Characterization of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] germplasm for agronomic and nutritional traits under rainfed condition
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Date
2020-07
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Publisher
CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Characterization of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)
R. Br.] germplasm for yield and nutritional traits under rainfed condition” was carried out to study extent
of genetic variability in different morphological and biochemical traits and their association with yield
and nutritional traits in pearl millet germplasm. Mean sum of squares due to treatments were highly
significant for all the traits under study, indicating that considerable amount of variability was present
among the genotypes for all the traits. High GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as % of mean
was observed for the traits viz., panicle length, panicle diameter, productive tillers (no. /plant), fodder
yield per plant, 1000 seed weight and grain yield per plant indicating predominance of additive gene
action. Hence, resorting to simple selection would be effective. The combined analysis of correlation
coefficient analysis and path coefficient analysis revealed that the traits, mainly, dry fodder yield, plant
height, panicle diameter, number of productive tillers per plant and calcium content were the major yield
attributing traits and hence; emphasis should be given to this traits while programming any plant breeding
programme. No significant associations were observed between the nutritional traits and grain yield,
indicating that there should be no compromise on grain yield while selecting for high nutritional content
genotypes in pearl millet breeding programmes.