| Author's Name: |
Gezahagn Kebede |
| Subject Area: |
Life Sciences |
| Subject |
Agricultural |
| Section |
Research Paper |
Keyword:
accessions, quantitative and qualitative traits, correlation, cluster analysis, vetch species
Abstract
Twenty accessions of vetch species were evaluated for their characters association and cluster analysis at Holetta and Ginchi, in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The study was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on agro-morphological traits and nutritive values were collected and the pearson correlation and cluster analysis procedure of SAS statistical package was applied for analysis of measured traits. The result showed that forage DM yield was positively correlated with days to forage and seed harvests, plant height at forage harvest, grain filling period and number of pods per plant. However, it was inversely related with biomass production rate, grain sink filling rate and seed yield. Among the nutritional parameters, the CP was positively correlated with ash, CP yield, ADL and IVDMD, but inversely related with NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose contents. The IVDMD was positively correlated with ash, CP, CP yield, ADF and ADL, but inversely related with NDF, cellulose and hemicellulose contents. The correlation analysis was also made between quantitative and qualitative traits and the result reveled that DM yield was positively correlated with CP, CP yield, and IVDMD, whereas inversely related with NDF content. The NDF was positively correlated with seed yield and biomass production rate. On the other hand, the CP content, CP yield and IVDMD were inversely related with seed yield and biomass production rate. The 20 accessions of vetch species were grouped into three clusters based on the mean values of measured traits. Based on measured traits, each clustering has its own characteristics and hence using their detailed data one can select a desired accession of vetch species for specific purpose of production. Therefore, the overall generated information on vetch species and their accessions in this study give a base for future vetch species breeding program to solve the feed problem in the central highlands of Ethiopia