Abstract
Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is an annual small grain, panicle bearing, C4 cereal crop native to Ethiopia, where it is a major staple food. The objectives of the present study were to characterize the responses of two tef genotypes to escalating phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels and to determine an optimum range for P and K at which tef performance is maximized. Two experiments were carried out in the Gilat Research Station, each testing two different genotypes of tef (405B and 406W), one experiment in pots in controlled conditions, and the other in the field. In both experiments, the highest grain yield increased until 6 mg L−1 P, and declined at 12 mg L−1 P. The decline was precipitous and significant in the pot experiment, and gradual and statistically insignificant in the field experiment. In the pots experiment, the grain yield increased until 40 mg L−1 K, with no significant decrease thereafter. The effect of K concentration was only seen in the grain yield and not in the size of the other plant organs. In the field experiment, grain yield was highest at 80 mg L−1 K, but it was not statistically different from 40 mg L−1. The effect of K on growth was only apparent at maturity and not at flowering.
Highlights
Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is an annual small grain, panicle bearing, C4 cereal crop native to Ethiopia, where it is a major staple food, accounting for two thirds of the daily protein intake of the population, and 11% of the caloric intake [1].It is resistant to many biotic and abiotic stresses, making it an attractive crop for smallholder farmers [1]
The majority of tef cultivation is located in Ethiopia [1], and it is mostly cultivated under low input, rainfed conditions in recent years interest has increased in cultivating tef outside of its native environment [1], including drylands where irrigation is required
A pot experiment and a field experiment were carried out in the winter of 2015–2016 and the summer of 2016, respectively, in order to determine the response of tef to N, P and
Summary
It is resistant to many biotic and abiotic stresses, making it an attractive crop for smallholder farmers [1] It is known for its many health benefits, including its low glycemic index and high concentrations of essential amino acids, and it is gluten free [2]. The majority of tef cultivation is located in Ethiopia [1], and it is mostly cultivated under low input, rainfed conditions in recent years interest has increased in cultivating tef outside of its native environment [1], including drylands where irrigation is required. One way of intensifying tef cultivation would be to apply water and fertilizer through irrigation (fertigation), which could allow for a high yield even in conditions of low rainfall or low soil fertility. The response of tef to N fertilizer has been described in a previous paper [4], and in this paper we will discuss the response of tef to P and K
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