Correlation, Path coefficient Analysis and construction of indices for yield and yield components selection in forage sorghum[Sorghum bicolor(L) Moench]

Abstract

Correlation and path coefficient analyses are essential tools in selection experiments. They were used to determine direct and indirect relationships between yield and certain plant characters in 40 diverse genotypes of forage sorghum. The estimate of broad sense heritability was highest for green fodder yield plant-1 followed by number of leaves plant-1. At genotypic level, leaf length (Rg = 0.612) and leaf width (Rg = 0.750) had positive and highly significant correlation with green fodder yield plant-1, while for rest of the characters they were non significant. Leaf length (Rp = 0.552) and leaf width (Rp = 0.616) had positive and highly significant correlations with green fodder yield plant-1 at phenotypic level. The leaf width has highest direct effect on fodder yield followed by leaf length, plant height and number of leaves plant-1. Selection index consisting of plant height at 50 per cent flowering, number of leaves plant-1 and leaf length is most reliable to select biometrical characters in plant breeding programmes for the improvement of fodder yield in forage sorghum.