru’ used as planting material. The result showed that had significant (p < 0.01) all phenological yield-related characteristics studied. Moreover, days heading, maturity, grain harvest index significantly affected by interaction both spacing. Higher heading (68 days) maturity (127 recorded seeding ha–1 and10 cm (Guduru) taller (127.2 under 10 compared higher (120.8 cm). highest dry biomass (51.3 plot−1) obtained from ha−1 Besides this, maximum mean (19.8 ha−1seed 15 achieve study area. Furthermore, straw (35.99 produced ha−1, whereas smallest (10 (33.5 plot−1). (56.1%) spacing, similar treatment case yield. lowest (24.1%) (32.3%), respectively. suggests sowing which resulted index, could be recommended area production.