The production of traditional cool season grasses in temperate regions is becoming hampered during summer seasons due to water deficit. Thus, incorporating water use efficient warm season annual grasses are generally considered to fill the gap of summer season forage reduction that would offer considerable flexibility and adaptability to respond to forage demand. Teff (Eragrostis teff Zuccagni) Trotter) is, a C4 drought tolerant warm season annual grass primarily grown for grain production, recently gaining interest for forage production particularly during summer season. Previous reports have showed that teff is palatable and has comparable forage biomass and feed quality as compared to other warm season annual grasses which would make it an alternative forage. However, the available data are not comprehensive to explore the potential of teff as forage, hence further assessment of genotype variability and performance along with compatibility study of teff with forage production system of specific environment is key for future utilization.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is a key gene involved in multiple stress tolerance in all living organisms, though it is still to be disclosed the gene function in teff grass [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.)Trotter].The objectives of this study were to clone and molecular characterization of GST gene in teff grass. We characterized GST1 from teff grass (EtGST1), it composed of a 645-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encoded 195 amino acid residue. Further, we transformed EtGST1 in E.coli BL21 (DE3) cells. This recombinant EtGST1 in E.coli BL21(DE3) induced at 37°C temperature. In addition, Growth of cells overexpressing EtGST1 rapidly increased in the presence of polyethylene glycol (5%), heat (46°C), NaCl (0.6%), and arsenic (1 mM) than that of cells harboring an empty vector. These results suggest that EtGST1 would be suitable candidate for improving tolerance in forages and/or grasses species against multiple abiotic stresses.

This study investigated the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of gluten-free cookies containing teff flour. By substituting 0% (control), 25% (TF25), 50% (TF50), 75% (TF75), and 100% (TF100) of wheat flour with teff flour, five samples were produced. Baking loss rate was the highest in TF25 at 13.76% and the lowest in TF75 at 4.03%. Spread factor was significantly higher in cookies made with teff flour (83.00~85.00) than in the control (81.33) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in density among the samples at 1.17~1.25 g/mL (p<0.05); however, pH significantly decreased at 6.42~6.04 (p<0.05). While the L-value and b-value significantly decreased with the amount of teff flour, the a-value significantly increased (p<0.05). The ΔE value was the highest in the control at 31.31 and the lowest in TF100 at 58.69. Hardness was the highest in the control at 42.04 N than in cookies containing teff flour. The content of polyphenols was the highest in TF100 at 3.37 μg GAE/mg and the lowest in the control at 1.32 μg GAE/mg. The content of flavonoids was the highest in TF100 at 3.66 μg QE/mg and the lowest in controls at 0.45 μg QE/mg. The value of DPPH IC50 was the highest in the control at 3,723.00 μg/mL and the lowest in TF 100 at 405.27 μg/mL. The value of ABTS IC50 was the highest in the control at 1,822.32 μg/mL and the lowest in TF100 at 529.30 μg/mL. In sensory evaluation, while control, TF75, and TF100 had a higher score in appearance at 5.52~5.60, all samples had no significant differences in flavor, sweetness, savory taste, chewiness, and overall acceptability (p<0.05). These results showed that the gluten-free cookies containing teff flour can improve the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of a cookie. We concluded that gluten-free cookies containing 100% teff flour are desirable.

본 연구는 2014년 7월부터 2015년 9월까지 제주 한국마 사회 제주육성목장(해발 450m) 시험포장에서 여름 동안 생산성이 유지될 수 있는 남방형 목초를 도입하여 재배에 이용하기 위하여 Bermudagrass 품종(Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. : Giant, Cheyene, Mohawk, Panchero Frio, Common) 과 Bahiagrass 품종(Paspalum notatum : TifQuik, Tifton 9, Argentine), 그리고 Teff grass(Eragrostis tef : Tiffany) 품종 의 생육특성 및 건물 수량을 평가하기 위하여 실시하였다. 실험설계는 품종을 처리로 10처리 3반복 난괴법으로 배치 하였다. 1차년도 1차 수확은 8월 31일, 2차 수확은 9월 21일이며 2차년도 1차 수확은 7월 22일, 2차 수확은 8월 14 일, 3차 수확은 9월 11일로 성장단계를 고려하여 수확하였 다. 1차년도 남방형 품종의 건물 수량은 Teff grass의 Tiffany가 산파와 조파 각각에서 2.59와 2.00Ton/ha로 가 장 높은 건물수량을 나타내었으며, Bermudagrass의 Common이 산파에서 1.21Ton/ha로 다년생 남방형 목초 중 가장 높은 수량을 나타내었다. 2차년도 남방형 품종의 건물 수량은 Bahiagrass의 Tifton9이 산파에서 15.06Ton/ ha로 가장 높은 수량을 나타내었으며 Bahiagrass의 Tifquik이 산파에서 14.68Ton/ha로 두 번째로 높은 수량을 나타내었다. 조단백질 함량은 Bahiagrass의 Argentine이 19.75%로 가장 높게 나타났으며 NDF 함량은 Bermudagrass 의 common이 61.69%로 가장 높은 것으로 나타났다. 한해 에 의한 피해의 경우 대부분의 Bermudagrass 품종의 경우 에 동절기 적응성이 떨어졌으나 Bahiagrass의 Tifton 9 품 종의 경우 한해에 대한 피해를 거의 받지 않았으며 출현, 내병성, 내습성, 도복성은 품종 간 차이가 거의 없었으며 Teff grass의 Tiffany이 도복과 습해에 의한 피해가 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 볼 때 제주지역에서 Bermudagrass와 Bahiagrass의 일부 품종은 월동할 수 있어 여름철 조사료자 원으로 활용이 가능하지만, 품종 간 내한성 능력과 재생능 력이 다르므로 이를 고려하여 품종을 선택할 필요가 있다.