Variability for Yield and Quality Traits in (Single-Cut) Forage Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor (L) Moench]

Abstract

An investigation was carried out using 62 diverse genotypes of forage sorghum to study the variability for yield
and quality traits. Highly signifi cant genotypic differences were found for all the traits studied. A wide range
of variation was observed for days to 50% fl owering, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, brix content, HCN
content, green fodder yield/plant, dry matter yield/plant and dry matter (%), while moderate range was evident
for tillers/metre row length, leaves/plant, leaf : stem ratio, and crude protein content. The genotypic coeffi cient
of variation was high for green fodder yield/plant, dry matter yield/plant and HCN content which also manifested
through high heritability and high genetic advance expressed as percentage of mean. Hence, phenotypic selection
for these traits would be effective.