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Abstract

To assess the genetic variability and character association among the fourteen advanced hybrids of pearl millet have been studied for twelve quantitative traits. Significant differences were observed for all the characters, indicating the diverse genetic nature of the hybrids under study. High PCV and GCV for grain yield, tiller number, fodder yield and number of leaves indicates the possibilities of improving these characters through phenotypic selection for the development of dual-purpose hybrids in pearl millet. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed for days to flowering, grain yield, plant height, fodder yield, tiller number, days to maturity and leaf length suggesting that these traits are governed by additive gene effects and possibility of improving these characters through selection. Grain yield had positive and significant correlation with most of the characters under study except leaf length, panicle width and tiller number. It is suggested that selection should be based on days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, leaf length, panicle length, panicle width and fodder yields towards the development of dual purpose hybrids in pearl millet.