Assessment of genetic diversity and relationships between seed traits in tall fescue populations using multivariate statistical analysis

Seed production, as well as other economical and ecological attributes, is an important character in grasses. Knowledge on the genetic diversity of seed yield and yield components on Iranian tall fescue accessions, as a high productive and adaptive grass is limited. This experiment was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of seed yield and seed components, determine relationships between traits and identify components of seed yield in 46 tall fescue accessions using some multivariate statistical methods under field conditions. Results indicated that there is a broad genetic diversity in this germplasm for seed yield and its components, which can be employed in breeding programs. Correlation coefficients of seed yield with all measured traits were positive and significant and the highest one was found for seed per plant (0.91). Seed yield was positively correlated with flag leaf width and length. Results of factor analysis showed that to seed yield in tall fescue, not only size and efficiency of reproductive system, but also flag leaf characters are important. Based on regression methods, in an indirect selection index, the efforts should be focused on panicle per plant and panicle fertility.