The effect of sowing times and seed rates on seed yield andyield components of teff (eragrostis tef [zucc.] trotter)

This study was conducted in 2024 under the ecological conditions of Konya province to determine the effects of different sowing dates and seed rates on the grain yield and yield components of teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter). Two teff varieties (Roiberg and Nile), three sowing dates (May 1, June 1, and July 1), and five different seed rates (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg/da) were used in the experiment. The trial was established with a randomized complete block design with three replications, totaling 90 plots. Some morphological, phenological and yield-related traits such as number of days until harvest, plant height, stem diameter, number of nodes, panicle length, biological yield, grain yield, harvest index, and thousand seed weight were examined. According to the results of the study, number of days until harvest ranged from 92 to 122 days; plant height from 95.1 to 115.6 cm; stem diameter from 1.26 to 1.92 mm; number of nodes from 3.6 to 4.5 per main stem; panicle length from 32.7 to 43.5 cm; biological yield from 677.8 to 1483.0 kg/da; grain yield from 88.8 to 314.7 kg/da; harvest index from 10.0% to 23.7%; and thousand seed weight ranged from 0.222 to 0.259 g. Based on the data obtained from the study, to maximize grain yield in teff cultivation, early sowing (May 1) and high seed rates (2.0–2.5 kg/da) are recommended. Since no significant difference was observed between the varieties in terms of grain yield, either variety can be used depending on availability. If sowing cannot be done in May or June due to the preceding crop, it is still possible to achieve a reasonable yield when sowing is done at the beginning of July. Teff has the potential to be evaluated as an alternative gluten-free cereal type in Turkish agriculture; however, these findings need to be validated by further studies in different locations and over multiple years.