Genetic Analysis for Yield and Morphological Traits in Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]

Author: Harshal E. Patil, Vikas Pali, M. Elangovan, G.D. Vadodariya, Mayur P. Ramani,Sushil Pandey and Chitra Devi Pandey

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Abstract

A total of 38 finger millet accessions were evaluated for 12 morphological traits including grain yield at two locations: Hill Millet Research Station, NAU, Waghai, Gujarat and Agricultural Research Station, AAU, Dahod, Gujarat during Kharif, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The objectives were to examine the variability, correlation, and path coefficient analysis of morphological traits. High heritability estimates were reported for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, number of fingers per earhead, main earhead length, finger length, 1000 grain weight, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant and harvest index indicating low environmental influence on these traits and presence of additive gene action for these traits. The number of fingers per ear head, number of productive tillers per plant, straw yield per plant, grain yield per plant, finger length, harvest index, and main ear head all showed moderate genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, indicating ample scope for variation for these traits and allowing further improvement by selection of these traits. For the traits days to 50% flowering, finger width, days to maturity, plant height, and 1000 grain weight, low genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were found, indicating low variability for these variables. According to DUS testing guidelines, the genotype WN-630 had extremely high finger counts per ear head—10.50, which is >8 (high)—and very long ear head lengths—13.43 cm, which is >12 cm (very long)—based on average performance over three years at various locations. Additionally, in accordance with DUS testing guidelines, the genotype WN-657 displayed very long ear head length, measuring 13.30 cm, which is >12 cm (very long), and long finger length, measuring 13.13 cm, which is >7 cm (extra long). This morphological characteristic, as well as the number of fingers per earhead, main earhead length, and finger length, all contribute directly to the high grain output per plant. As a result, these features might be prioritised during selection to acquire higher genetic benefits. CFMV-2, GNN-6, WN-630, and WN-657 were the highest yielding promising genotypes/varieties among the thirty-eight genotypes in finger millet and can be considered for varietal development and release for further selection.

Keywords

Finger millet, variability, correlation and path coefficient, morphological traits etc

Conclusion

There is enough variation among the thirty-eight genotypes under study, according to the analysis of variance for all the traits, which revealed variations between the genotypes evaluated. CFMV-2, GNN-6, WN-630, and WN-657 were identified as promising genotypes based on per se performance since they exhibited increased grain yield per plant. According to DUS testing guidelines, the genotype WN-630 revealed very high finger counts per earhead (10.5, which is >8 (high) and very long earhead lengths (13.43, which is >12 cm (very long) also, the genotype WN 657 also exhibited very long ear head length of 13.30 cm, which is >12 cm (very long), and long finger length of 13.13 cm, which is >7 cm (extra long). Thus, the high grain yield per plant is directly attributed to these morphological traits. These genotypes could be further assessed in order to isolate morphological and high yielding traits for improved genotype selection techniques. For the traits, namely, number of fingers per earhead, number of productive tillers per plant, straw yield per plant, grain yield per plant, finger length, harvest index, and main earhead length, there was moderate genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. High heritability coupled with high to moderate genetic advance expressed as a percentage of mean for traits such as number of fingers per earhead, number of productive tillers per plant, main earhead length, finger length, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant, harvest index, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, and 1000 grain weight can be attributed to additive gene action, and these traits have high selective value. Number of fingers per earhead, productive tillers per plant, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant, main earhead length, finger length, and harvest index all showed strong genetic advance expressed as a percentage of the mean, demonstrating the presence of additive gene action for these traits. This suggested that the genotypes for these attributes had a high degree of variability. High heritability estimates were observed for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, main earhead length, finger length, 1000 grain weight, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant, and harvest index, indicating the existence of sufficient heritable variation and suggesting that selection based on phenotypic value could be useful for isolating better types. The high grain yield per plant is directly influenced by morphological characteristics like number of fingers per earhead, length of the primary earhead, and length of the finger. Harvest index, straw yield per plant, primary earhead length, days to 50% flowering, and finger width were all found to have a positive direct effect on grain yield per plant according to path coefficient analysis. Therefore, these characteristics were thought to be the most significant morphological factors, and proper emphasis should be provided while trying to increase yield in finger millet. The investigation on genetic analysis for yield and morphological traits in finger millet came to the following conclusion that the most significant component characters for increasing grain yield per plant are number of productive tillers per plant, number of fingers per earhead, main earhead length, straw yield per plant, and harvest index. As a result, these traits should be taken into consideration as selection criteria for increasing grain and fodder yield in finger millet.

References

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How to cite this article

Harshal E. Patil, Vikas Pali, M. Elangovan, G.D. Vadodariya, Mayur P. Ramani, Sushil Pandey and Chitra Devi Pandey (2023). Genetic Analysis for Yield and Morphological Traits in Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 130-136.