Yps. Solanki et al., Panicle surface area as a selection criterion for grain yield in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), I J AGR SCI, 71(7), 2001, pp. 450-454
In an experiment 24, experimental varieties of 3 composites, viz 'EC 87', '
EC 91' and 'HHVBC', were evaluated during rainy season of 1996 and 1997 in
11 environments at 3 locations for the effect of selection for particle sur
face area on grain yield and its components in pearl millet [Pennisetum gla
ucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz]. Singificant variation was observed among e
xperimental varieties for all the traits. The actual gain in 'PCV 5' (with
maximum panicle surface area) over the original population was 8.7% for gra
in yield/m(2) and 7% for grains/m(2) across the composites. Breeder selecti
on was etifective in improving grains/m(2) by an average of 4%, in 3 compos
ites, but it was effective in improving grain yield/m(2) over. the original
population by 3% in 'EC 91' only. The net increase in grain yield/m2 was a
lmost similar to the prediction (+8.7% vs prediction of 10%). Also the sele
ction for large panicle surface area, ic 'PCV 5', was more effective than b
reeder selection for grain yield/m(2) by an average of 9% in the 3 composit
es. The panicle surface area showed positive correlation with grain number/
m(2), grain size and grain yield/m(2) among experimental varieties ('PCV 1'
to 'PCV 5') in 3 populations.