Study of genetic variability in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] hybrids for grain yield and quality parameters

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is an important millet crop of semi-arid regions in India and Africa. To study the genetic variability present among the newly effected fifty four hybrids an experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replication. Yield parameters viz., days to fifty per cent flowering, plant height, number of productive tillers, ear head length, ear head girth, test weight, single head grain weight, single plant yield and quality traits such as crude protein, crude fibre, beta carotene, iron and zinc were studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied which shows the little influence of environment. High phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic variability (GCV) was obtained for plant height, single plant yield, single head grain weight, crude fibre, beta carotene content, iron and zinc. Highest heritability (h²) conjunction with genetic advance (GA) was observed for all the characters studied and moderate for number of productive tillers per plant and earhead girth Therefore, the presence of high variability among the genotypes can be utilized for nutritional enrichment in future millet breeding programs.