Assessment of Quality and Yield of Commercial Bread Wheat ( <i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) Seeds Produced by Different Seed Sources Using Grow‐Out Test Method in Central Ethiopia

Grow‐out test is an effective method for monitoring and evaluation of seed production process to maintain varietal purity and improve the seed yield. Hence, a field experiment and laboratory tests were conducted during 2023/24 cropping season at Durame. The study aimed to assess the seed quality and yield of bread wheat varieties obtained from different sources. The field trial was arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and factorial combination of two bread wheat varieties and six different seed sources. Data collected on agronomic performances and seed quality test parameters were subjected for analysis of variance. Results showed that variety Deka was faster in grain‐filling period (GFP), days to heading (DH), and physiological maturity compared to Wane. Wane exhibited higher thousand seed weight (TSW) and number of seeds per spike (NSS) than Deka for all seed sources. Kulumsa ARC registered the highest TSW, NSS values and grain yield (GY). All seed sources for both varieties fulfilled the minimum percentage off‐types set by Ethiopian Seed Quality Standard (ESQS) with the exception of farmers saved seeds. Both varieties from seed sources of Kulumsa ARC, Ediget FCU, and South Seed Enterprise exhibited above the minimum ESQS of seed purity. All seed sources for both varieties except farmer saved seed fulfilled the minimum and maximum ESQS. Variety Deka had relatively wider variability than that of variety Wane with respect to speed of germination (SPG) whereas both varieties from all seed sources satisfied the minimum germination percentage of ESQS except variety Deka from farmers seed source.