Blast Screening and Genetic variability Studies for Yield and Yield Contributing Characters in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)

Author: Ramana D.V., Chandra Mohan Reddy C.V., Haritha T. and Khayum Ahammed S.

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Abstract

The goal of the current study was to evaluate the extent of genetic variability for yield and yield-contributing features among 64 foxtail millet genotypes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results for 19 characters showed significant genotype differences for each character, indicating a high level of variability. Characters such as plant height, panicle length, panicle width, flag leaf blade length, flag leaf blade width, number of productive tillers per plant, weight of five panicles, seed calcium content, seed phosphorous content, seed iron content, seed zinc content, seed copper content, seed manganese content, seed protein content, and grain yield per plant showed moderate to high variability, high heritability, coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean. In light of these qualities, direct phenotypic selection thereby significantly increases grain output. To determine the illness reactivity against blast disease, all 64 genotypes were put through a disease screening process. Thirty genotypes demonstrated a moderately resistant reaction (MR), compared to seven genotypes that displayed resistance (R). Five genotypes showed the susceptible reaction (S), 17 showed the moderately susceptible (MS), and five showed the highly susceptible reaction (HS). These blast resistant accessions can be used as donor parents in hybridization programmes to create disease-resistant, high-yielding cultivars in the future.

Keywords

Blast, Foxtail millet, Genetic advance, Heritability, Variability

Conclusion

In the cases of days to 50% flowering, flag leaf blade length, and harvest index, high heritability together with moderate genetic advance were identified, illuminating the role of additive and non-additive gene action. The remaining parameters, including days to maturity and test weight, displayed moderate to low heritability and little genetic advance, showing the functioning of non-additive gene action. Therefore, these characteristics may be used through heterosis breeding, cyclic hybridization, bi-parental mating, and diallel selective mating systems.

References

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How to cite this article

Ramana D.V., Chandra Mohan Reddy C.V., Haritha T. and Khayum Ahammed S. (2022). Blast Screening and Genetic variability Studies for Yield and Yield Contributing Characters in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica (L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4): 1032-1039.