Vol. 10, Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Harshal E Patil, Vikas Pali, BK Patel and M Elangovan

Abstract:
A total of 36 white finger millet accessions constituted of 27 landraces and nine released varieties were evaluated for 12 morphological characters including grain yield at Hill Millet Research Station, Waghai; Niger Research Station, Varanasi under Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari and Hill Millet Research Station, Dahod under Anand Agricultural University at Gujarat, during Kharif 2018, 2019 and 2020. The objectives were to assess the genetic potential through the variability, correlation analysis among the quantitative traits. This research was carried out using randomized block design with three replications at each location. The pooled data of all three locations where used to study the genetic potential of white finger millet genotypes. Moderate genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation found for the traits viz., number of fingers per earhead, number of productive tillers per plant, straw yield per plant, grain yield per plant, finger length, harvest index and main earhead indicating ample scope of variation for these traits, allowing further improvement by selection of these traits. Low value of genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation was found for the traits viz., days to 50% flowering, finger width, days to maturity, plant height and 1000 grain weight indicating low variability for these traits. High heritability estimates were observed for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, number of fingers per earhead, main earhead length, finger length, 1000 grain weight, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant and harvest index showing low environmental influence on these traits and presence of additive gene action for these traits. Hence, priority can be given to these traits during selection to get more genetic gains. Genotypes viz; WWN 55 followed by GN 5 and GNN-7 were high yielding among all thirty six genotypes of white finger millet so they can be considered for varietal development and release for further selection. Thus, WWN 55 is multifinger (10.13), long finger length (12.27 cm), bold grain (3.14 g), mutitiller (7.93) white seeded high yielding (11.85 g) promising finger millet genotype with moderately resistance to pest and diseases found during three years of genetic evaluation at three different locations which used as a promising parent in further breeding programme.