Genetic Divergence and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Related Traits in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.)

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) is an important “nutri-cereal” valued for its nutritional richness, climate resilience, and role in food security across Africa and South Asia. The present study assessed genetic variability among fifty-two genotypes during the rabi season of 2020 at RARS, Palem, using fourteen agro-morphological and yield-related traits. Genetic divergence was estimated through Mahalanobis’ D² statistics, and genotypes were grouped into eighteen clusters by Tocher’s method. Wide variability was observed, with the highest intercluster distance observed between Clusters XVIII and XIV (1959.1), suggesting the potential of these genotypes for generating superior recombinants through hybridization. Grain yield, days to 50% flowering, and fodder yield were identified as the major contributors to overall divergence. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the number of productive tillers per plant exerted the highest positive direct effect on grain yield (0.9774), followed by finger width, finger length, and fodder yield, while traits like plant height, earhead length, and finger number contributed negatively. Indirect effects further emphasized the importance of tillering ability and finger traits in yield determination. The findings highlight the presence of substantial genetic diversity and provide a basis for identifying genetically distant parents to broaden the breeding pool. Selection focused on tillering ability, finger morphology, and yield stability can accelerate the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutritionally enriched cultivars of finger millet, contributing to both sustainable agriculture and nutritional security.