Analysis of the performance , variability and nature of pearl millet productive traits in the rainfed environment of Andhra Pradesh

An effort was made to examine one forty pearl millet hybrids in order to assess genetic variance and investigate the relationship between nine yield contributing traits. The study of variance showed that the crosses had significant genetic variability. An attempt was made to choose the best hybrids for grain yield and adaptation to low rainfall regions in arid Alfisols of Andhra Pradesh. Among the tested cross combinations, ABH-61, ABH-50 and ABH-77 were found to be promising for higher yield potential, emerging as an ideal candidate for rainfed conditions. Grain weight and grain yield showed the highest GCV and PCV estimates, as well as high heritability and genetic advance as a per cent of then mean, implying that these traits were due to high additive gene effects and simple directional selection may improve them. The size of the panicle and the height of the plant had a significant and positive relationship with grain yield. As a result, selecting genotypes with longer panicles and taller plants can aid in increasing pearl millet grain yield.