Twenty-two bread wheat varieties were tested at six locations of eastern Amhara region. The experiment was laid-out using Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design and replicated three times with the objective of estimating the magnitude of Genotype by Environment (GE) interactions for grain yield and stability of bread wheat genotypes. Individual environment and combined analysis of variance were carried out using Genstat software 18th edition and Least Significant Difference (LSD) was employed to separate means. Combined ANOVA for grain yield showed significant difference among genotypes, environments, and GE interactions. Genotypes G1, G9 and G16 out-smarted in grain yield, providing mean grain yield of 3.60, 3.56, and 3.55 tha -1 , respectively. The stability was measured by AMMI and GGE biplot. AMMI-1 select most adapted genotypes such as G9 and G16 for E3 and G17 for E1. G12, G6, G3, G19, G7 and G11 genotypes were suitable for all environments. AMMI-2 biplot showed E1, E5 and E6 contributed large interaction effects while E2, E3 and E4 contributed small interaction effects. GGE biplot identify G9, G16 and G19 for E1, E3, E6 and E5 and G17, G21, G14 and G15 for E1 and E4. G6, G12 and G1 genotypes were good for all environments. Thus, due attention should be given while selecting bread wheat genotypes for the target environments.

Field experiments were conducted at Estayish, Geregera and Kon testing sites of Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC), North Wollo, Ethiopia for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014) during the main season with the objective of evaluating the performance of malt barley genotypes for grain yield and yield stability under diverse environments. Fifteen promising malt barley genotypes, along with the standard check (Miscal 21) were evaluated using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three times. Genotypes were row-planted on a plot size of 3 m 2 . N and P2O5, in the form of Urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizers, were applied at the rate of 23 kg ha -1 and 46 kg ha -1 , respectively and all other cultural practices were carried-out uniformly for all treatments as required. Grain yield was recorded from the central four rows (2 m 2 ) and measured with sensitive balance. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Genstat software package 16th edition. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to separate means. Genotype by Genotype-Environment (GGE) biplot model was employed to analyze phenotypic stability of malt barley genotypes for grain yield. ANOVA depicted significant variations (p<0.01) among genotypes (G), years (Y), locations (L) and their two and three way interactions for grain yield. The presence of significant variations among the tested malt barley genotypes for grain yield indicated the possibility of improving productivity of malt barley through selection. However, the existence Genotype x Environment Interaction (GEI) revealed differential response of malt barley genotype across environments, necessitating to develop environmentally less sensitive malt barley genotype. Analysis of GGE revealed that G6 and G11 were close to the ideal genotype and hence recommended for major barley producing areas of North Wollo.

The trial had been conducted using farmer preference and analysis of variance at two locations in Atarimesk and Maibar (top, middle and downstream) watershed. It was replicated three times in each location per farmers and would provide five improved bread wheat varieties and one local variety totally of six varieties. The plot sizes of each variety were 4m*3m and the planting methods were in raw 125 kg/ ha at farmer planting time. The spacing between rows and plots will be 0.2m and 0.5m respectively. Analysis of variance over the two locations revealed that highly significant difference (0.01) over in days to heading, and grain yield, and Analysis of variance in maibar location days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, thousand seed weight, and grain yields were highly significant. In Atarimesk location days to heading and grain yields were highly significant. But days to mature, spike length, and thousand seed weight were non-significant. Variety. Tsehay and sorra took the short number of days to head and mature, these help to escape drought occurrence in eastern Amhara. As far as disease reaction is concerned, Variety Tsehaye no disease incidence in two locations. But variety sorra shows five percent incidence with less than five percent severity in one farm, only one replication. Farmers were select variety sorra and Tsehay by their own selection criteria. From the analysis of variance, Variety sorra and Tsehay 34 kg/ha and 27 kg/ha give yield advantage over the local variety respectively. Therefore, Variety Sorra and Tsehay are recommended for further production in Maibar, Atarimesk and similar agro-ecologies.

Farmers participatory bread wheat variety selection (PVS) was carried-out at major wheat producing areas of South Wollo, Ethiopia in the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. Fifteen recently released bread wheat varieties along with local variety were evaluated for yield and yield-related traits, with the objective of quantifying farmers' preferred agronomic traits and to associate farmers' qualitative selection with conventional breeding evaluation technique. The experiment was laid-out in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times, where farmer's field was used as a replication. Prior to evaluating the performance of the tested bread wheat varieties, progressive farmers listeddown and weighed the major farmers' preferred agronomic traits for bread wheat breeding and selection. Accordingly, they identified eight major quantitative and qualitative traits; categorized as cold tolerance, disease tolerance, earliness, kernel color, spike length, spike density, tillering potential and kernel boldness. Cold tolerance, disease tolerance and earliness were identified the major traits that predominantly determines wheat productivity and received 22%, 16% and 13% of farmers' selection criteria, respectively. Kernel color affects consumers' and market preferences, where white kernelled wheat grains fetch good market price. Thus, kernel color received 13% of farmers' selection index. On the other hand, spike length, spike density, tillering potential and kernel boldness received 11, 9, 10 and 6% of the farmers' selection index, respectively. Bearing the set traits in mind, farmers evaluated the tested bread wheat varieties at maturity stage. Based on their overall evaluation, farmers preferred Danda'a, Ogolcho and King-bird at Legambo, Wogdie and Borena districts. On the other hand, Hidase was selected at Kelela district out-yielding the rest of the tested varieties. Breeders' quantitative analysis also confirmed results of farmers' qualitative selection, justifying the presence of farmers' untapped breeding and selection experiences that could be utilized in modern conventional breeding program. Therefore, breeders should involve farmers as main partners in crop breeding and selection program and augment conventional breeding skills with traditional farmers' knowledge.