Character Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Grain Yield and Yield Attributing Morpho-physiological Traits in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

An investigation was carried out with 10 parents and their 24 hybrids (L x T mating design) of sorghum to assess degree of association between grain yield and yield components as well as to measure the direct and indirect effects of observed morpho-physiological traits on grain yield plant⁻¹. Correlation studies revealed that leaf chlorophyll index, flag leaf area, panicle length, panicle weight, biological yield plant¹ and harvest index had significant positive association with grain yield plant⁻¹. Path analysis showed that harvest index exerted high positive direct effect on grain yield plant⁻¹, followed by biological yield plant⁻¹ (High), plant height (Moderate) and panicle weight (Moderate). Whereas, moderate negative direct effect on grain yield plant⁻¹ was recorded in flag leaf area. Hence, those characters with positive effect on grain yield may be considered as selection indices in sorghum breeding programme aimed at grain yield improvement.