Descriptive statistical analysis and variability studies in germplasm collections of barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.)

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the variability among fifty three genotypes of Barnyard millet in Randomized Block Design with two replications. The traits viz., plant height, flag leaf width, inflorescence length, the number of racemes per panicle, length of lower raceme left, test weight, relative water content, proline content and harvest index were found to be negatively skewed indicating the predominance of additive gene action. Thus these traits could be considered for selection criteria, while selecting genotypes for crop improvement. Analysis of genetic variability revealed that peduncle length, grain yield, stem girth, the number of tillers, fodder yield, proline content and flag leaf width established relatively high GCV value and thus these characters could be exploited for successful isolation of desirable accessions for the characters concerned. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for the traits like days to 50% flowering, plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, inflorescence length and panicle breadth, the number of racemes/panicle, peduncle length, length of lower raceme –right, the number of nodes, stem girth, the number of tillers, fodder yield, relative water content, proline and grain yield which implied the presence of additive gene effects, controlling these traits. Hence the selection for these traits could be effective for improvement of any desired genotype.

Keywords

• barnyard millet
• descriptive statistics
• variability