Status of Tef (Eragrostis tef) Diseases in Ethiopia

Abstract

Tef (Eragrostis tef) is the most important cereals in Ethiopia, is threatened by abiotic and biotic constraints. Among the biotic, tef leaf rust (Uromyces eragrostis) is one of the major constraints of tef production. Information on the occurrence and reaction of cultivars to tef leaf rust in Ethiopia was not well known. Therefore, the aim of this survey was to observe the performance of commercial cultivars and understand the distribution of major tef diseases in the country. The survey was made in 2016 main cropping seasons (in October) following the main roads and accessible routes in each survey district, and stops were made at every 5-10km intervals based on vehicles odometers as per tef fields presented. Five stops were made in each tef field by moving "X" fashion at each stop interval and data were collected from each. A total of 19 districts were covered during the survey. In each surveyed areas the incidence and severity of tef diseases were recorded. A total of 41 fields were observed in all assessed regions and all the observed fields were infected by tef leaf rust disease. The prevalent of tef leaf rust disease was 100% in all regions. The highest tef leaf rust disease severity of (60S) was observed in Gurage on lately planted tef varieties Quncho and Magna. For tef leaf rust disease this attack was unusual. From the assessed fields Quncho variety was the most popular (38%) and followed by Magna which accounts about 31% area coverage. Different severity levels were also recorded on the variety Quncho, local and Magna variety based on different agro ecologies. The current assessment indicated that the highest severity of the disease in different tef varieties and their occurrence across districts was highly variable. The disease was severe in Meskan, Sankura, Worabe and Shashemene districts with severity of 50-60S. The severity of the disease was increased because of improved agronomic practices (Row planting, late planting and cultivars) that are susceptible to disease become common and no chemical control was practiced to tef leaf rust disease so far. Currently, the disease was becoming severe and using fungicide may be an option to control this disease. The other issue is screening of germplasm to this disease and selecting those tolerant line(s) and incorporating in breeding program will also another option to control this disease in the future