Character association and inheritance studies of different sorghum genotypes for fodder yield and quality under irrigated and rainfed conditions

Abstract

Cyanide poisoning is the major problem in sorghum fodder. This poisoning results in livestock mortality and causes economic loss to the people. Some work have been reported on quantity but little work has been  focused on quality especially the cyanide content in sorghum fodder in Pakistan. Inheritance mechanism for some fodder yield and quality traits were studied among 25 sorghum genotypes under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Highly significant genotypic as well as genotype x location differences were observed for all the characters studied. Highest genotypic and phenotypic variances were observed for plant height, fresh weight plant^-1, green fodder yield and total cyanide content. Green fodder yield, dry matter yield, fresh weight  plant^-1, dry weight plant^-1 and total cyanide content depicted high heritability estimates along with high expected genetic advance. There were strong positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations between green fodder yield and number of tillers plant^-1 stem thickness, fresh weight plant^-1, dry weight plant^-1 and dry  matter yield. Strong negative genotypic and phenotypic correlations were observed between total cyanide  content and number of tillers plant^-1, stem thickness, fresh weight plant^-1, dry weight plant^-1 and green  fodder yield. The present study indicates that the indirect selection and simultaneous improvement in sorghum fodder yield as well as quality is feasible because of significant relationship among traits.

Key words: Correlation-fodder yield-genetic advance-heritability-hydrocyanic acid, quality traits-Sorghum bicolor.