Abstract

Twenty eight genotypes of tenul (foxtail millet) (Setaria italica) were studied for dry matter production, harvest index and grain yield with other seven characters. High PCV and GCV were obtained for root weight. Low heritability and low genetic advance were observed for grain yield and earhead weight. Medium heritability and medium genetic advance observed for all other characters indicated that these characters may be partially governed by additive genes. Grain yield is having positive association with total dry matter, earhead weight and straw weight but not with harvest index suggesting that harvest index alone will have no value for the improvement of grain yield. Though the grain yield is positively associated with total dry matter and earhead weight, selection for improvement of grain yield either through earhead weight or by direct selection for grain yield will not be of much use since these two traits have low heritability and genetic advance. So, selection through total dry matter production will be appropriate in the present tenai materials studied.

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