Genetic variability and multivariate analysis in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) germplasm for dual purpose

Genetic variability and diversity in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) was studied with 104 germplasm accessions of different origin. Analysis of variance indicated significant variances among the accessions for all the characters studied. The maximum variation was recorded for number of tillers, number of leaves, leaf length and breadth, panicle length, leaf weight, stem weight, leaf stem ratio, green fodder yield, crude protein content and grain yield indicates the possibilities of improving these characters through phenotypic selection for the development of dual purpose cultivars (grain cum fodder yield). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance of percentage of mean was observed for all characters except days to 50% flowering suggesting that these traits are governed by additive gene action and possibility of improving these characters through selection. Based on the D² analysis all the accessions were grouped into twelve clusters. Cluster I retain the maximum accessions of 82 and nine clusters retained only one accession each. The intra cluster distance ranged from 0.00 to 6.71 and the inter cluster distance was recorded highest between cluster XI and cluster XII. Cluster XII exhibited maximum mean value for five characters. Based on the relative contribution, plant height contributed more towards genetic divergence.