©Haramaya University, 2020 ISSN 1993-8195 (Online), ISSN 1992-0407(Print) East African Journal of Sciences (2020) Volume 14 (2) 175-180 Licensed under a Creative Commons *Corresponding Author. E-mail: kebelem@gmail.com Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Registration of ‘Diga-2’ Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana sub.spp. coracana) Variety Dagnachew Lule2, Kebede Dessalegn1*, Chemeda Birhanu1, Girma Mengistu2, Gudeta Bedada1, Megersa Debela1, Girma Chemeda1, Geleta Gerema1, Hailu Feyisa1, Megersa Kebede1, and Fufa Anbessa1 1Bako Agricultural Research Centre, P.O. Box 03, Bako, Ethiopia 2Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 81265, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Abstract Background: Finger millet is an important staple food crop widely grown in Ethiopia. The national average yield is far below the potential yield of the crop. Limited availability of stable, high yielding and disease tolerant finger millet varieties is one of the major production constraints in the country. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify stable high yielding and diseases tolerant genotypes for production. Materials and Methods: twelve black seeded pipeline finger millet genotypes were evaluated under a regional variety trial at Bako and Gute research stations from 2014 to 2016 main cropping seasons including the standard (Degu) and local checks using randomized complete block design. Diga-2 variety is black seeded finger millet (Eleusine coracana sub.spp. coracana) with the pedigree of Acc. BKFM0010 has been collected from Beneshangul Gumuz Regional State by Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity. Results: The results from Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Eberhart and Russell regression stability models as well as Genotype and Genotype by Environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis revealed that Diga-2 variety was relatively stable and high yielder (2.38 t ha-1) among the tested genotypes. The new variety, Diga-2 had a yield advantage of 33.7% over Degu, the standard check variety used for multi-environment evaluation. Conclusion: Among the tested genotypes, Diga-2 finger millet variety was selected and released in 2018 for its high grain yield potential, stable and resistant against finger millet blast (Magnaporthe oryzea) disease which is the most important finger millet production constraints in Ethiopia in general and western Oromia in particular. Keywords: Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction; Blast (Magnaporthe oryzea); Genotype by environment interaction; Stability 1. Introduction Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is an allotetraploid (2n = 4× = 36) annual cereal crop that includes two distinct sub-species: coracana (cultivated finger millet) and Africana (wild finger millet) (Hilu, 1994). Finger millet is a climate-resilient (Kumar et al., 2017) and highly adapted to adverse agro-ecological conditions with minimal inputs, produced on marginal land where other crops cannot perform, and tolerant to acidic soil (Upadhyaya et al., 2007; Gull et al., 20014) . Finger millet is largely produced and consumed by marginalized inhabitants of semi-arid region of Asia and Africa; and it helps subsistence farmers with additional income from the grain sales (Dida et al., 2007). Finger millet is an important staple food crop widely grown in Ethiopia. The crop was produced by 1,765,407 farmers on 456,057.31 hectares of land with total production of 1,030,823.15 tons in 2017/18 Meher cropping season. Finger millet production accounted 3.6% of 80.71% cultivated land for cereal crops and 3.37% of 87.48% cereal crops production (CSA, 2018). Its grain is gluten-free; rich in calcium, fiber, iron, and has excellent malting qualities (Chandrashekar, 2010; Pradhan et al., 2010; Gupta et al., 2014). Research has shown that finger millet diets are rich in protective against several degenerative diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and few types of cancers, metabolic syndrome and Parkinson’s disease (Fardet et al., 2008). The national average yield is 2.26 t ha-1 (CSA, 2018) lower than the potential yield of the crop. Limited availability of stable high yielding and disease tolerant finger millet varieties is one of the major production constraints in the country. Accordingly, Bako Agricultural Research Center evaluated different accessions of finger millets collected from different regions of the country categorized in to seed color class to identify stable, high yielding, and disease-resistant varieties in order to address farmers’ needs. Therefore, “Diga-2” Finger millet variety was released for the test environments (Bako and Gute) and similar agro- ecologies of the country. Dagnachew et al. East African Journal of Sciences Volume 14 (2) 175-180 176 2. Varietal Origin and Evaluation Diga-2 (Acc. BKFM0010) finger millet (Eleusine coracana sub.spp. coracana) variety was obtained from Ethiopian Institute of Bio-diversity (EBI). Originally, it was collected from Beneshangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia. This variety and the other black- seeded genotypes were evaluated against the standard check, Degu, for three consecutive years (2014 - 2016) at Bako and Gute research stations. 2. Agronomic and Morphological Characteristics The released variety, Diga-2 (Acc. BKFM0010) is characterized by loose finger type, black seeded, average 1000 seeds weight of 3 grams, an average plant height of 103.61 cm and 104 mean days to flower (Table 5). The released black seeded finger millet variety Diga-2 is relatively stable with optimum mean grain yield (2.38 t ha-1), (33.7 %) yield advantage over the standard check, Degu (Tables 1 and 5). 3. Yield Performance The released black seeded finger millet variety Diga-2 (Acc. BKFM0010) is relatively stable with optimum mean grain yield (2.38 t h-1) and having (33.7 %) yield advantage over the standard check (1.78 t ha-1) Degu. Genotypes (BKFM0020 and BKFM0006) among tested genotypes were better in average grain yield but are not stable and had agronomic defects like logging (Table 1). Table 1. Genotypes mean grain yield (Ton Ha-1) Over Location across years. Mean grain yield (t ha-1) Genotype Bako Gute Mean BSS 2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016 215984 1.136 3.205 1.821 1.841 1.406 2.146 1.93 2 216035 1.301 2.531 2.177 2.557 1.657 2.535 2.13 1 216045 1.042 3.064 1.412 2.304 1.374 2.67 1.98 1 BKFM0001 1.469 3.342 2.184 3.059 1.204 2.427 2.28 1 BKFM0006 1.814 3.263 2.562 2.776 2.015 2.886 2.56 1 BKFM0010 1.196 3.419 2.247 3.228 1.676 2.508 2.38 1 BKFM0014 1.578 2.979 1.748 2.776 1.338 1.813 2.04 2 BKFM0020 2.56 3.549 2.721 2.889 2.446 2.41 2.78 1 BKFM0023 1.617 3.367 1.984 3.327 1.788 1.9 2.33 2 BKFM0024 0.938 2.92 1.669 3.189 1.458 2.44 2.10 2 Degu 1.59 2.636 1.926 1.526 1.343 1.628 1.78 2 Local 0.972 2.68 2.264 1.723 1.313 2.544 1.92 2 Mean 1.435 3.127 2.06 2.6 1.535 2.325 2.18 LSD 0.579 0.794 0.712 0.977 0.7692 0.945 0.796 CV(%) 23.8 15 20.3 22.2 29.2 23.9 F-value ** * * ** ns ns Note: BSS = Blast severity score made at 1-5 scale; CV = Coefficient of variation and LSD = Least significant difference. 4. Stability and Adaptability Performance Eberhart and Russell (1966) model ANOVA revealed highly significant for mean square due to variety (Table 2). Diga-2 (Acc. BKFM0010) showed regression coefficient (bi) relatively closer to unity, so that the variety is relatively more stable and widely adaptable than other genotypes (Table 3). The GGE biplot analysis showed that the variety fell in the second concentric circle away from vertical mean line and closer to the stability line crossing the origin (Figure 2), indicating its high yield potential and relative stability compared to the other genotypes (Yan, 2001). Similarly, the AMMI analysis revealed that Diga-2 attained IPCA values relatively close to zero (Table 4) and hence are better stable and widely adaptable genotype across locations with higher yield potential (Figure 1). Dagnachew et al. ‘Diga-2’ Finger Millet Variety Registration 177 Table 2. Analysis of variance for grain yield using the Eberhart and Russell regression model. Source df SS Mean square or MS Total 215 38.620 Variety 11 5.570 0.506** Env.+ in Var. x Env. 60 33.050 0.551 Env. in linear 1 25.202 Var. x Env. (linear) 11 2.029 0.184Ns Pooled deviation 48 5.819 0.121 Note: Grand mean = 2.18; R2 = 0.8239; Coefficient of variation = 24.51% and ** = *, ** = Significant at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 levels, respectively. Table 3. Regression coefficient (bi) and squared deviation from linearity of regression (s2di) by the test genotypes revealed using Eberhart and Russell model. Genotype Regression coefficient and bi Squared deviations from regression or S2di Grain yield (t ha-1) Local 0.8531 0.1408 1.92 BKFM0020 0.7416 0.0385 2.78 BKFM0023 1.1115 0.0702 2.34 215984 1.0165 0.0095 1.93 BKFM0006 0.8176 -0.0661 2.56 BKFM0024 1.2493 0.0580 2.10 BKFM0010 1.0578 -0.0284 2.38 216045 1.1817 0.1351 1.91 BKFM0014 0.9784 -0.0117 2.05 BKFM0001 1.2590 -0.0387 2.28 216035 0.7171 -0.0184 2.13 Degu 0.4956 0.0358 1.78 Note: Standard error of beta = 0.2403. Table 4. Analysis of variance for additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) for yield stability of black seeded finger millet genotypes from 2014-2016 at Bako and Gute research station. Source df SS MS % GXE Cumulative interaction Explained (%) Environment 5 75.606 15.121** Genotype 11 16.710 1.519** Genotype x Envt. interaction 55 23.544 0.428* IPCA I 15 11.394 0.760 ** 48.39 48.39 IPCA II 13 6.740 0.518 * 28.63 77.02 IPCA III 11 3.276 0.298ns 13.91 90.93 Residual 132 35.702 0.270 Note: Grand mean = 2.18; R2 = 0.7719; Coefficient of variation (CV, %) = 23.98%; *, ** = significant at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 levels, respectively. 5. Reaction to Major Diseases Diga-2 (Acc. BKFM0010) finger millet variety showed tolerant to blast (Magnaporthe oryzea) which is the major production constraint of finger millet at national level, but much severe in western Oromia. 6. Conclusion Diga-2 (Acc. BKFM0010) Finger millet (Eleusine coracana sub.spp. coracana) variety gave relatively high grain yield, showed wider adaptability and stable performance than the standard check and the other pipeline varieties evaluated. In general, Eberhart and Russell, GGE biplot analysis and AMMI model analysis results revealed that Diga-2 (Acc.BKFM0010) is a stable and high yielding (2.38 ton ha-1) finger millet variety with 33.7% yield advantage over the standard check variety, Degu (1.78 ton ha-1) and also tolerant to blast disease. Therefore, it was officially released for wider production in west Oromia (Bako, and Gute) and areas with similar agro-ecologies. Dagnachew et al. East African Journal of Sciences Volume 14 (2) 175-180 178 Table 5. Agronomic/morphological characteristics of Diga-2 (Acc.BKFM0010) finger millet variety. Characteristic parameter Description of agronomic/morphological characteristics Variety Name Diga-2 (Acc.BKFM0010) Adaption area: Western Oromia (Bako, Gute and similar agro-ecologies Altitude (meter above sea level) 1200−2300 Rainfall (mm) 1000−1300 Seed rate (kg/ha) 15 kg for row planting and 25kg for broadcasting Spacing 40 cm between rows Planting date Early June Fertilizer rate (kg ha-1) Dap 100 kg ha -1 at planting Urea 65 kg ha-1 split application (half at planting and half at 35 days after emergence) Days to flowering 104 days Days to maturity 164 days Finger type Loose Fingers per ear 7 Finger length (cm) 10.6 Thousand seed weight (g) 3 Plant height (cm) 103.6 Seed color Black Growth habit Erect Crop pest reactions Tolerant to major finger millet diseases (Leaf and head blast) Yield (t ha-1) Research field 2.24−3.42 Farmers field 2.32−2.98 Year of release 2018 Breeder seed maintainer Bako Agricultural Research Center (BARC/OARI) Figure 1. AMMI Biplot showing genotypes grain yield stability and preferential. Dagnachew et al. ‘Diga-2’ Finger Millet Variety Registration 179 Figure 2. GGE biplot based on grain yield for the 12 genotype showing the relationship among environments. 7. Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge Oromia Agricultural Research Institute for funding the research. Bako Agricultural Research Center management and all staff members of the Cereal Crops Technology Generation Team members are highly acknowledged for their commitment in implementing the research works, experimental field management, and data collection. 8. References Chandrashekar, A. 2010. Finger millet: Eleusine coracana. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 59, 215–62. CSA (Central Statistical Agency). 2018. Ethiopia Central Statistics Agency Agricultural Sample survey 2017/18 report on area and production of major crops. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dida, M., Srinivasachary, R.S., Bennetzen, J., Gale, M. and Devos, K. 2007. 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