Teff

Question 1

Teff - characteristics

Answer 1

Highly nutritious - rich in protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates and essential minerals

Said to promote weight loss

Said to boost immune system

Grass with C4 metabolism

Potential to help diversify crop market

Potential in view of extreme drought scenarios

Question 2

History and distribution

Answer 2

Originated in Ethiopia and Eritrea

Stable cereal crop
- ~6.5 Mio farmers in Ethiopia
- low risk crop
- ~5 Mio t yield on 3 Mio ha
- nutritious

Minor production in south africa, Uganda Kenya, US and few European countries, used also as cover and forage crop

importance & interest growing worldwide but little information and statistics available

Question 3

Scientific classification

Answer 3

Poaceae
Eragostis tef

Question 4

Seeds

Answer 4

up to 1000 seeds are produced per inflorescence

Seeds are tiny, with a typical 1000-seed weight of only 265 mg

Question 5

Environmental Requirements

Answer 5

Drought resistant despite superficial root system

very adaptable, grows in various environments, at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 3200 m

not frost tolerant

prefers firm soils with neutral pH

Question 6

Sowing

Answer 6

July (Ethiopia)

Temperature needs to be above 15 °C, below 10 almost no germination

sowing done by hand mainly

Question 7

Fertilization

Answer 7

good response to nitrogen, lower to phosphorus

high nitrogen inputs increase the risk of lodging

rapid development and higher density can outgrow weeds

common fungal disease -> Teff rust

Question 8

Harvest

Answer 8

2 - 6 months after sowing, when vegetative parts start to turn yellow

traditionally manual, more recently also mechanical

Risk: harvested after maturation hence seeds will fall off

Question 9

Yield and storage

Answer 9

Average yield in Ethiopia reahces around 2 t/ha

Lodging is a major yield-loss factor

losses of grain during threshing and transport cause yield loss in teff

Easy storable, resistant to most pests during storage, several years of storage possible, with low humidity and away from direct sunlight

Question 10

Export ban

Answer 10

Export ban in 2006 from Ethiopian government

Reason:
to secure control on genetic resources
to avoid disproportionate increase in internal market price, prices increased already

Export ban was partially lifted in 2015 due to increased yields