Abstract
Allelopathic potential of 10 teff varieties was assessed in laboratory experimentation (conducted in NIBIO, Norway), and determined with an agar-based bioassay using ryegrass and radish as model weeds. Field experiments were conducted in Tigray, Ethiopia during 2015 and 2016 to identify the most important agronomic traits of teff contributing to its weed competitive ability. A split plot design with three blocks was used considering hand weeding as the main plot and varieties as the subplot. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four blocks was used in the laboratory experiment. The highest potential allelopathic activity (PAA) and specific potential allelopathic activity (SPAA) were recorded from a local landrace with an average PAA value of 11.77% and SPAA value of 1.21%/mg respectively, when ryegrass was used as the model weed. ‘Boset’ had the highest average PAA value of 16.25% and an SPAA value of 1.53%/mg, when using radish as the model weed. The lowest PAA and SPAA values were recorded from ‘DZ-Cr-387′ when using ryegrass and radish as model weeds. Days to emergence, height, tiller no./plant, biomass yield, and PAA of the crop significantly contributed to the variance of the weed biomass, cover, and density. Hence, they were the most important agronomic traits enhancing the competitive ability of teff.
Highlights
Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is among the oldest cereal crops in the tropical African region and is originated and more diversified in Ethiopia than in any other part of the world [1]
The highest weed root length, root area and root dry weight of ryegrass were observed when co-cultivated with the teff variety DZ-Cr-387 (‘Quncho’) with average values of 19.4 cm, 0.57 cm2, and 13.6 mg, respectively
Teff varieties resulting in lower root diameter, root dry weight, root area, and root length of ryegrass had higher Potential allelopathic activity (PAA)
Summary
Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is among the oldest cereal crops in the tropical African region and is originated and more diversified in Ethiopia than in any other part of the world [1] It is a C4 plant classified under the family Poaceae, and genus Eragrostis [1]. The crop is adaptable to a wide diversity of agroclimatic conditions, and has wide genetic variability encoding for a variety of agronomic traits [1,3] Such a wide adaptation to different agroecologies exposes it to various weed species [1,3,4,5,6,7]. Planting design, which includes planting density, row spacing, and orientation, can be used as a method of weed management because it can enhance the crop’s
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
