Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis was carried out for yield and yield components in 542 F 3 progeny lines developed by crossing JK8 x Peddasame (purple late) in little millet during Kharif 2015. Seven biometrical characters were studied for estimating genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genetic advance, heritability (broad sense), genetic advance as per cent of mean, correlation coefficient and path coefficient among themselves. High GCV and PCV were observed for number of productive tillers per plant and per plant yield. High heritability was observed for plant height and 1000 seed weight. Number of productive tillers per plant showed maximum genetic advance as per cent of mean followed by grain yield per plant, panicle length and plant height. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for plant height and 1000 seed weight. Grain yield per plant possessed significant positive correlation with plant height, panicle length, number of productive tillers per plant and 1000 seed weight. Number of productive tillers per plant imparted maximum direct effect on grain yield followed by panicle length, 1000 seed weight and plant height.

: An investigation was carried out in F 3 and F 4 segregating generations of little millet to study gene interactions and correlation for yield and its component traits during Kharif 2015 and summer 2016 at UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. Most of the characters studied were positively skewed and were being governed by several genes indicating quantitative inheritance. Characters seed yield per plant, number of productive tillers per plant and days to maturity were positively skewed indicating complementary gene action hence, to maximize the genetic gain in these characters require intense selection from the existing variability. Panicle length showed negatively skewed distribution indicating duplicate gene action hence, genetic gain will be rapid under mild selection. Seed yield and associated characters showed leptokurtic distribution indicated the involvement of few genes in inheritance of these traits. Seed yield per plant had significant positive association with days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, panicle length and days to maturity. This indicates that selection could be practiced for these component characters to increase seed yield. Variance for majority of the characters has decreased in F 4 over F 3 generation indicated over the generation variability in population has decreased due to increase in homozygosity.