Finger millet characterization
Characterization of germplasm is prerequisite for utilization in crop improvement. Phenotypic characterization involves recording characters which are highly heritable, easily seen by eye and are expressed in all environments.
ICRISAT germplasm accessions are characterized at Patancheru, India. The descriptors developed for characterization and preliminary evaluation are followed in each crop are used for characterization.
The characterizations were done at Patancheru (17.51° N, 78.27° E, and 545 m above sea level), India, in precision fields on red soils (alfisols). Each accession was planted in a single-row, 4 m long, with a row-to-row spacing of 60 cm, and plant-to-plant spacing within a row of 10 cm. Seeds were sown at a uniform depth of 2 to 3 cm manually. Fertilizer was applied at the rate of 20 kg N2 and 50 kg P2O5 per ha as basal dose and 45 kg N2 per ha as top dressing. The precision fields at the ICRISAT center have uniform fertility and have irrigation facilities with a gentle slope of 0.5%. Irrigation was given on need basis and experiments were kept weed free by manual weeding.
Overall agronomic desirability of the accession is observed visually at maturity.
Shape of inflorescence is recorded visually at maturity in rainy season.
Informal rank in the taxonomic hierarchy, below the level of subspecies.
Number of days from first irrigation after sowing to when 50% of plants flower in an accession is recorded during rainy season.
Color of the plant recorded at flowering stage.
Measured from ground level to tip of inflorescence (ear) of the main tiller of five randomly selected competitive plants at dough stage.
Pattern of growth and tillering attitude is recorded at flowering.
Count the number of tillers including main stem at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Count the number of culm branches on the main stem at maturity. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Lenght of the main tiller's flag leaf from ligule to tip is measured at flowering stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Widest point of the main tiller's flag leaf is measured at flowering stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured from main tiller's node to ligule of flag leaf from top at flowering stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured from top most node to base of the inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Distance between ligule of the flag leaf and base of the inflorescence on the main tiller is measured at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured from lowest branch to tip of last branch of inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured in natural position at widest part of the inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured from base to tip of longest spike on main tiller at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured across center of longest spike at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Number of fingers per panicle is counted at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Weight of 5 panicles in grams.
Panicle weight in grams.
Weight of freshly harvested 100 seed measured at 12% moisture content.
Yield of plot in grams.
Stover yield in grams.
Taxnomic division below race
Lodging of the plants is recorded at maturity.
Degree to which the plant is still green at time the primary inflorescence on each tiller is reaching matutity is recorded.
Visual observation of occurrence of disease symptoms recorded.
Color of freshly harvested seeds recorded.
Status of grain covered by glume at maturuty is recorded.
List of accessions included in the dataset