Genetic Variability Studies in Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor l.) Genotypes for Sugar and Biomass Related Traits

Abstract

Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench) is an important crop in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Southern Asia. Sweet sorghum is characterized by more rapid growth, higher biomass production, wider adaptation and greater potential for ethanol production. The present study was conducted to evaluate 33 sweet sorghum genotypes including two check varieties for different yield and sugar related traits. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant difference for all characters under the study. The genetic variability study revealed the presence of greater phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV) than genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) for most of the characters indicating the presence of the environmental effect. Stem girth, nodes per plant, biomass weight, cane weight, juice content and total soluble solids, total sugars were recorded high PCV and GCV. Plant height and cane height recorded moderate PCV and GCV. Except for plant height at 30 days after sowing (DAS) all other characters plant height at 60 DAS, plant height at 90 DAS, cane height, nodes per plant, stem girth, biomass weight, cane weight, total biomass yield, juice yield, total soluble solids, total sugars, total reducing sugars and total non-reducing sugars showed high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean suggesting that, these characters are under the control of additive genes and phenotypic selection will be effective for these traits.