Character association and path analysis in foxtail millet genetic resources (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv)

Abstract

Character association and path analysis was studied in 50 foxtail millet genetic resources for 12 quantitative characters during kharif, 2017. Correlation analysis revealed a positively significant association of grain yield / plant with majority of traits viz., plant height, peduncle length, panicle length, flag leaf blade length, flag leaf blade width and 1000 grain weight at both phenotypic and genotypic levels implying that these traits are predominantly governed by additive gene action and hence direct selection for these traits will lead to simultaneous improvement in grain yield. The path coefficient analysis showed that plant height and flag leaf blade length exhibited high positive direct effect on grain yield / plant suggesting the importance of direct selection for these traits. The traits viz., days to maturity, days to maturity, peduncle length, peduncle exertion, panicle length, flag leaf blade length, flag leaf blade width, culm branches and number of productive tillers / plant displayed high indirect effects via plant height.