Variability Studies in Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv]

The present investigation was carried out in foxtail millet to measure the variability, heritability and genetic advance using 40 genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Kharif, 2015.Coefficients of variation studies indicated that the estimates of PCV were slightly higher than the corresponding GCV estimates for all the characters, indicating that the characters were less influenced by the environment. In the present investigation, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for no. of basal tillers, no. of culm branches, panicle exertion, ear length, ear width, 1000 seed weight, seed yield/plant, straw yield/plant, protein content. Thus, these traits are predominantly under the control of additive gene action and hence these characters can be improved by selection. Moderate heritability with moderate genetic advance was recorded for plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, days to 50% flowering, carbohydrate content. These traits appear to be under the control of both additive and non-additive gene actions.