The Effect of NP Fertilizer and Soil pH On Biomass and Quality of Teff Varieties.

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a cereal crop which has several economic and health benefits. Therefore, research is going on to make this crop as option for Oklahoma producers. Factorial arrangement of soil pH and NP fertilizer application rates were studied to examine their effect on grain and straw yield and quality of two teff varieties. Soil pH levels were 5, 6 and 7. The NP rates were combination of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer at 0-0, 0-20, 50-20, 100-20 and 150-20 kg N-P ha-1. The teff varieties were white (DZ-Cr-387) and brown (DZ-D1-99) seed colors. Soil pH was adjusted using NaOH and HCl to attain the intended pH. The pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse. Grain, straw and crude protein content were significantly increased with the application of N fertilizer. The absence of significant effects of pH on yield indicated that this crop is appropriate for acidic area without liming. Similarly, the two varieties responded in the same manner without significant difference on grain yield. But better protein content was recorded from white than brown seed color.