Performance Evaluation of Released Genotypes of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in Agro-Climatic Zone 1C of Rajasthan

Abstract

The present study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Bikaner, during the Kharif season of
2023 to evaluate the performance of 21 released genotypes of pearl millet. The research aimed to identify
genotypes with superior agronomic traits suitable for the agro-climatic conditions of zone 1C in Rajasthan.
The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Key traits such as plant
height, number of productive tillers per plant, panicle length, panicle diameter, test weight, dry fodder yield,
and grain yield were recorded. The cultivar KBH 108 takes the longest to reach 50% flowering, while PB
1756 is the quickest. Again, KBH 108 takes the longest to mature, while PB 1756 matures the fastest. Pusa
Composite 701 is the tallest cultivar, and AHB 1200 is the shortest. GHB 905 has the most productive tillers,
while several cultivars have the least. Pusa Composite 383 has the longest panicle length, and MPMH 21 has
the shortest. 86M86 has the largest panicle diameter, and HHB 67 Imp. has the smallest. PB 1756 has the
highest test weight, and Pusa Composite 383 has the lowest. Pusa Composite 701 produces the highest dry
fodder yield, and PB 1852 produces the lowest. MPMH 17 yields the most grain, while Pusa Composite 383
yields the least. All the characters listed in the table 2 show significant differences among the treatments
(different cultivars), as indicated by the mean sum of squares for treatments being significantly greater than
the mean sum of squares for error at the 1% level of significance. This implies that the variation in these
traits is not due to random chance but due to the genetic differences among the cultivars.
Significant variability was observed among the genotypes for all measured traits, indicating potential for
selecting high-yielding and well-adapted genotypes for this region. In conclusion, most characters in pearl
millet exhibit high heritability and considerable genetic advance, making them suitable for improvement
through selective breeding programs. The high genetic advance in some traits like dry fodder yield and
grain yield indicates substantial potential for achieving significant gains in these traits through selection.
Strong Direct Effects: Productive tillers: 0.854, Panicle diameter: 0.5236. Moderate Direct Effects: Panicle
length: 0.3464, Days to maturity: -0.3777, Days to 50% flowering: 0.2122. Indirect Effects: Significant indirect
contributions through days to maturity, panicle diameter, and productive tillers for several traits. Negative
indirect effects observed in days to maturity and productive tillers.