Genetic Variability, Character Association, Path Analysis and Genetic Divergence Studies in Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]

Aims: To quantify genetic variability, trait associations and genetic divergence for yield, seed-quality and nutritional traits in finger millet, and to identify selection criteria and parental genotypes for developing high-yielding, nutrient-rich cultivars. Study Design: An alpha lattice design with two replications was used. Place and Duration of Study: Genetics and Plant Breeding Farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, during Kharif 2025. Methodology: Fifty diverse finger millet genotypes were evaluated for seven agro-morphological traits, two seed-quality traits (germination percentage and seed vigour index-I) and three nutritional traits (protein, calcium and iron content). The data were analysed for variance, genetic variability parameters, correlation and path coefficients, and Mahalanobis D² genetic divergence. Results: Iron content (genotypic coefficient of variation 33.05%, heritability 95%, genetic advance as percent of mean 66.51%), calcium content (20.88%, 100%, 43.01%), grain yield per plant (21.40%, 88%, 41.45%), protein content and ear head length exhibited high variability alongside high heritability and genetic advance, indicating good scope for direct selection. Grain yield per plant correlated positively with germination percentage (0.49), seed vigour index-I (0.40) and days to maturity (0.39). Germination percentage (0.877) and days to maturity (0.775) had the largest direct effects, followed by plant height and ear head length. Fourteen clusters were formed; calcium content (35.0%), grain yield per plant (25.0%) and thousand-grain weight (15.0%) contributed 75% of the divergence, with Clusters VIII and XI being the most distant. IC473320, IC475858, IC473207, IC474354 and IC475565 were promising for grain yield; IC475559, IC473332 and IC475858 were the top donors for calcium, iron and protein content, respectively. Conclusion: Germination percentage, days to maturity, plant height, ear head length, protein content and seed vigour index-I are reliable selection criteria, and crosses between the divergent clusters should be rewarding for combining high grain yield with improved nutritional quality in finger millet.