Effect of Plant Density on Grain Yield of Triticale (Variety Logawshibo) at Hawassa, Sidama Ethiopia

Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is a synthetic cereal crop developed from crosses between wheat and rye. It has gained importance due to its adaptability to marginal environments, high nutritional value, and multipurpose use as both food and feed. In Ethiopia, triticale is a relatively recent introduction; however, its productivity is often limited by inappropriate agronomic practices, particularly the use of non-optimal seed rates. Seed rate plays a vital role in determining plant population, competition for nutrients, and overall grain yield. Too low a seed rate results in sparse stands and low yield per unit area, while excessively high seed rates cause severe competition and reduce yield performance. Hence, identifying the optimum seed rate is necessary for maximizing yield. The present study was conducted at Hawassa University College of Agriculture research field during the 2020 off-season under irrigation to evaluate the effect of different seed rates on grain yield of triticale variety Logawshibo. Four seed rates (100, 125, 150, and 175 kg ha⁻¹) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on grain yield were analyzed using ANOVA, and mean separation was carried out by LSD at 5% significance. Results showed that seed rate significantly influenced yield. The highest grain yield (39.67 q ha⁻¹) was obtained at 150 kg ha⁻¹, while the lowest (22.67 q ha⁻¹) was recorded at 100 kg ha⁻¹. Increasing the rate beyond 150 kg ha⁻¹ reduced yield due to excessive competition for growth resources. Therefore, a seed rate of 150 kg ha⁻¹ is recommended as the optimum density for triticale production in Hawassa and similar agro-ecologies.