GENETIC VARIABILITY FOR FODDER ATTRIBUTES IN GUINEA GRASS Panicum maximum. Jacq.

Abstract

Genotypic and phenotypic variance, co-efficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were estimated in 51 genotypes of guinea grass on 10 different fodder attributes. The analysis of variance indicated significant variation among the genotypes for all characters except crude fibre content and leaf-stem ratio. The GCV and PCV were the maximum for leaf weight, number of tillers per plant, green fodder yield per plant. stem weight, number of leaves per plant and dry matter content. Heritability values were very high for eight of the characters. High heritability combined with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed for number of leaves per plant, stem weight, leaf weight, green fodder yield per plant and dry matter content.