Regional Diversity of Local and Exotic Finger Millet Germplasm Based on Qualitative and Quantitative Traits in Sri Lanka

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is hardy and one of the cereal most adaptable over a wide range of agro-ecological zones worldwide. Based on five qualitative and fourteen quantitative traits, the regional diversity of finger millet was assessed for 135 finger millet accessions at the Field Crop Research and Development Institute, during 2016 and 2017. These accessions represented the eco-geographical regions of Sri Lanka and geographical locations of exotic germplasm. Incurved panicle shape, decumbent growth habit, non-pigmented plants, light brown grain color and late flowering phenotypes were predominant in the germplasm studied. Shannon-Weaver diversity index value ranged from 0.33-1.07. The highest diversity was observed in growth habit. Almost all phenotypic classes were observed among local and exotic germplasms. Significant quantitative trait variability was observed among regions. Northern region, India and Zimbabwe germplasm were significantly different for days to 50% flowering, plant height, finger length, panicle exertion and peduncle length. Based on both qualitative and quantitative traits, regions were grouped into two main clusters. All the regions of Sri Lanka except the Northern region formed a large cluster. Hence, phenotypic resemblance among local germplasm was evident and this may be due to selection of traits preferred by farmers and exchange of promising cultivars/farmers’ varieties among regions.