Genetic variability and multivariate analyses in coloured sorghum landraces (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) of Tamil Nadu

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) is a versatile crop grown in more than 100 countries in tropics and semi arid regions for food, fodder, fuel and fiber. Red sorghum is noted for its rich phenolic content and specifically 3-deoxyanthocyanin content that lacks hydroxyl group at C-3 position. A total of 80 sorghum landraces collected from various sources from Tamil Nadu were evaluated during Kharif, 2019 to record morphological diversity present in the accessions. The 12 quantitative traits were recorded stage wise following IIMR DUS descriptor. The quantitative data collected from 80 sorghum landraces were statistically analyzed by variability study and association study. The high PCV and GCV were recorded for height upto flag leaf, flower length, panicle emergence, total height, panicle length, panicle branch length, panicle neck length, thousand grain weight and single plant yield. The moderate level of GCV and PCV was recorded for leaf length and leaf width. The trait stem diameter showed high PCV and moderate GCV. The variability study indicated that more variations were found in the population which facilitates efficient selection. The grain yield was positively related with leaf width and thousand grain weight. The yield was negatively influenced by height upto flag leaf, flower length, total height, panicle length, panicle neck length and panicle emergence. The results of correlation analysis revealed that the selection for high yielding landraces can be carried out phenotypically by selecting landraces with high grain weight, early panicle emergence, lesser height upto flag leaf, reduced neck length, reduced flower length and more leaf width to develop a desired high yielding sorghum variety.