Inheritance of Grain Characters in Sorghum-Ii

Inheritance of six grain characters, threshability of grain and fertility in a cross between an Indian (M-35-I) and an unnamed African variety of sorghum is reported. Three genes were involved in the inheritance of hilum spot giving a 54: 10 of spotted to spotless condition. Three genes, one basic gene for cream seed colour (GrC) and a pair of complementary genes for white seed colour (Wha Whb), were involved in the inheritance of seed colour. Size of seed was governed by three complementary genes. A ratio, 144 ovate: 102 oblong: 10 elyptical was found for the inheritance of seed shape. Inheritance of starchy endosperm was governed by basic pair (EnSta, EnStb) with duplicate complementary action of genes (EnSt2 EnSt2). Grain hardness is governed by four complementary genes. The inheritance of threshability, is governed by basic gene (Grtha and three complementary genes, Grthb Grthe Grtha). The duplicate dominant genes Fr1 and Fr2 govern the inheritance of full fertility. Altogather 23 genes were found for the eight characters studied.

The genes for oblong seed shape was linked 42.33 per cent cross over units with one of the complementary gene for grain hardness. The same gene is linked with complementary gene for grain thereshability with 27.10 per cent cross over distance.