Abstract
The present investigation was carried out with the objective to find out the extent of genetic variation, heritability and genetic advance for 13 characters in 34 exotic genotypes of Italian millet during Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009. High phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) coupled with high genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) were observed for grain yield per plant, ear weight, calcium content and carotene during both seasons. The trait 1000 grain weight recorded high PCV and GCV during Autumn, whereas number of productive tillers per plant and straw weight during Spring. Straw weight showed high GCV during Autumn. It indicated presence of wider variability for these traits in the genotypes studied. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean recorded for all characters except days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and plant height during both seasons reveals operation of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits and improvement in these characters is possible through simple selection. Key words: Italian millet, gene action, Seteria, foxtail millet.
Highlights
Among the six small millets, Italian millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv] is the most important crop next to finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn]
Foxtail millet is consumed as stiff porridge called sargati, or as leavened bread known as roti, after the dehulled grain has been milled into flour
The present investigation was undertaken at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla, Guntur (Dt.), Andhra Pradesh with the 34 exotic genotypes of Italian millet [S. italica (L.) Beauv] collected from All India Co-ordinated Small Millets Improvement Project (AICSMIP), Bengaluru
Summary
Nature of gene action for yield and yield components in exotic genotypes of Italian millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv]. High phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) coupled with high genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) were observed for grain yield per plant, ear weight, calcium content and carotene during both seasons. The trait 1000 grain weight recorded high PCV and GCV during Autumn, whereas number of productive tillers per plant and straw weight during Spring. Straw weight showed high GCV during Autumn It indicated presence of wider variability for these traits in the genotypes studied. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean recorded for all characters except days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and plant height during both seasons reveals operation of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits and improvement in these characters is possible through simple selection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
