Teff Grass for Forage: Nitrogen and Irrigation Requirements
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A PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXTENSION PUBLICATION Photo: Richard Roseberg, © Oregon State University Teff at heading stage. Cutting at this stage is slightly later than ideal for the optimum compromise between yield and quality. Teff Grass for Forage: Nitrogen and irrigation requirements Richard Roseberg, Steven Norberg, and Brian Charlton Roseberg et al., 2008). Teff is typically higher in protein eff (Eragrostis tef) is a warm-season annual grass and forage quality than other common forage grasses with a long history in Africa and a relatively short (Hunter et al., 2007; Twidwell et al., 2002; Nsahlai et al., period of experimentation by growers in the 1998). T Teff is killed by freezing temperatures at all growth Pacific Northwest. Teff is a gluten-free grain known for its use in injera, a type of flatbread that has been a stages. In most places teff is managed as an annual primary Ethiopian food staple for 3,000 years. In the crop with two, or possibly three, cuttings. In some United States, it was grown on fewer than 5,000 acres cases only a single cutting is possible, such as when annually prior to 2004. Acreage has exploded since then, as more growers Richard Roseberg, director, Southern Oregon Research & turned to teff for its high yields of high-quality hay. Extension Center, Oregon State University; Steven Norberg, Between 2005 and 2010, teff acreage in the US regional Extension forage specialist for the Columbia Basin, increased to more than 100,000 acres, based on Washington State University; and Brian Charlton, Klamath Basin encouraging research results in Oregon, New York, and potato faculty scholar, Klamath Basin Research and Extension elsewhere (Roseberg et al., 2006; Hunter et al., 2007; Center, Oregon State University. Oregon State University • University of Idaho • Washington State University PNW 709 • June 2018 Figure 1 Te irst cut yield Figure Te second cut yield 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 E TORE) 0 E TORE) 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) Photo: Richard Roseberg, © Oregon State University Collection of teff cultivars evaluated for forage crop potential e or Utah aath as-1 Utah aath as Ontario near Klamath Falls, Oregon. Ontario Medord aath as-2 Medord aath as-2 Data ro reech et al., 012 Roseberg et al., 006 Data ro unter et al., 009 reech et al., 012 Roseberg et al., 006 there is a short growing season, planting is delayed, Figure Te second cut crude protein or there is a lack of irrigation water or rain later in Figure 2 Te single cut yield 20 the summer. In these cases the cutting date can be 18 6.0 delayed to increase yield, although forage quality 16 5.0 decreases as the plant matures. To meet the need for 14 general recommendations for planting, managing, 4.0 12 First cutting yield and quality and harvesting teff hay, several states have developed 3.0 10 Extension publications (Hunter et al., 2007; Norberg et 2.0 First-cutting yield typically increases when 40–60 8 al., 2009; Creech et al., 2012). lb/acre of N fertilizer is applied near planting time 1.0 6 (Figures 1 and 2, page 2). Typically, additional N does However, little research-based information was E TORE) 0 4 previously available on nitrogen (N) requirements 0 20 40 60 80 100 not increase yield, but in some cases additional N above ; 2 or optimum water management, especially under NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) 60 lb/acre can produce a small increment of additional RUE PROTE ) 0 irrigated conditions in the Pacific Northwest. Many Ne or Ethiopia S test Ethiopia tillage test 0 20 40 60 80 100 yield (Utah site in Figure 1, one Oklahoma site in Figure growers initially assumed teff required large inputs Oklahoma sites - Oklahoa sites -4 NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) 2). The yield response to added N for first cutting is also of N fertilizer and irrigation, because it grows quickly e or Utah Medord influenced by residual soil N values. The first cutting Data ro unter et al., 009 irma et al., 012 aath as Ontario into a lush-looking forage crop, typically has higher Habtegebria and Singh, 006 abtegebria et al., 007 yields shown in Figures 1 and 2 with no fertilizer N protein levels than other common forage grasses, and Data ro unter et al., 009 reech et al., 012 Roseberg et al., 006 applied are variable, ranging from about 0.5 to 2.0 ton/ acre, with two locations in Oklahoma producing higher has a relatively small and shallow root system. To test Figure Te irst cut crude protein these assumptions and address information needs, Figure Te total yield, two cuts yields with no added N. Preseason residual soil N values 20 several research studies were initiated in Oregon and 6.0 have only rarely been reported in the literature, but as elsewhere. 18 a general rule first cutting yield should be increased the 16 most by added N fertilizer in situations where preseason The results show that teff compares favorably to 5.0 14 soil N values are lower. For first cutting, crude protein other forage crops in its efficient use of water and 12 may be increased by adding N fertilizer at rates higher fertilizer. Protein levels in teff hay are typically higher 4.0 10 than what is needed for optimum yield (adding more than common grass hay species, but are lower than 8 3.0 than 60 lb N/acre), but this response is not universal alfalfa. However, teff requires less N fertilizer and 6 (Figure 3). Sites that have a good yield response to irrigation water than comparable grass hay, and 4 2.0 added N between zero and about 60 lb N/acre also tend requires only about half the irrigation of alfalfa for 2 to produce higher crude protein when more fertilizer optimum yields. 1.0 RUE PROTE ) 0 N is applied (in the 60–100 lb N/acre range; compare 0 20 40 60 80 100 Figures 1 and 3). The relationship between fertilizer Nitrogen management NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) E TORE) 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 N rate, yield, and crude protein is expected to vary, While soil types, climate, use of irrigation, and e or aath as Ontario NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) depending on other soil and crop growth conditions. Utah edord background nutrient levels vary across the country, Utah Medord aath as-1-2 Excess nitrate accumulation can be a concern in some teff’s response to N fertilizer follows a surprisingly e or Ontario Data ro unter et al., 009 reech et al., 012 Roseberg et al., 006 forage crops when high rates of N are applied, but no similar yield and quality pattern across most testing Data ro unter et al., 009 reech et al., 012 Roseberg et al., 006 reports linking teff to excess nitrate accumulation have locations. This is likely related to teff’s small rooting been published. Anecdotal reports and our unreplicated 2 Figure 1 Te irst cut yield Figure Te second cut yield 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 E TORE) 0 E TORE) 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) e or Utah aath as-1 Utah aath as Ontario Ontario Medord aath as-2 Medord aath as-2 Data ro reech et al., 012 Roseberg et al., 006 Data ro unter et al., 009 reech et al., 012 Roseberg et al., 006 there is a short growing season, planting is delayed, Figure Te second cut crude protein or there is a lack of irrigation water or rain later in Figure 2 Te single cut yield 20 the summer. In these cases the cutting date can be 18 Photo: Richard Roseberg, © Oregon State University 6.0 delayed to increase yield, although forage quality 16 Just prior to first cutting, teff grown near Medford, Oregon, that received no fertilizer N (left), and 84 lb N/ac of N fertilizer at seeding (right). 5.0 decreases as the plant matures. To meet the need for 14 general recommendations for planting, managing, 4.0 12 First cutting yield and quality and harvesting teff hay, several states have developed 3.0 10 Extension publications (Hunter et al., 2007; Norberg et 2.0 First-cutting yield typically increases when 40–60 8 al., 2009; Creech et al., 2012). lb/acre of N fertilizer is applied near planting time 1.0 6 (Figures 1 and 2, page 2). Typically, additional N does However, little research-based information was E TORE) 0 4 previously available on nitrogen (N) requirements 0 20 40 60 80 100 not increase yield, but in some cases additional N above ; 2 or optimum water management, especially under NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) 60 lb/acre can produce a small increment of additional RUE PROTE ) 0 irrigated conditions in the Pacific Northwest. Many Ne or Ethiopia S test Ethiopia tillage test 0 20 40 60 80 100 yield (Utah site in Figure 1, one Oklahoma site in Figure growers initially assumed teff required large inputs Oklahoma sites - Oklahoa sites -4 NITROGE ERTILIZER PPLIE PER UTTIN LB/ACRE) 2).