Genetic Variability of Yield and its Components in Little Millet [Panicum sumatrense L.]. Local Germplasm

The fifty little millet genotypes were used to study Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. The highest estimates of GCV and PCV values were recorded seed yield plant-1 and iron content. Moderate estimates of GCV and PCV values were recorded panicle weight plant-1, total number of tillers plant-1, days to 50 per cent flowering and productive tillers plant-1. Almost all the characters showed high percentage of heritability except productive tillers plant-1 and panicle length showed medium heritability, while number of branches panicle-1 showed low heritability. It indicates that charactersis least influenced by the environmental effect, suggesting scope for improvement of respective characters. The characters iron content, seed yield plant-1, panicle weight plant-1, total number of tillers plant-1 and productive tillers plant-1 showed high heritability accompanied with high genetic advance, it indicates that selection is effective for this characters.