Response of Amaranthus Varieties (Amaranthus Spp.) to Different Seed Rates on Growth, Leaf, and Seed Yields in Jimma,southwest Ethiopia

The goal of the current study was to determine how varied seed rates in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, affect the growth, leaf, and grain production of amaranthus cultivars. The experiment was conducted with supplemental irrigation from 2020–2021. A 2x6 factorial combination with three replications was used in the experiment, which was set up in a fully randomized block design. Madiira II and AC-NL are the cultivars and the seed rate levels.The results revealed that the interaction effect of variety and seed rate was highly significant (p < 0.01) for almost all the traits. The highest number of leaves was harvested from the combined effects of Madiira-II at 2 kg ha ^− 1 (112.33) and AC-NL at 2.5 kg ha ^− 1 (111.66). The highest dry matter content was recorded for Madiira-II at a seed rate of 2.5 kg ha ^− 1 (29.68%), 3 kg ha ^− 1 (29.22%) and AC-NL at 4 kg ha ^− 1 (27.03%). The highest harvest index was obtained from Madiira-II at 1.5 kg ha ⁻ 1, and the lowest was obtained from AC-NL at 3 kg ha ^− 1 . The leaf yield was highest at a seed rate of 2.5 kg ha ^− 1 for Madiira-II (25.17 t ha ^− 1 ), with a statistically significant difference from that of AC-NL at 2.5 kg ha ^− 1 (26.63 t ha ^− 1 ), and it was highest at 3 kg ha ^− 1 for AC-NL ( 30.84 t ha ^− 1 ). The highest seed yield (3.78 g) was produced from the 1.5 kg ha ^{− 1 treatment,} and the highest seed yields (2.52, 2.64 and 2.68 t) were obtained from the 3, 3.5 and 4 kg ha ^− 1 treatment. Therefore, it can be concluded that the seed percentage of these two varieties can be tentatively recommended for cultivation in the study area. However, repeating the experiment over seasons and locations is suggested to provide sound and concrete recommendations.