Evaluation of seed quality and nutritional parameters in little millet (Panicum sumatrense L.)

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate little millet genotypes to elucidate the information about seed quality and nutritional parameters. The experimental material consists of twenty-two genotypes along with two checks BL-6 and CLMV-1 were evaluated in Randomized Block Design with three replications at the experimental field of Department of Agricultural Botany, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra state during Kharif season of 2023-2024. Data was recorded for seed germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight and seed vigour index, protein and iron content in little millet. With regard to seed quality parameters, two genotypes BLM-18-21-E and BLM-PS-4 were significantly superior over check BL-6 for seedling length and seedling vigour index. The protein content was highest for genotype BLM-18-115 which at par with genotype BLM-PS-7 and check BL-6. The iron content was highest for genotype BLM-18-71 however six genotypes were significantly superior over checks for iron content.