Characters association and path analysis Studies in colored pericarp sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to elucidate the interrelationships among grain quality attributes and drought-responsive traits in colored pericarp sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). The objective of the study is to identify the key components contributing to overall grain quality improvement. A diverse set of genotypes was evaluated under field conditions during rabi 2019–20, and genotypic correlation and path coefficient analyses were carried out. Character association revealed that grain yield per plant showed significant positive associations with days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of primaries per panicle, panicle length, panicle width, days to physiological maturity, threshability, and fodder yield per plant, while panicle type, grain color, and 100-seed weight exhibited non-significant but positive associations. These results indicate the relevance of these traits in breeding programmes aimed at enhancing yield potential in sorghum. Path coefficient analysis further demonstrated that traits such as days to 50% flowering, panicle type, panicle length, panicle width, days to physiological maturity, threshability, grain color, and fodder yield exerted positive direct effects on grain yield, suggesting that selection based on these traits would be highly effective. Several traits, including plant height, number of primaries per panicle, panicle length, panicle width, grain color, and fodder yield, exhibited high heritability coupled with positive genotypic correlations with grain yield, indicating the potential for their simultaneous improvement through simple selection. Although glume color displayed a negative association with grain yield, genetic improvement of this trait alongside yield remains feasible by disrupting undesirable linkages through random mating in segregating generations. Overall, the findings highlight kernel hardness, grain density, and other positively associated traits as promising selection criteria for developing nutritionally superior and drought-adaptive sorghum cultivars suitable for dryland agro-ecosystems.

KEYWORDS

Sorghum, colored pericarp, trait association, multivariate analysis, grain quality,drought tolerance