PARTICIPATORY VARIETY SELECTION AND VARIABILITY OF IMPROVED SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L.) VARIETY FOR ACIDIC SOILS IN BENCH SHEKO AND KAFFA ZONE SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA

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.