A field experiment was conducted on a farmer's field in Woliso District of Oromia Region to determine the effect of sowing method and seeding rate on growth, yield components and yield of rice varieties under rainfed conditions. Factorial combinations of three varieties (X-jigna, Gumera and Superica-1), two sowing methods (broadcast and row planting) and three seeding rates (75, 100 and 125 kg/ha) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance

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... wed significantly higher difference among varieties for productive tillers, higher grain yield and total biomass. Significantly higher number of tillers at maturity and productive tillers/0.5m 2 as well as higher grain yield and total biomass/0.5m 2 were produced by Gumera. On the other hand, significantly greater grain yield/ha was produced by Gumera than that of Superica-1 and X-jigna. The effect of sowing method was non-significant on the growth parameters, yield and yield components of rice plants. Significantly greater grain yield/ha was obtained at seeding rate of 100kg/ha than 75 and 125 kg/ha. Hence, based on this experimentation, Gumera at seeding rate of 100kg/ha with broadcasting or row planting method recommended for Woliso areas.