2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Location

John Deere Auditorium, Curris Business Building, University of Nothern Iowa

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation (UNI Access Only)

Document Type

poster

Keywords

Tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc.) Trotter, lodging, temperature, stress, mutagenesis

Abstract

Climate change is expected to reduce the production of certain mainstream crops. Identification of new crops that are adapted to diverse environmental conditions is crucial for food security. Tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc.) Trotter, a popular grain crop in Ethiopia, is known for its resilience to both drought and flooding, its exceptional nutrient profile, and gluten-free status. In the United States, it has gained popularity for human consumption and animal feed. This research assessed tef’s adaptability to Iowa’s climate, focusing on its tolerance to cold temperatures ranging from 5°C to 20°C. Results revealed that tef does not germinate below 7.5°C, while germination and seedling growth increases at temperatures above 7.5°C. We also explored the earliest planting time for tef in Iowa. Using a 10-year average (2014-2023) weather data from NOAA, we mimicked the 24-hour temperature in a growth chamber to test seed germination for the planting dates of April 16, May 1, May 16, and June 1. Seeds planted before May 16 did not germinate within a week, indicating that May 16 is the earliest date to plant tef in Iowa. Lodging and grain shattering remain significant challenges in tef production. To address this, a chemical mutagenesis protocol using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) was developed. Based on a 70% kill rate the following concentrations were deemed appropriate for the four accessions chosen: 0.8% for PI 524444 and WW13-1 and 1.0% for EE10-1 and WE23-2. These concentrations will guide future mutagenesis studies to improve tef’s agronomic traits.

Start Date

26-7-2024 11:00 AM

End Date

26-7-2024 1:30 PM

Event Host

Summer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Northern Iowa

Faculty Advisor

Tilahun Abebe

Department

Department of Biology

File Format

application/pdf

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Jul 26th, 11:00 AM Jul 26th, 1:30 PM

Is Tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc.) Trotter Suitable for Cultivation in Iowa?

John Deere Auditorium, Curris Business Building, University of Nothern Iowa

Climate change is expected to reduce the production of certain mainstream crops. Identification of new crops that are adapted to diverse environmental conditions is crucial for food security. Tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc.) Trotter, a popular grain crop in Ethiopia, is known for its resilience to both drought and flooding, its exceptional nutrient profile, and gluten-free status. In the United States, it has gained popularity for human consumption and animal feed. This research assessed tef’s adaptability to Iowa’s climate, focusing on its tolerance to cold temperatures ranging from 5°C to 20°C. Results revealed that tef does not germinate below 7.5°C, while germination and seedling growth increases at temperatures above 7.5°C. We also explored the earliest planting time for tef in Iowa. Using a 10-year average (2014-2023) weather data from NOAA, we mimicked the 24-hour temperature in a growth chamber to test seed germination for the planting dates of April 16, May 1, May 16, and June 1. Seeds planted before May 16 did not germinate within a week, indicating that May 16 is the earliest date to plant tef in Iowa. Lodging and grain shattering remain significant challenges in tef production. To address this, a chemical mutagenesis protocol using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) was developed. Based on a 70% kill rate the following concentrations were deemed appropriate for the four accessions chosen: 0.8% for PI 524444 and WW13-1 and 1.0% for EE10-1 and WE23-2. These concentrations will guide future mutagenesis studies to improve tef’s agronomic traits.