Study on the productive potential of accessions from the national collection of millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) in the conditions of South-Central Bulgaria

Ivan Aleksiev

Abstract: The purpose of the present study is to define the productive potential of the national millet collection. 134 accessions from the collection were studied and a comparative varietal experiment with 10 variants was conducted for determining their possibilities for direct implementation in crop production. The accessions were studied according to the international descriptors for the Panicum miliaceum L. species. The experiment was set in a block method, in four replications with 10 m2 harvest area. The trial was conducted in the experimental field of IPGR – Sadovo in the period 2015-2017. 32 accessions, characterized by high and very high yield, were identified. The variation analysis shows a great variety in terms of yield and indicators, affecting productivity. The correlation analysis of yield and 8 other biometric indicators show that the productivity is influenced by a complex of factors, but there is no indicator that is in a strong correlation. Under the conditions of South-Central Bulgaria, the millet accession with catalogue number A6000063 can be recommended for direct introduction to the crop production of millet grain as a first crop with expected yields from 3500 to 4000 kg/ha.

Keywords: analysis of variance; correlation analysis; dispersion analysis; millet; plant genetic resources; yield

Date published: 2021-12-08