Genetic variability and association studies in pearl millet for green fodder yield and quality traits

Abstract

In the present study, a total of 22 pearl millet genotypes were evaluated during kharif, 2017. The genotypes were analyzed for 
genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the 
genotypes for all the 12 characters viz., plant height, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per tiller, leaf length, leaf 
breadth, leaf-stem ratio, dry matter yield per plant, green fodder yield per plant, crude protein, crude fibre, fat content and ash 
content studied, indicating the presence of sufficient variability in the experimental materials of pearl millet genotypes. The 
estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation were lesser than that of phenotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits except 
ash content per cent, indicating the role of environmental influence over the characters studied. High heritability with high 
genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for green fodder yield per plant, dry matter yield per plant, fat content, crude 
protein content and ash content. This indicated the prevalence of additive gene action in their inheritance; hence selection of these 
traits would facilitate the improvement of both fodder yield and quality. Correlation and path analysis revealed that the traits viz., 
plant height, leaf breadth and dry matter yield per plant might be responsible for increasing the green fodder yield per plant in 
fodder pearl millet.