Genetic variability and correlation studies in interspecific crosses of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn]

摘要

Assessment of genetic variability and character associations among yield and yield components was studied in F-2 generation of three interspecific crosses of finger millet. Three cultivated varieties viz., Indaf 8, HR 911 and PR 202 were used as female parents and each one crossed with wild species Eleusine africana, which is a close relative of cultivated species E. coracana. The F-2 population exhibited considerable variability for all the quantitative traits evaluated in the study. The results revealed that the characters viz., culm thickness, flag leaf length and width, peduncle length, finger length and width, test weight and grain yield per plant exhibited high heritability and genetic advance. Selection based on these characters in early generations may be useful in improvement of finger millet. Grain yield was positively correlated with culm thickness, days to maturity, finger length and width and test weight.