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In order to explore the genetic architecture of finger millet through combining ability studies, the present investigation was carried out using 20 hybrids which were produced using five lines and four testers in a Line x Tester mating design. Among the parents, the line GPU 48 and the tester KMR 301 were found to be the good general combiners with significant per se for most of the traits studied. Hybrids viz., GPU 48 x KMR 301, GPU 48 x PR 1506, PYR1 x KMR 301 and Udurumallige x PR 1506 showed significant positive values for per se performance, sca effect, mid parent heterosis and better parent heterosis for grain yield per plant. The cross GPU 48 x KMR 301 derived from high x high general combining parents exhibited higher positive significant value for all the three types of heterosis for grain yield per plant. The hybrids GPU 48 x KMR 301, GPU 48 x PR 1506, PYR1 x KMR 301 and Udurumallige x PR 1506 were good specific combiners for yield and yield contributing traits. In all these crosses, at least one good general combining parent is involved which indicates that good general combiners serve as the best tool in enlightening the crop yield by manipulating the genetic architecture. Combining ability variances indicated that even if GCA and SCA variances were profound, SCA variances were higher than GCA variances for all the characters studied representing the predominance of non-additive type of gene action in the inheritance of traits under present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is one of the leading cereal crops that consumed over half of the world’s population. The number of grains per panicle is the main trait to decide grain yield potential of rice. Rice germplasm have rich diversity for panicle related trait. Hence, a study was undertaken to screen 77 diverse rice germplasm for grain number per panicle and its contributing traits. Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis was performed to study genetic diversity among the germplasm. Eight clusters were formed and cluster IV was found to be the largest cluster with 37 genotypes. Cluster V had 20 genotypes with the highest cluster mean value of 298 for the number of grains per panicle. Grain yield per plant and the number of spikelets per panicle were found to be the biggest contributor for total divergence. QTL linked markers were screened in diverse rice germplasm. Among the six QTLs screened, five QTLs were significantly associated with grain number per panicle and its relevant traits. For grain number per panicle the QTLs, Gn1a (0.1058), qGN 4.1 (0.117) and NGP 4 (0.062) recorded high R2 values. Among the markers, Gn1a indel 3 (GN1a), NKSSR 04-19 (q GN 4.1), RM 6314 (NGP 4) and RM1183 (NOG 1) were identified as the most informative markers for utilization in marker assisted breeding programme. From this study, genotypes viz., Kallukar, CO52, IET 29504, IET 29506, RP-5594-97-5-1, MTU1360, ADT 54 possess high mean value for grain number per panicle and grain yield, linked with functional markers could be used as a donor in marker assisted breeding programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, eighteen finger millet genotypes were raised in randomized block design to study about the genetic variability for quantitative traits. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was relatively high as compared to that of genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied. The traits namely grain yield / plant and straw yield / plant depicts higher value for phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation which indicates the occurrence of broader variability for these characters. All the characters exhibited higher heritability except finger width which showed their genetic capability to transmit genes from parents to their offspring with least impact of environment. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for number of fingers/ ear, finger length, ear head length, number of productive tillers, grain yield and straw yield showed that the additive gene action was predominant for these characters and favours effective selection. The present study revealed that there was significant variability is available in the experimental material and this might be effectively utilized for future crop improvement either through selection or via hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Principal component analysis was carried out with experimental material comprising of 30 sorghum land races and observations were recorded on eleven biometrical traits viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, the number of tillers per plant, inflorescence length, inflorescence width stem thickness, hundred seed weight, grain yield per plant, fodder yield per plant (wet) and fodder yield per plant (dry). The results of the principal component analysis indicated that four out of eleven principal components with eigenvalues >1 were obtained. Principal components 1, 2, 3 and 4 contributed 31.82, 18.41, 13.16 and 10.3 per cent towards the variation observed among accessions, respectively. Regarding the comparison of the first four principal components, variation proportional to the first component was positive for days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity and inflorescence length. The second principal component was negatively associated with fodder yield per plant (wet) and fodder yield per plant (dry). The third principal component was a positive influence on stem thickness whereas, other traits viz., the number of tillers per plant, hundred seed weight, grain yield per plant had contributed negatively. The fourth principal component was associated with plant height, inflorescence width negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]