Variation for qualitative and quantitative traits and identification of trait-specific sources in new sorghum germplasm

Abstract

Assembling, collecting and characterising the unique germplasm accessions for morphological and agronomic characteristics are essential activities of a dynamic genebank. The phenotypic diversity and agronomic performance of 667 newly acquired sorghum germplasm accessions, representing five basic races, eight intermediate races and two wild species, originating from 34 countries were assessed for seven qualitative and eight quantitative traits. Large variability was observed among these accessions for various qualitative and quantitative traits. Trait-specific accessions for early flowering (108), short plant height (8), medium panicle exsertion (34), and medium-sized seeds (78) have been identified. The diverse trait-specific promising accessions have the potential for their utilisation in future breeding programs for developing improved sorghum cultivars with a broad genetic base. The hierarchical cluster analysis grouped five races, six intermediate races, and two wild species into three clusters. The present study has played a significant role in filling up the gaps and has also identified region(s) to carry out future explorations, and in providing the trait-specific germplasm for use by the breeders.