Evaluation of Performance of Teff Varieties for Dryland Production System of South Central USA.

Evaluation and selection of crop varieties adaptable to a particular environment is a common task as new crops are introduced to new areas. Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] has been in cultivation for hay and grain in North America for more than 30 years now. However, only limited varieties are grown across the US. We evaluated the performance of more than 14 varieties of teff in both greenhouse and field in 2010 and 2011. Field studies were conducted at Lake Carl Blackwell and Stillwater Agronomy Research Station, Stillwater, OK while greenhouse studies were established in greenhouse facility located at Agronomy Research Station, Stillwater, OK. Data was subject to statistical analysis using ANOVA, factor and stability analyses in SAS. Field studies showed that average forage yield was 4 t ha-1 higher for Lake Carl Blackwell than Stillwater. DZ-01-889 at Lake Carl Blackwell had the highest forage yield although the same variety performed poorly at Stillwater. DZ-Cr-385 had the lowest forage yield averaged over the two sites. Tiffany and DZ-Cr-387 had the highest grain yield while quick-E performed poorly. Grain yield did not have significant correlation with height, but it was strongly correlated with forage yield (r=0.8, p<0.001). In 2010, some varieties such as DZ-01-974, DZ-Cr- 387 and Tiffany performed well at both sites and had the highest grain yield. The greenhouse study showed that grain yield of 14 teff varieties ranged 2387 to 4227 kg ha-1. Almost all varieties of teff were susceptible to lodging in the field (20-70%). DZ-01-99 and DZ-Cr-387 had better grain yield stability than any other varieties considered in the study.