Genetic variability, correlation association with yield traits in sorghum (sorghum bicolor (l.) monech)

An experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2023-2024 at ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad, using an alpha lattice design to determine the relationships among grain yield and its contributing traits in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech), involving 96 genotypes and 4 checks. A wide variation in yield and its contributing traits was observed, indicating a high level of genetic diversity among the evaluated genotypes. PCV is higher than GCV, indicating the presence of an environmental effect for all traits. Days to 50 per cent flowering, ear head length, plant height, total number of leaves, and 100-seed weight showed high heritability estimates and high genetic advance. The genotypic correlation revealed that ear head width, total number of leaves, 100-seed weight, days to 50 per cent flowering, leaf width, and leaf length were strongly and positively associated with grain yield per plant. The genotypic path coefficient analysis showed that ear head width had the strongest direct positive effect on grain yield per plant, followed by total number of leaves and 100-seed weight. ECO487180 (81.80g), ICO286163 (81.90g), ICO289472 (83.75g), and ICO352469 (87.35g) recorded the highest grain yield per plant among the studied landraces. Improving grain yield in rabi sorghum may be achieved by selecting taller plants with more green leaves, moderately long panicles and bold seeds.