OAR@ICRISATGenetic Diversity Studies in Indigenous Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glauccum (L.) R. Br.] Accessions Based on Biometrical and Nutritional Quality TraitsMGovindarajauthorBSelviauthorK ISudhirauthorThe aim of this research was to study genetic divergence among the pearl millet [Pennisetum glauccum (L.) R. Br.] accessions obtained from Millet Breeding Station, Coimbatore and clustering them into homogenous groups based on yield components and nutritional quality traits for the hybridization programme. Genetic divergence analysis was done based on multivariate analysis using Mahalanobis's D2 statistics. The experimental material consists of 61 elite germplasm lines grouped into eight different clusters based on yield components, nutritional and anti-nutritional traits. The maximum divergence with high mean performance was observed between clusters II, V and VII. Hence, hybridization between the genotypes of these clusters may exhibit high heterosis as well as high level of production and quality. Zinc content contributed maximum to the genetic divergence followed by phytate phosphorus and crude fat content. The result Indicate that, presence of ample variation for grain zinc in pearl millet germplasm can be exploited for further improvement of pearl millet cultivars with respect to grain zinc content. The low contribution to genetic divergence by other characters may be due to precedent domestication and selection towards uniformity for yield characters. The presence of signifi cant genetic variability among the evaluated germplasm accessions suggests that, variability can be exploited for improvement of grain nutritional quality and yield traits through hybridization of genotypes from different clusters and subsequent selection from the segregating generations. MilletsGenetics and Genomics2011Indian Society of Plant Genetic ResourcesArticle

For work being deposited by its own author: In self-archiving this collection of files and associated bibliographic metadata, I grant OAR@ICRISAT the right to store them and to make them permanently available publicly for free on-line. I declare that this material is my own intellectual property and I understand that OAR@ICRISAT does not assume any responsibility if there is any breach of copyright in distributing these files or metadata. (All authors are urged to prominently assert their copyright on the title page of their work.)

For work being deposited by someone other than its author: I hereby declare that the collection of files and associated bibliographic metadata that I am archiving at OAR@ICRISAT) is in the public domain. If this is not the case, I accept full responsibility for any breach of copyright that distributing these files or metadata may entail.

Clicking on the deposit button indicates your agreement to these terms.