Genetic variability and character association in little millet (Panicum sumatrense) germplasm collections of (Odisha, India)

Twenty-two genotypes of little millet (Panicum sumatrense) were evaluated under 12 environments during Autumn 2008 to Autumn 2009 at the Central Research Station, OUAT, and Bhubaneswar. Analysis of variance on 14 metric traits revealed highly significant differences due to genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interactions. Early maturing genotypes RCM 4 and KCM 594 were the lowest yielders and displayed lower mean performance for most of the component traits. The highest yielder TNAU 98 is a late maturing genotype, having maximum values for plant height, flag leaf length and area, panicle length, panicle exsertion, panicle weight, panicle yield, straw yield, biological yield, and 1000-grain weight resulting in high harvest index. Higher grain yield was also recorded by KCM42, KCM 84, KCM 102D and CO 2 with relatively higher mean performance for all the component characters. Moderate to high estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were observed for grain yield, flag leaf area, panicle exsertion, panicle yield, panicle weight, straw yield and biological yield. Grain yield exhibited high positive correlation with all the characters except panicle exsertion and panicle number. Path analysis pooled over environments revealed that biological yield, harvest index and days to heading had maximum contribution towards grain yield.

کلیدواژه ها:

Little millet ، Panicum miliare ، Panicum sumatrense ، Genetic variability ، Character association ، Harvest index ، Heritability