Genetic Variability For Different Biometrical Traits In Pearl Millet Genotypes (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. BR.)

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is an important crop of the semi-arid tropics in Africa and India. The present study was conducted to evaluate the pearl millet genotypes to assess the magnitude of variability and to understand the heritable component of variation present in the biometrical characters. A field trial was laid out with 47 pearl millet genotypes and the observations were recorded on days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of tillers per plant, ear head length, ear head breadth, root length, shoot length, root shoot ratio and seed yield per plant. The phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV) was greater than genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied, this shows the influence of the environmental effect on the characters. The traits, number of tillers per plant, ear head length, root-shoot ratio and seed yield showed moderate PCV and GCV while the traits, days to 50% flowering, plant height, ear head breadth, root length and shoot length showed low PCV and GCV. High heritability was observed for all the traits under study. High heritability combined with high genetic advance (as per cent of mean) was observed for ear head length and seed yield and these characters were controlled by additive gene effects. Selection based on these characters would be effective for future pearl millet crop improvement programme.