Combining Ability and Genetic Effects of Selected Parental Materials for Blast Disease, Grain Yield and Other Agronomic Traits of Finger Millet

The objective of the study was to examine the combining ability and genetic effects of selected parental materials for blast disease, grain yield and other agronomic traits of finger millet. Experiments were conducted at KALRO Kakamega, KALRO Kitale and KALRO Alupe stations. The experiment was conducted at three locations using a 7x7 lattice design with 3 replications, where inorganic fertilizers were applied, each replication included 49 accessions arranged in 7 blocks, and observations were recorded on five plants randomly chosen from each accession in each replication, following all the recommended agronomic practices during the crop growth period. Observations were recorded for 14 qualitative and 9 quantitative characters, including scoring for neck and finger blast, which were measured either in the field or in the laboratory, using the guidelines provided in IBPGR, Finger millet descriptors. The study findings reveal a strong positive correlation between plant height and productive tillers, a negative correlation between grain weight and neck blast, and weak or non-significant correlations with leaf width. These insights aid in selecting desirable traits for finger millet varieties, such as considering trade-offs when selecting for plant height and balancing traits for optimal productivity and disease resistance. The components of variance and genotype-environment interaction analysis emphasize three crucial aspects in crop improvement: selecting suitable genotypes for specific locations by considering environmental factors, and acknowledging the impact of both genetic and non-genetic factors on genotype performance. The heritability of traits varies, and genetic correlations between traits offer opportunities for overall performance improvement. Implementing these findings will contribute to enhanced finger millet production, yield potential, and food security. The study recommends prioritizing the selection and breeding of taller finger millet plants, taking into account trade-offs with other traits. Additionally, considering leaf width as an independent trait for selection and emphasizing genotypes with thicker culms can contribute to improved productivity and disease resistance. The study further recommends selecting appropriate genotypes tailored to specific locations based on environmental factors, while prioritizing adaptability and resilience in genotype selection. Traits with higher heritability should be given preference for easier improvement, and genetic correlations between traits should be considered for enhanced overall performance and yield potential.