Genetic variability studies for growth, yield and seed quality of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn)

The study evaluated forty advanced finger millet genotypes during the 2024-25 Kharif season at Dr. PDKV, Akola, to assess genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for 17 growth, yield and seed quality traits. Significant variation was recorded for all traits. High GCV and PCV values for productive tillers, panicle length, seed yield, and vigour index-II indicated strong genetic variability and good potential for selection. Heritability was notably high for all traits, including days to 50% flowering, plant height and seed yield suggesting the influence of additive gene effects. Traits such as days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, panicle length, total and productive tillers, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, seedling dry weight, vigour index and iron content exhibited high heritability combined with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean. This indicates a predominance of additive gene action and highlights these traits as valuable targets for selection in breeding programs.