Abstract

Field trial was conducted involving 15 genotypes of forage pearl millet of diverse origin. 5 genotypes of napier grass and 15 hybrids obtained from them along with a check CO 2 during 1991-92. The hybrids are sterile with abortive pollen grains and the diameter ranged from 24.54 to 29.97 m. Variability and heritability of 13 characters were studied in the hybrids in which 8 traits showed high heritability with high genetic advance. The traits were stem girth, number of tillers per clump, number of leaves per clump, leaf area per clump, leaf:stem ratio, green fodder yield, dry fodder yield and crude protein. Among the 15 hybrids, the hybrid IP 15507 x FD 429 was later promoted as an improved culture (ACK 2). The hybrids showed maximum direct effect of internode length, number of tillers per clump, dry fodder yield and leaf area per clump on green fodder yield.

Keywords: Pearl millet x napier, variability, heterosis, path analysis, ACK 2