Genetic diversity analysis for yield and yield components in foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.]

Abstract

SUMMARYGenetic diversity analysis helps in identification of the diverse genotypes for hybridization purposes and to derive desirable segregants. Knowledge on the nature and magnitude of genetic diversity present in the crop species will play an important role in formulating a successful breeding programme. In this regard a field experiment was conducted to study the genetic diversity analysis for yield and yield contributing characters using 149 germplasm accessions of foxtail millet. Based on D² values, a total of 149 genotypes were grouped into 15 clusters, among these clusters, cluster I was the largest with 134 genotypes followed by cluster VIII with 2 genotypes whereas remaining 13 were solitary clusters. Maximum intra cluster distance among the genotypes was recorded by cluster I having 134 genotypes followed by cluster VIII with two genotypes. The maximum intra cluster distance in the cluster I indicated the genotypes in this cluster were relatively more diverse than the genotypes within other clusters. The maximum inter cluster distance was found between clusters IX and XIV followed by cluster VI and XIV, while it showed least distance between clusters II and cluster V followed by clusters III and VI, thus it can be concluded that, considerable diversity existed among 149 lines. The per cent contribution of yield and yield contributing characters to total divergence among nineteen characters were recorded. It showed that maximum contribution towards divergence was recorded by number of tillers per meter row length and 1000 seed weight followed by number of productive tillers/plant, days to maturity, days to 50% flowering, grain yield/hectare and plant height indicating the major role of these characters in building up diversity and differentiating inter cluster levels. All the 149 genotypes were spread over fifteen clusters and means were scored across the clusters for all the nineteen characters. Cluster IV with overall score of 78 across the nineteen characters secured first rank followed by cluster VI, cluster I and cluster IX indicating the presence of most promising genotypes in them and can be extensively used for further breeding programme to generate new material.

Genetic Divergence Studies in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense)

“…Among the 17 traits studied days to fifty percent flowering contributed maximum to the divergence (21.47%) followed by plant height (9.96%), fodder yield plot -1 (9.71) and leaf area index panicle (LAI) initiation (9.39) which implying that these traits could be helpful in crop improvement programme in little millet. Similar results of maximum contribution of divergence for days to 50% flowering was reported earlier by Arunachalam et al (2005) in little millet, Selvi et al (2015) in little millet for plant height and thousand seed weight; Nagar (2015) in little millet for days to 50% flowering; Thippeswamy et al (2018) in foxtail millet for days to 50% flowering, thousand seed weight, fodder yield and Bheemesh et al (2018) in foxtail millet for fodder yield. However, grain yield per plot contributed very less to the genetic divergence indicating narrow range of diversity among the genotypes under study.…”

Genetic diversity studies in kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.)

“…However, the character number of productive tillers per plant (5%), length of panicle (5%), raceme number (5%), days to first flowering (3.44%) and plant height (3%) recorded the lowest contribution (Table 7). Thippeswamy et al (2018) found similar results for plant height, Jyoti et al (2020) for the number of productive tillers per plant.…”