Performance of some Ethiopian fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) germplasm collections as compared with the commercial variety Challa

Abstract

Systematic breeding efforts on fenugreek have so far been neglected in Ethiopia. For this, 143 random samples of fenugreek accessions along with a commercial variety were used in this study to evaluate the potential of the land races. The field experiment was conducted at Haramaya University research station during 2011 main cropping season. Treatments were arranged in a 12x12 simple lattice design. The highest biomass and seed yielding accessions were generally concentrated more in the categories of yellow and green seed colors. When compared with the commercial variety, above 27% of the tested accessions performed significantly better in terms of seed yield indicating that significant yield gains could be secured by simple selection. However, further evaluation over wider environments is necessary to arrive at conclusive points for such quantitative traits. Green and yellow seeded accessions are widely distributed over all the country and over half of the accessions (63%) had green seed color. High seed yield bearing accessions were those collected from northwest and central part of Ethiopia, while accessions collected from eastern and northwestern Ethiopia were strikingly bold seed size. This variability would provide a basis for improving the crop in breeding program.