Abstract
Seed mineral analysis of two teff varieties, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter, showed that the plant does not have an exceptionally higher Fe content than other cereals. A series of sand culture experiments, conducted to study the Fe/Mn balance in the plant, showed that the Fe content was within the normal range, but reciprocal relations existed between Fe and Mn in the plant. From an experiment involving comparison of Fe sources, it was found that the plant H preferably used Fe from a chelated source or from a compound containing Fe2+ rather than Fe3+; the Fe3+ appeared to be reduced to Fe+2 when the supply of Fe to the plant was Fe3+.
