Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) genotypes

An investigation was carried out with 101 finger millet genotypes for assessment of genetic variability and heritability in four environments during Kharif 2021. Variation due to genotypes for all the traits under study was found significant suggesting high amount of variability among different genotypes for different traits providing ample scope for selection and further evaluation as well as improvement in the seed yield and its component traits. Grain yield per plant (g) had moderate heritability estimates along with high genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean which implied that the character is controlled by genes having additive nature. High heritability combined with high genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean was noted for the characters viz., main ear head length, finger length, 1000-seed weight, protein content, calcium content, iron content and zinc content. Simple selection for such characters would be rewarding.