Genetic variation for yield and morphological traits in Panicum miliaceum L. genotypes

In order to study genetic variation, heritability and relationships among several traits, an experiment was carried out on 11 genotypes of Panicum miliaceum L. under field conditions based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications at Isfahan Agriculture Research Center. Results of analysis of variance showed significant differences for all studied traits (p< 0.01) but days to maturity (p<0.05). The strongest genotypic coefficient of variation belonged to grain yield per plant. Broad-sense heritability values varied between 73-92% for most of the traits. Forage yield/plant had a significant strong and positive correlation with grain number of panicle and leaf surface. Principal components analysis presented five factors that justified 92% of the total variation. Cluster analysis grouped the 11 genotypes into 3 clusters. Genotypes located in cluster II had higher forage and grain yield than other clusters.