Genetic diversity in barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea Roxb.)

Abstract

Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea Roxb.) is an important staple crop of the Uttaranchal state and forms an integral part of the hill farming system. The crop is grown mostly on marginal lands without application of fertilizers and plant protection measures. Genotypic differences in yield [1] and climatic adaptation [2] cause wide variation in its performance at higher elevations in hills. In the present study genetic divergence [3,4] among existing genotypes of barnyard millet were investigated through 02 statistics and canonical analysis. The materials of the present study comprised 18 improved strains of barnyard millet including three local checks collected from Garhwal and Kumaon Regions of the Uttaranchal State. The genotypes were grown during rainy season (kharif 2000 and 2001) in randomised block design with three replications. The plot size of 3.0 x 2.5m comprised 10 rows and the sowing was done in rows 22.5 cm apart at 10.0 cm plant to plant spacing. Observations were recorded on 14 morpho-physiological characters besides yield and yield components. The growing degree days (GODs) have been used as an index of physiological maturity [5] and were calculated by subtracting the base temperature from the daily mean temperature [6]. The photothermal units were calculated as multiple of average length of day and the summation of degree days [7].