Table 2 Morphological traits of teff (Eragrostis tef)

Seed color

Teff has different seed color types, including white, creamy white, and brown, which help distinguish different teff varieties morphologically [13, 50]

Seed size

Teff seeds vary in size depending on the variety [13]

Lemma color

The pigmentation of the outer bract varies among teff varieties and is an important trait for classification. It includes colors such as white, brown, and reddish [13, 50]

Panicle form

Teff exhibits different panicle forms, including very loose, loose, semi-loose, semi-compact, and compact [13, 50]

Spikelet number

Refers to the total number of spikelets on a panicle, which varies among teff varieties and is an important agronomic trait influencing grain yield [13, 50]

Panicle length

The panicle length varies among teff varieties, with some having short panicles and others large or intermediate-sized panicles. This trait serves as an important morphological feature for classification [13, 50]

Glume color

The glume is the small, leaf-like bract at the base of a spikelet, which helps enclose and protect the developing seeds. Glume color varies across different teff varieties and is an important morphological trait often used in teff classification[13, 50]

Height

Teff height varies, with some varieties being tall, medium-sized, or short, which helps distinguish different teff varieties [13]

Stem thickness

Teff varieties differ in stem thickness; some have thick stems, while others have medium-sized or thin stems [13]

Stem color

The color of the stem varies among teff varieties; some have white stems, while others have brown or pink stems [13]