MEGHANA SINGH RAJOTIA*, S. K. PAHUJA, DEV VART, ANUSHKA JAT AND SUNIL DEVI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
College of Agriculture, CCS HAU, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: meghanarajotia@hau.ac.in)
(Received: 25 February 2026; Accepted: 22 March 2026)
SUMMARY
The present investigation was undertaken to develop an efficient multi-trait selection index for identifying superior pearl millet genotypes combining high grain yield, enhanced seed vigour and improved flour shelf life through reduced rancidity progression. Sixty diverse pearl millet genotypes were evaluated under field conditions for grain yield, vigour index-II, comprehensive acid value difference (CAV diff) and comprehensive peroxide value difference (CPV diff). Rancidity- related traits were measured as the change between initial and stored values (1st to 10th day), reflecting deterioration during storage. Standardization of traits was performed using Z-score transformation and rancidity-related traits were direction-adjusted during index construction so that lower rancidity progression contributed positively towards overall index value. A weighted selection index was developed assigning greater weight to grain yield followed by vigour index-II, while equal weights were assigned to rancidity-related traits. Selection index values ranged from -1.42 to 2.02, indicating substantial variability among genotypes. HMS 57B recorded the highest index value followed by ICMB 92777 and HMS 47B. Spearman’s rank correlation between grain yield and selection index was high (rs = 0.80), indicating strong association while also revealing meaningful genotype re-ranking. Genotypes with lower CAV and CPV differences exhibited improved storage stability, confirming that reduced biochemical changes over time are reliable indicators of extended flour shelf life. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-trait selection in identifying pearl millet genotypes with balanced performance for productivity, seed quality and post-harvest storage stability.
Key words: Pearl millet, selection index, grain yield, seed vigour, rancidity, shelf life