Interrelationship and Path Analysis of Yield Components in Tef [Eragrostis tef) Zucc. Trotter] Genotypes at Axum Northern Ethiopia

Understanding the nature of correlations among characters facilitates selection. The present study was undertaken to assess the nature of association of agronomic traits in 37 tef recombinant inbred lines. The experiment was conducted in 2014 main cropping season at Axum Agricultural Research Center using randomized complete block design with three replications. Correlation and path coefficient analyses were conducted for thirteen traits at genotypic and phenotypic levels. The result reviled that grain yield production rate per day (0.94, 0.934) followed by biomass yield kg ha-1 (0.831, 0.865) at both phenotypic and genotypic level respectively was computed highest positive and significant correlation with grain yield kg ha-1. Twelve traits also considered in the path analysis. Base on its highest positive significant correlation, grain yield production rate per day exerted high positive genotypic direct effect (0.845) followed by biomass yield (0.342) on grain yield, respectively. This indicated that attention should be given for these traits in selection as these traits are helpful for direct selection. Highest unfavorable genotypic indirect effect was exerted on grain yield by Grain yield production rate per day through days to maturity. The overall study showed that grain yield production rate per day (0.845) and biomass yield (0.342) can be used as morphological markers for grain yield. Keywords: Correlation, Path coefficient and Tef