Genetic diversity studies for various agro-morphological traits and blast severity in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (l.) R.Br.]
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Date
2020-09
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CCSHAU,HiSAR
Abstract
The study was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity and variability among pearl millet genotypes involving 50 genotypes were planted in a RBD design during kharif 2019 at the Bajra Research Area of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Crop yield is the result of the interaction of number of other, often interrelated attributes. However, negative correlations of blast severity at 30 days and 60 days with grain yield per plant and most of other characters indicated that increase in blast severity at 30 as well as 60 days will decrease grain yield per plant as well as most of the other yield related traits significantly. An obvious association of a trait to the yield might be appearing, due to balancing of positive and negative contribution. Therefore, path coefficient analysis could be more effective method for use in selection programmme, mainly on component breeding. Based on the ongoing discussion, the traits viz.,1000-seed weight, dry fodder yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, panicle length and productive tiller per plant may be given due attention in pearl millet breeding. Using Mahalanobis‟s D² statistics, among the five clusters, cluster I was the largest with 20 genotypes, followed by cluster III (12 genotypes), cluster IV (9 genotypes) , cluster V (6 genotypes) and cluster II (3 genotypes). Inter cluster distances were higher than the intra cluster distances indicating the presence of wider genetic diversity between the clusters rather than within the clusters. More inter cluster distance suggests that the genotypes belonging to these clusters if chosen for hybridization programme, will give highly heterotic hybrids and broad spectrum of variability in subsequent segregating generations. The pearl millet genotypes were screened for blast disease reaction under natural field condition. The management of the disease through host plant resistance has been the best choice in all the crops. The study revealed that 29 were found as resistant viz., SGP-10-107, EBC-12/237, HB-15/085, H-13/0001, EMRC-14/123, EMRCT-14/121, S-19-499-504(61), S-19-505-510(96), EMRCT-14/107, S-19-547-570(65), EMRCT-14/237, HTP-93/109-1, TCH-26-1, S-19-573-574, EMRCT-15/133, PRCT-115, PRCT-117, PRCT-132, AC-04/13, S-19-575-576, S-19-579-580, IH-8, PRCT-101, PRCT-112, S-19-517-522(130), EMRCT-14/103, EMRCT-14/243, S-19-577-578, PRCT-121 and twenty (20) genotypes were moderately resistant. However, one genotype was found susceptible. The 29 blast resistant genotypes found in the present study may be further tested and utilized in blast resistant breeding programme.