Combining ability and heterosis for grain yield, fodder yield and other agronomic traits in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Abstract

Forty five hybrids derived from a diallel mating design of ten parents and one standard check PUSA CHARI-121 were evaluated for general and specific combining ability effects and standard heterosis for grain yield/plant, dry fodder yield/plant, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf length, leaf breadth and 100- seed weight of Sorghum bicolor. The mean square due to general and specific combining ability was significan for Days to 50% flowering, Days to maturity, Plant height (cm),No of Leaves/plant, Leaf length (cm), Leaf width (cm), seed yield/plant (g), Fodder yield/plant (q/ha) and 100-seed weight (g) for all the characters. Both additive and non additive genetic effects were present in the material under study. However the ratio of ?2gca/ ?2sca suggested that the preponderance of non additive gene action in expression of all the characters under study. Out of the nine parents PUSA CHARI-121, PANT CHARI-4, MP CHARI, PANT CHARI-6 and PANT CHARI-5 identified as good general combiner for grain yield/plant, dry fodder yield/plant and other agronomical traits. The hybrid HC-136 x PANT CHARI-4 and PANT CHARI-4 x PUSA CHARI-121 for grain yield/plant and hybrid MP CHARI x PANT CHARI-6, PANT CHARI-5 x SPV 1616 and HC-136 x PANT CHARI-4 for dry fodder yield/plant exhibited higher magnitude of positive significant specific combining ability effect with highest standard heterosis and per se performance. These hybrids were also found suitable for two or three yield contributing traits. In general, close association between specific combining ability effects and standard heterosis was observed among the best hybrids identified on the basis of specific combining ability effects for grain and dry fodder yield.