This descriptor list for finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is based upon lists prepared by Dr. G. Harinarayana and Dr. A. Seetharam. This descriptor list has been prepared in an IBPGR standard format following advice on descriptors and descriptor states from crop experts throughout the world.
IPGRI. (1985). Descriptors for finger millet. Rome: Bioversity.
40 days after tillering attitude
Legend:
Decumbent
Erect
Prostorate
From ground level to tip of inflorescence (ear). At dough stage
Number of culm branches at maturity
At flowering
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not pigmented | |
| + | Pigmented |
Number of basal tillers which bear mature ears
From sowing to stage when ears have emerged from 50% of main tillers
Exsertion of inflorescence at dough stage
At dough stage
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Droopy | Fingers lax and drooping |
| 2 | Open | Fingers straight |
| 3 | Semi-compact | Tops of finger curved |
| 4 | Compact | Fingers incurved |
| 5 | Fist-like | Fingers very incurved |
At dough stage
Legend:
Small
Intermediate
Large
At dough stage
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Absent | |
| + | Present |
Gaps on finger. At dough stage
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Absent | Spiklets continous |
| + | Present | Spiklets discontinous |
From base to tip of longest spike (finger) on main tiller. At dough stage
Measured across centre of longest finger. At dough stage
From sessile base to tip of lower glume. At flowering
Legend:
Short 2.8 - 4.0 mm
Intermediate 5.4 - 6.6 mm
Long 8.0 - 9.2 mm
At maturity
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Absent | |
| + | Present |
At maturity
Legend:
Low 4 grains
Intermediate 6 grains
High 8 grains
By glume at maturity
Legend:
Exposed
Intermediate
Enclosed
Post harvest
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | |
| 2 | Light brown | |
| 3 | Copper-brown | |
| 4 | Purple-brown | |
| 5 | Other |
Diameter of internode between third and fourth nodes from top. At dough stage
Number of leaves on main tiller. At flowering
Meausred from node to ligule of flag leaf from top. At flowering
Measured across centre of sheath of flag leaf from top. At flowering
Measured from ligule to tip of fourth leaf blade from top. At flowering
Measured across centre of fourth leaf blade from top. At flowering
Number of stomata per 0.0008 cubic centimeter. Determined on fourth leaf from top. At flowering
Legend:
Low 9-10
Intermediate 13-14
High 17-18
Measured from ligule to leaf tip. At flowering
Measured across to the centre
At maturity
Legend:
Low
Intermediate
High
Consider tillering, height, leafliness, bulk and senscence. At maturity
From top most node to base of the thumb finger
On main ear. At dough stage
Number of spikelets per centimeters along middle portion of the rachis of any finger. At dough stage
Legend:
Sparse
Intermediate
Dense
From sowing to stage when 50% of main tillers nave mature ears
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not synchronous | |
| + | Synchronous |
Post-harvest
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round | |
| 2 | Reniform | |
| 3 | Ovoid | |
| 4 | Other |
Post-harvest
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smooth | |
| 2 | Wrinkled |
Post-harvest
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not uniform | |
| + | Uniform |
Legend:
Not persistent
Partially persistent
Persistent
Mean of 5 plants, post-harvest
consider the finger number, size, and density. Grain number and size as compared to standard
Legend:
Low
Intermediate
High
Legend:
Low
Average
High
Percentage of dry grain weight
Percentage of dry grain weight
Percentage of dry grain weight
Percentage of dry grain weight
Percentage of dry grain weight