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Gene action controlling yield and yield‐related traits among tef ( Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) populations under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions
Author(s) -
Abraha Mizan Tesfay,
Shimelis Hussien,
Laing Mark,
Assefa Kebebew
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plant breeding
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.583
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1439-0523
pISSN - 0179-9541
DOI - 10.1111/pbr.12606
Subject(s) - eragrostis , biology , drought tolerance , agronomy , yield (engineering) , grain yield , metallurgy , materials science
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 F 2 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.