GENETIC VARIABILITY, TRAIT ASSOCIATION AND MULTI TRAIT SELECTION FOR GREEN FODDER YIELD IN PEARL MILLET GERMPLASM

Abstract

Fodder pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), an important forage crop, and identifying germplasm that combines high biomass production with suitable maturity is important for crop improvement. In this study, 114 germplasm accessions were evaluated for 11 phenological, morphological and fodder-related traits during summer 2026 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, using an augmented block design with three repeated checks. Block-adjusted observations were used to characterize trait variation and associations, followed by path analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering and Smith–Hazel selection-index analysis. Considerable variation was observed among accessions. Leaf weight (LWT), stem weight (STWT) and green fodder yield (GFY) showed high estimates of variability and expected genetic advance in the present analysis. GFY was strongly associated with STWT (r = 0.979) and LWT (r = 0.847), while LWT and STWT were also positively associated (r = 0.722). Path analysis produced positive coefficients for STWT (0.742) and LWT (0.317), although strong collinearity and the component total relationship require cautious interpretation. PCA highlighted biomass-related variation as a major dimension. Ward’s hierarchical clustering grouped the accessions into four clusters containing 17, 12, 23 and 62 accessions, respectively, providing a broad characterization of phenotypic similarities. A Smith–Hazel index combining STWT, LWT and days to 50% flowering (DFF) identified preliminary candidates with different combinations of biomass and maturity. The predicted responses at 10% selection intensity were +165.248 g plant−1 for STWT, +62.790 g plant−1 for LWT and −2.530 days for DFF, with a predicted correlated response of +224.964 g plant−1 for GFY. Thirumanar local, PT4843, PT4120, IP20374, IP20334 and PT4685 were shortlisted for further evaluation.Because the test accessions were unreplicated and the genetic parameter estimates require verification, these findings should be considered preliminary and validated in replicated, multi-environment trials.