Genetic Diversity and Variability in Barnyard Millet [Echinochloa frumentaceae (L.)] Germplasm Based on Morphological Traits

Abstract

Characterization of germplasm based on the phenotypic traits is essential for the identification of desirable genotypes in any crop improvement programme. In the present study, fifty three barnyard millet genotypes including checks were characterized for morphological traits. The genotypes exhibited considerable variation for the phenotypic traits studied. Single plant yield recorded the highest coefficient of variation of 35.47 per cent, followed by lower raceme length (32.22%), and peduncle length (30.52%). The least coefficient of variation (CV) of 6.18 per cent was observed for plant height. PCA analysis revealed that the first four principal components contributed to a maximum of 70.98 per cent of the total variation among genotypes. Cluster analysis based on quantitative traits categorized the 53 barnyard millet accessions into four distinctive clusters. Cluster I and cluster II included high-yielding genotypes, while cluster III and cluster IV consisted of low-yielding genotypes. The genotypes viz., GECH758, GECH746, GECH27, CO(KV)2, MA1, GECH10 and TNEf192 were found to be superior in terms of yield attributing traits viz., single plant yield and thousand-grain weight. The desirable genotypes can be utilized in hybridization programs for yield improvement in barnyard millet.