Genetic variability and association analysis in the segregating population of extra early barnyard millet [Echinochloa frumentaceae (Roxb.) Link] involved crosses.

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the F2 population of two crosses of barnyard millet viz., cross I, ACM-15-343 X IEC 82 and cross II, Co (Kv) 2 X IEC 107 for extra earliness. Genetic variability and association analyses were carried out for sixteen biometrical traits. In both the crosses, high PCV and GCV was observed for the width of flag leaf, length of a lower raceme, number of racemes and grain yield per plant. Low PCV and GCV was observed for days to maturity. The minimum difference between PCV and GCV was observed for all the traits in both crosses, indicating the negligible effect of environment on the expression of the characters. Moderate to high heritability with moderate to high genetic advance in all the traits revealed the predominance of additive gene action. A positive significant correlation was noted for grain yield with plant height, days to flowering, days to maturity, the number and length of nodes, the number of basal tillers, stem diameter and single ear head weight. Path analysis disclosed a high positive direct effect of the number of basal tillers and single ear head weight on yield. These results together help in the selection of superior segregants based on the number of basal tillers and single ear head weight in forwarding them to successive generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]