Genetic gains and genetic correlations of yield-related traits in pearl millet after two cycles of recurrent selection

摘要

Two cycles of recurrent selection were applied on a pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum [P. glaucum]) population sown in late summer. The procedure increased not only the selected characters, grain weight and panicle numbers, but also non-selected characters such as plant height, top weight, harvest index and panicle length. Heritability estimated by the genetic gain of the S2 population was 0.47 for number of panicles per plant, 0.67 for panicle weight, 0.47 for grain weight per panicle and 0.90 for grain yield per plant, showing that the further selection for grain yield might be possible. Genetic correlation between grain yield and yield-related traits was high, showing the effectiveness of indirect selection through these yield-related traitsfor high grain yield.