Quantitative trait diversity in tef [ Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] germplasm from Central and Northern Ethiopia

摘要: One thousand and eighty tef, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter, entries representing 36 populations collected from six central northern regions of Ethiopia were evaluated at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center during the 1995 main season to assess quantitative trait diversity in germplasm with respect collection altitude zones. Hierarchical analysis variance showed large (p ≤ 0.01) variations within populations, among zones all 14 traits studied. The significant 0.05) for number shoot culm nodes, panicle branches spikelets. But only days maturity, diameters two basal internodes, harvest index depicted discernible clinal variability. clustered into major (75% similarity level) groups consisting up 15 populations. Five principal components (PCs) explained about 81% entire phenotypic Of these, first three PCs accounted 65% gross variance. About 31% total by PC alone originated chiefly variability grain yield length, length diameter internodes. Likewise, 23% second was due mainly phytomass yield/plant, index. Overall, study demonstrated that is a highly versatile crop species enormous wealth indicates immense potential genetic improvement through breeding.