Trends in Biosciences

The experiment was undertaken to estimate the genetic variability in 78 diverse pearlmillet genotypes. The variability parameters like mean, range of variation, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability in broad sense, genetic advance and genetic advance as percentage of mean were estimated for 11 different characters. Analysis of variance revealed that mean squares due to genotype were significant for all the traits under study. The values of phenotypic coefficient of variation(PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters indicating the influence of environmental factors. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for total number of tillers per plant followed by fodder yield per plantand number of grains per cm², which indicated the presence of wide variation forthese characters. This allow to further improvement by selection of the individual traits. The magnitude of heritability was higher for plant height, grain yield per plant, fodder yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, number of grains per cm², this indicated that larger portion for total variation would be under genetic control and selection based on phenotypic levels would be useful for the improvement of these traits. plant height and fodder yield per plant noted high genetic advance. The magnitude of genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed to be high for grain yield per plant, total number of tillers per plant, fodder yield per plant, number of grains per cm², 1000-seed weight and ear head length. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance expressed as percentage of mean were observed for grain yield per plant, fodder yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, and number of grains per cm², which may be attributed to the preponderance of additive gene action and possess high selective value and thus, selection pressure could profitably be applied on this character for their rationale improvement.