Date of Award:

8-2021

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Plants, Soils, and Climate

Department name when degree awarded

Plant Soils and Climate

Committee Chair(s)

J. Earl Creech

Committee

J. Earl Creech

Committee

Grant E. Cardon

Committee

Kevin B. Jensen

Abstract

Teff [Eragostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a relatively new forage gaining popularity in the United States; however, information regarding agronomic production practices is lacking. This study was conducted to determine the combination of seeding rate, fertilization, and harvest timing to optimize teff dry-matter yield (DMY) and nutritive value. Four seeding rates (2, 5, 8, and 11 lb/acre), four nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (0, 25, 50, and 100 lb/acre), and two harvest strategies [boot stage (2-cut) and full seed-head stage (1-cut; stockpiled)] were evaluated in 2010 and 2011 in Kaysville, UT and Yerington, NV. The effects of harvest (1- vs 2-cuts), seeding rate, N level, location, and year had a significant (Pin-vitro true digestibility (IVTD48) were not affected by seeding rate, while acid detergent fiber (ADF) values remained constant regardless of location. Variation in locations and years had no effect on digestible neutral detergent fiber (dNDF48) values. Regardless of management or location, CP concentrations were greater when 100 lb N/acre was applied, while CP concentrations were similar among lower N levels. The results of this experiment suggest that under a 2-cut management system, teff economics will be optimized with a fertilizer application of 100 lb N/acre at a seeding rate of 5 lb/acre.

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