Year: 2025 | Month: June | Volume 12 | Issue 1
Genetic Variability and Heritability Estimates in Finger Millet [Eluesine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]
N. Anuradha*
T.S.S.K. Patro
U. Triveni
A. Anisha and M. Divya
DOI:10.30954/2347-9655.01.2025.6
Abstract:
Finger millet is a drought resilient crop and grown for both food and fodder in semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. Analysis of genetic variability and heritability for quantitative traits is essential for finger millet crop improvement. To embark upon the amount of genetic variability present in finger millet, the present investigation was undertaken with 25 advanced breeding lines of finger millet obtained from all over India. Analysis of variance for 25 finger millet breeding lines revealed significant variation for all traits studied. The mean grain yield was 31.46 q/ha, with a minimum of 24.7 q/ha (KMR 652) and maximum of 43.0 q/ha (RAUF 17). Grain yield recorded genotypic coefficient of variation of 14.54, while phenotypic coefficient of variation was 19.78. Heritability ranged from 23.8% (number of productive tillers/plant) to 97.56% (days to maturity), while the heritability of grain yield was 54.03%. High heritability and high
genetic advance were observed for days to 50% flowering and finger length indicating the prevalence of additive gene action for these traits. Grain yield was observed to be controlled by additive action as indicated by moderate heritability and high genetic advance while fodder is influenced by both additive gene and non-additive gene action since it had moderate heritability and genetic advance. The present findings imply the presence of larger variability for yield and other related traits which can be exploited in finger millet improvement.
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