Variability of quantitative Traits in Limmu Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to estimate the extent of genetic variation and association among yield and yield-related traits. Forty nine Coffea arabica accessions from Limu (Jimma, Ethiopia) were tested at Agaro Agricultural Research Sub Center, Ethiopia from 2004 to 2009 in simple lattice design with two replications. Variances component method was used to estimate genetic variation, broad sense heritability and genetic advance. Association of traits was also estimated using standard method. The germplasm accessions differ significantly for most of the traits. Relatively high phenotypic (45.11 and 30.18%) and genotypic coefficient of variation (25 and 24.90%) were observed for yield and number of secondary branches in the order of magnitude. Hundred bean weight (81.13%) showed the highest heritability. Yield per plant showed significant positive phenotypic correlation with percentage of bearing primary branches (r = 0.53) while it revealed significant positive genotypic correlation with bean width (r = 0.47), fruit length (r = 0.61), hundred bean weight (r = 0.59), plant height (r = 0.28), canopy diameter (r = 0.29), leaf length (r = 0.30) and percent of bearing primary branches (r = 0.62). Over all, the study confirmed the presence of trait diversity in Limu coffee accessions and this could be exploited in the genetic improvement of the crop through hybridization and selection. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.