Mechanical and Chemical Weed Control in Teff in the Mediterranean Area

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is attracting growing interest in Europe due to its nutritional qualities, gluten-free nature, and drought tolerance; however, its cultivation is hindered by its limited yield potential and the lack of authorised herbicides. This study evaluated chemical and mechanical weed-control strategies using two sowing methods to identify effective and sustainable solutions under central Italian conditions. Two field trials were conducted in 2023 and 2024 using a randomised block design. Post-emergence herbicides and mechanical control (split-hoe and finger-weeder) were assessed for weed suppression, crop selectivity, biomass production, and grain yield, comparing broadcast and wide-row sowing. The results showed that chemical control was the most effective option. The florasulam + fluroxypyr + pyroxsulam mixture achieved a nearly complete weed suppression with only mild and temporary phytotoxicity. Mechanical control provided a moderate and variable efficacy. The sowing pattern significantly influenced the crop performance: broadcast sowing reduced the weed competition and resulted in higher yields, whereas wide-row sowing led to a higher weed density and lower productivity. Despite the varying levels of infestation between years, teff maintained a remarkable competitive ability, with untreated plots often achieving acceptable yields. Integrating selective herbicides with appropriate sowing practices supports the development of efficient and sustainable weed-management strategies for teff cultivation.