Assessment of genetic variability and heritability of grain yield components in barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link) germplasm

Present investigation of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield contributing characters in thirty-five diverse genotypes including three checks viz., VL-172, VL-207 and PRJ-1 of barnyard millet was conducted during kharif, 2014 in Ranichauri Campus. Observations were recorded for different type of growth, yield and quality morpological characters. From the observation analysis of variance was recorded highly significant variation among all the thirty-five genotypes with a wide range of mean values for all the traits studied. The plant height was recorded highest genotypic and phenotypic variances while the magnitudes of genotypic and phenotypic variances low for number of productive tillers per plant. High heritability attached with high genetic advance in per cent of mean was recorded by finger length while moderate estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance in per cent of mean were observed for flag leaf area and biological yield per plant. Direct selection for different characters would be effective as heritability and genetic advance might be due to additive gene interaction.