Thirty five little millet genotypes were evaluated for genetic potential and variability. The genotypic coefficients of variation for all the characters studied were lesser than the phenotypic coefficients of variation, indicating the influence of environment on expression of these traits. High PCV and GCV were recorded for productive tillers per plant and seed iron content. Whereas, high PCV and moderate GCV was recorded for days to 50% flowering, tillers per plant, seed zinc content, seed manganese content and grain yield per plant. Plant height, flag leaf length, leaves per main tiller, panicle length, days to maturity, test weight and protein content showed moderate PCV and GCV. However, the traits flag leaf width and seed copper content exhibited moderate PCV and low GCV. This indicate that there is considerable amount of variability for the majority of the characters studied.
The estimates of high heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance as per cent of mean were recorded by days to 50% flowering, flag leaf length, leaves per main tiller, panicle length, tillers per plant, productive tillers per plant, days to maturity, test weight, seed iron content and seed manganese content indicating the predominance of additive gene action in controlling the inheritance of these traits. Hence, direct phenotypic selection will be rewarding with respect to improvement these traits. High heritability coupled with moderate expected genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for plant height and grain yield per plant. Seed zinc content showed moderate heritability and high expected genetic advance as percent of meanwhile seed copper and protein contents exhibited moderate heritability and expected genetic advance as percent of mean. Further, flag leaf width recorded low heritability and expected genetic advance as percent of mean.