PLANT-DERIVED AEROSOL-SMOKE AND SMOKE SOLUTIONS INFLUENCE AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF A TRADITIONAL CEREAL CROP, TEF

The positive role of plant-derived smoke on seed germination and post-germination processes is well documented. The present study examined if plant-derived smoke with various methods of application influence the agronomic performance of a traditional cereal crop, tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]. Comparisons were made in potted tef plants, which germinated from seeds treated with smoke-water (1:500 dilution), Karrikinolide(1) (KAR(1), 10(-8) M) solutions and seeds pretreated with cool aerosol-smoke for 10 min (rinsed and unrinsed afterwards). The smoke-related treatments modified a number of physiological, morphological and agronomic features of Eragrostis tef. Compared with the control, KAR1 and aerosol-smoke treatment of the seeds significantly improved plant height. All the smoke-related treatments significantly promoted stem-thickness whereas number of tillers and grain and dry biomass responded positively to aerosol-smoke and smoke-water treatments. These findings indicate that the plant-derived smoke treatment has a great potential to improve grain and dry biomass yields of tef. Moreover, due to its positive role in improving stem-thickness, smoke treatment may assist in combating lodging problems in cereals such as rice, wheat and barley, provided they are responsive to smoke treatments.