Assessment of Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Varieties

Abstract

Characterization of 12 finger millet varieties was carried out over two seasons using morphological descriptors given by the Bioversity International, 1985. Data was recorded on 28 morphological characters (13 visual and 15 measurable). Among thirteen visually assessed characters five were monomorphic, six were dimorphic and two were polymorphic in nature. No intra-varietal variation was observed for any of the visual characteristics and expression of characters in different varieties remained same for the two consecutive years confirming the uniformity and stability of varieties. COYD (combined over years distinctiveness) analysis with respect to 15 measurable traits indicated that all the varieties were absolutely distinct from each other. COYD analysis was supported with MJRA (Modified Joint Regression Analysis) in which the slope of the MJRA curve and regression probability was calculated, which indicated that characteristics under study were not completely independent but interacting with each other as well as with the environment. COYU (combined over years uniformity) analysis revealed that all the varieties were more or less uniform for measurable characteristics.