Vol. 8, Special Issue 8, Part E (2024)

Abstract: Thirty two hybrids of pearl millet were evaluated for variability for yield and yield components. Further studies on heritability, genetic advance as percent mean, character association path coefficient for yield and associated traits were studied. The results revealed a wide genetic variability coupled with high heritability and genetic advance as percent mean for fat content and moderate values for grain yield per plant, effective tillers per plant, ear length and 1000 seed weight indicating the association of additive gene action in expression of these traits and hence selection for these traits would be effective. Grain yield reported a significant positive genotypic correlation with plant height, ear length, ear width, 1000 seed weight and fat content, while a significant positive phenotypic correlation was observed for plant height and fat content. Path analysis revealed that selection for characters viz. days to 50% flowering, 1000-grain weight and plant height will have positive influence on grain yield per plant. Selection of traits plant height, ear length, effective tillers per plant and 1000 seed weight will help in yield improvement in pearl millet.