Genetic Variability Studies for Yield and Related Attributes in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Genotypes

Abstract

The fifty-finger millet (Eleusine coracana) genotypes used in the current experiment were examined in four different environments: E1 and E2 at the Student Research Farm at the C.S.A.U.A.&T. Kanpur, and E3 and E4 seeded at the Research Farm in Daleep Nagar, Kanpur. The genotypes were assessed using a randomised block design with three replications to determine genetic variability for the following traits: days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of productive tillers per plant, number of fingers per ear, length of finger (cm), finger width (cm), ear head width (cm), ear head length (cm), ear head weight (g), ear head weight (g), straw yield per plant (g), harvest index (%), 1000 grain weight (g), protein content (%) and grain yield per plant (g).  This experiment revealed low genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, ear head width across all conditions, and protein content across all environments with the exception of E2. High levels of GCV and PCV were found in the ear head weight, straw yield per plant, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield per plant. In every context, the magnitude of GCV was often lower than the corresponding PCV. Plant height, finger width, ear head weight, straw yield per plant, harvest index, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield per plant all showed strong heritability along with high genetic progress. As a result of the cumulative impact of its component features, the yield has a complicated and highly variable character. It is the outcome of the combined influence of its constituent features, therefore straight selection for yield might not be very effective.