Identification of heterotic combination from indigenous lines for higher yields in multi-cut forage pearl millet

Abstract

Variability and diversity analysis were performed for 16 different yield and yield-related traits on 81 forage pearl millet lines (75 inbred lines and 6 checks). The ANOVA revealed the presence of enough variability among all forage pearl millet lines. High GCV and PCV were recorded for characters such as leaf to stem ratio, green and dry fodder yield in the first and second cut, as well as total green and dry fodder yield. For other traits, moderate and low GCV and PCV were recorded. High heritability and high genetic advance as a percentage mean were obtained for plant height, number of leaves per tiller, leaf /stem ratio, green fodder yield in first and second cut, total green fodder yield, dry fodder yield in first and second cut, and total dry fodder yield. For other traits, high heritability and moderate genetic advance as a percentage mean were recorded. The dendrogram revealed four distinct clusters, indicating the presence of divergence. For the crossing programme, 10 parent lines were selected from these 81 inbred lines. 45 crosses were made with a half-diallel method by using the protogynous nature of forage pearl millet lines. These 45 crosses or hybrids were evaluated for their yield traits by analysis combining ability (GCA and SCA) and heterosis (average and heterobeltiosis heterosis). The GCA effect and mean performance of parents indicated that the genotypes viz., IIMR AVS95 and IIMR AVS98, were good combiners for total green fodder yield. Based on the SCA effect, the hybrids, viz., IIMR AVS50 x IIMR AVS95, IIMR AVS77 x IIMR AVS98 and IIMR AVS95 x IIMR AVS11, recorded a positive effect. Considering mean performance, SCA effect and heterobeltiosis, the hybrids IIMR AVS50 x IIMR AVS95, IIMR AVS77 x IIMR AVS98 and IIMR AVS95 x IIMR AVS11 were identified as the superior performing hybrids for further utilization to improve fodder yield in pearl millet.