Abstract
Tef is an Ethiopian staple grain that provides both food security and income for smallholders. As tef is nutritious and gluten free, it is also gaining popularity as a health food. A tef model was calibrated based on the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer’s (DSSAT) NWheat model and included parameter changes in phenology, photoperiod response, radiation use efficiency, and transpiration efficiency for both standard and elevated atmospheric CO2, based on published literature for tef and other C4 species. The new DSSAT-Tef model was compared with tef field experiments. DSSAT-Tef accurately simulated phenology and responded to changes in N supply and irrigation, but overestimated growth and occasionally yields. Simulation-observation comparisons resulted in an RMSE of 2.5 days for anthesis, 4.4 days for maturity, 2624 kg/ha (49.6%) for biomass, and 475 kg/ha (41.0%) for grain yield. Less data were available for N uptake, and the model simulated crop N uptake with an RMSE of 45 kg N/ha (46.2%) and 15 kg N/ha (37.3%) for grain N. While more data from contrasting environments are needed for further model testing, DSSAT-Tef can be used to assess the performance of crop management strategies, the suitability of tef for cultivation across growing environments, and food security.
Highlights
Tef, or Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter, is an Ethiopian staple grain [1]
In order to adapt the wheat model for tef, changes were made to the phenology, photoperiod response, radiation use efficiency, and transpiration efficiency for both standard and elevated atmospheric CO2 based on published research for tef and other C4 crops, such as sorghum, maize, and millet
Observed days from planting to emergence ranged from 5–6 days, but the observed data were only available for three locations
Summary
Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter, is an Ethiopian staple grain [1]. A strong preference for tef grain in Ethiopia means that smallholder farmers can demand a higher price for tef than for other grains, making tef an important source of income [2]. Tef’s high calcium and iron content [3,4], as well as its lack of gluten [5] have resulted in a growing demand for tef as a health food in industrialized nations. In both Ethiopia and abroad, tef straw is valued as a high quality, low input, warm season fodder [6,7]. Crop models are computer programs that simulate crop growth and yields, under varying environmental conditions and management practices [8]. Crop models are important for assessing the effects of climate change on agricultural production and for evaluating food security [10,11]
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