Studies on variability and descriptive statistics in foxtail millet germplasm.

摘要

In the present investigation, a core collection of 291 accessions was evaluated for 11 quantitative traits to study the descriptive statistics and extent of variability in foxtail millet (Setaria italica). The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the 291 accessions for all the traits studied, indicating the existence of variability in the germplasm evaluated. Out of the 11 quantitative traits investigated, eight traits showed positive skewness values. The remaining three traits such as flag leaf length, flag leaf width and ear length showed negative skewness values. The traits that were positively skewed are governed by non-additive gene action. The traits that were negatively skewed are governed by additive gene action. Of the 11 traits studied, 10 traits, days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of basal tillers, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, peduncle length, ear length, panicle exertion, grain yield per plant and 1000-grain weight showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean. This indicates the influence of additive type of gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Hence, the response to selection would be effective and simple pedigree breeding also useful for the improvement of these traits. Days to maturity showed high heritability with moderate genetic advance as percentage of mean indicating the non-additive type of gene action. High heritability may be due to favourable influence of environment. Hence, selection for this trait may not be rewarding.