Character association studies in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for green fodder yield and related traits

A field experiment was carried out in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] with 30 genotypes including three check varieties, to study character association among characters related to green fodder yield, in RBD with three replications. The observations were recorded on individual plant basis for five randomly selected plants of each genotype for each replication for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, stem thickness, internode length and spike length. Days to 50% flowering, number of tillers per meter row length, dry matter per cent, dry matter yield, leaf area, leaf: stem ratio, and green fodder yield were observed on plot basis. Based on correlation, it was concluded that days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of tillers per meter row length, leaf: stem ratio, leaf length, leaf width, stem thickness, spike length, dry matter yield and leaf area were having positive and significant correlation with green fodder yield. Based on path coefficient analysis, it was concluded that dry matter yield, leaf area, plant height, leaf: stem ratio, number of tillers per meter row length and spike length were having high positive direct effect on green fodder yield. Thus, selection for these characters will be effective to improve green fodder yield in pearl millet.