Genetic Analysis of Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Forage Sorghum (Sorghum Bico/or L. Moench)

Abstract

A line x tester analysis involving 15 lines and 3 testers were carried out for 13 quantitative characters in forage sorghum (Sorghum bico/or 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 green fodder yield, stem girth, leaf stem ratio, leaf area and total soluble solids 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 phnotypic ones, indicating the inherent association the various traits. Green fodder yield was found to be positive and significantly correlated with leaf breadth, leaves per plant and leaf area. Thus any selection based on these characters will enhance performance and improvement in forage sorghum. Path coefficient analysis exhibited that leaf length, leaf bredth, leaves per plant and leaf area were the most important traits, controlling directly to green fodder yield. Among the lines HC-171 , S-199, G-84, Pant chari-3, PC-6, Pant chari-4, ICSV-700, HC-136, S-512 and U.P Chari-2 were appeared as best general combiner for most of the yield contributing characters. Wheras among the testers HC-308 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 disirable direction for green fodder yield, leaf length, leaves per plant, leaf area, stem girth and total soluble solids by the crosses HC-171 x HC-308, U.P chari-2 x HC-260, G-84 x CPVI- 1724, HC-136 x HC-308, Pant chari-4 x HC-260, SPV-1725 x HC-260, S-512 x HC-308, PC-6 x CPVI-1724, Pant chari-4 x CPVI-1724, Pant chari-3 x HC-308, S-199 x HC-260, JHV-14 x HC-308, U.P chari-2 x CPVI- 1724, Pant chari-5 x HC-308 and PC-6 x HC-260 respectively. The crosses SPV-715 x CPVI-1724, SPV- 815 x HC-260, CSV-15 x CPVI-1724 and UP chari-2 x HC-260 expressed maximum heterobeltiosis and relative heterosis in desirable direction for forage yield. For most of the majour traits including fodder yield both additive and non additive gene action were of prime importance.