Agro-Morphological, Physiological and Yield Related Performances of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] (Poaceae) Accessions Evaluated for Drought Resistance under Field Condition

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2012-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study was conducted on the understanding that a comprehensive study of the impact of drought stress and screening crop accessions for drought resistance is critical in evaluating the impact of climate change and climate variability on crop production. The study was conducted in Dhera Sub center of Kulumsa Agricultural Center, Oromia Regional State, from July 10- December 13, 2011; to screen drought tolerance of 96 finger millet accessions (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) for their performance under severe drought condition. Data were collected for morphological trait and physiological measurement. Significant difference (P<0.05) were recorded among accessions for selected physiological, morphological and yield related traits used for screening finger millet accessions for drought resistance. This implies there was variations among accessions collected from different agroecology for different target traits and provide opportunity to select accessions for different agroecology. (RWC), Chlorophyll Content Index (CCI) and yield related parameters, such as tillers number (TN), productive tillers (PT), seed weight per head and seed weight per plant. Based on high RWC, and CCI reading, higher root shoot ratio, green leaf number, productive tillers, ear length, ear number, grain yield per head and per plant. Based on the above parameters a total of 23 accessions were selected for their performance of drought stress tolerant and promoted to the next intensive physiological and yield evaluation. 238299, 238325, AAUFM-2, were the top three accessions which gave the highest grain yield per plant (84.5, 80 and 77.5(g), respectively. Overall this research should be further utilized for improvement of finger millet for semi-arid area of Ethiopia. Key words/phrases: Finger mille; Drought stress; Accession; Morphological & Physiological traits

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Keywords

Finger mille; Drought stress; Accession; Morphological & Physiological traits

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