Genetic Analysis of Yield and Quality Components in Forage Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moen,ch)

Abstract

A line x tester analysis involving 12 lines and 4 testers were carried out for 12 quantitative characters in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Analysis of variance revealed substantial amount of variability for all the characters, indicating wide spectrum of variation among the genotypes. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance for plant height, leaf breadth, leaf length, stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf area, leaf stem ratio and green fodder yield showing the influence of additive gene action on these traits hence, may be useful for effective selection. Higher magnitude of genotypic correlations than the corresponding phenotypic ones, indicating the inherent association the various traits. Green fodder yield was found to be positive and significantly correlated with leaves per plant, leaf length, protein content, total soluble solids, stem girth, leaf breadth, plant height and leaf area. Thus any selection based on these characters will enhance performance and improvement in forage sorghum. Path coefficient analysis exhibited that leaf area, stem girth, leaf breadth, plant height and leaf stem ratio were the most important traits, controlling directly to green fodder yield. Among the lines Pant chari-5, HD-19-1; CSH-18 and S-437 were appeared as best general combiner for most of the yield contributing characters. Whereas among the testers G-48 was good general combiners for most of the yield contributing traits. Specific combining ability effect estimates showed a very wide range of variation for most of the characters. Maximum SCA effect in desirable direction for green fodder yield, days to 50 % flowering, leaves per plant and leaf area by the crosses SSG-59-3x HC-171, SSG-59-3XCSV-15, HJ- 513XPant chari-6, CSH-18xHC-171, CSH-20xG-48 respectively. The crosses S- 437xG-48, HJ-513xPant chari-6, S-241xG-48 and S-199x Pant chari-6 expressed maximum heterobeltiosis and relative heterosis in desirable direction for forage yield. For most of the major traits including fodder yield both additive and non additive gene action were of prime importance.