Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) is the most widely grown millet. Grown in India and Africa since prehistoric times, it is generally accepted that pearl millet originated in Africa and was subsequently introduced into India. Genetic variability studies provide basic information regarding the genetic properties of the population based on which breeding methods are formulated for further improvement of the crop. These studies are also helpful to know about the nature and extent of variability that can be attributed to different causes, sensitive nature of the crop to environmental influences, heritability of the characters and genetic advance that can be realized in practical breeding. Progress in any crop improvement venture depends mainly on the variability existing in the metric traits of the base population. Hence, to have a thorough comprehensive idea, it is necessary to have an analytical assessment of yield components. Since heritability is also influenced by environment, the information on heritability alone may not help in pin pointing characters enforcing selection. Nevertheless, the heritability estimates in conjunction with the predicted genetic advance will be more reliable (Johanson et al., 1955). Heritability gives the information on the magnitude of inheritance of quantitative traits, while genetic advance will be helpful in formulating suitable selection procedures. In the early days of research, the crop breeders used morphological markers for the assessment of genetic diversity and for choosing parents for developing new varieties

Keywords: millet, Kharif