The Response of Teff [Eragrostis teff (Zucc) Trotter] to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application and Row Spacing: A Review

Abstract

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter] is one of the most important crops in Ethiopia. It ranks the first among cereals in the country in area coverage and second in the production volume. Despite its importance, the production and productivity of this particular crop are highly constrained by several biotic and abiotic factors. Some of the factors contributing to the low yield of teff are low soil fertility and suboptimal use of mineral fertilizers in addition to weeds, old method of seed sowing, erratic rainfall distribution in lower altitudes, method of row planting, lack of high yielding cultivars, lodging, water-logging and late planting of the crop which exposes it to moisture stress. The productivity of teff is very low compared to other major cereal crops. On the other hand, under conditions where most growth requirements are available and inorganic matter rich soils, the application of fertilizers without knowing its fertility status causes yield and fertilizer losses. Likewise, producers do not give attention to teff row spacing, even if it has an advantage of shorter maturity days, highest plant height, highest panicle length, and the number of tillers and less lodging index percentages. Since, grain yield increased with the increase of plant height, panicle length and number of tillers per plant. Therefore, the optimum supply of nitrogen fertilizer and medium row spacing increased the grain yield of crops.

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc)] grain yield response to nitrogen fertilizer rates in East Badewacho district, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…It is typically hand-broadcasted on the field and, in most cases, seeds are left uncovered (Sate & Tafese, 2016). When grown as a cereal, farmers highly value its straw as a source of animal feed, especially during the dry season (Cheng et al, 2017;Lakew & Berhanu, 2019;Tesfahun, 2018). In addition to this straw is being the most valued feed for livestock (Redden, 2012), it is also used to reinforce mud and plaster the walls of tukuls 1 and local grain storage (Lakew & Berhanu, 2019), facilities called "gottera" (Amare & Adane, 2015).…”

“…When grown as a cereal, farmers highly value its straw as a source of animal feed, especially during the dry season (Cheng et al, 2017;Lakew & Berhanu, 2019;Tesfahun, 2018). In addition to this straw is being the most valued feed for livestock (Redden, 2012), it is also used to reinforce mud and plaster the walls of tukuls 1 and local grain storage (Lakew & Berhanu, 2019), facilities called "gottera" (Amare & Adane, 2015). Moreover, it has got many prospects outside of Ethiopia due to its gluten freeness, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, animal feed, and erosion control quality (Amare & Adane, 2015;Sate & Tafese, 2016;Tamirat & Tilahun, 2020).…”

“…In Ethiopia, tef accounts first in area coverage and second in total annual production next to maize and ranks the lowest yield compared with other cereals grown in Ethiopia (Lakew & Berhanu, 2019;Tesfahun, 2018). Tef is cultivated in an area of about 2.8 million hectares which taking up about 28.5% of the total grain crop area (FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), 2015 ;Firdisa, 2016;Nascimento et al, 2018;Wato, 2019).…”