Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] is a nutrient-dense, drought-resilient African legume cultivated largely by smallholders in semi-arid zones. While widely cultivated due to its ability to biologically fix nitrogen, enrich soil fertility, and hold cultural significance, most production relies on germplasm propagated within families with limited breeding efforts. Understanding the genetic diversity across pedoclimatic regions is essential for improving seed yields, quality, and physiological traits. To explore this, 212 diverse Bambara groundnut landraces were collected from four regions in Chad, involving over 80 farmers, from which 172 were used to assess genetic and phenotypic variations in nutritional and agronomic traits. Genotyping revealed significant genetic differentiation between regions (p = 0.1), with farm-level factors being the primary driver of variation (p < 0.001), highlighting the role of farmer selection practices, preferences, and abilities. Farmer surveys confirmed that most Bambara groundnut growers rely on self-propagated and selected seeds for cultivation. Genetic, seed composition, and physiological data all pointed to regional and farm-based origins as the main source of variation. The findings underscore the importance of including farmers in breeding processes, particularly through the distribution of pre-breeding materials tailored for high nutritional value and drought resistance. Additionally, the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with fat and phytate content suggests potential applications for marker-assisted selection to develop improved germplasm. These strategies could improve food security and sustainability and reduce malnutrition.

Efficient use of nitrogen and water is vital for sustaining crop production in arid regions. A field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation (inoculated vs. non-inoculated), three irrigation water regimes (IWR; 50%, 75%, and 100% of crop requirement), and five nitrogen rates (0, 46, 92, 138, and 184 kg/ha) on tef (Eragrostis tef). AMF, IWR, and N significantly influenced grain nitrogen, zinc, iron, and selenium uptake, grain protein content (GPC), agronomic use efficiency (AUE), physiological use efficiency (PUE), apparent recovery efficiency (ARE), and water use efficiency (WUE), while site and season were not significant (P > 0.05). Under 100% IWR with AMF inoculation, and 184 kg/ha N recorded increases of 793% in grain N, 468% in Zn, 502% in Fe, 488% in Se, 131% in GPC, and 583% in WUE compared to the lowest input treatment. Importantly, AMF inoculation with 92 kg/ha N optimized AUE (37.2 kg/kg) and PUE (83.3 kg/kg), representing increases of 233% and 93% relative to non-inoculated controls. Integrating AMF with 92 kg/ha N inputs enhances nutrient acquisition, protein content, and water productivity, providing a sustainable pathway to improve crop performance in resource-limited arid environments.

Modern genomic tools can accelerate molecular breeding of underutilized crops such as teff (Eragrostis tef), a gluten-free cereal that is a staple in the Horn of Africa. Here, we report the development of a pangenome comprising chromosome-scale assemblies of 26 teff accessions, including both landraces and improved cultivars, and representing the species’ gene pool. The teff pangenome reveals a highly conserved genome architecture characterized by structural stability across different accessions, with a content of repetitive elements increased by 8% with respect to previous annotations. We describe the features of the pangenome and use it to advance teff biology, targeting seed color, a priority trait for breeding. By defining k-mer-based haplotypes at genomic loci previously known to be associated with the trait, we build a prediction model capable of accurately predicting the color of the seed. Our supervised classification analysis shows that seed color determination cannot be explained by less than four haplotype combinations at loci on chromosomes 4B and 6A. Our results represent a key resource to advance teff breeding and demonstrate that a pangenomic dimension can expand association studies to fully dissect the determination of complex traits.

Land degradation is a critical issue globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Agroecological practices in northern Ethiopia have been implemented to address this, but the combined effects of these practices on soil and grain nutrient status remain underexplored. This study examines the impact of farmland management, cropping patterns, and tillage systems on soil properties and the availability of soil and grain micronutrients in teffgrowing areas of semiarid regions in Ethiopia. This study examined the impact of two farmland management systems (farm exclosure vs. unmanaged), two cropping patterns (mono-cropping of teff vs. rotation with legumes), and three tillage frequencies (2-3, 4-5, 6-7 plows) on soil and grain nutrients in teff-growing sites. A Randomized Complete Block Design was employed across 10 sites, resulting in 360 observations. Results showed that management, cropping pattern, and tillage frequency significantly affected bulk density, pH, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, spore density, root colonization, and soil and grain micronutrient content (P < 0.05). Farmland exclosure combined with teff-legume rotation and a tillage frequency of 2-3 times per year reduced bulk density by 45 % and increased soil organic carbon (206 %), nitrogen (263 %), soil zinc (379 %), iron (200 %), selenium (291 %), and grain zinc (221 %). These findings suggest that optimal farmland management, particularly farmland exclosure, crop rotation, and moderate tillage, improves soil quality to support crop growth, and crop nutritional quality. Enhancing land and crop management is crucial for soil health and crop nutrition, especially in arid and semiarid regions with limited micronutrient availability in cereal-based systems, highlighting a strategy to combat soil degradation and malnutrition.

Lodging in teff reduces yield, and applying nitrogen fertilizer worsens its impact. This study assesses the combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and N fertilizer on lodging and yield in teff. The study, conducted in two districts over two consecutive years, included two AMF conditions (inoculated and non-inoculated) and five levels of N (0, 46, 92, 138, and 184 kg/ha). Plant height, panicle length, total number of tillers, lodging index, shoot biomass yield, grain yield, harvest index, nitrogen uptake, phosphorus uptake, and silicon uptake were significantly influenced by AMF, N levels, and their interactions. Inoculation with AMF increased plant height by 59.87%, panicle length by 18.20%, total number of tillers by 87.13%, shoot biomass yield by 30.14%, grain yield by 37.60%, harvest index by 10.71, N uptake by 112%, phosphorous uptake by 86%, and silicon uptake by 104% and reduced lodging by 229.63% compared to the non-inoculated controls. Inoculation with AMF conferred two benefits to the plants. First, inoculated plants lodged less frequently. Secondly, their lodging remained stable even with increasing nitrogen application. In contrast, non-inoculated groups not only lodged more frequently, but this lodging was exacerbated by higher nitrogen concentrations. Lodging index was significantly negatively correlated with nitrogen, silicon, and phosphorus uptake in the shoots, suggesting that AMF-inoculated plants do not lodge even at higher nitrogen levels, which may help prevent yield loss from nitrogen application. The higher yields demonstrated by AMF-inoculated groups may result from AMF's ability to mitigate nitrogen-induced lodging.

Tef ( Eragrostis tef ) is an indigenous African cereal that is gaining global attention as a gluten-free “superfood” with high protein, mineral, and fibre contents. However, tef yields are limited by lodging and by losses during harvest owing to its small grain size (150× lighter than wheat). Breeders must also consider a strong cultural preference for white-grained over brown-grained varieties. Tef is relatively understudied with limited “omics” resources. Here, we resequence 220 tef accessions from an Ethiopian diversity collection and also perform multi-locational phenotyping for 25 agronomic and grain traits. Grain metabolome profiling reveals differential accumulation of fatty acids and flavonoids between white and brown grains. k -mer and SNP-based genome-wide association uncover important marker-trait associations, including a significant 70 kb peak for panicle morphology containing the tef orthologue of rice qSH1 —a transcription factor regulating inflorescence morphology in cereals. We also observe a previously unknown relationship between grain size, colour, and fatty acids. These traits are highly associated with retrotransposon insertions in homoeologues of TRANSPARENT TESTA 2 , a known regulator of grain colour. Our study provides valuable resources for tef research and breeding, facilitating the development of improved cultivars with desirable agronomic and nutritional properties.

Tef (Eragrostis tef) in Ethiopia has low nutrient use efficiency, with transplanting potentially improving nitrogen use, water efficiency, and yield compared to conventional broadcasting. This study evaluates the combined effects of different planting methods and nitrogen fertilizer levels on the yield, nutrient, and water use efficiency of irrigated tef crops. Four planting methods (broadcasting, row planting, pelleting, and transplanting) were tested alongside five nitrogen levels (0, 46, 92, 138, and 184 kg/ha) over two consecutive years. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of planting methods, nitrogen levels, and their interactions on key variables, including lodging index, biomass yield, grain yield, nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, and economic water productivity (p < 0.05). Transplanted tef demonstrated remarkable improvements: a 650% reduction in lodging index, a 94% increase in shoot biomass, an 80% increase in grain yield, and a 78% improvement in agronomic use efficiency compared to broadcasting. Additionally, transplanting maintained low lodging levels even with higher nitrogen applications, unlike other methods where lodging increased with increased nitrogen levels, and reduced yields. Transplanted tef with 92 kg/ha of nitrogen showed the highest nitrogen use efficiency and economic returns, offering the greatest yield benefits per unit of nitrogen applied. These results suggest that transplanting, combined with optimized nitrogen levels, significantly enhances productivity, water use efficiency, and economic returns while reducing environmental impacts. This approach offers practical solutions for improving tef farming practices, particularly in regions with similar agroecological conditions.

Ethiopian potato is an underutilized tuber crop with cultural and medicinal values, cultivated by smallholder farmers mainly for food. The study was conducted to develop an efficient protocol for generating callus, somatic embryo, and in vitro plant regeneration in three genotypes of Ethiopian potato. A combination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Indole 3 acetic acid (IAA) with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (Kn) resulted in more efficient callus induction than 2,4-D alone. None of the three genotypes showed callus induction in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media devoid of plant hormones. The two auxins (2,4-D and IAA) in combination with Kn were effective in promoting embryogenic callus development in all tested genotypes. The highest mean number of somatic embryos was found in genotype Unnuka, followed by Lofuwa in half-strength MS containing 0.2 mgL− 1 Kn + 0.1 mgL− 1 IAA, whereas genotype Chankua had the highest mean number of somatic embryos in half-strength MS containing 0.4 mgL− 1 Kn + 0.1 mgL− 1 IAA. Unnuka had the highest shoot regeneration frequency, number of shoots, and shoots with roots in 1 mgL− 1 BAP + 0.5 mgL− 1 gibberellic acid (GA3). Lofuwa and Chankua, however, showed the highest results with 0.5 mgL− 1 thidiazuron (TDZ) + 0.5 mgL− 1 GA3. Plantlets survived at a frequency of 92

Tef or teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a cereal crop indigenous to the Horn of Africa, where it is a staple food for a large population. The popularity of tef arises from its resilience to environmental stresses and its nutritional value. For many years, tef has been considered an orphan crop, but recent research initiatives from across the globe are helping to unravel its undisclosed potential. Advanced omics tools and techniques have been directed toward the exploration of tef’s diversity with the aim of increasing its productivity. In this review, we report on the most recent advances in tef omics that brought the crop into the spotlight of international research.

Main conclusion Seed priming with gas plasma-activated water results in an increased ageing resilience in Eragrostis tef grains compared to a conventional hydropriming protocol. Abstract Tef ( Eragrostis tef ) is a cereal grass and a major staple crop of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Despite its significant importance in terms of production, consumption, and cash crop value, tef has been understudied and its productivity is low. In this study, tef grains have undergone different priming treatments to enhance seed vigour and seedling performance. A conventional hydropriming and a novel additive priming technology with gas plasma-activated water (GPAW) have been used and tef grains were then subjected to germination performance assays and accelerated ageing. Tef priming increases the germination speed and vigour of the grains. Priming with GPAW retained the seed storage potential after ageing, therefore, presenting an innovative environmental-friendly seed technology with the prospect to address variable weather conditions and ultimately food insecurity. Seed technology opens new possibilities to increase productivity of tef crop farming to achieve a secure and resilient tef food system and economic growth in Ethiopia by sustainable intensification of agriculture beyond breeding.

The threat to world food security posed by drought is ever increasing. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an allotetraploid cereal crop that is a staple food for a large population in the Horn of Africa. While the grain of tef provides quality food for humans, its straw is the most palatable and nutritious feed for livestock. In addition, the tef plant is resilient to several biotic and abiotic stresses, especially to drought, making it an ideal candidate to study the molecular mechanisms conferring these properties. The transcriptome expression of tef leaf collected from plants grown under drought conditions was profiled using RNA-Seq and key genes were verified using RT-qPCR. This study revealed that tef exhibits a complex molecular network involving membrane receptors and transcription factors that regulate drought responses. We identified target genes related to hormones like ABA, auxin, and brassinosteroids and genes involved in antioxidant activity. The findings were compared to physiological measurements such as changes in stomatal conductance and contents of proline, chlorophyll and carotenoid. The insights gained from this work could play vital role in enhancing drought tolerance in other economically important cereals such as maize and rice.

EDITORIAL article Front. Plant Sci., 04 January 2024Sec. Plant Breeding Volume 14 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1349215

Orphan crops are crops that are of substantial importance to food security and economic growth at a local or regional scale, yet lacking investment in crop improvement and seed systems development. Tef is an example of such an orphan crop. It is vital to economy and food systems in the Horn of Africa, yet investment in breeding and agronomy is very limited. Since almost 20 years, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture has invested in tef, supporting work to both develop and disseminate improved varieties to farmers in Ethiopia. To date, this has led to the release of four improved varieties. As the project also invested in the development of seed systems for improved tef varieties, it allowed us to monitor seed production and variety adoption over time. The data obtained from seed production monitoring over 7 years and 4 varieties from both formal and informal seed systems shows a total of 1227 tons of tef seed from improved varieties delivered to farmers in Ethiopia. Assuming an average genetic gain of 0.4 tons per hectare, this suggests that the value generated to farmers and local value chains from tef breeding and seed systems development exceeds the investment by an order of at least 2.5. With this paper, we want to make a case for more long-term investment in breeding and seed systems development and stimulate replication of the approach to other orphan crops. We further want to call for a continued investment in tef crop improvement and seed systems development.

Abstract Background Teff is a prominent cereal crop grown in various parts of Ethiopia, exhibiting considerable genetic diversity for the most essential above-ground morphological traits. It forms a symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to adapt to resource-limited conditions in dryland areas. Currently, AMF is becoming an essential bio-inoculant in agronomic and plant breeding programs. In a greenhouse experiment using a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with ninety selected teff genotypes, we assessed the genetic variability and level of dependency of teff on AMF based on twelve morphological traits. Results All traits were significantly (P < 0.05) different among the genotypes. The genotypes were divided into six distinct clusters. The maximum and minimum inter-cluster distances were observed between Clusters IV and VI (327.85) and Clusters I and IV (71.76), respectively. High genetic divergence was observed among the tested teff genotypes evaluated between AMF inoculated genotypes. Wider genetic distance (inter-cluster) between the genotypes of clusters IV and VI, III and VI, and I and VI were important to do crossing between genotypes of these three clusters. Clusters III, VI, and I were superior for multiple crossings. Teff genotypes with higher root colonization percentage (RCP) of 54.42 to 72.29% were significantly correlated with root dry matter, root length, shoot biomass yield, and grain yield compared to low RCP (25.03 to 34.32%). Conclusion Group genotypes having higher genetic variability when colonized with AMF showed wider dependency of teff genotypes on AMF with implications for plant breeding.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form beneficial partnerships with most plant species, helping to improve crop resilience in tough environmental conditions. This paper analyzed how different genotypes responded to AMF inoculation, focusing on root colonization percentage (RCP) and the impact of AMF on above-ground agronomic traits. However, RCP alone may not fully explain genotype variation, and AMF effects cannot be judged solely on above-ground traits. This research aims to explore the variation in ninety tef genotypes under AMF conditions and assess how AMF and genotypes affect root and shoot morphology traits. Genotypes were sorted into six cluster groups, showing varied responsiveness to AMF, with RCP ranging from 25.03 to 72.29%. Despite similar RCP, variations in morphological traits were observed, and groups with lower RCP exhibited important traits not found in those with higher RCP, indicating RCP alone cannot indicate genotype variability. Wider Mahalanobis distance (D2) between clusters IV and VI, I and VI, and V and VI were crucial for developing different varieties and advancing root traits through hybridization. Among the tested genotypes, Wehni and Tsaeda zezew, followed by Gureaza, exhibited higher scores for plant height (PH), panicle length (PL), shoot biomass yield (SBY), root length (RL), and specific root length (SRL) compared to Simada. However, Wehni, Tsaeda zezew, and Gureaza showed similar results for days to maturity (DM), grain yield (GY), harvest index (HI), root dry weight (RDW), and root depth distribution (RDD) but differed from Simada genotype. Moreover, the inoculated Wehni genotype increased in days to panicle emergence (DPE) by 72%, DM by 84.11%, PH by 73.93%, PL by 73.68%, SBY by 144.17%, GY by 254.58%, HI by 133.33%, RL by 74.16%, RDW by 216.92%, SRL by 220%, and RDD by 93.28% as compared to the non-inoculated Simada. Improved performance of inoculated genotypes despite genotype variability could be because AMF enhances nutrient and water uptake by increasing root and shoot growth and the inherent growth strategy of the genotypes. Small-seeded crops planted shallowly benefit from AMF, which promotes deeper root growth for better nutrient and water uptake.

Plectranthus edulis is among the most ancient and native tuber crops in Ethiopia, which is mainly cultivated by smallholder farmers. Being an orphan crop, it has not received due research attention. To tackle major crop-production constraints through breeding, knowledge of its genetic diversity is a prerequisite. Thus, the current study was carried out to assess the nature and extent of genetic diversity in 130 genotypes using 20 cross-transferable expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers developed from a related species, Plectranthus barbatus. Among the 20 SSR markers, 15 were transferable to Plectranthus edulis, from which 14 polymorphic markers were used for diversity analysis. A total of 101 alleles were detected, with a mean of 7.2 alleles per locus. Allele frequency ranged from 0.23 to 0.54, with mean value of 0.40. Polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.54 to 0.84, with a mean of 0.70, indicating a high level of informativeness. The Nei’s genetic distance ranged from 0.026 to 0.247, with the highest similarity being between Wolaita and Gamo Gofa populations. About 97% of the genetic variation was attributable to differences within populations; only 3% was attributable to variation among populations. The Neighbor-Joining cluster analysis grouped the 130 genotypes into three clusters. In general, the EST-SSR markers were effective in identifying genetic diversity in Ethiopian potato. This information can help to identify parental lines for crossing and exploiting the existing variability through selection.

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is the major food crop of Ethiopia in terms of production, consumption, and cash crop value and is also grown outside the Horn of Africa as a forage crop. In Ethiopia, tef production accounts for more than twenty-five percent of the gross grain production of all cereals cultivated in the country. Tef provides quality food and grows under marginal conditions, conferring it great economic and agricultural significance. Unfortunately, the productivity of tef is relatively low with national average yield of about 1.9 t/ha in 2020. This low productivity has roots in both technical and socio-economic constraints. In the last decade, however, tef has benefitted from scientific improvement, starting with genomic sequencing in 2014. This paper provides an overview of tef, its significance in Ethiopia, some of its major production constraints, and some of the major technical achievements made to date, including genome sequencing and the improvement techniques that followed. In addition, we discuss some of the agronomic traits that have been targeted for improvement such as waterlogging, drought, plant architecture, and nutrition.

Tef is the most widely grown and consumed crop in Ethiopia. The crop is currently gaining growing popularity worldwide as nutritious and gluten free cereal crop. Al-toxicity is one of the factors that limit expansion of the crop worldwide. The aims of this study were to adapt hydroponic system as a phenotyping platform for Al-tolerance studies in tef, to identify appropriate concentration of Al3+ for Al-tolerance screening in tef, and to appraise the use of haematoxylin staining for visual assessment of Al-tolerance in tef. A tolerant and a sensitive genotypes were used to identify appropriate Al concentration. The identified Al concentration was used to evaluate reaction of 28 tef genotypes to Al-toxicity. Root and shoot measurements under Al-treated and control solution were used to compute the relative tolerance indexes. Reaction of the tolerant and the sensitive genotypes to haematoxylin staining was assessed by recording intensity of colour development. The result indicate that, among the five levels of AlK(SO4)2.12H2O (0-550 µM), the 150 µM concentration was found to be an appropriate level to discriminate between sensitive and tolerant genotypes of tef. This concentration adequately differentiated 28 tef genotypes with varied sensitivity to Al-toxicity. The visual assessment of selected tolerant and sensitive genotypes treated with 0, 150 and 250 µM AlK(SO4)2 .12H2O showed a differential reaction to haematoxylin staining consistent with the root growth measurement methods. The tolerant E. curvula showed no staining reaction across all the Al levels. The local Al-tolerant tef landrace, Dabo banja, showed a slightly purplish stain only at the highest level of Al. The two sensitive genotypes (E. Pilossa and Holeta Key), however, showed deep purple staining at concentrations of 150 and 250 µM AlK(SO4)2.12H2O. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to report the use of root measurement and root staining methods in evaluation of tef for tolerance to Al-toxicity using hydroponics platform.

Tef is the major staple food crop for Ethiopia which is cultivated by more than 6.7 million smallholder farmers. As an indigenous cereal, it is well adapted to diverse climatic and soil conditions; however, its productivity is very low mainly due to susceptibility to lodging. The objective of this study was to identify stable, high yielding and lodging tolerant tef genotypes for moisture stress areas of the country. A total of twenty genotypes including standard and local checks were tested. The field experiment was conducted using a 2m x 2m area with a completely randomized block design at six locations (Debre Zeit, Minjar, Alemtena, Melkassa, Sirinka and Axum) during the 2019 and 2020 main cropping seasons. Data were taken on plot and individual plant basis on eight pheno-agro-morphological characters including days to heading, days to maturity, grain filling period, plant height, panicle length, lodging index, above-ground shoot biomass and grain yield. The combined analysis of variance showed that the mean squares due to genotypes, locations and genotype interactions were highly significant (P<0.01) for the tested eight agronomical and morphological traits evaluated. Based on the current result, 39% of the tested genotypes had a higher yield advantage over the standard check Boset variety. On the other hand, 44% of the genotypes showed higher yields than the local check. Therefore, the promising genotype for lodging tolerance needs further testing in the variety verification trial and those genotypes are used as representative materials to develop varieties, especially for lodging tolerance.