Drought-resistance traits variability in Eragrostis tefX Eragrostis pilosa recombinant inbred lines

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] occupies two million hectares of land each year, which accounts for 28% of the total acreage. However, its productivity is constrained by drought. Development of drought resistant variety through inter-specific conventional crossing is crucial. Twenty five recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of E. tef var Kay Murii and Eragrostis pilosa were evaluated against the standard check and two parental lines to assess drought resistance trait variability under low moisture-stressed and non-stressed conditions using randomized complete block design of three replications. The experiment was conducted under rainout shelter at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Significant (p