Vol. 9, Special Issue 9, Part B (2025)

The present investigation assessed genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for 12 morpho-agronomic traits in 60 kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) germplasm accessions, including four checks, evaluated in an augmented randomized complete block design at IIMR, Hyderabad. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all traits except thumb length and peduncle length, indicating substantial genetic variability. Genetic parameter estimates showed that phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were consistently higher than genotypic coefficients (GCV), with narrow differences for traits such as days to maturity, flowering, and test weight, suggesting strong genetic control. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height, early flowering and early maturity, grain yield, fodder yield, and harvest index, highlighting the predominance of additive gene action and the potential effectiveness of direct selection. Mean performance analysis identified GPLM 520 and GPLM 587 as promising dual-purpose types with superior grain and fodder yield, while IPS 69, IPS 699, and KOPKM 3 emerged as early-maturing, stress-resilient accessions. The findings demonstrate the broad scope for improving kodo millet through targeted breeding strategies, potentially enhancing productivity and adaptability under rainfed farming systems.