Abstract

Correlation and path coefficient analyses of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) genotypes at Mechara Agricultural Research Center on Station

Sympathetic the nature and degree of association between dry matter yield and dry matter yield related traits is the essential to study for any underutilized forage improvements of sustainable genetic enhancement. Though, there is a lack of sufficient evidence on dry matter yield and related trait correlation and path coefficient analysis of Rhodes grass in Ethiopia generally and in west Hararghe particularly. To fill the existing knowledge gap, the present study was conducted to determine the nature and degree of phenotypic and genotypic correlation and path coefficient analysis among 10 quantitative traits. A total of 25 Rhodes grass genotypes were tested in 5 ⨯ 5 simple lattice design at Mechara Agricultural Research Center during 2023/2024 rainy season. Phenotypic coefficients of variation were higher than their corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation, indicating that the little influence of environment on the expression of these characters. The highest phenotypic and genotypic variance value was recorded for days to maturity. Stand vigor exhibited highest value of genetic advance as percentage of mean followed by number of leaf per plant. The chief genotypic coefficient variation, were recorded from days to maturity flowed by plant height and highest phenotypic coefficient variation were recorded from plot cover followed by days to maturity. Phenotypically and genotypic ally dry matter yield was highly positive significant associated with of plot cover, stand vigor, leaf per plant and showed highly negative significant with days to 50% emergence. The results of phenotypic path coefficient analysis showed that stand vigor and leaf per plant had exerted moderate positive direct effect on dry matter. stand vigor followed by plant height, plot cover and leaf per plant had exerted high and positive direct effect on dry matter yield and genotypic path analysis showed stand vigor followed by plant height, plot cover and leaf per plant had exerted high and positive direct effect on dry matter yield.

This indicates that selection based on these traits could be more effective to maximize dry yield.

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