Abstract

Tafere Mulualem Emrey*

The present investigation was undertaken for the three consecutive years from 2011 to 2013 main cropping season with the objective to know the relationships among yield contributing characters and identify their direct and indirect effects on yield. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications at two locations. Correlation coefficient and direct and indirect effects in 10 different genotypes with one standard check namely Baruda were analyzed using appropriate software. Number of fingers per plant (r_p=0.409), stand count at harvest (r_p=0.468) and disease score (r_p=-0.444) had significant positive and negative correlations at phenotypic level. Characters exerted positive phenotypic direct effect on grain yield includes plant height (0.008), number of tillers per plot (0.053), number of fingers per plot (0.237), finger length (0.006) and stand count at harvest (0.034). Therefore, characters with highest positive phenotypic direct effect on grain yield are more likely to be considered for future crop improvement.