Effects of Mid-Season Forage Harvest on Growth and Yield Performance of Grain-Teff (Eragrostis tef).

A growing population of Ethiopians in Metropolitan areas of the South- and Northeastern states of the US has increased demand for grain teff (Eragrostis tef) and/its food products thus providing producers in the mid-Atlantic region with additional income opportunities. This tropical fast-growing and drought-tolerant grass from Ethiopia can provide several high quality forage cuts or very nutritious grains at maturity. Its tinny brown or ivory seeds are gluten-free, unusually rich in iron, calcium, and protein with complete amino acid profiles which provide healthy alternatives for celiac disease patients. Although mid-season forage harvesting may lead to reduced weed competition during regrowth, information on the subsequent growth and late-season seed yield is not readily available. At Virginia State University, paired plots were seed-drilled (about 0.5-cm deep in 30-cm spaced rows) to brown and ivory teff varieties in a randomized complete block design. To ensure good seed-soil contact for germination and improve seedling survival, planted plots were immediately compacted with single bobcat passages. At early flowering stage, mid-season forage biomass was cut (about 15-cm) and regrowth sward heights and visual estimates of percent flowering recorded, bi-weekly. After seed maturity, plot biomass and grain yields were estimated from two 1-m inner row segments. Data were analyzed for effects of variety and harvest regimes on forage and grain yields. Both varieties showed similar mid-season forage biomass (about 3900 kg DM ha^-1). Regrowth swards were nearly 30-cm tall but >70 cm in their full-season counterparts. Results indicate a great potential for dual-purpose teff production in Virginia, with mid-season forage harvests followed by late-season seed producing regrowth. Assessment of seed quality and alternative weed control strategies will provide additional information about appropriate management practices.