Genetic Variability and Heritability Studies in F4 Progenies of Tef (Eragrostis tef)

The present investigation was conducted on F 2 -derived F 4 bulk families of three crosses, viz, DZ-01- 974 × DZ-01-2786, DZ-01-974 × DZ-Cr-37 and Alba x Kaye Murri. To estimate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance; to assess cross performance, 63 F 4 families were taken randomly from each of the three crosses. The 189 F 4 families, five parents and two checks were space planted following in 14×14 simple lattice design at two locations, namely, Debre Zeit and Akaki. The F 4 families differed significantly for all the eleven agronomic characters studied except hundred kernel weight at both locations. At Debre Zeit, the families of the cross DZ-01-974 × DZ-Cr-37 were the highest yielders and at Akaki, the families of the cross DZ-01-974 × DZ-01-2786 were the highest yielders. Heritability and genetic advance were high for grain yield, harvest index and lodging index at Debre Zeit. At Akaki, heritability and genetic advance were high for lodging index, grain yield, plant height and days to heading.