The present study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of foxtail millet germplasm and select superior genotypes. To this end, 130 foxtail millet were studied under an augmented complete block design at Shahid Bahonar University Research Farm. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was also carried out on the genotypes to determine the homogeneity of experimental field. The results proved that there were significant differences among the control genotypes regarding all their traits except for the plant lodging trait. Based on the results of stepwise regression for grain yield as a dependent variable in foxtail millet genotypes, the number of grains per panicle, the number of panicles, 1000-seed weight, and height respectively had the best efficiency as index traits in selecting genotypes. Based on the cluster analysis, the foxtail millet genotypes were classified into 5 groups. Comparison of the genotypes demonstrated that the genotypes S27 and S7, and cultivar Boston respectively, had the highest biological yield, and Bastan and genotype S27 had the highest grain yield among others. The current study revealed that genotypes S7 and S27 had a higher yield than Iran’s only breed cultivar, namely Bastan, and therefore they can be used in breeding studies in order to produce superior cultivars.

Keywords: Biological yield, Cluster analysis, Foxtail millet, Grain yield, Stepwise regression