Relationship among yield and quality traits in Sorghum bicolor L. Moench. For biomass and food utilisation

Abstract

Fifteen genotypes of sorghum derived from four different sources of population were evaluated for quality and yield related components. The experiment was conducted at Field 10, Universiti Putra Malaysia in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance and genetic variation for eight yield and quality traits on selected genotypes sorghum, to estimate the phenotypic correlation between yield and yield related components in sorghum. Genotypes 1-3-5 and 1-4-4 were identified to have high yield for most of the biomass (904.0 g/plant and 880.7 g/plant respectively) and grain yield components (98.1 g and 88.97g respectively). Genotypes 1-1-1, 1-4-1 and 5-3-6 were found to have total soluble solid of more than 16%, which make them suitable for food purposes. Mean for all genotypes for all measured traits, together with the significant genotypic variance indicated substantial amount of genetic variability towards the improvement for fresh biomass weight, stem diameter and total soluble solid content. Biomass and grain yield traits namely plant height, fresh biomass yield, stem diameter and panicle weight indicated significant positive correlation. Thus, selection on any one of these traits will increase in the other traits, thereby improving biomass and grain yield in sorghum for mentioned purpose.