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VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Genetic divergence studies for yield components and nutritional traits in foxtail millet (Setaria Italica (L.)
Authors
C Bhavani Saieesha, N Sabitha, R Narasimhulu, K V N Madhuri
Abstract
Analysis of variance revealed existence of significant
differences among the genotypes studied and ample genetic variability for all
the 16 quantitative and nutritional traits. All the 40 foxtail millet genotypes
were grouped into six distinct non-overlapping clusters with maximum number of genotypes
in cluster I (19) followed by cluster II (13), cluster V (five) and the
remaining three clusters, III, IV and VI were mono-genotypic clusters with
single genotype per cluster through Mahalonobis D2 analysis.Maximum
inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and III, II and IV, I
and II, II and V. Maximum inter-cluster distance was found between clusters II
(SiA 4349, SiA 4363, SiA 3156(C), SiA 4340, SiA 4334, SiA 4321, KOPF x 2126,
SiA 4332, SiA 4325, KMF 2, SiA 4229, SiA 4323, SiA 4336) and III (SiA 4261)
indicating high degree of genetic diversity in the genotypes. Cluster IV
contained one genotype SiA 4316 with desirable traits and can be selected
directly for immediate usage. Hybridization between the genotypes viz;
SiA 4244, SiA 4251 and IIMR F x M15with high means for majority of traits from
divergent clusters can be made to incorporate all the desired traits and to get
high frequency of heterotic hybrids. Inter crossing of genotypes from the cluster
II (SiA 3156) and cluster III (SiA 4261) could be suggested to generate a wide
range of variability followed by effective selection. Iron, Protein, Zinc
content in grain and grain yield per plant were the major contributors towards
divergence.
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Pages:470-475
How to cite this article:
C Bhavani Saieesha, N Sabitha, R Narasimhulu, K V N Madhuri "Genetic divergence studies for yield components and nutritional traits in foxtail millet (<i>Setaria Italica</i> (L.)". International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 470-475
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