Gene frequency diversity studies in indian genotypes of italian millet [setaria italica (l.) beauv]

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to find out the extent of gene frequency Diversity differences among 18 Indian genotypes for all the 13 characters studied during kharif 2008 and rabi 2009. It showed substantial variability in the material studied during both the seasons. High PCV coupled with high GCV was observed for grain yield per plant, ear weight, straw weight, number of productive tillers per plant, carotene and calcium content during both seasons whereas for 1000 grain weight during kharif only. It indicated presence of wider variability for these traits in the genotypes studied. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean recorded for all characters except days to 50% flowering and days to maturity.