Phenotypic diversity for qualitative and phenologic characters in germplasm collections of tef (Eragrostis tef)

A total of 3600 entries of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] germplasm collections representing 36 populations from six regions of Ethiopia were evaluated for phenotypic diversity in six qualitative and phenologic characters. High values of Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H') were recorded for most characters in each population. Monomorphism was high for anther color (purple) and panicle form (loose). Larger variances for H' were obtained among regions than among populations within a region from hierarchical analysis of variance. Significant (P < 0.05) to highly significant (P < 0.01) t-values were observed among H' values of some regions for seed color, panicle form and days to maturity. A substantial level of variance (P < 0.05) was obtained for populations within altitudinal zones only for days to maturity. Altitudinal zones exhibited similar levels of diversity across characters for these collections. Generally, considerable variations important for tef improvement work have been observed and regions with highest diversity for some traits have been suggested for future in situ or ex situ germplasm conservation works. Although similar mean diversity indices were obtained among regions, they were non overlapping.