Variation in Major Traits of Gynogenically derived Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.)Trotter] lines Evaluated in the Central highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted using 36 tef genotypes in a 6*6 simple lattice design atthree testing locations in Ethiopian during 2011 main cropping season. The objectiveswere to assess the variation in major quantitative traits of tef genotypes, and to examinethe phenotypic and genotypic correlation among those traits. The mean square due togenotypes was significantly (P<0.01) higher for all traits except days to maturity andgrain yield per hectare. Besides, mean square due to location was also highly significantfor all traits of the test genotypes while that due to genotype x location interactions werenot significant (P<0.05) for all traits except plant height. Genotypic and phenotypiccoefficient of variation ranged from 0.28 to 19.19 and 1.01 to 20.53%, respectively, andbroad sense heritability ranged from 8 to 87%. Estimate of expected genetic advance wasrelatively very low while genetic advance as percent of the mean within the range of 0.39to 28.21%. Grain yield showed significant (P<0.01) genotypic correlation with shootbiomass yield, harvest index, days to panicle emergence and to grain filling period only.Cluster analysis grouped the entire test genotypes into seven distinct clusters. The firstfive principal components with Eigen value greater than one accounted for 88.9% of theentire diversity among the test genotypes based on the ten quantitative traits. In general,considerable variations that will be utilized for future breeding works were detectedamong the test tef genotypes for all traits under investigation.