Correlation studies on quality and other economic traits in pearl millet.

摘要: Millets are abundant sources of micronutrients, dietary fiber and health beneficial polyphenols. Among millets, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is rich source of Fe, Zn and protein content. Information on genetic variability, heritability and association of characters helps in better selection and improvement of quantitative traits. Hence, 130 inbred lines of pearl millet were studied for variability, heritability and association of grain yield with other quantitative traits including micronutrients. Significant variations were observed for all traits studied through analysis of variance of 130 pearl millet inbreds. Grain yield, Fe and Zn recorded genotypic coefficient of variation of 22.23, 36.76 and 29.28, respectively indicating greater genetic variability for grain yield and micronutrients in the population. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance for yield and micronutrients suggest that these traits are predominantly governed by additive genes. Grain yield was positively and significantly associated with panicle length, panicle diameter, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, panicle yield per plant, Cu and Mn content, whereas it was negatively significant with days to 50% flowering. The association between grain yield and Fe, Zn was non-significant. Hence, there is an opportunity to select an early entry with high yield and high micronutrient content.