Character association and path coefficient analysis among the derived lines of B x B, B x R and R x R crosses for productivity traits in rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

An investigation was carried out at RARS, Bijapur and MARS, Dharwad during rabi 2007–08, using a total of 120 F₆ generation lines derived from B x B, B x R and R x R crosses along with 20 checks (varieties, existing B and R lines and parents) in RCBD with 2 replications. The study aimed to assess the nature of association between yield and its component traits and the direct and indirect effects of yield component traits on yield. Character association studies revealed that plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of internodes per plant, panicle length, panicle breadth, number of primaries per panicle, test weight, number of grains per panicle and fodder yield per plant had positive association with grain yield per plant at both the locations (Bijapur and Dharwad). On the other hand, days to 50% flowering had negative association with grain yield per plant. The characters viz., number of primaries per panicle and number of grains per panicle had the highest direct positive effect on grain yield. Hence, it would be rewarding to lay stress on these characters in selection programme for increasing yield.