Association analysis in elite genetic resources of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv) for yield and nutritional traits

Abstract

Hundred elite foxtail millet genetic resources for 18 yield and nutritional traits were studied through association and path analysis at phenotypic level. Correlation analysis revealed a positively significant association of grain yield / plant with most of traits viz., SCMR at 30 DAS, plant height, panicle length, number of grains / ear head and 1000 grain weight implying that these traits may chosen as selection criterion for developing high yielding cultivars. The path coefficient analysis showed that SCMR at 30 DAS, plant height, number of grains / ear head and 1000 grain weight exhibited high positive direct effect with grain yield per plant indicating direct selection for improvement of these traits.