Genetic variability and trait interrelationship for fresh stalk yield in F2 population of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench]

An investigation on genetic variability and correlation study in large F2 population of sweet sorghum was carried out under rainfed condition. The F1 was generated during kharif 2010 and F2 in the following rabi season while evaluation in summer 2012. The mean and variance in respect of 14 quantitative traits in F2 population revealed wide range of variability for most of the traits. However few traits viz., nodes per plant, stem girth, brix per cent and total soluble sugars exhibited narrow range of variability. The distribution pattern of F2 population revealed complementary gene interaction in the inheritance of days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, stem girth, grain yield, brix percent, juice yield, total soluble sugars, bioethanol yield and sugar yield, while remaining traits exhibited duplicate type of epistasis. Further, correlation studies in F2 generation revealed significant and positive association of fresh stalk yield with total biomass, plant height, grain yield, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, nodes per plant and stem girth. These correlated traits can be effectively utilized in formulating indirect selection schemes.