Abstract

Seifudin Mehadi, Mohammed Beriso and Yonas Worku

Participatory evaluation of eight improved tomato varieties was carried out in Delo Mena and Barbare districts of Bale zone, South-Eastern Ethiopia. The purpose of the study was to test the adaptability and acceptability of the selected tomato varieties by farmers. The study was undertaken in four sites, with the treatments arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Both agronomic data and farmers preferences toward the varieties were collected and analyzed using SAS statistical software and pair-wise ranking respectively. The analysis result showed that there was significant (p<0.05) difference among the varieties in all agronomic parameters except number of branches per plant. Variety Cochoro gave the highest yield (56.02t/ha), followed by Roma VF (50.97t/ha) and Bishola (45.1t/ha). Pair-wise ranking of farmers’ preference also showed that Roma VF and Cochoro varieties ranked first and second in both districts. Miya and Marglobe were not only the low yielding variety but also the least preferred varieties by farmers in the study districts. Therefore based on the findings, Cochoro and Roma VF varieties could be recommended to tomato growers in Delo-Mena and Berbere Districts for further promotion. Farmers also liked Melka Salsa for enhanced number of fruits and Chali for medium, firm and attractive fruits. However, they indicated that fruit size of Melka salsa is very small and Chali is susceptible to late blight. Therefore the two varieties could be used by tomato breeders in their breeding program to exploit their merits.