Genetic variability in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Abstract

Genetic variability among 60 genotypes with three checks of Sorghum was estimated in augmented design by Federer’s (1956) standard statistical methodology during kharif, 2023 at the Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur for fourteen characters. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant mean sum of squares attributed to genotypes for all traits, indicating substantial variability observed in each trait. The traits like biological yield per plant and harvest index exhibited high GCV values and the highest PCV was recorded for grain yield per plant followed by biological yield per plant, harvest index and dry fodder yield per plant. The magnitude of heritability was high for all the traits, with number of leaves per plant exhibiting the highest heritability and days to maturity was lowest, indicating a strong genetic component for these traits. The genetic gain was highest for harvest index, biological yield per plant, protein content, dry fodder yield, number of leaves per plant, flag leaf length, grain yield, panicle width. 100-seeds weight, panicle length, stem girth, days to 50 percent flowering, plant height and days to maturity had a moderate genetic gain, suggesting a lesser scope for improvement through selection.