Genetic evaluation of qualitative and quantitative traits in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) genotypes under rainfed conditions at Bastar plateau

The present study was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020 at the Research cum Instructional Farm, S.G. College of Agriculture and Research Station, Jagdalpur (IGKV, Raipur), to assess the genetic variability in 84 diverse finger millet genotypes, including four standard checks, using an Augmented Randomized Block Design (ARBD). Data were recorded on 20 traits, comprising six qualitative and fourteen quantitative characters. Significant diversity was observed in qualitative traits such as pigmentation (34.5% purple), ear shape, finger branching (44% branched), seed color, shape, and surface texture, indicating wide morphological variation. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between grain yield and traits like biological yield (r = 0.87**), harvest index (0.84**), tillers per plant (0.66**), ear weight (0.45**), and fodder yield (0.62**). Days to flowering and maturity also showed high correlation (r = 0.99**), emphasizing the role of phenological traits in yield expression. The findings suggest that traits like tiller number, ear weight, and harvest index are key selection criteria for improving grain yield in finger millet under rainfed conditions.