Phenotypic variation within a fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) germplasm collection. II. Cultivar selection based on traits associated with seed yield

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a minor crop in the Wimmera region of south-eastern Australia. Limited studies have been in the past and these have been on few accessions. This paper describes the use of quantitative and qualitative analyses to determine the main traits associated with seed yield of fenugreek and to identify accessions suitable for commercial production. Phenotypic correlation analysis and simple graphical analysis on a population of fenugreek accessions grown in 1998 and 1999 were used to determine important traits associated with yield. Traits important for yield were early vigour, growth habit, flowering date, end of flowering date, biomass at late flowering and harvest index. Yield per plant and seed weight were also important. Other traits considered important for commercial success included machine harvestability, and bacterial blight resistance. Four accessions (A150118, A150147, A150265, and A150292) were selected as cultivars for commercial release. Although all originating from latitudes >30°, the accession were from different locations and were highly diverse in plant type and phenotypic characteristics. This diversity could be exploited in future breeding programs.