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Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is a dual-purpose crop generally
grown as a cereal or as fodder crop, belonging to family Poaceae, having chromosome
number 2n=14. It is grown extensively as a fodder and grain crop during the Kharif
season having low rainfall withstanding drought and adverse agro climatic conditions.
Understanding the type and degree of variability present in the breeding materials as well
as the extent to which the desired traits are heritable will help in achieving genetic
improvement for quantitative trait in fodder bajra. In order to plan the breeding strategy of
the crop, this requires clear knowledge of the inheritance pattern of the main quantitative
traits that provide fodder. Therefore, the present research was conducted in order to
comprehend the genetic variability present in the genotypes and inheritance pattern of
various fodder yields and the contributing characteristics.
The present study was undertaken for “Identification of fodder bajra
(Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) for yield and quality for AEU 8 (Southern Laterite)”
was conducted at Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture,
Vellayani. 30 genotypes of fodder bajra collected from IIMR, Hyderabad were evaluated
in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The present investigation was done
for the assessment of the genetic variability and development of selection index in fodder
bajra accessions for yield and nutritional quality. The crop was harvested at 50%
flowering stage. Observations were recorded for various qualitative and quantitative
characters, viz. Plant stand after germination, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves
per plant, internodal length, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, green fodder
yield per plot, dry matter yield per plot, leaf dry weight per plant, stem dry weight per
plant, plant height, days to maturity, ratoon green fodder yield per plot, crude protein
content, crude fibre content, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total
antioxidant content. Statistical tools such as analysis of variance, genotypic coefficient of
variation (PCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heritability, genetic advance,
correlation studies, path analysis and cluster analysis were carried out to find out extent of
variation present in existing genotypes.
Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all traits studied
among the genotypes. This reveals the presence of variability among the genotypes and
hence selection can be effective in the population. Maximum green fodder yield was
recorded by the genotype 2021K-135 (8.96 Kg/plot), IIMRAVS6 (8.93 Kg/plot),
IIMRAVS8 (8.68 Kg/plot) and 2021K-126(7.86 Kg/plot). Minimum green fodder yield
was observed by the genotypes IIMRAVS11 (2.77Kg/plot), 2021K-OPB2 (3.76 Kg/plot)
and 2021K-OPB1(4.08 Kg/plot). Ratoon green fodder yield was observed to be maximum
in the genotypes 2021K-132 (3.11 Kg), 2021K-129(3.00) and IIMRAVS10(2.62 Kg).
Minimum ratoon green fodder yield was noticed in the genotypes IIMR AVS 21(1.25
Kg), IIMRAVS11(1.38 Kg) and 2021K-137(1.39 Kg). Highest crude protein content was
observed in the genotype IIMR AVS3 (15.40%), followed by IIMRAVS9 (13.65%) and
IIMRAVS8 (12.95%). Lowest crude protein content was recorded in the genotypes
2021K-126 (4.50%), 2021K-137(4.550%) and 2021K-OPB2 (4.553%). Maximum crude
fibre content observed in the genotypes IIMR AVS1 (50 %), 2021K-132 (49.5%) and
2021K-138 (49.0%). Minimum value was reported by the genotype 2021K-129(20.0%),
2021K-131 (20.0 %) preceded by the genotypes 2021K-140 (20.503%) and IIMRAVS8
(21.0%).
Genetic variability parameters such as genotypic coefficient of variation
(GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV). Heritability (h2
) and Genetic Advance
(GA) were studied to find genetic variability present in the genotypes. In the present
study, PCV is higher than GCV for all the characters which were recorded, indicating the
role of environment in the expression of these characters. The low PCV and GCV were
recorded for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, days to first flowering, number of
leaves per plant, internodal length, plant stand after germination. Low PCV and GCV
estimates for these traits indicate a narrow range of variability for these characters and
limited scope for selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was
observed for the characters total antioxidant content, crude protein, total phenolics
content, crude fibre, total flavonoids content, ratoon yield per plot, green fodder yield, dry
matter yield, number of tillers per plant, leaf stem ratio and stem dry weight which
indicates presence of additive gene action and hence selection of these characters will be
effective for the genetic improvement of the genotypes.
The correlation studies showed highly significant positive association of green
fodder yield with number of tillers per plant, dry matter yield and leaf dry weight and
positive association with plant height, number of leaves per plant, internodal length, stem
dry weight and leaf stem ratio. The path-coefficient analysis suggested the importance of
leaf dry weight dry matter yield, number of tillers per plant, internodal length and number
of leaves per plant as they showed direct positive effect on green fodder yield.
The genetic diversity analysis classified 30 genotypes into five clusters
following Euclidean² method containing one to eleven genotypes. The cluster I was the
largest (11) followed by cluster IV (10), cluster V (5), cluster II (3) and cluster III (1).
Maximum intra cluster distance was observed in the genotypes falling under the cluster I
followed by V and IV. Highest inter cluster distance was observed in the genotypes
falling under the cluster III and V, followed by II and III. For a breeding programme to be
successful, genotypes should be chosen from clusters with the highest degree of
divergence.
For all of the characters examined, the study found that there was a significant amount
of genotypic variation. The genotypes 2021K-135, IIMRAVS6 and IIMRAVS8 were shown
to be superior in terms of yield and yield-attributing characteristics. These superior genotypes
can be used as parents in upcoming breeding projects or advanced for more trials for variety
development.