Abstract:
The field trials were conducted at Chena, Menit Goldia and Shey Bench districts, of South
western, Ethiopia during 2020 cropping season with objectives of identify high yielding,
adaptable and acceptable varieties of soybean through participatory varietal selection and
fifteen varieties were laid out in complete randomized block design and replicated trice. The
result of the current study clearly showed a significant variation among the released 15
Soybean varieties for most agronomic traits obtained at all districts. Seed yield, and disease
resistance were the dominant selection criteria used by the farmers at Chena. Farmers in
Shay Bench mainly were focused on seed yield; drought resistance and market demand while,
similarly farmers at Menit Goldia used seed yield, earliness and seed size as dominant
selection criteria. Seed yield, disease resistance and Number of pods per plant were the
dominant selection criteria used by the farmers at three districts. Accordingly, majority of
farmers frequently selected Nyala, Pawe 02 (PARC-2013-3) and Pawe 01. The results of
combined analysis of variance indicated the existence of significant differences among
varieties for all traits tested over location. According Nyala, Pawe 02 (PARC-2013-3) and
Pawe 01 gave the highest seed yield of (2385kg ha-1), (2155 kg ha-1) and (2038.3kg ha-1)
respectively. In this study the farmers’ preferences coincide with the breeders’ selection. In
conclusion, participatory varietal selection is a viable method to gain greater insight into
farmers’ perceptions, preferences, knowledge, shortcomings and potentials of improved
soybean varieties and development of high seed yielding with disease resistance for the study
area can enhance farmers’ preference towards improved Soybean varieties. Based on the
results of this study the identified and preferred varieties need to be multiplied and distributed to
farmers through both formal and informal seed system.
