Evaluation of the effect of N-fertilization levels on teff (Eragrostis tef) yields expressed with nitrogen indices

Ioanna Kakabouki, Antigolena Folina, Stella Karydogianni, Charikleia Zisi and Panagiota Papastylianou

Abstract: Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) cultivation is a valuable crop for its various uses, such as grain and straw as well as animal feed. Teff cultivation is affected by different factors; one of the main is being N fertilization. Nitrogen indicators have been used in this study to evaluate whether the different amounts of nitrogen applied can be absorbed by plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the appropriate amount of nitrogen for Mediterranean conditions in order to be effective in teff crop in variety Kora. Two similar experiments were performed in the present study, in Western Greece in Agrinio during 2016-2017. The experiments were followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with four replications and four different nitrogen treatments (0 kg N/ha (control), 40 kg N/ha, 80 kg N/ha and 120 kg N/ha). There were measured several agronomic characteristics (root density (cm 100/cm3), total yield (kg/ha)). Some nitrogen indicators were also measured such as the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), the nitrogen harvest indexes (NHI) and the nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE). According to our results in both years, the agronomic characteristics had their highest values during the application of the highest amounts of nitrogen. However, between the two years, there were statistically significant differences. In terms of indicators, it turned out that the most effective amount of nitrogen was 80 kg N/ha and 120 kg N/ha.

Keywords: fertilization; NAE; NHI; NUE; seed yield; Teff

Date published: 2021-08-26