D. N. Damse, H.M. Patil, R.Bisen, J. S. Chaure Niger, genetic variability, heritability, correlation, yield 84-92 10(2) 2026 April 2026 Coming soon In the present investigation, an attempt was made to assess the extent of genetic variability, estimate genetic parameters and study trait associations, among fifty-eight diverse niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) genotypes evaluated during the kharif season of 2023–24. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the traits studied, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability and providing a strong basis for selection. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was marginally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits, suggesting that environmental influence was relatively low and that observed variation was largely genetic in nature. High GCV and PCV values were recorded for yield per plot and number of seeds per capitulum, indicating the presence of wide variability and greater scope for genetic improvement in these traits. Estimates of heritability along with genetic advance as percent of mean were high for yield per plot, number of seeds per capitulum, thousand seed weight, and number of branches per plant. This suggests the predominance of additive gene action, implying that these traits would respond effectively to direct selection and could be reliably improved through phenotypic selection in early generations. Correlation analysis indicated that plant height, number of capitula per plant, and seeds per capitulum had a positive and significant association with seed yield, suggesting their importance as key yield-contributing traits. Among the evaluated genotypes, NSS-5554, JN-121, SP-51, and KMS-36 consistently exhibited superior performance across traits. Hence, selection for yield per plot, number of seeds per capitulum, thousand seed weight, and number of capitula per plant would be highly effective for yield improvement. These promising genotypes may serve as valuable parental material in future breeding programmes aimed at enhancing productivity in niger.