Variability, Heritability and Genotypic advance of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) landraces

Few studies have been undertaken on the existing Sorghum diversity in Metekel zone agricultural areas of Ethiopia. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the extent and degree of genotypic and phenotypic variability in yield and yield related quantitative traits of Sorghum landrace collections of the area. 25 Sorghum landraces and one regionally released Sorghum variety called ‘Emohay’ as a check were tested in Randomized Complete Design (RCBD) with three replications during 20011/2012 rainfed cropping season for a year at Pawe district. A plot size of 7.5 m² with two rows and 5 m length with spacing of 0.75 m between rows, 0.15 m between plants and 1.5 m between blocks was used. The analysis of variance revealed the existence of a significant variability among the landraces for most quantitative traits. 11 Sorghum landraces with a better grain yield performance ranging between 41.38 to 48.9 q/ha were obtained indicating the possibility of identifying superior genotypes to be selected among the landraces. A Sorghum landrace with an accession number of 021 pw-2010 was identified as the highest grain yielder (48.9 q/ha). The lowest ratio of GCV to PCV was obtained for days to 95% maturity while the highest PCV to GCV ratio was obtained for plant height. Generally, a lower ratio of genotypic variance to phenotypic variance were recorded for days to flowering, days to maturity, leaf length, leaf width, single leaf area, number of leaves per a plant, plant height, head length, head width, head weight and grain yield indicating that the traits will be highly influenced by the environment.

Author(s): Gedifew Gebrie*

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