Vol. 7, Issue 12, Part I (2025)

An investigation entitled “Morpho-physiological and biochemical assessment in barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) genotypes over the seasons” was conducted during Kharif 2023 at the Centre for Advanced Agricultural Science and Technology field, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications, comprising eighteen genotypes including two checks, Phule Barti-1 and DHBM-93-3. The study aimed to assess the extent of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for grain yield and its associated traits. The traits recorded included plant height (cm), peduncle length (cm), ear head length (cm), number of tillers per plant, flag leaf blade length (cm), flag leaf blade width (cm), days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, 1000-seed weight (g), grain yield (q ha⁻¹), fodder yield (q ha⁻¹) and harvest index.Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits studied, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. The check varieties recorded relatively higher mean performance for most yield-contributing traits. Among the test genotypes, KIBMG-22-09, KIBMG-22-13 and KIBMG-22-11 exhibited superior performance for important morphological traits such as plant height, number of tillers, flag leaf blade length and width, and grain yield. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, coupled with high heritability and genetic advance, were observed for traits including grain yield, fodder yield, peduncle length and 1000-seed weight, suggesting the predominance of additive gene action and effectiveness of direct selection. Days to flowering and days to maturity also showed high heritability with moderate to high genetic advance. In contrast, traits like earhead length exhibited low variability and genetic advance, indicating the need for alternative breeding approaches.