Genetic variability study in pearl millet germplasm (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) for yield and its component traits

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine genetic variability of yield and its components traits in pearl millet germplasm. A set 
of 376 germplasm was evaluated in Augmented Block Design (ABD) without replications under irrigated conditions during 
summer 2017 season. Observations were recorded on 10 yield and yield contributing traits. A notable amount of variation 
was found in material under study. Wide range of variation, were recorded for the traits viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, 
plant height, number of  productive tillers per plant,  leaf sheath length, leaf blade length, leaf blade width, spike length, 
spike girth, 1000 seed weight, single plant yield. The characters viz., single plant yield, number of productive tillers per 
plant, spike length, leaf blade width and spike girth showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variance. Higher 
estimates of heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for number of productive tillers 
per plant and leaf blade width. Therefore, selection for these characters in the given set of germplasm will be more effective.