Assessment and phenotypic identification of millet germplasm (Setaria italica [L.]) in Liaoning, China

Millet ( Setaria italica [L.]) originated in China and is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. The current study aims to assess the present millet germplasms in Liaoning Province scientifically, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the collection, preservation, innovation, and use of millet germplasm resources. This study was conducted from 2018 to 2020. A total of 105 millet germplasm collections were selected from the germplasm resource bank of the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Thirty-one agronomic traits, including 19 qualitative traits and 12 quantitative traits, were observed and recorded. Data were comprehensively evaluated via multivariate analyses, including diversity analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, grey relational analysis, and cluster analysis. Results show that millet resources have abundant diversity, traits represent ear size and ear-bearing capacity were found to be closely related to yield. In high-yield breeding, the resources with upthrow seedling leaves, more tillers, more branches, large ears, and long growth periods should be selected as cross parents. Meanwhile, one early-maturing and lower plant resource, one early-maturing and small-grain resource, one later-maturing and higher plant and big-ear resource, and one later-maturing and big-grain resource were screened for excellent millet breeding.