Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)

Abstract

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is an important nutritious and climate-resilient cereal crop cultivated under diverse agro-climatic conditions. Grain yield is a complex trait influenced by several interrelated characters; therefore, correlation and path coefficient analysis help identify important yield-contributing traits for effective crop improvement and selection. The present investigation was carried out in 30 genotypes of foxtail millet to measure correlation and path coefficients. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications at Hill Millet Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Waghai (The Dangs). The result showed grain yield/plant to have highly significant positive correlation with panicle weight, straw yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic levels, while a highly significant negative correlation was recorded with productive tillers/ plant at both levels and a non- significant positive with days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height and panicle length at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed that higher positive direct effect on grain yield per plant was exhibited by straw yield per plant followed by days to maturity, 1000 grain weight, panicle weight, days to 50% flowering, protein content and panicle length, so they could be used as selection criteria for effective improvement of grain yield in foxtail millet.