Studies of genetic variability in yield and yield attributing traits of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) gaertn]

Eighteen elite entries of finger millet were evaluated in a field study to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield contributing traits. The analysis of variance revealed that there were significant differences among the entries for all the traits studied. A wide range of variation was recorded for days to 50% flowering, plant height, ear head length, chlorophyll content, grain yield and straw yield. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was greater than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters studied which shows the influence of the environmental effect on the characters. High values for phenotypic coefficient and genotypic coefficient was recorded for number of fingers per ear head. High heritability and high genetic advance was recorded for ear head yield, ear head length and number of fingers per ear head indicating that these characters were controlled by additive gene effects. Selection based on these characters would be effective for future finger millet crop improvement program. Moderate heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance was observed for grain yield and straw yield. Threshing percentage showed low heritability as well as low genetic advance.