Combining Ability and Heterosis of Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Hybrids for Grain and Biomass Yield

Abstract

This study was carried out to estimate the magnitude of heterosis and combining abilities (general & specific) for forage and over all grain yield performance of sorghum hybrids. Even though, information on heterotic performance and combining ability of Ethiopian elite sorghum lines for biomass, yield, and overall performance is too insufficient, there is ample amount of sorghum elite lines developed through pedigree breeding. The result of ANOVA found out that mean squares had to indicate a considerable amount of variability among the tested genotypes for most traits. Parents and hybrids are drastically unique for all traits besides thousand-grain weight, number of green leaves, and panicle width. This found out that hybrids have a higher yield than Open pollinated types (OPVs) parents. Hybrids, 106 × 94 (123.5%), 106 × 87 (80.4%), 106 × 78 (72.5%), 107 × 92 (74.5%) 107 × 99 (56.9%), and 107 × 104 (60.8%) have been discovered maximum heterotic hybrids for yield in comparison to check. The estimations of parental GCA effects confirmed that female 106 and males 79, 96, 94, and 81 had been excellent general combiners for biomass, yield and associated traits. Primarily based on perse overall performance, heterotic response, and combining ability, female parent 106 and male parents 94, 102, and 90 were observed maximum performed. Those parental lines could be used for hybrid and germplasm improvement.