Heritability and trait association in finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.)

Finger millet, is a drought hardy cereal grown for both food and fodder in dry regions of Africa and Asia. Understanding the amount and nature of genetic variation is imperative for any crop improvement. Hence, the present study was aimed to assess the heritability and association of different traits in finger millet. The results revealed significant differences among the genotypes studied for all traits except number of productive tillers per plant which was more influenced by the environment. It is a known fact that grain yield is governed by many genes with small effects and selection for grain yield per se is difficult though it is of additive in nature. The same applies for the grain yield in this study which recorded high heritability along with high GAM. Hence, indirect selection via easily heritable traits like finger blast, neck blast and banded blight which are likely to be governed by one or two genes will help in solving the issue. Selection of high yielding and disease resistant genotypes like VR 1112 and VR 1118 offer better possibility to be released as a variety for cultivation in farmers fields.