Vol. 10, Issue 6 (2021)

Author(s):
L Madhavilatha, P Sudhakar, P Latha, M Shanthi Priya and M Hemanth Kumar

Abstract:
In the present study twenty six released and prerelease finger millet varieties were evaluated for seven yield components and three physiological traits related to thermo tolerance. Analysis of variance for twenty six finger millet genotypes revealed significant differences among the varieties for all ten traits studied indicating the presence of considerable genetic variability among the varieties studied. High PCV and GCV were recorded for fodder yield indicating sufficient variation among the genotypes for this trait and direct selection may be effective for fodder yield. High heritability along with high genetic advance was observed for fodder yield, grain yield, ear head length, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading and number of fingers per ear. Number of effective tillers per plant, fodder yield, number of fingers per ear and relative water content showed positive and significant correlation with grain yield. Path coefficients indicated that number of fingers per ear had largest direct contribution followed by number of productive tillers per plant, fodder yield, plant height and SCMR on grain yield.