Evaluation of Tef [Eragrostistef (Zucc.) Trotter] Genotypes for Acid Soil Tolerance Using Stress Indices

Abstract

Article InfoSoil acidity stress is one of the yield limiting factors in high rainfall areas of Ethiopia such as the Benishangul-Gumuz region and developing acid tolerant varieties are the most cost-effective method to tackle the problem. Forty-nine tef genotypes were evaluated under two soil regimes, acidic (pH 4.97) and lime-treated (pH 5.90) soils using completely randomized design (CRD) with three replication in the lathouse at Assosa Agricultural Research Centre in 2017 to identify acid stress tolerant genotypes of tef based on selection indices and determine the most appropriate indices. Grain yield (g pot -1 ) under both soil conditions used in the computation of acid stress indices. The most effective stress indices which were highly correlated with the yield in both environments were stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and mean productivity (MP). YSI, PCRD, TOL, and SSI identified the stable genotypes with little yield reduction, however, they are not correlated with high yield and selected genotypes which had low in yield potential. Five genotypes, namely DZ-01-3492 (#28), DZ-01-3733(#29), DZ-01-3405(#34) and DaboBanja(#40) with high grain yield under both environments were identified which are the most widely adapted genotypes. In addition, the genotypes adapted for one of the environment were also identified and therefore, recommended for the future breeding program.