Studies on genetic diversity and character associatoin in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted in forage sorghum adopting forty diverse genotypes with randomized block design during Kharif 2011. 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 days to 50% flowering, plant height, leaf length, 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. Correlation and path analysis indicated that effective improvement in green fodder yield may be obtained by leaves ·per plant, leaf area, leaf stem ratio, plant height, stem girth and leaf breadth also can be considered as guidelines for further breeding work. Genotype from the same geographical region fell into different cluster and vice-versa. This suggested that selections of parents for hybridization should be on genetic diversity rather than on the geographical areas. Leaves per plant followed by leaf breadth, leaves per plant and stem girth contributed most towards divergence. Divergence study suggested that crosses involving genotypes like G 48, CSV 15, CSH 18 and J 6 with Pant chari 6; HD19-1, SL 44, UP chari 3 with Pant chari 4 and HJ 513, UP chari 1 with SPV 815 for getting desired segregants from breeding point of view.