Classification of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) germplasm accessions for various agro-morphological parameters

Germplasm characterization serves as the base for sustainable conservation and increased use of crop genetic resources. A total of 132 sorghum germplasm accessions were morphologically characterized and grouped based on DUS descriptors suggested by PPV & FRA (2007) to determine the genetic potential of the accessions to be utilized in future breeding programs. Among 33 DUS traits observed, nine traits were dimorphic, seven traits were trimorphic and the remaining 16 were found to be polymorphic, revealing a wide spectrum of genetic variability among studied accessions signifying their potential to serve as genetic markers for varietal identification and characterization. The clustering patterns based on morphological traits revealed five distinct groups, with a majority of released varieties and pre-release cultures being grouped under a single cluster. The promising accessions viz., KO5 19, SO3 260, Madurai Kattai Sevappu, SO3 517 and SO3 88 identified based on available marker traits could serve as potential donors for grain mold resistance, whereas accessions such as KO5 116, KO5 69, KO5 108, TNS 682 and RPHT 14 could be used in further improvement of grain and forage sorghum types.