Gene action controlling yield and yield‐related traits among tef (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) populations under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions |
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| Authors: | Mizan Tesfay Abraha Hussien Shimelis Mark Laing Kebebew Assefa |
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| Institution: | 1. Axum Agricultural Research Centre, Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Axum, Ethiopia;2. African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu‐Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa;3. National Tef Research Project, Debre‐Zeit Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre‐Zeit, Ethiopia |
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| Abstract: | This study was aimed to determine gene action for grain yield and yield‐related traits of newly developed tef populations under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions to improve drought tolerance. Ten crosses, along with the parents, were evaluated in the F2 generation under drought‐stressed conditions at Hastebo and Adigdad sites in 2015 and Dura site in 2016 and under nonstressed conditions at Dura site in 2016. Additive gene action predominantly controlled the inheritance of the grain yield and majority of the yield‐related traits under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions. Under both test conditions, the genotypes DZ‐Cr‐387 and 9415 were the best general combiners for increased grain yield and morphological traits. Conversely, genotype 222076 was the best general combiner for reduced maturity period only. The selected parents are novel genetic materials for tef breeding programmes to improve grain yield and morphological traits with reduced days to maturity for drought tolerance breeding. The family of the cross DZ‐Cr‐387 × 222076 was selected for high grain yield and early maturity in both the drought‐stressed and nonstressed environments. |
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| Keywords: | combining ability crossing drought tolerance half‐diallel tef |
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