Teff

Teff is a tiny grass.

It comes from a place called Ethiopia. The seeds are very small. They are even smaller than a tiny dot.

Farmers grow this grass for food. They also use the straw to feed cows. The seeds can be white or brown.

People use the seeds to make flat bread. This bread is called injera. It is a very important food. Many people eat it every day. It is a tasty way to eat!

Teff is a tiny grass that comes from Ethiopia.

It has been grown for food for a very long time. Some people think it started 4000 years ago!

The seeds are very small. One thousand grains weigh only 25 grams. Because they are so small, a handful can cover a large area. This makes it easy for people to plant.

Teff is a tough plant. It can grow in dry places or wet places. It can even grow in very hot weather.

It likes to have 12 hours of daylight to grow best.

Farmers use the seeds to make a flat bread called injera.

They also use the straw to feed cattle. In Ethiopia, many small farmers make a living from this crop. Some farmers harvest the grass by hand. Others use animals to help thresh the seeds.

Even though the seeds are small, they are very important to the world.

Teff is a special kind of grass that grows tiny seeds.

It is a very important food for many people. In the countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea, it is a staple crop. This means it is a main food that people eat every day. People use the seeds to make a flat, pancake-like bread called injera.

The plant is also useful for other things. Farmers use the straw from the grass to feed their cattle. Because the seeds are so small, they are very easy to plant. A single handful of seeds can cover a very large area of land.

Growing teff follows a specific way it works. First, farmers sow the tiny seeds on firm and moist soil. They do not plant them deeper than 1 centimeter. The seeds usually start to grow within 3 to 12 days. The plant likes to have 12 hours of daylight to flower well. It can grow in many places, from sea level to high mountains. It can handle dry weather or wet soil. This is because the plant can grow quickly after a little bit of water stress. It also makes fruit in a very short amount of time.

People have been growing teff for a very long time. It likely started in the Ethiopian Highlands. Some experts believe it was grown as far back as 4000 BCE. Others think it has been used since at least 1000 BCE.

In the year 1996, a group called the US National Research Council spoke about teff. They said it could help improve food security and nutrition. In 2014, scientists even published the first draft of the teff genome. This is a map of the plant's genetic information. This helps researchers find ways to make the plant even better.

There are many interesting facts about these tiny grains. A single teff plant can produce up to 10,000 seeds.

One thousand grains of teff weigh only about 25 grams. The seeds can be white or a deep reddish brown. In 2016, Ethiopia grew more than 90 percent of the world's teff. Harvesting usually happens between November and January. Many farmers in Ethiopia harvest the grass by hand using sickles. Some farmers use animals to walk on the harvest to thresh the seeds. This helps separate the seeds from the plant.

Learning about teff is like learning about other grains you might know. Teff is similar to millet or quinoa when you cook it.

However, teff seeds are much smaller than those grains. Because they are so small, they cook much faster. This means people use less fuel to make their food. Growing teff can be a hard job because the seeds are easy to lose. It is also hard to use big machines because the seeds are so tiny. Even with these challenges, teff remains a vital part of life for millions of farmers.

Teff, scientifically known as *Eragrostis tef*, is an annual cereal grass. It is a staple crop that provides much of the daily protein for people in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The plant is a self-pollinated tetraploid, which means it has four sets of chromosomes. It is also a C4 plant. This refers to a specific way the plant performs photosynthesis to fix carbon. This process helps the plant work efficiently during high temperatures and droughts. Teff is an intermediate between tropical and temperate grasses. Its name likely comes from the Amharic word for "lost." This probably describes its tiny seeds, which have a diameter smaller than one millimeter.

The growth of teff involves several specific biological steps. The plant features a fine stem and a tufted shape with many tillers. While its roots are shallow, they develop into a massive fibrous system. Teff is daylight-sensitive and flowers best when it receives 12 hours of light. To grow, farmers sow the seeds on firm, humid soil. They must not plant them deeper than 1 centimeter. Germination usually occurs within 3 to 12 days after sowing. The optimal temperature for this process is between 15 and 35 °C. If the temperature stays below 10 °C, the seeds may not grow at all.

Teff is a highly adaptable species with different ecological needs. It can grow at altitudes ranging from sea level to high elevations. However, the plant does not tolerate frost. Highest yields occur when rainfall is between 450 and 1,100 mm annually. Daily temperatures should also be managed carefully. If the average temperature during pollination exceeds 22 °C, yields will decrease. Rainfall below 250 mm also causes yields to drop. Despite these needs, teff is quite drought-resistant. It can regenerate rapidly after moderate water stress and produces fruit in a short time span.

The history of teff stretches back thousands of years. It is native to the Ethiopian Highlands. Scientists believe it originated there between 4000 BCE and 1000 BCE. Genetic evidence suggests that *E. pilosa* is its most likely wild ancestor.

In the 19th century, some thought teff was found in ancient Egypt. However, experts now believe those seeds were likely *E. aegyptiaca*, a common wild grass in that region. Today, teff remains a vital commodity. In 2016, Ethiopia produced more than 90 percent of the world's teff.

Cultivation requires careful management of nutrients and pests. Farmers often use nitrogen and phosphorus to help the plants grow. For example, they might use 25 to 60 kg/ha of nitrogen. However, too much nitrogen can cause lodging. Lodging is when the plant stalks fall over, making harvest difficult.

Pests also pose a challenge to farmers. The tef shoot fly is a major pest that attacks the crop. Other insects, like the red teff worm and the stem-boring wasp, also cause damage. To protect the crop, farmers may use crop rotations with legumes.

There are many remarkable numbers associated with this tiny grain. A single teff plant can produce up to 10,000 seeds. One single inflorescence, or flower cluster, can produce up to 1,000 seeds.

Even though the seeds are small, they have significant weight when gathered. One thousand grains weigh approximately 25 grams. The seeds can vary in color from white to a deep reddish brown. In Ethiopia, teff provides two-thirds of the daily protein for many. It is also used to make injera, a flat, pancake-like bread. This food provides a livelihood for about 6.5 million small farmers.

Modern science is helping to improve teff for the future. In 2014, researchers published the first draft of the teff genome. This genetic map helps scientists breed better varieties. For example, they created a semi-dwarf line called "kegne" that is more lodging-tolerant.

In 2017, the "Tesfa" variety was released to Ethiopian markets. Scientists are still working on many goals. They want to increase productivity and develop climate-smart management options. They also hope to create better tools for harvesting and processing. These advancements help ensure teff can continue to support food security globally.