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 plant aspect
Overall agronomic desirability of the accession is observed visually at maturity.
Inflorescence compactness
Shape of inflorescence is recorded visually at maturity in rainy season.
Race
Informal rank in the taxonomic hierarchy, below the level of subspecies.
Days to flowering
Number of days from first irrigation after sowing to when 50% of plants flower in an accession is recorded during rainy season.
Plant pigmentation
Color of the plant recorded at flowering stage.
Plant height
Measured from ground level to tip of inflorescence (ear) of the main tiller of five randomly selected competitive plants at dough stage.
Growth habit
Pattern of growth and tillering attitude is recorded at flowering.
Basal tillers number
Count the number of tillers including main stem at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Culm branching number
Count the number of culm branches on the main stem at maturity. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Flag leaf blade length
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.
Flag leaf blade width
Widest point of the main tiller's flag leaf is measured at flowering stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Flag leaf sheath length
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.
Peduncle length
Measured from top most node to base of the inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Panicle exsertion
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.
Inflorescence length
Measured from lowest branch to tip of last branch of inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Inflorescence width
Measured in natural position at widest part of the inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Longest finger length
Measured from base to tip of longest spike on main tiller at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Longest finger width
Measured across center of longest spike at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Panicle branches number
Number of fingers per panicle is counted at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Weight of 5 panicles
Weight of 5 panicles in grams.
Panicle weight
Panicle weight in grams.
100 Seed weight
Weight of freshly harvested 100 seed measured at 12% moisture content.
Plot yield
Yield of plot in grams.
Stover yield
Stover yield in grams.
Subrace
Taxnomic division below race
Lodging
Lodging of the plants is recorded at maturity.
Senescence
Degree to which the plant is still green at time the primary inflorescence on each tiller is reaching matutity is recorded.
Disease resistance
Visual observation of occurrence of disease symptoms recorded.
Seed color
Color of freshly harvested seeds recorded.
Glume prominence
Status of grain covered by glume at maturuty is recorded.
List of accessions included in the dataset