Genetic variability and trait associations for improved yield and rancidity in pearl millet

Abstract

The 100-pearl millet inbred lines (75 R-lines and 25 B-lines) were evaluated in alpha lattice design during Kharif 2023 at two locations (ARS, Perumallapalle, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad, Telangana). The genetic parameters were estimated among the lines and interrelationships were assessed for nine agronomic and yield traits and rancidity. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among inbred lines for all the traits across the locations indicating the presence of considerable amount of genetic variability in the material. High GCV and PCV were observed for alcoholic acidity and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean observed for number of productive tillers plant-1 and alcoholic acidity indicated the presence of additive genetic effects. Significant positive association of grain yield with panicle weight, panicle length and panicle girth and significant negative association with alcoholic acidity indicates the possibility of deployment of low rancidity in high yielding background.