Genetic variability studies for quantitative traits in a pool of restorers and maintainers lines of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.)).

Abstract

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for 12 quantitative traits (number of days to flowering, number of days to maturity, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, ear head girth, ear head length, flag leaf area, peduncle length, ear head weight per ear, grain yield per ear head, grain yield per plant and 1000-grain weight) were studied in restorer (61) and maintainer (44) lines of pearl millet grown during the kharif season of 2004 and 2005 in Bijapur, Karnataka, India. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all characters. High values of GCV and PCV were recorded for ear length, ear head girth, plant height, grain yield per plant, and number productive tillers per plant, indicating that the variation for these characters contributed markedly to the total variability. All traits except number of days to flowering and number of days to maturity were highly heritable. However, based on the values of genetic advance, ear head length, ear head girth and grain yield per plant were highly relevant for selection. Grain yield per ear and 1000-grain weight exhibited high levels of heritability with moderate genetic advance; thus, these traits can be used as indexes for selection for high grain yield per plant