Nutritional and genetic variation in a core set of Ethiopian Tef (Eragrostis tef) varieties.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tef (Eragrostis tef) is a tropical cereal domesticated and grown in the Ethiopian highlands, where it has been a staple food of Ethiopians for many centuries. Food insecurity and nutrient deficiencies are major problems in the country, so breeding for enhanced nutritional traits, such as Zn content, could help to alleviate problems with malnutrition.

Results

To understand the breeding potential of nutritional traits in tef a core set of 24 varieties were sequenced and their mineral content, levels of phytate and protein, as well as a number of nutritionally valuable phenolic compounds measured in grain. Significant variation in all these traits was found between varieties. Genome wide sequencing of the 24 tef varieties revealed 3,193,582 unique SNPs and 897,272 un

SUBMITTER: Ereful NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9047342 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature