The basics of growing teff

Teff is a leafy plant with a high yield of grain when in seed. Because it is highly nutritious, it is commonly produced as a hay crop in South Africa. It can cope with high temperatures and, to a limited extrent, drought.

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Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a grass that originated in Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa. It can grow to a height of 1m tall and establish itself rapidly in different types of soil, thanks to its shallow root system.

As Prof Wayne Truter of the University of Pretoria, Dr Hendrik Smith of Grain SA, et al point out, there are three main types, indicated by their seed colour. White teff is slow-maturing, grows in cooler conditions and is good for grain production. Red and brown teff are faster-maturing grasses and are superior for fodder.

Teff requires an average rainfall of as low as 350mm/year and can grow with rainfall as high as 2 500mm/year. It resists moderate droughts and hot weather.

According to Grain SA, most teff in South Africa is grown in areas that receive rainfall of 400mm to 900mm. “Most cultivars require at least three good rain showers during early growth and a total of 200mm to 300mm of water. White teff has the ability to tolerate some frost, but will not survive prolonged periods of extreme cold,” say Truter et al.

Although teff grows in clayey soils, such as black turf soil, it does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. For this reason, soil in a higher-rainfall area should be well drained.

Teff tolerates acid soil and can cope with a pH lower than 5.

PREPARATION AND PLANTING

As teff is grown mainly for hay production, you should prepare a firm, level and uniform seedbed. This will ensure easier hay harvesting.