Water Use and Productivity of Teff, a Dairy Quality Forage Crop

Authors

J. M. Davidson, Kansas State UniversityFollow
R. M. Aiken, Kansas State UniversityFollow
D. H. Min, Kansas State UniversityFollow
G. J. Kluitenberg, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Keywords

teff, forage crops, water use, limited irrigation

Abstract

Teff grass can be a competitive summer annual forage in Kansas. Teff grass is a rapidly growing, high quality forage that could be a good option for producers in water-limited areas with a short growing season. The cultivar ‘Excalibur’ exhibited superior biomass (4280 lb/a) and crop water productivity (610 lb/a-in.), among teff cultivars. This study also indicated that biomass productivity and crop water productivity of sorghum sudangrass (696 lb/a-in.) tended to be greater than that of forage pearl millet (528 lb/a-in.). Further research into teff grass should focus on integration of teff into irrigation management systems with restricted water supply.

Recommended Citation

Davidson, J. M.; Aiken, R. M.; Min, D. H.; and Kluitenberg, G. J. (2020) "Water Use and Productivity of Teff, a Dairy Quality Forage Crop," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 6: Iss. 5. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.7928