Genetic variation of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] genotypes for reaction to tef shoot fly [Atherigona hyalinipennis Van Emden], at Maysiye, Northern Ethiopia

One of the major biotic stresses that limits tef yield is insect pests attack. Of these tef, shoot fly is sporadically important insect pest in various tef growing areas of Ethiopia. Evaluation of diversity of tef germplasm in Ethiopia for the reaction tef shoot fly might give a chance to get host plant resistance. The main objective of this study was to assess the genetic variation among tef genotypes for their reaction to tef shoot fly. Field experiment was conducted in 2015 cropping season at Maysiye, Northern Ethiopia. The genotypes were planted in triple lattice design with three replications category of reaction of the tested tef genotypes for their reaction to shoot fly attack was adopted from the rating scale of the IRRI for rice. The study revealed that acc. 17 WJ was found to be the only genotype evaluated as resistant to tef shoot fly Atherigona hyalinipennis species. While the standard checks Quncho and Kora were grouped under the susceptible category, generally 10 tef genotypes were moderately resistance, 19 genotypes were moderately susceptible, 16 genotypes were susceptible, and three genotypes were highly susceptible to tef shoot fly attack. Tef damage (dead heart and white headed) due to tef shoot fly ranged from 4.20 to 36.96%, respectively. The yield loss also varied from 3.58 to 97.83 kg ha-1. Infestation was high from the beginning of August to the end of September. Besides using the varieties grouped under resistance and moderately resistance category and chemical application at early stage infestation would be recommended to avoid yield loss. Further study over seasons and environments would be important to have a valid conclusion    Key words: Shoot fly resistance, time of infestation, yield loss, tef genotypes.