Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for seven quantitative traits in fifteen genotypes of foxtail millet were studied at Nagaland under rainfed conditions, with an objective to determine the association of yield with yields contributing characters. High PCV and GCV were observed for productive tillers per plant (28.55 and 19.66) and grain yield per plant (24.13 and 21.75). High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance at %means was observed for grain yield per plant (91.32% and 23.93), panicle length (85.65% and 13.41), and productive tillers per plant (75.42% and 28.33) indicating that additive gene effects were operating for these characters and selection for superior genotypes was possible. Panicle length had highly significant and positive correlation at genotypic and environment level with grain yield per plant (rg= 0.743 and re= 0.786). Productive tillers per plant also showed highly significant and positive correlation at the genotypic level and phenotypic level with grain yield per plant (rg= 0.748 and rp= 0.744). These two characters were found to be positively correlated to grain yield per plant. Path analysis revealed that only panicle length showed high direct effect and highly significant positive correlation with grain yield per plant (1.424 and rg= 0.764), indicating the importance of selection based on this character to increase grain yield per plant.
Foxtail millet, variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation, path analysis
