Etic Divergence and Phenotypic Stability for some Characters in the Genus Sorghum*

Twenty improved varieties representing the variation in Eu-Sorghum were grown over four successive years from 1965 to 1968 and six important characters related to productivity were recorded. Genetic divergence was estimated for each year and also on the basis of pooled analysis by using D^ statistic. Fourteen varieties were found relatively stable in their grouping over years. They were either very early or very late and were relatively photo-insensitive. The interactors were highly photosensitive with varying degree of maturity.

The spectrum of the variation in the varieties stable in grouping indicated that genotypes with different constellations of characters are relatively stable in their grouping. Therefore, selection of parents for stability of performance does not in any way influence the variability for characters responsible for productivity. Stability of grouping, could be related more to the past history of selection rather than stability for any single trait.