Association studies in relation to yield and quality traits in little millet (Panicum sumatrense L.)

Association study was conducted using 32 genotypes of little millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) for sixteen different morphological and quality traits. This study revealed that, grain yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with days to 50% flowering, plant height at maturity, number of tillers per plant, panicle length, straw yield per plant, days to maturity, protein content at both genotypic and phenotypic levels while, iron content had highly significant positive correlation with grain yield per plant at genotypic level. Thus, selection practiced for the improvement in one trait will automatically result in improvement of other trait even through direct selection. The characters number of branches per plant, ash content and fiber content exhibited negative correlation with grain yield per plant indicates, for the improvement of quality traits at the cost of yield penalty.