Genetic Variation, Heritability and Path-Analysis in Ethiopian Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn] Landraces

Abstract

               A total of 66 finger millet accessions constituted of 64 landraces and two standard varieties were evaluated for 15 morpho-agronomic characters in randomized complete block design with three replications at Aresi-Negele Research Sub-Center in Ethiopia during 2004 main cropping season. The objectives were to assess the variability and association of characters. The mean squares of genotypes were highly significant for all characters. Relatively, grain yield per plant exhibiting the highest range (4.87-21.21g) and days to maturity showed the lowest range (143-200 days) of 336 and 40% where maximal values were greater than the corresponding minimal values, respectively. For all characters, the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations varied in the orders of 8.05-31.23% and 6.52-24.21% in both cases for days to maturity and grain yield per plant, respectively.

               Heritability estimates ranged from 20% for grain-filling duration to 84% for days to heading. Values of expected genetic advance varied from 6.67-44.14% for grain-filling duration and finger width, respectively. Finger width and length exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. The strongest positive association was observed between culm thickness and leaf blade width while the strongest negative association was found between 1,000-grain weight and finger number. Grain yield per plant associated positively with productive tillers, 1,000-grain weight, the number of grains per spikelet and finger number and negatively associated with days to heading and maturity. The genotypic correlation and path-coefficient analysis showed 1,000-grain weight, finger number and productive tillers as a major contributor to grain yield per plant. Generally, the result revealed the existence of variability for the characters studied in finger millet landraces. Hence, this is a potential character of interest which could be used in the genetic improvement of finger millet through hybridization and/or selection.