Value of teff (Eragrostis tef) genetic resources to support breeding for conventional and smallholder farming: a review

Abstract

Crop germplasm collections are a key asset to support the resilience and productivity of cropping systems worldwide. In their diversity lays an oftentimes untapped reservoir of alleles that may enable breeding strategies targeting local adaptation, resulting in enhanced performance and higher varietal uptake. In the past five decades, the national genebank of Ethiopia actively collected and conserved thousands of teff (Eragrostis tef) accessions, a staple crop throughout the Horn of Africa at the basis of countless cultural uses and with high market relevance. This review article emphasizes the breeding significance of teff genetic resources, highlighting current challenges in teff farming and improvement that could be addressed further valorising germplasm collections. We collect data generated on the largest teff ex situ collections in the world to discuss opportunities to improve teff tolerance to stress and lodging, as well as to increase its productivity across its cropping area. In doing so, we highlight and critically revise current and past literature tapping in teff diversity to support teff improvement. This review starts providing a summary of teff characteristics, detailing the status and challenges of teff cultivation and breeding. It then follows describing the diversity existing in teff diversity collections and its relevance for teff improvement. The review concludes describing the molecular studies undertook on teff in the past two decades, highlighting the perspectives of molecular breeding for teff. The body of knowledge available on teff shows that there is large potential for improvement of this crop to target smallholder farming systems as well as international markets, and that improvement may start from the large diversity available in teff collections.

Metabolomics targets tissue-specific responses in alleviating the negative effects of salinity in tef (Eragrostis tef) during germination

“…Ethiopia ranks 7th in the world in terms of the total area affected by salt, especially the low lands and Rift valley (Adhanom 2019 ). Tef is a staple crop of Ethiopia and due to the increasing demand of tef as a healthy cereal, its cultivation is increasing year by year but compared to area of tef cultivation the yield is limited (Girija et al 2022b ; Woldeyohannes et al 2022 ). To mitigate this, one possible solution is to expand the area of tef cultivation including the saline regions in Ethiopia.…”

“…This could provide the resources for the derivation of elite tef genotypes (Girma et al 2014 ; Fikre et al 2018 ). The key environmental constraints that affect tef productivity are lodging, drought and salinity and high diversity between tef cultivars such as seed color, plant height, leaf traits and the relatively long life cycle which makes the screening of stress tolerance traits within tef cultivars difficult (Woldeyohannes et al 2022 ). Thus, there is an urgent need to characterize the tef genetic resources for key traits as a prerequisite for their use in breeding programs.…”

Revitalization of small millets for nutritional and food security by advanced genetics and genomics approaches

“…Small millets are arising as major cereals in countries like Ethiopia where other crops strive hard to feed the populations. The staple crop of Ethiopia is teff and Europe and the US are increasing their production of this grain owing to its nutritional value ( Woldeyohannes et al, 2022 ). Proso millet is yet another “poor man’s food”.…”

Ascorbic Acid Content and Antioxidant Activities of White and Brown Teff [Eragrostic tef (Zucc.)Trotter] Grains and Injera

“…Teff can also be used as a fat substitute in producing low-calorie foods due to its high viscosity and low gelling ability [ 4 ]. Due to this reason, teff is increasingly studied under the lens of local and international research to support its cultivation and commercialization [ 12 ].…”