Abstract

Eighteen genotypes of panivaragu - prosomillet (Panicum miliaceum: L) were evaluated for dry matter production and harvest index in relation to grain yield. High GGV, heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean observed for harvest index indicated that harvest index may be governed by additive genes. All the other characters which exhibited medium heritability and medium genetic advance may be governed partially by additive genes. Grain yield was positively associated with total biomass, earhead weight and harvest index. Earhead weight is also positively correlated with total biomass, root weight and harvest index. Though selection for improvement of grain yield is possible through positively associating yield contributing characters, they are mostly affected by environment. So, selection of genotypes for the improvement of grain yield through harvest index is appropriate in the present materials since harvest index is not much influenced by environment and also grain yield is positively correlated with harvest index.

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