No abstract

How to cite this paper: Nigus Belay.

The aims of the experiment are to determine and understand the effect of genotype, environment, and their interaction on grain yield of tef, and to identify and release stable and high yielding tef genotype for high potential areas of country. Twelve tef genotypes including two checks were laid out in randomized complete block design using four replications for two years (2016 and 2017) at twelve representative locations of high potential areas of the country. The trial was conducted on the plot size of 2m*2m with 10 rows per plot throughout all trial sites and 1.5m between replication, 1m between plot, and 20cm between rows. Agronomic and yield data were collected and subjected to statistical analysis in order to identify the best genotypes of the evaluated genotypes. Data from individual environments and combined over twelve locations were analyzed by using R 3.5 software version. The combined data analysis over locations and years indicated that the candidate variety Kaye Murri X 3774-1 (RIL18) performed better than the two checks and the other test genotypes. It gave 7.5% and 10.65% grain yield advantages over the standard check (Quncho) and local check, respectively. The significant genotypes x environments interaction effects indicated the inconsistent performance of genotypes across the tested environments. The candidate variety DZ-Cr-458 (RIL18) is the shortest vector from the AEC axis that identified as the most stable genotype. The National Variety Release Committee in Ethiopia investigated the two-year performance of Kaye Murri X 3774-1 (RIL18) and visited several locations where the new candidate variety was grown for evaluation under variety verification trial. Based on the critiques, the National Variety Release Committee the candidate variety was approved for release Kaye Murri X 3774-1 (RIL18), for high potential areas of the country with the vernacular name of "Ebba" as a standing witnessed for the earliest known tef scientist, Dr. Tadesse Ebba.

Striga spp., S. hermonthica (Del.) Benth. and S. asiatica (L.) Kuntze are obligate root hemi-parasites belong to the family Orobanchaceae and cause devastating yield losses in maize production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Control of striga is difficult due to the ability of the parasite to produce large number of seeds that can remain viable in the soil for more than 15 year and complex nature of the host-parasite relationship. This review presents an update on the recent knowledge on Striga biology, life cycle and management options in maize. Striga life cyle is complex and generally involves germination, attachment to host, haustorial formation, penetration and establishment of vascular connections, accumulation of nutrients, flowering and seed production. A number of Striga management strategies, such as cultural and agronomic practices, chemical control, biological control, host resistance and integrated Striga management (ISM), have been proposed during the past decade. ISM approach, through integrating Striga-resistant maize cultivars with other control methods, is considered the most economical and affordable for small-scale farmers. Novel genetic approaches such as marker assisted breeding, targeted gene editing or mutation breeding and RNA interference (RNAi) may allow the development of Striga resistant maize genotypes.

No abstract