Participatory Evaluation of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Varieties in the Gamo and Gofa Zones of Southern Region Parts of Ethiopia

Sesame, an important oil crop in Ethiopia, is a warm-season, annual short-day plant. However, its productivity and production are hindered by the absence of recommended improved varieties in the study areas. Consequently, a trial was conducted from 2019 to 2020 to evaluate ten improved sesame varieties using Randomized Complete Block Design, with farmers as replications, aiming to identify those with higher yields. The plots were 4 meters long, containing 6 rows spaced 0.4m apart, and plants spaced 0.1m apart, with a seed rate of 5kg/ha. Plot sizes were 9.6m2 (2.4m by 4m). ANOVA results for sesame varieties grown in single or combined environments revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) in grain yield, days to 50% flowering, days to 50% maturity, capsule per plant, thousand seed weight, and plant height. Sesame varieties like Setit-1, Setit-2, and Setit-3, characterized by early flowering, showed mean yields ranging from 424 to 555kg/ha, recommended for drought-prone areas. Conversely, late-flowering varieties like Dangur, Obsa, Gondar, and respective local checks yielded from 602.06 to 639.06kg/ha in the tested environments. Consequently, based on the results, early and late-flowering sesame varieties were recommended for drought-prone and potential areas of the Gamo and Gofa zones, respectively, and similar agro-ecological zones in the country, provided other weather and related factors remain constant.