Evaluation of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L). Gaertn.) varieties for grain yield in lowland areas of southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) is a staple food crop in droughtprone areas. An experiment was conducted in Konso zone and Dirashe districts, Southern Ethiopia, in order to obtain high yielding varieties using eight improved and one local finger millet varieties in 2018. The experiment was laid down in a randomized completely block design with three replications. The combined analysis of variance for grain yield revealed a significant effect (P < 0.05) due to varieties, locations, and their interactions. Combined mean yield of varieties indicated that Bonaya (2992 kg/ha), Padet (2909 kg/ha), Wama (2733 kg/ha), and Tessama (2727 kg/ ha) had the highest grain yield without significant difference among the four and had yield advantage of 41.8%, 38.7%, 31.9%, and 31.7% compared to the local check (1899 kg/ha), in the given order. The present study revealed that Bonaya, Padet, Wama, and Tessama varieties could be recommended for further pre-extension and dissemination in the study areas and similar agro-ecologies.

Genotypic Response of Finger Millet to Zinc and Iron Agronomic Biofortification, Location and Slope Position towards Yield

“…In addition to that, a lower soil Zn concentration was reported (ranging from 0.5 to 6.5 mg kg −1 in a previous study, in contrast to 85 to 105 mg kg −1 in the present study). The other possibility might be that different crop genotypes responded differently to Zn fertilizer treatment, climate and environment (location and slope position), as was witnessed in the current as well as previous studies [8,23,24,45].…”

“…Thus, this experiment is the first of its kind to report the triple impact of Zn and Fe agronomic biofortification, genotype, and environment (location and slope position) on the grain yield and biomass of finger millet. However, previous studies show that different finger millet genotypes responded differently to NPK fertilization in India [21], to phosphorus fertilizer in locations in Kenya [22], and to location in Ethiopia [23]. On the other hand, wheat and rice genotypes responded differently to Zn fertilization in Turkey [8] and to Zn fertilization as well as climate in India [24], respectively.…”

“…However, studies from Turkey and Canada on Fe biofortification showed no yield improvement [30,49]. This might be due to three possible reasons: the first reason could be that, in general, different crops and genotypes responded differently to mineral fertilization as well as location [1,23,24]. The second possibility is that when applied to calcareous soils, Fe rapidly converted into unavailable forms, and the poor mobility of Fe in phloem makes the Fe fertilization impact limited or unsuccessful [2,44].…”

Selection of Major Yield Contributing Traits by Multiple Linear Regression Model in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracanaL.)

“…2). Therefore, direct selection for a given location or across locations for the grain yield is not advisable [35,18]. Hence, trait-specific donor selection could be a better approach for improving the grain yield of finger millet, using the available genetic resources for independent traits such as mean ear-head weight and productive tillers [31,36].…”

Trait specific genetic resources to break the yield plateau in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.).

“…2). Therefore, direct selection for a given location or across locations directly for the grain yield is not advisable (Simion, 2020;Nanja Reddy et al, 2021b). Hence, trait-speci c donor selection could be a better approach for improving the grain yield of nger millet, using the available genetic resources for independent traits such as mean ear-head weight, and productive tillers (Owere et al, 2015;Kandel et al, 2019).…”