GENETIC VARIBILITY AND CORRELATION COEFFICIENT IN PEARL MILLET [PENNISETUM GLAUCUM(L.) R. BR. EMEND STUNTZ]

GENETIC VARIBILITY AND CORRELATION COEFFICIENT IN PEARL MILLET [PENNISETUM GLAUCUM (L.) R. BR. EMEND STUNTZ]

MAMTA CHOUDHARY1, D.K.GARG2, R.S.SAINI3, B.L.JAT4

Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics,

College of Agriculture, Bikaner (Rajasthan), India

(Email: mamta.choudhary1990@gmail.com)

(Received: 17 December 2013; Accepted: 27 December 2013)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was carried out to estimate genetic variability, correlation, among 30 genotypes of pearlmillet for 11 characters. These hybrids were evaluated in RBD during kharif 2012 at ARS, Bikaner. Analysis of variance indicated presence of considerable variability for all the 11 characters.  Number of effective tillers/plant and biological yield/plant had high estimate of GCV and PCV. It also had high heritability associated with high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Thus, these should be given due emphasis while making a direct selection through these traits. Harvest index and seed yield/plant had moderate estimates of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance. Therefore, selection for these characters would also be effective.The result from character association indicated that grain yield per plant had significantly and positive correlation with ear head length (cm), number of effective tillers/plant and biological yield/plant (g) at phenotypic level.

Key words : Genetic variability, estimate of GCV and PCV, character association  and  pearl millet.

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