Genetic variation and heritability of several quantitative traits in selected genotypes of tall fescue

The objectives of this study were to assess genetic variation and characterize 50 selected genotypes of tall fescue. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for the studied traits. High genotypic coefficients of variation were obtained on the seed yield, number of stems per plant and forage yield. The genotypic coefficients of variation for days to heading, peduncle length, crown diameter, and plant height were high. Broad-sense heritability was very high (89-94%) for days to heading, days to pollination and plant height. For peduncle length, seed yield, yearly forage fresh yield, number of stems, yearly forage dry yield, and crown diameter, broad-sense heritability ranged between 68-84%. Using principal components analysis, the first five components determined 83% of the total variance. Yearly forage yield and crown diameter were the most important traits in the first component. Day to heading, days to pollination, plant height and peduncle length were the most important traits in second component. Cluster analysis grouped the 50 genotypes into 3 clusters with cluster 1 containing 25 genotypes with low forage yield and low values for other traits. Cluster 2 contained 20 genotypes with medium values for all traits including forage yield. Cluster 3 had 5 genotypes characterized by higher forage yield, high seed yield, high stem number and higher values for other traits. Our results indicated a broad genetic base in this germplasm for selection and synthetic variety development.