Genetic Mechanisms Associated with Physiological, Nutritional Traits and Grain Yield in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)
Abstract
One hundred genotypes of pearl millet including three checks were tested during kharif 2024 in an Alpha Lattice design to understand the genetic mechanisms associated in governing the inheritance of grain yield, nutritional (iron, zinc, and protein content in seeds), and physiological traits (harvest index, relative water content, and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading). Higher variability for iron and zinc; moderate variability for grain yield, harvest index, and protein; and low variability for relative water content and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading were recorded. High heritability and high genetic advance as percent of mean were noted for iron content, zinc content, grain yield per plant, protein content, and harvest index, indicating predominance of additive gene action, and an early and simple selection would be advisable. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance over percent mean registered for relative water content indicated the operation of additive gene actions and might consistently manifest in future generations, resulting in increased effectiveness of the breeding program. Moderate heritability along with low genetic advance for SPAD chlorophyll meter reading revealed governance of non-additive genes and can be improved by heterosis breeding as simple selection might not be effective.
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Introduction
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is a coarse cereal and ranks sixth among major cereal crops in terms of area in the world after rice, wheat, maize, barley, and sorghum. The protogynous nature of its hermaphrodite flowers makes pearl millet extensively cross-pollinated. Pearl millet has become a preferred crop for growing in arid and semi-arid regions because of its drought tolerance and low inorganic fertilizer requirement. It is also nutritionally superior and rich in micronutrients such as iron and zinc and can mitigate malnutrition and hidden hunger. Genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance offer insights into the kind and degree of genetic control over significant agronomic and economic variables. Heritability estimates indicate the observed variation that is genetically inherited, whereas genetic variability provides the basis for selection. Heritability along with genetic advance helps breeders to adopt specific selection procedures. The study in pearl millet was conducted to estimate genetic parameters for physiological, nutritional traits, and grain yield so as to infer the gene actions associated in governing the traits.
Conclusion
High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean noted for iron content, zinc content, grain yield per plant, protein content, and harvest index signifies that these traits are predominantly governed by additive genes, and an early and simple selection is advisable. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance over percent mean registered for relative water content indicates that this trait is governed by additive genes and might consistently manifest in future generations, resulting in increased effectiveness of the breeding program. Moderate heritability coupled with low genetic advance for SPAD chlorophyll meter reading reveals that this trait is governed by non-additive genes and can be improved by heterosis breeding as simple selection might not be effective.
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