Genetic Variability and Association Studies in Pearl Millet for Grain Yield and High Temperature Stress Tolerance

An investigation into phenotypic and genotypic variance, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficients and path analysis for yield, morpho-physiological and agronomic traits in pearl millet genotypes under rainfed conditions for 13 quantitative characters indicated ample genetic variability among genotypes particularly for thermo-tolerance. Heritability and genetic advance estimates suggested higher heritability (84.8%) and predominance of additive genetic variance for membrane stability index (MSI). Positive and significant correlation was recorded for 1000 seed weight (0.504*), spike girth (0.346*), leaf blade width (0.342*) with grain yield per plant whereas days to 50% flowering (−0.359*) and days to maturity (−0.354*) showed significant negative correlation. The path coefficients indicated 1000 seed weight, spike girth, leaf blade width to have positive direct effects on grain yield per plant. This indicated the scope for improvement of these characters through the selection process.