Genetic Variability, Heritability and Trait Relationships in Recombinant Inbred Lines of Tef [Eragrostis Tef (Zucc.) Trotter]

Characterization of genetic variability in a population is pertinent as genetic diversity within population and within species determines the extent of improvement achieved through crop improvement 8 methods. One hundred ninety six F recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of tef, developed by single-seed descent method from a cross between two tef varieties DZ-01-196 and DZ-01-2356, were evaluated to assess genetic variation, broad sense heritability, genetic advance and trait relationships for grain yield and yield related traits. The RIL population was evaluated for 11 traits at two locations, Melkassa and Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, during 2003 and 2004. Highly significant and significant variations were obtained among the RILs except for seed weight. The highest values for phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was observed for above ground plant biomass, grain yield, shoot biomass, and harvest index. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) estimates was higher for grain yield, above ground plant biomass and panicle seed weight. Days to heading, panicle length, above ground plant biomass and panicle seed weight showed a relatively high broad-sense heritability values. High expected genetic advance were observed for above ground plant biomass, panicle seed weight and grain yield. Strong positive associations were observed between panicle length and plant height, shoot biomass and above ground plant biomass and days to maturity and panicle length. The present study showed the presence of genetic variability for important agronomic traits suggesting the possibility of improving tef through direct selection for the primary grain yield related traits. These observations have implications in tef improvement.