Quantitative assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in sorghum germplasm: Insights for breeding strategies

The study “Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability, and Genetic Advance for Yield in Sorghum Germplasm” was conducted to evaluate Sorghum germplasm for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. The experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2023 at the Field of Botany, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola. A total of 60 germplasm lines were evaluated, which were sourced from the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, along with three check varieties—CSV-34, Parbhani Shakti, and PDKV Kalyani. The experimental setup used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications to minimize the effects of variability and ensure accurate comparisons between genotypes. The study measured several key traits, including morphological, agronomic, and nutritional parameters. Morphological traits such as days to maturity, plant height, and days to 50% flowering were recorded. Agronomic traits like grain yield, fodder yield, and 100-seed weight were also measured. Statistical analysis was conducted to estimate genetic parameters like Genotypic and Phenotypic Coefficients of Variation (GCV and PCV), heritability, and genetic advance, following standard methods. In this study, PCV was found slightly greater than GCV for various characters. Several genotypes emerged as promising candidates across various traits in sorghum germplasm, indicating their potential for breeding programs aimed at improving agronomic performance. IC0286512 stood out with the highest grain yield of 168.73 g, making it ideal for high-yield breeding, along with IC0286204 (92.57 g) and IC0287366 (107.7 g), which also showed substantial yields. For plant height, IC0288331 (387.33 cm) was the tallest, ideal for dual-purpose applications, with IC0287710 (375 cm) and IC0287967 (364.67 cm) contributing to enhanced fodder and grain production. In terms of early maturity, IC0296464 (57.67 days) was particularly promising, along with EC0105269 (59.33 days) and EC0486974 (60 days), making them suitable for drought-prone areas. EC0486246 (325 g) exhibited the highest fodder yield, making it excellent for biomass production, with EC0485043 (231.33 g) and IC0288034 (210 g) also demonstrating high potential. For 100-seed weight, IC0288364 (2.07 g) and EC0484519 (2.02 g) were the top performers, indicating potential for selecting larger seeds to improve overall yield, while IC0287967 (0.72) exhibited the highest grain density, making it suitable for breeding efforts focused on grain quality. Overall, IC0286512 is a versatile candidate for yield improvement, while EC0486246 excels in fodder yield. This presents a strong foundation for breeding programs aimed at improving agronomic performance.