S. PAVITHRA*, L. MADHAVILATHA, R. NARASIMHULU AND V. SUMATHI

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati-517 502.

ABSTRACT

The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all the characters. Studies on genetic variability revealed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance as per cent of mean for the traits viz., grain yield per plant, harvest index, number of productive tillers per plant, ear head length and fodder yield per plant indicating simple selection could be practiced for improvement of these characters. The genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters studied was lesser than the phenotypic coefficient of variation indicating selection was ineffective due to high influence of environment. High GCV and PCV values were observed for grain yield per plant and harvest index. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for grain yield per plant, harvest index, fodder yield per plant, 1000 grain weight, plant height, ear head length and number of productive tillers per plant. Thus, these traits are predominantly under the control of additive gene action and hence these characters could be improved by selection.

KEYWORDS: Variability, Grain Yield, GCV, PCV, Heritability and Genetic advance.