Genetic variability and correlation studies for morphological and seed quality parameters in foxtail millet (Setaria italic (L.) Beauv.)

Abstract

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.) is one of the world’s oldest cultivated crops. It’s domestication and cultivation is estimated to have occurred over 4000 years ago (Chang, 1968). By virtue of it’s composition it is quite comparable to Rice and Wheat in it’s nutritive value. It has got fairly high proportion of crude protein (8.2%), minerals (6.7%), digestible protein (4.9%) and exceptionally higher fibre contents (25.3%). But, in India, the potentiality of foxtail millet is not yet exploited properly. Hence, the present investigation was conducted with 46 genotypes of Foxtail millet with an objective to study the genetic variability and correlation for morphological as well as seed quality parameters. Twenty-three characters were examined in the field for morphological and yield contributing traits while twelve parameters were examined in the laboratory for seed quality. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among different genotypes. Most of the seed quality and field parameters recorded high estimates for broad sense heritability. All of the seed quality parameters exhibited positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation with each other. Based on studies it was concluded that all the genotypes included in the present study are having wide array of variation for different yield contributing traits as well as seed quality parameters. So, these genotypes could be further adopted for breeding improvement.