Abstract
Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter), is the major Ethiopian cereal crop which feed peoples The prevalence and damage inflicted by diseases and insect pests varies from region to region and shows large seasonal variation, the current status of diseases is generally little known. Information on the prevalence and status of diseases would be essential to devise sound management options. So, our objective is to assess the status of major tef foliar diseases in central highland area of Ethiopia. Assessment was carried in the major tef producing districts of West Shewa, South-west and North shewa zones of Ethiopia. The assessment done in 2019/2020 main cropping season along the main roads and accessible routes in each survey district, and stops made at every 5-10 km intervals based on vehicles odometers as per tef fields available. We have assessed 35 fields which have the potential to produce tef from three zones. From our assessment the major tef foliar diseases recorded were leaf rust, head smudge and spot blotch. The highest tef leaf rust severity (90S) recorded in north shewa zone Mendida district where as the lowest (0%) recorded in Awaro, Asgori, woliso and Dendi districts from South west shewa zone. The highest head smudge severity recorded in west shewa zone liben jawe district where as the lowest head smudge severity recorded in woliso, wolimera and tokekutaye district. There is no head smudge disease recorded in north shewa zone. From our assessment, we have concluded that tef leaf rust and head smudge are the most economically important diseases. Therefore, it is very crucial to develop management option to mitigate those diseases.
Highlights
Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter, is the major Ethiopian cereal grown on about 3 million hectares annually, and serving as staple food grain [1]
Major tef Diseases Severity In West shewa zone; the highest leaf rust severity 15MS40S% at Liben jawe & Wolemera districts; where us the lowest 0% was recorded at Aware, Asgore & Dendi districts respectively
The highest head smudge severity recorded in west shewa zone liben jawe district where as the lowest head smudge severity recorded in woliso, wolimera and tokekutaye district
Summary
Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter, is the major Ethiopian cereal grown on about 3 million hectares annually, and serving as staple food grain [1]. It was estimated that tef made up to 24% of all the cultivated area in Ethiopia, covering about 3.08 million hectares and grown by 6.78 million farmers [2]. It is primarily used for human consumption after baking the grain flour into popular cottage bread called "injera". Tef is a resilient crop adapted to diverse agro-ecologies with reasonable tolerance to both terminal drought and waterlogging moisture stresses. Tef is useful as a low-risk crop to farmers due to its high potential of adaption to climate change and fluctuating environmental conditions [4]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
Disclaimer: 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.