Abstract

A population of 15 genotypes of grain sorghum varieties exhibited significant genotypic variation for ten characters selected in and around the ear head of the crop. The magnitude of PCV and GC were more or less equivalent for number of whorls per ear head, rachis per ear head, number of grains per ear head, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. These characters were less affected by environmental fluctuations whereas the character number of grain per earhead showed least or not affected by environmental changes. Seed density was remarkably masked by environmental components. Four among ten characters registered high values of heritability and genetic advance indicating the presence of addition genc effects. The grain yield showed no correlation with most of the component characters except with 1000 seed weight and number of grains per rachis which may be due to the elimination effects of one or other characters contributing for grain yield. This suggests that it is a complex character in the sorghum. Path analysis indicated that 1000 seed weight and number of grains per rachis are the prime characters for the improvement of genotypes.

Keywords: Sorghum, Genetic Parameters, Correlation, Path Analysis