Phenotypic Characterization and Genetic Divergence of some Pearl Millet Genotypes Based on Cluster and Principal Component Analysis

The presence of divergence in germplasm and its efficient utilization is essential for successful improvement of any fodder crop. During 2020-2021 summer seasons at Sids ARS. A total of ten pearl millet genotypes were grown with RCB design in three replicates to determine genetic variability, genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variations, heritability, genetic advance and degree of linkage among various traits based on yield component, forage yield, and quality traits using cluster and principal components analysis (PCA). Results of combined analysis revealed significant differences among two years, genotypes and interaction of year x gen. for most traits. The genotypes (G2, G5 and G7) are promising and can be recommended in breeding programs due to revealing the highest yield components, forage yield, and quality values.The largest estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients, high value of heritability connected with high value of genetic advance percent as mean were observed for most traits, indicating to existence of genetic variation beside efficient possibility selection for these traits. Results of cluster dendrogram analysis exposed a great genetic divergence among the tested genotypes, classifying them into 4 sub-clusters. The study detected six principal components (PCs) with Eigen values higher than 1.00 which, accounted for 90.027 % of the total variation for discriminating the 10millet genotypes based on the studied traits. Therefore, these traits can be applied to selection criteria for yield improvement and determined appropriate genetic resource for efficient in pearl millet breeding program.