In the early 2000s, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) bred six varieties of Eragrostis tef (teff) for animal feed.
The plant breeder’s rights (PBR) of six of the ARC varieties: Ivory, Emerson, Witkop, Rooiberg, Emerald and Highveld, have since expired.
Since 2022, the ARC-Range and Forage Sciences Cedara breeding unit has collaborated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal on my PhD project, which explores breeding new teff varieties for dual human food and animal feed traits.
To date, 80 new M4 (third-generation) lines seeds of teff have been produced.
Soon to be ready are M5 seeds (fourth generation), which will be evaluated in different South African soils.
This is good news for the agriculture sector in South Africa as well as the rest of the world because teff has multiple benefits for livelihoods.
FAST FACTS
Teff is gaining increasing attention due to its potential to satisfy global food, nutritional and climatic challenges.
High yield and quality hay at a low cost are achievable since teff can be harvested multiple times.
As teff is gluten-free, it is particularly useful for low-glycaemic diets.
RESEARCH COLLABORATION
An indigenous grass that grows in Ethiopia, teff comes in white, red, brown and mixed varieties. It is commonly used as food for the people in Ethiopia and Eritrea and is gaining increasing attention due to its potential to satisfy global food, nutritional and climatic challenges.
It is therefore important for scientists to collaborate to produce new climate-smart and improved teff varieties.
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Denne historien er fra March 08, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
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Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
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Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
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Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
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I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
