Genetic Analysis of Yield and Culm Strength Related Traits in Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.)

Forty one Kodo millet germplasm accessions were evaluated to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and culm strength related traits. The estimates of GCV and PCV were high for pulling force, culm weight per unit length, and grain yield per plant suggesting the presence of sufficient variability for these traits. Inter-node length was highly influenced by environment as evidenced by low level of heritability. High heritable variation was recorded for culm weight per unit length, grain yield per plant, days to 50 per cent flowering, culm diameter, pulling force and days to maturity indicating least influence of environment for the expression of these traits. High heritability along with high genetic advance was recorded for culm weight per unit length, grain yield per plant, pulling force and culm diameter. This indicated that these traits were governed by additive gene action. Hence selection based on these traits would be effective for improving yield and culm related attributes in kodo millet.