Genetic Analysis of Morphophysiological and Yield Component Traits in Barnyard Millet (I)

The present studies were initiated with a view to quantify the extent of genetic variability for different morphophysi-ological traits, yield and its components in barnyard millet. The grain yield varied from 8.43 to 21.78 q ha⁻¹ with an average of 15.06 q ha¹. Significant variations detected for genotypes, year x genotypes and years for all traits suggested that there was considerable variability among genotypes. Based on correlation and path coefficient analysis it was observed that heat units at maturity (HUM), photothermal units at 50% flowering (PTUF), plant height, days to 50% flowering and weight of panicle had high direct effect on grain yield and could serve as useful selection criterion during the segregating generations for developing short, high yielding genotypes.