Genetic variability and association studies of pearl millet genotypes for yield contributing traits under rainfed conditions of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is an important cereal in semi-arid tropics in Africa and India. Conventionally, pearl millet has good amounts of grain minerals compared to other cereals. Estimation of genetic parameters would be useful in developing appropriate breeding and selection strategies. In the present study the performance of 16 pearl millet genotypes, including popular varieties and released hybrids, was examined in RBD with three replications during the rainy season of 2019. An investigation of phenotypic and genotypic variance, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficients and path analysis for yield and its attributing traits revealed that genotypes had a lot of genetic variability particularly for grain yield to be exploited. Grain yield and productive tillers per plant had high variation, heritability and genetic advance as a per cent of mean reveals a presence of additive genetic variance and these traits are very important for selection criteria for yield improvement. Character association studies at both phenotypic and genotypic levels indicated that panicle diameter, 1000-grain weight and dry fodder yield had displayed significant and positive correlations among themselves as well as with grain yield. The path coefficient analysis at genotypic level indicated dry fodder yield, panicle length, days to maturity, 1000-grain weight all had positive direct effects on grain yield. Hence, these traits were taken into consideration while developing yield-related selection criteria.