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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

Tef [Eragrostis Tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an indigenous and yet the principal cereal in Ethiopia in terms of acreage, production and cash crop value to the smallholder Ethiopian farmers. The crop is highly valued by both farmers and consumers because of its unique features that render it with a multitude of relative merits over the other cereals grown in the country with respect to both farming and utilization aspects. Although the crop has in recent years been gaining global popularity as “health and performance food”, the cultivation of Tef as a cereal grain crop for food in the world has still remained almost exclusively restricted mainly in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and in small quantities in South Africa, and very recently in the United States of America, the Netherlands, Spain and Israel. Consequently, the genetic improvement of the crop practically rests upon domestic efforts with little or no technical and financial support from international and other foreign research establishments and donors. Scientific Tef improvement research in Ethiopia started in the late 1950s, and history puts it that Tef breeding was first started in 1960 through collection of farmers’ varieties and selections (mass and pure-line) of desirable types from the germplasm in 1960 at the then Central Experiment Station now Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, of the then Imperial College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (now Haramaya University). Over the years, several breeding approaches were used including induced mutation techniques, recombination through intra and inter-specific hybridization, participatory breeding and variety selection, in vitro cultures and other recent high throughput breeding and genomic techniques such as TILLING, molecular marker systems, and genome or gene editing via CRISPR/Cas9. In the Tef breeding program, various seemingly standard approaches and methods have been used by the researchers. Nevertheless, the methods are passed over from generations to generations of researchers simply by experience sharing and oral instructions along with learning of new researchers on the practical undertaking from their predecessors and/or even senior technical assistants. This “Tef Breeding Manual” is, therefore, primarily meant for filling this gap and providing a written document that can serve as a guideline for researchers engaged in Tef breeding. In its preparation, due attempts have been made to learn from and elucidate, as necessary, approaches adopted in the preparation of other similar crop breeding manuals such as that of wheat, sorghum and maize in Ethiopia. Last but not least, it should be emphasized that this manual is not static, but rather dynamic being subject to periodic amendments, additions and changes as the needs arise especially due to new developments in the art and science of crop breeding.

Indigenous crops also known as orphan crops are key contributors to food security, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable with the current trend of population growth and climate change. They have the major advantage that they fit well into the general socio-economic and ecological context of developing world agriculture. However, most indigenous crops did not benefit from the Green Revolution, which dramatically increased the yield of major crops such as wheat and rice. Here, we describe the Tef Improvement Project, which employs both conventional- and molecular-breeding techniques to improve tef—an orphan crop important to the food security in the Horn of Africa, a region of the world with recurring devastating famines. We have established an efficient pipeline to bring improved tef lines from the laboratory to the farmers of Ethiopia. Of critical importance to the long-term success of this project is the cooperation among participants in Ethiopia and Switzerland, including donors, policy makers, research institutions, and farmers. Together, European and African scientists have developed a pipeline using breeding and genomic tools to improve the orphan crop tef and bring new cultivars to the farmers in Ethiopia. We highlight a new variety, Tesfa, developed in this pipeline and possessing a novel and desirable combination of traits. Tesfa’s recent approval for release illustrates the success of the project and marks a milestone as it is the first variety (of many in the pipeline) to be released., Euphytica, 214 (2), ISSN:0014-2336, ISSN:1573-5060

Tef is a resilient crop from the Horn of Africa with significant importance in food and nutrition security, and currently gaining global popularity as health and performance food. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is the most important cereal of Ethiopia in terms of production, consumption and cash crop value. In Ethiopia, tef is annually grown on about 3 million ha with total grain production of over 5 million tons. As such, it accounts for about 30% of the total cultivated area and one-fifth of the gross grain production of all cereals cultivated in the country. In spite of its supreme economic and agricultural significance in Ethiopia, its productivity is relatively low with national average yield of about 1.7 t/ha. This has primarily been due to the very little scientific improvement done on the crop. Tef has still been an “orphan crop” since it is globally a very much under-researched crop owing to its localized importance. Scientific research on tef in Ethiopia began in the late 1950s. The main objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the significance and major production constraints of tef, and the major achievements made to date in various tef research aspects including breeding, agronomy, crop protection, and agricultural economics and extension. Based on these reviews, the paper eventually concludes with remarks on the way forward by emphasizing on the identification of the major gaps and the improvement efforts required for realizing the ever-needed breakthrough in the productivity and production of the crop. The major focal areas of future efforts include increasing productivity of both grain and biomass, systematic conservation and mining of the genetic resources, tackling the lodging malady, mechanization of the crop’s husbandry, understanding the overall physiology of the crop especially with respect to stress tolerance, unraveling the nutritional qualities, and development of recipes and value-added products.

In Ghana, the production of hybrid maize is at its infant stage, occupying only about 3% of the area devoted for maize production. Therefore, the yields of this crop are low, 1.7 t ha-1 due to the use of open pollinated varieties (OPVs), shortage of high yielding varieties, biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, the present study was designed to identify superior crosses based on their agronomic performance. Thirty-two hybrids and three checks were evaluated using a 5 x 7 alpha lattice design replicated twice at the University of Ghana, WACCI research farm during 2015/-16 offseason using drip irrigation. Analysis of variance revealed that genotype mean squares were highly significant (P < 0.001) for days to 50% anthesis and silking, plant and ear height, plant aspect, ear length, number of kernel rows ear-1, number of kernels row-1 and yield. Similarly, mean squares of genotypes were significant (p ≤ 0.05) for ear rots, anthesis-silking interval, and husk cover. Based on the mean grain yield performance, six promising single crosses, L8 x T2, L1 x T2, L16 x T1, L16 x T2 L4 x T2, L9 x T1 having grain yield of 6377, 6011, 5848, 5222, 5150 and 5135 kg ha-1, respectively were identified as possible candidates for release after establishing the stability of their performance in multi-locational trials and should be promoted for adoption and commercialization in the country. Key words: Grain yield, hybrids, maize, single crosses.

A line x tester mating design involving sixteen white maize inbred lines as females and two testers as males generated thirty-two single crosses. These hybrids plus three checks were evaluated using a 5 x 7 alpha lattice design replicated twice at the University of Ghana, WACCI research farm during 2015/16 offseason using drip irrigation. The objective of the study was to: assign the tropical inbred lines into heterotic groups. Based on the SCA effect for grain yield, the lines were separated into two heterotic groups. The lines L1, L3, L4, L8, L11 and L14 belonged to tester group 1368, while L2, L5, L6, L7, L9, L10, L12, L13, L15 and L16 belonged to heterotic group of CML 444. This is useful for the development of hybrids and synthetic varieties. Thus, the information generated in the present study will be useful for breeders who want to improve yield and yield-contributing traits of maize. Key words: Hybrids, heterotic group, line x tester (LxT), maize, yield.

Tef is widely cultivated grain crop in Ethiopia by concerning 6.5 million smallholder farmers on about 30% of the full-scale region distributed to cereal crops. The goal of this experiment was to identify and release stable and high yielding tef genotype for moisture stress areas of country and to determine and understand the effect of genotype, environment, and their interaction on grain yield of tef. Fourteen selected tef genotypes obtained from two autonomous crosses and progressed through alternative for a minimum of eight generations, and a local and standard check varieties, were tested over a two years at seven tef growing sites in moisture stress areas of Ethiopia namely Debre Zeit, Alemetena, Dhera, Axum, Sirinka, Minjar and Mehoni, using randomized complete block design with four replications. Among the genotype tested, DZ-Cr-387 x 3774-13(RIL120B) was found predominant in terms of yield at tested moisture stress environments. This genotype was obtained through targeted cross between DZ-Cr-387 (Quncho) selected as a maternal parent for its high yielding capability and wide adaptability and, 3774-13 as a pollen parent for its extraordinarily white seed quality and earliness. The genotype DZ-Cr-387 x 3774-13(RIL120B) gave the average grain yield 2740 kgha-1 pooled across all environments. This genotype "DZ-Cr-387 x 3774-13(RIL120B)” was later released as DZ-Cr-453(RIL 120B) or Bora by the National Variety Release Committee in 2019, and with a yield advantage of 5.7% and 24.48% over the standard (Boset) and local check, respectively.

Tef grain yield is low, at 1.75kgha-1 in Ethiopia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare biological superiority of the technology package; to conduct partial budget cost-benefit analysis of the technology and to improve the full package of recommendations. Three interventions packages on the tef production system which are: extension package, Agricultural transformation Agency of Ethiopia package and the research package (row and broadcast planting) application was laid out in a randomized complete block design with the replication (farmers/ locations as replication). The experimental plot size was 500m2. The result indicates that research package on broadcast planting and raw planting systems were found to be superior in grain yield 1580kgha-1 and 1550 kgha-1, respectively. Similarly research row sowing and broadcasting recommendations were gave higher above ground biomass 10167kgha-1 and 10000kgha-1, respectively as compared to the ATA and Extension package practice. Thus, the result revealed that seed rate of 10-15 kgha-1 both broad cast and row sowing gives better grain yield and shoot biomass providing the highest return with marginal rate of return, whereas ATA package was found to be the least economically viable treatment having minimum MRR. The partial budget analysis result showed that net returns of treatments extension package, research row planting package and research broadcasting package exceeded the net return of the control- ATA package by Ethiopian birr (EB) (0.32), 1.09 and 1.65, respectively (US$ 1=EB 27.49). The decrease in cost for treatment of extension package relative to the control-ATA package was EB 1.03; the added net benefit from this treatment was EB 0.75 per unit, giving a marginal rate of return of 137%. The decrease in cost of treatment research with row planting package relative to treatment of the control-ATA package was EB 71%, while the increase in net return was EB 32.6 per unit of production, giving a marginal rate of return on the increased expenditure of 218%. The relative decreasing cost of treatment research tef broadcast planting was EB 60.7% per unit of production as compared to the control-ATA package, while the increase in net return relative to treatment the control was EB 3.38 for a marginal rate of return of 17.95%. Given the high cost of capital, treatments of the control-ATA and the extension package cannot be recommended as they indicate negative benefit cost ration with (0.51) and (0.31) respectively while 1.09 and 1.65 for research row planting and broadcast planting, respectively yet; the broadcast planting of tef production indicated superior in returns of EB 0.65 for EB 1 invested in the production at small scale level. Considering the lack of appropriate tef row planting at the moment, broadcast planting with 10-15 seed rate should be used as tef production package in the country.

Genetic improvement of native crops is a promising strategy to combat hunger in the developing world. Tef is the major staple food crop for approximately 73 million people in Ethiopia. As an indigenous cereal, it is well adapted to diverse climatic and soil conditions; however, its productivity is extremely low mainly due to lack of high yielder genotypes and susceptibility to lodging, biotic and abiotic stresses. To circumvent this problem, an experiment comprising 20 tef genotypes including the standard and local checks were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications at nine environment to develop high yielding, stable and farmers preferred variety (ies) for high potential areas. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) variations due to genotype, environment for most of traits and significant (p ≤0.05) genotype by environment interaction effects (GEI) for grain yield. AMMI analysis revealed 7.62%, 67.27%, 25.11% variation in grain yield due to genotypes, environments and GEI effects, respectively. The mean grain yield value of genotypes averaged over environments indicated that G12 (DZ-Cr-387 X Rosea (RIL-133) had the highest grain yield (2761 kgha-1) compared to the standard check variety Negus (2526kgha-1). In addition this candidate variety proved stable across environments for grain yield during the variety evaluation experiment. Therefore, this genotype was evaluated by the national variety released committee for release as a new variety for the year of 2019/20 and the technical committee approved it for fully released as new variety in 2020. Thus, this variety should be used as a commercial variety for potential tef growing areas to increase tef productivity and production in the country.

The average grain yield is low (at 1.75tha-1). Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the adoption of improved tef practices impacting yield and factors affecting the adoption of the improved agricultural practice in four regions of Ethiopia. Household surveys and crop cut surveys were used. Four districts, 101 each in Amhara, SNNP, Tigray, and 100 farmers in Oromia regions of Ethiopia were assessed in the study. Therefore, a total of 403 respondent farmers, were used. Data were analysed using SSPS. Among the seven improved agricultural practices assessed, fertilizer application, variety selection, and use, land preparation, and herbicide application showed higher adoption among the farmers. The correlation analysis results revealed that yield is positively and significantly correlated with land preparation (r=0.492), row planting (r=0.351) hand weeding (0.306), fertilizer application (r=0.143). This implies that the adoptions of these improved practices were contributing to yield increment. The result clearly indicated that the adoption of improved practices was influenced by a composite of demographic, socio-economic, and institutional factors. The partial budget analysis was employed using previous variable cost data collected in the Ada district by Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Centre. The result revealed that the highest increased income showed in Lume districts (positive net change in benefits) 37,431.2 birr ha-1 followed by Siyadebirenawayu districts which were 31,131.73 birr ha-1. However, the increased income in Lemo and Lalye Maychew were minima l9513.34 birr ha-1 and 11,469.95 birrs ha-1 respectively. The benefit-cost ratio for Lume and Siyadebir enawayu districts were 3.9 and 3.3, respectively. However, the benefit-cost ratio for Lemo and Lalye Maychew were 1.7 and 1.9, respectively. The variables significantly affect the adoption of tef improved practices by farmers were age, education level, family size, farm size, extension service provision. To solve problems of inadequate use of improved practices, Development Agents and Agricultural experts should provide farmers with more practical pieces of training under farmers’ direct participation in the demonstration centres. In order to attain food security, the nation policymakers should devise more effective farmers’ training mechanisms and provide more applicable tef production mechanizations effective on the process of tef production.

The national average yield of Tef is low at 1.75 t ha-1. This is partially due to lack of high yielding Tef genotypes for different Tef growing areas. Therefore, the present study was designed to develop high yielding, and desirable quality of improved Tef varieties suitable for high and optimum potential farming systems. Eight recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross of DZ-01-353 x kaymurri plus two checks were laid out in a randomized complete block design using four replications in multi-environments for two years (2013 and 2014) to see the effect of genotypes, environments and GEI. ANOVA from additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) for grain yield revealed highly significant (p

Tef is a foremost staple cereal crop with considerable role in the domestic GDP of Ethiopia. In diverse parts of Ethiopia, declining levels and high variability of rainfall is among the main causes for low crop productivity. Therefore, the study was designed to assess, pinpoint and recommend promising tef breeding lines suitable for irrigation farming conditions in the semi-arid, temperate and cool sub-humid agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. The experimental plant materials comprised forty- nine tef genotypes including forty seven recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and two standard checks varieties Quncho and Boset. The forty-seven RILs were out-sourced from three simple crosses of four parental lines. The field experiment was conducted using 7×7 simple lattice designs at three locations (Mehoni, Koga and Werer) during 2016 and 2017. Data were taken on plot and individual plant basis on nine pheno-agro-morphological characters including days to heading and to maturity, grain filling period, plant height, culm length, panicle length, above-ground shoot biomass, grain yield and harvest index. The three locations displayed highly significant (P