GENOTYPIC VARIABILITY IN DRY MATTER PRODUCTION, PARTITIONING AND GRAIN YIELD OF TEF [ERAGROSTIS TEF (ZUCC.) TROTTER] UNDER MOISTURE DEFICIT

Abstract

The response of fifteen diverse genotypes of pot grown tef
[Eragrostis tt/(Zucc.) Trotter] to two levels of moisture treatment (non-stressed and stressed) were investigated under greenhouse conditions. Moisture deficit generally resulted in a reduction in dry weight of individual plant parts, plant height and number of tillers, but increased dry matter partitioning [leaf weight ratio (LWR) and stem weight ratio (SWR)] except root shoot ratio (RSR). Genotypic: varilibility was observed in the results from the moisture deficit treatments for
grain yield. harvest index, panicle dry weight and panicle length. These values were markedly reduced by moisture deficit in all genotypes, except harvest index which increased in three of the genotypes studied. The genotypes Fesho, GeaLemi and Shewa-Gimira performed better than the rest while Gorradie, Goffarie and Key murrie were poor performers.