Genetic variation for yield and morphological traits in Panicum miliaceum L. genotypes

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

In order to study genetic variation, heritability and relationships among several traits, an experiment was carried out on 11 genotypes of Panicum miliaceum L. under field conditions based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications at IsfahanAgricultureResearchCenter. Results of analysis of variance showed significant differences for all studied traits (p< 0.01) but days to maturity (p<0.05). The strongest genotypic coefficient of variation belonged to grain yield per plant. Broad-sense heritability values varied between 73-92% for most of the traits. Forage yield/plant had a significant strong and positive correlation with grain number of panicle and leaf surface. Principal components analysis presented five factors that justified 92% of the total variation. Cluster analysis grouped the 11 genotypes into 3 clusters. Genotypes located in cluster II had higher forage and grain yield than other clusters.

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