Teff (Eragrostis tef) production constraints on Vertisols in Ethiopia: farmers' perceptions and evaluation of low soil zinc as yield-limiting factor

Abstract

Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is a major food crop in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is well adapted to Vertisols. Yields are low (around 1000 kg ha⁻¹) despite fertilization with urea and diammonium phosphate. The objectives of this study were to understand farmers’ perception on teff production constraints and to evaluate on-farm yield response of teff to zinc (Zn) fertilization. We conducted a farm survey and a participatory fertilization experiment in three teff-based sites (peasant associations) on Vertisols in the mid highland and lowland agroecological zones in Ethiopia. Per site 10 farmers participated in the survey and on-farm experiment. Poor soil fertility in the mid highland and moisture deficit in the lowland agroecological zones were mentioned by farmers as major teff production constraints, respectively. On-farm application of Zn fertilizer at a rate of 8 kg Zn ha⁻¹ increased teff grain and straw yields by 14% and 15% on average, respectively, which could be economically profitable. Not all plots showed a positive response, however, indicating the necessity for enhanced insight in indicators for soil Zn bioavailability as a yield-limiting factor. Our study indicates the importance of Zn in teff production on Vertisols. We propose further research on management options to prepare for effective interventions based on the farm survey and on-farm experiment.

Keywords:

• Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter
• farmers’ perception
• participatory research
• Vertisol
• zinc.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Debrezeit, Axum and Alamata Agricultural Research Centers and Extension Offices, participant farmers and development agents in Ude, Hatsebo and Selam Bikalisi, the Mekelle Soil Laboratory Staff and Yirgalem Weldegebriel from Ezana Mining PLC for their support. The authors thank Professor Dr Oene Oenema (WU) and Professor Dr Tekalign Mamo (Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Addis Ababa) for their constructive ideas. The authors would like to thank Dr Alfred Hartemink (ISRIC-World Soil Information) for supplying digital soil data and Dr Arnaud Temme (WU) for making the map with the study sites. This study was funded by the Wageningen University sandwich PhD and INREF “From Natural Resources to Healthy People” programs and the Tigray Agricultural Research Institute.