Teff Yield and Nutrient Uptake Partitioning During Prolonged Waterlogging: A Preliminary Greenhouse Study

ABSTRACTThere is a lack of studies examining the effects of prolonged waterlogging on both yield and nutrient uptake partitioning in teff. A greenhouse study was conducted to assess the impact of different durations of waterlogging on teff's growth, yield, nutrient uptake and partitioning among grain, straw, and root components. Teff plants were subjected to five waterlogging durations as days after transplanting (DAT) ranging from upland to waterlogging to the entire growing period (WHOLE). No significant differences among treatments for most of the study parameters were observed. However, both grain and straw dry matter yields showed an inconsistent trend with the waterlogging duration. On the other hand, the WHOLE treatment resulted in significantly greater root weight compared to the control treatment. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptakes were reduced in grain and straw but increased in roots as the duration of waterlogging increased. Overall, the results suggest that teff can tolerate waterlogging conditions throughout the entire growing period. These results are discussed, and the need for further studies to understand the regulation of root metabolism and physiological mechanisms responsible for teff's tolerance to prolonged waterlogging is stressed.