Genetic Variability, Correlation And Path Analysis In Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

Abstract

A study was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur (Rajasthan) during kharif season 2012. Range, CV, genotypic, phenotypic and environment variance, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path analysis were performed for yield and its contributing characters in 55 pearl millet genotypes. Analysis of variance for significant differences was among the all characters. A broad range of variation was observed for biological yield per plant, dry fodder yield per plant, plant height and days to maturity. Phenotypic variance value for most characters was closer than the corresponding genotypic variance value showing little environment effect on the expression of these characters. The estimated value of broad sense heritability was found between 55.46% (productive tillers per plant) and 99.11% (test weight). Heritability values were determined as 83.21%, 82.26%, 55.46%, 97.77%, 93.93%, 98.78%, 84.23%, 96.85%, 69.12%, 99.11%, 91.77% and 85.23%, for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, productive tillers per plant, plant height, panicle length, panicle girth, biological yield per plant, dry fodder yield per plant, harvest index, test weight, protein content and grain yield per plant, respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent over mean was observed for plant height, panicle length, panicle girth, biological yield per plant, dry fodder yield per plant, test weight, protein content and grain yield per plant suggesting selection for these traits would give good responses. Grain yield per plant showed significant positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation with productive tillers per plant, plant height, panicle length, panicle girth, biological yield per plant, dry fodder yield per plant, harvest index and test weight. Grain yield per plant (0.987, 0.918) had highest positive direct effect on harvest index followed by biological yield per plant (0.606, 1.022). It is suggested that these characters can be considered as selection criteria in improving the grain yield.