Tef: a tiny grain with enormous potential

Girija, Aiswarya; Jifar, Habte; Jones, Chris S.; Yadav, Rattan; Doonan, John H.; Mur, Luis A. J.

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2021.11.011

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Genomic sites related to lodging have scarcely been reported in tef, although a few studies pre-dating the published tef genomes (Cannarozzi et al ., 2014; VanBuren et al ., 2020) reported on genetic markers associated with lodging (Yu et al ., 2007; Zeid et al ., 2012). The difficulty involved in crossing tef (Berhe, 1975; Zeid et al ., 2010; Habteab et al ., 2015) and the deficiency of reference genomes (Adnew et al ., 2005; Tadele, 2019; Girija et al ., 2021) may have hindered the development of biparental populations and diversity panels, respectively, both being essential for genetic mapping. Hence, the TDP-300 reported in the current study may become a useful tool for genomic dissection of various traits of interest in tef and subsequently, their advancement via marker-assisted breeding and their investigation in other germplasms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The introduction of tef as a new crop to irrigated Mediterranean conditions presents many challenges, at each step of its growth, some of which have been targeted in our recent studies (Ben-Zeev et al ., 2020 a , b ). The relatively minor attention paid to tef in research, as well as the lack of a reference genome and diversity panel, has hindered studies on the genomic basis of key traits in this crop plant (Girija et al ., 2021). Nevertheless, some progress has been made in these aspects over the last few decades.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies are opening new avenues for further exploration of tef’s genomic potential. Recently published reviews have called for genomic studies specifically in tef, showcasing their contribution to other cereals (Girija et al ., 2021; Numan et al ., 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2002), with a particular emphasis on resilience to challenging environmental conditions such as waterlogging, drought and salinity (Smith et al . 1989; Renard and Tilman 2019; Girija et al . 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2020). The relatively minor attention paid to tef in research, as well as the lack of a reference genome and diversity panel, has hindered studies on the genomic basis of key traits in this crop plant (Girija et al . 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identification of minor alleles associated with reduced lodging in tef (Eragrostis tef)

Ben-Zeev

Hellwig

Demeile

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Underutilized species that are not widely cultivated (known as orphan crops) present opportunities to increase crop diversity and food security. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is known for its high-quality grain and forage. Root-borne lodging is a devastating problem in tef cultivation, leading to large economic losses and limiting its widespread adoption. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions that are associated with tef lodging. A diversity panel comprised of 297 lines (TDP-300) was assembled, genotyped, and phenotyped across 4 field environments. Genome-wide association study identified 29 genomic regions associated with lodging; in all cases with a minor allele conferring reduced lodging. The eleven most prominent sites were located in or near genes, 5 of them with a putative role, of which 3 were to be associated with root development. The identification of lodging-related sites in the current study may advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying tef lodging and crop improvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first diversity panel developed for tef. This platform is expected to be useful for detecting genomic regions and markers associated with traits of interest in tef, as well as for breeding and molecular investigations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Identification of minor alleles associated with reduced lodging in tef (Eragrostis tef)

Ben-Zeev

Hellwig

Demeile

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Unraveling the central role of root morphology and anatomy in lodging of tef (Eragrostis tef)

Ben‐Zeev,

Kirby,

Diehn

et al. 2023

Plants People Planet

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Societal Impact StatementCrop diversification is considered key to ensuring agricultural sustainability and food security. Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is a cereal crop grown mainly in Ethiopia, where it thrives in a wide range of environments, including stress‐prone habitats. It is considered a promising new crop and is gaining popularity in cultivation and in research worldwide. Lodging, the greatest factor limiting tef productivity and its wide adoption, was targeted in this study. The results highlight the central role of root traits in tef lodging, thus paving the way to reducing lodging and improving tef productivity, crop diversification, and food security.Summary Lodging is the most prominent yield‐restricting problem in tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) cultivation, responsible for 30%–50% yield loss. A significant advance in lodging resistance has been achieved in various cereals by reducing plant height. In this study, we investigated the role of crown root morphology and anatomy, rather than plant height, in tef lodging. Twenty‐eight tef lines, representing a wide diversity in lodging tendencies and major phenotypic traits, were tested under two field environments to investigate tef lodging and related traits. Four selected lines were subjected to more intense sampling as well as anatomical analysis of crown roots. In both field studies, taller lines were associated with greater lodging shortly before flowering, but not at plant maturity, whereas crown root diameter exhibited an association with reduced lodging, which became highly significant at maturity. Moreover, a greater proportion of root cortical aerenchyma developed in lodging‐susceptible genotypes, possibly reducing plant anchorage. A positive association between grain yield and lodging presents a major challenge for tef breeding. Our results suggest that root traits play a central role in tef lodging responses. We propose that semi‐dwarfism should be complemented by targeting root traits, to promote lodging resistance in tef.

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Genomic dissection of productivity, lodging, and morpho‐physiological traits in Eragrostis tef under contrasting water availabilities

Alemu,

Ben‐Zeev,

Hellwig

et al. 2024

Plants People Planet

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Societal Impact StatementUnderutilized species (also known as orphan crops) present opportunities to increase crop diversity and food security. Such crops lack modern genetic tools and knowledge to facilitate efficient modern breeding approaches. A wide collection of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) genotypes was used to identify genomic regions associated with productivity, lodging, and morpho‐physiological traits under contrasting water availabilities. The obtained results are expected to enhance modern breeding and improve tef productivity under traditional and modern cropping systems, thus improving farmers' livelihood and food security.Summary Tef (E. tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is an allotetraploid (2n = 4x = 40) C4 cereal crop, endemic to Ethiopia and mainly cultivated in the Horn of Africa. Tef is characterized by high grain and feed nutritional qualities and resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses; thus, it holds great potential to sustain food and nutrition security in Africa and other parts of the world. The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with responses to contrasting water regimes, as a basis for future improvement. A tef diversity panel was genotyped with 28,837 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and phenotyped for productivity, lodging, and morpho‐physiological traits along two seasons (2020 and 2021) under well‐watered and water‐limited treatments. A genome‐wide association study was performed to identify genomic regions associated with key traits for tef breeding. A total of 107 SNPs were associated with one or more of the studied traits, resulting in 138 marker–trait associations (MTAs) detected under both water treatments. Of these, 22 SNPs were associated with more than one trait, showing either multiple trait (pleiotropic) or multiple environment associations or both. A particularly strong association was found between grain yield, lodging, and time to heading. These findings open new avenues to further research on the genetic basis and physiological mechanisms underlying major traits in tef, as well as to marker‐assisted breeding of drought‐resilient tef cultivars.

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Tef: a tiny grain with enormous potential

Cited by 15 publications

References 16 publications

Identification of minor alleles associated with reduced lodging in tef (Eragrostis tef)

Identification of minor alleles associated with reduced lodging in tef (Eragrostis tef)

Unraveling the central role of root morphology and anatomy in lodging of tef (Eragrostis tef)

Genomic dissection of productivity, lodging, and morpho‐physiological traits in Eragrostis tef under contrasting water availabilities

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