In a study of intra-population variability in two popLllations (DEC 4 and DEC 5) of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Sr.], high variability for yield and yield contributing characters was observed. Several full-sib progenies with significantly higher yield than base populations were selected for further improvement of the material. Correlation and path analysis have revealed that in both populations tiller number played a significant role in making the yield followed by 1000-grain weight, ear length and ear girth. It can be concluded that while making further selection tiller number should be given maximum weightage followed by grain weight, ear length and ear girth. Comparison of mass, simple recurrent and reciprocal recurrent selections have been made. It was found that maximum yield advantage was obtained in reciprocal recurrent selection.
Pearl millet, population improvement, correlation, path analysis, mass, recurrent, reciprocal recurrent selection
