Genetic variability and multivariate analysis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolour) under sodic soil conditions

Abstract

A field study was conducted using 31 sorghum landraces and two improved varieties as yield checks under natural sodic soil conditions at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Trichy during Kharif,2018. The study was aimed to assess the mean performance, genetic variability, heritability and diversity of key traits that would aid the selection of genotypes for sodicity tolerance. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with two replications. Eight biometric traits viz., days to 50 percent flowering, plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, panicle length and yield per plant were observed. The genotype ES1 was identified to be sodicity tolerant as it based on its overall per se performance. Based on PCA analysis, the characters panicle length, number of leaves and yield per plant were identified to contribute more towards the total divergence. These traits also showed higher PCV and GCV coupled with higher heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean. Hence, indirect selection for sodicity tolerance can be carried out through these traits for selection of genotypes with sodicity tolerance. Cluster analysis revealed the diverse genotypes (Cluster I and VI) that could be used in hybridization programmes for exploiting the maximum heterotic potential.

Keywords

• sodicity
• pca
• heritability
• cluster analysis