Genetic variation and trait inter-relationship in F1 hybrids of sweet sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

摘要

Productivity of sweet sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], a raw material for ethanol production, is determined by stalk yield and sugar content. To understand the inherent differences and relationship between ethanol yield and its related traits, 30 F1 hybrids in L × T fashion were grown in three different locations and estimated their genotypic and phenotypic variations, heritability, genetic advance, and the relationship between ethanol yield and its components. The hybrids exhibited considerable variability for all traits. Grain yield exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance implying additive gene effects. Selection could be done for plant height, brix %, total soluble solids, total sugar index, total biomass, fresh stalk yield, and juice yield as these characters manifested positive significant correlation with ethanol yield. Path coefficient analysis showed that fresh stalk yield (r=0.83), juice yield (0.57) and brix % (0.55) were the main contributors for ethanol yield.