Effect of Different Zinc Fertilization Rates on the Agronomic and Grain Quality Traits of Tef (Eeragrostic tef (Zucc.) Trotter) Varieties in Northern Ethiopia

Although tef is a major crop in Ethiopia, its grain yield is often low due to insufficient application of Zinc fertilizer. This experiment was conducted during the 2019/2020 main cropping season to evaluate the agronomic, yield, and grain quality responses of tef varieties to different Zinc fertilizer rates. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with five treatments: 4, 6, 8, and 10 kg -1 Zn, including a control, applied as subplots for three tef varieties (flagot, Local [Zezew], and Quncho), with three replications. Results showed that Zinc rates, the varieties, and their interactions have significantly affected all the traits. The highest grain yield (2442 Kg ha-1) was obtained from the Quncho variety treated with 6 Kg ha-1 Zn. The highest grain Zn (42.50 mg kg-1), and Fe (738.4 mg kg-1) contents were recorded from flagot tef variety treated with10kg Zn ha-1. Therefore, farmers in the target area are advised to apply 6 kg and 10kg Zn ha-1 to enhance tef productivity and grain Zn & Fe content.