Genetic variability and association analysis of yield and yield attributing traits in little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. ex. Roem. and Schultz.)

Abstract

Three hundred and twenty seven germplasm accessions of little millet (Samai) including four checks were evaluated in augmented RCBD design. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed the presence of significant variability for all the traits under study except days to fifty per cent flowering and days to maturity among the little millet genotypes. The mean phenotypic distribution displayed a wide range, with a near normal distribution for most of the traits. The traits like days to fifty percent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf breadth, peduncle length, number of node/plant, dry fodder weight/plant and single plant yield were significantly positively skewed, which indicated the presence of non-additive gene action. Thus, while choosing genotypes for heterosis breeding, these traits could be taken into consideration as selection criteria. Single plant grain yield (g) recorded high genetic coefficient variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient variation (PCV), while days to fifty per cent flowering and days to maturity had low PCV and GCV. Heritability ranged from 62.63 (plant height) to 98.85 (single plant grain yield) per cent. Genetic advance as percentage of mean ranged from 10.72 (days to maturity) to 178.21 (single plant grain yield). In correlation studies, days to fifty per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, flag leaf breadth, number of nodes/plant, peduncle length and dry fodder weight/plant showed high positive correlation with single plant grain yield. These traits would be effective for direct selection for crop improvement. The current results showed that yield and yield attributing traits had large variations and high heritability, which could be used for improvement of little millet.