Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for Bulgaria

Abstract. This review article aims to summarize global studies relating to the distribution, biological characteristics, productivity and cultivation technology for grain and green mass from teff (Eragrostis tef). Teff has the shortest vegetation period among cereals, good adaptability to varied env...

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Main Authors: A. Cholakova, Ts. Zhelyazkova, M. Gerdzhikova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Trakia University. Faculty of Agriculture, Stara Zagora 2023-12-01
Series:Agricultural Science and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://agriscitech.eu/significance-of-teff-eragrostis-tef-zucc-trotter-as-a-new-fodder-crop-for-bulgaria/
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author A. Cholakova
Ts. Zhelyazkova
M. Gerdzhikova
author_facet A. Cholakova
Ts. Zhelyazkova
M. Gerdzhikova
author_sort A. Cholakova
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. This review article aims to summarize global studies relating to the distribution, biological characteristics, productivity and cultivation technology for grain and green mass from teff (Eragrostis tef). Teff has the shortest vegetation period among cereals, good adaptability to varied environmental conditions and high drought resistance. In the world, it is gaining popularity as a healthy grain food, especially suitable for people suffering from celiac disease, due to the lack of gluten in the grain and a good source of omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Teff is the crop with the shortest vegetation among the cereals – it ripens for 50 to 90 days. It can successfully be sown as a second crop following early cereals. As fodder, it has good nutritional value compared to some basic fodder crops. It is used as food for ruminants and horses, compared to the quality of well-maintained natural grasslands. Straw is preferred more than that of the basic annual cereal crops in ratios as coarse fodder. Its application in industry is also feasible. Resistance against diseases and enemies, as well as the ability to choke weeds, makes it an economically efficient and ecological crop. While studies on teff in Bulgaria are limited, they indicate successful cultivation in the arid conditions of Southern Dobrudzha. This crop, unknown to our producers, could be included in the structure of field crops and take up areas that are not suitable for the traditionally grown cereal plants – wheat, barley, maize. For this purpose, it is necessary to study the impact of the climate at a local level on the development and productivity of teff. It is necessary to pay serious attention when choosing the production technology, in order to use the potential for the production of green mass and grain, and a possible choice for impact is the optimization of the seeding rate and fertilization.
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spelling doaj.art-63755350693e404e90a56639f9cbccca2024-02-15T12:05:38ZengTrakia University. Faculty of Agriculture, Stara ZagoraAgricultural Science and Technology1313-88201314-412X2023-12-0115431110.15547/ast.2023.04.032Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for BulgariaA. Cholakova0Ts. Zhelyazkova1M. Gerdzhikova2Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, BulgariaDepartment of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, BulgariaDepartment of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, BulgariaAbstract. This review article aims to summarize global studies relating to the distribution, biological characteristics, productivity and cultivation technology for grain and green mass from teff (Eragrostis tef). Teff has the shortest vegetation period among cereals, good adaptability to varied environmental conditions and high drought resistance. In the world, it is gaining popularity as a healthy grain food, especially suitable for people suffering from celiac disease, due to the lack of gluten in the grain and a good source of omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Teff is the crop with the shortest vegetation among the cereals – it ripens for 50 to 90 days. It can successfully be sown as a second crop following early cereals. As fodder, it has good nutritional value compared to some basic fodder crops. It is used as food for ruminants and horses, compared to the quality of well-maintained natural grasslands. Straw is preferred more than that of the basic annual cereal crops in ratios as coarse fodder. Its application in industry is also feasible. Resistance against diseases and enemies, as well as the ability to choke weeds, makes it an economically efficient and ecological crop. While studies on teff in Bulgaria are limited, they indicate successful cultivation in the arid conditions of Southern Dobrudzha. This crop, unknown to our producers, could be included in the structure of field crops and take up areas that are not suitable for the traditionally grown cereal plants – wheat, barley, maize. For this purpose, it is necessary to study the impact of the climate at a local level on the development and productivity of teff. It is necessary to pay serious attention when choosing the production technology, in order to use the potential for the production of green mass and grain, and a possible choice for impact is the optimization of the seeding rate and fertilization.https://agriscitech.eu/significance-of-teff-eragrostis-tef-zucc-trotter-as-a-new-fodder-crop-for-bulgaria/eragrostis tef (zucc.) trotterproductivitytechnology for growingquality
spellingShingle A. Cholakova
Ts. Zhelyazkova
M. Gerdzhikova
Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for Bulgaria
Agricultural Science and Technology
eragrostis tef (zucc.) trotter
productivity
technology for growing
quality
title Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for Bulgaria
title_full Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for Bulgaria
title_fullStr Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for Bulgaria
title_full_unstemmed Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for Bulgaria
title_short Significance of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as a new fodder crop for Bulgaria
title_sort significance of teff eragrostis tef zucc trotter as a new fodder crop for bulgaria
topic eragrostis tef (zucc.) trotter
productivity
technology for growing
quality
url https://agriscitech.eu/significance-of-teff-eragrostis-tef-zucc-trotter-as-a-new-fodder-crop-for-bulgaria/
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