Early generation genetic variation and heritability of yield and related traits among tef populations

• Published in: Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 379 - 386
• Main Authors: Abraha, Mizan Tesfay, Hussein, Shimelis, Laing, Mark, Assefa, Kebebew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Suwon The Korean Society of Crop Science 01.12.2017; Springer Nature B.V; 한국작물학회
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Crop yield; Drought; Drought resistance; Genetic diversity; Genotype & phenotype; Grain; Heredity; Heritability; Life Sciences; Phenotypic variations; Plant breeding; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Population genetics; Research Article; Tillers; 농학; segregating generations; genetic variation; tef; Drought tolerance; heritability
• ISSN: 1975-9479; 2005-8276
• DOI: 10.1007/s12892-017-0087-0

The extent of genetic variation and heritability of a trait are among the major determinants of selection gains in plant breeding programs. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of genetic variation and inheritance of grain yield, and component traits of newly developed tef populations under moisture-stressed and non-stressed conditions for drought tolerance breeding. Seventeen crosses along with the parents were evaluated in the F2 generation under moisture-stressed and non-stressed conditions in northern Ethiopia during 2015 and 2016. There were marked genotypic and phenotypic variation among the crosses in the F2 generation for plant height, panicle length, peduncle length, number of productive tillers per plant, main shoot panicle seed weight, biomass yield, and grain yield under both test conditions, important for successful selection and genetic advancement. The families of DZ-Cr-387 x 207832 and DZ-Cr-387 x 222076 were high grain yielders with early maturity under both test conditions.