Genetic diversity analysis of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) germplasm for yield and yield-contributing traits

An experiment entitled “Genetic diversity studies in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]”. was carried out during Kharif 2024 at the Research Farm of National Agriculture Research Project, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 42 genotypes and two replications to estimate the extent of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficient and path coefficient analysis among all the genotypes. Analysis of Relative contribution of various traits to genetic divergence revealed that the trait panicle girth (cm) as the most substantial contributor, accounting for 29.85%. Following this, days to maturity was identified as the second most influential factor, succeeded by the 1000-Grain Wt. (g), days to 50% flowering, panicle length (cm), number of productive tillers per plant, plant height (cm), Harvest Index, Fodder yield per plot , days of maturity, grain yield per plant. The traits, including the number of productive tillers per plant, panicle girth, 1000-Grain Wt. (g), and Fodder yield per plot, exhibited a strongly positive and statistically significant correlation with grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Consequently, these traits can be regarded as pivotal determinants in the effort to enhance overall seed productivity.