Evaluation of the agronomic traits and correlation analysis of phenotypes of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) germplasm in Kazakhstan.

Abstract

Proso millet is a valuable short-term crop of universal use cultivated all over the world. However, due to the lack of genetic improvement, the yield of this crop does not provide stable in-come for farmers. The research is aimed to test proso millet germplasm of different geographical origin under different agro-climatic regions in Kazakhstan. 90 accessions of proso millet originated from 19 countries were tested in the conditions of the North (A.I. Baraev Scientific Production Centre of Grain Farming) and the West (Agricultural Experimental Station) Kazakhstan from 2022 to 2023. The main agronomic traits such as plant height, number of seeds per panicle, seed weight per panicle and productive tillering, 1000 seed weight and yield per m2 were measured. Correlation analysis was conducted based on the obtained data. High correlation was established between the SWPP and NSPP traits (r=0.73-0.92) in Northern and Western Kazakhstan conditions in 2022-2023 years. The world collection with higher values of 1000 seed weight showed a lower number of seeds per panicle, while the correlation was negative (r= - 0.48). The findings can be used in future proso millet breeding programs to develop new and improved genotypes with desirable productive traits adaptable to different environments.