Genetic Diversity Analysis for Forage Yield and Quality Traits in Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench] Germplasm

This study investigated 280 sorghum germplasm lines using an augmented block design at GBPUAT Pantnagar under normal sowing conditions during the 2019 Kharif season. The observations were recorded on different yield contributing traits such as days to flowering, plant height, number of leaves; stem girth etc., quality traits such as protein content, total soluble solids, in vivo dry matter digestibility etc., and quality traits like cellulose content, silica content, and hemicelluloses etc. The statistical analysis for genetic diversity was done using hierarchical cluster analysis. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed significant genetic diversity in the sorghum germplasm concerning various yield-related traits, quality traits, and biochemical traits. The 280 germplasm lines were grouped into XI distinct non-overlapping clusters.The cluster-VIII (50) consisted of highest number of genotypes whereas lowest numbers of genotypes were grouped into cluster-III (1).The maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster-IV (54.652) suggesting highest genetic diversity among genotypes of this cluster in comparison to other clusters whereas minimum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster-III (0.000).The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters-III and VI (334.554)suggested distant relationship between members of these two clusters and upon crossing the members of these two clusters will give more genetic diversity in segregating generationwhereas minimum inter-cluster distance was observed betweenclusters-VIII and IX (52.512) suggested a closer relationship between these two clusters and low degree of genetic diversity among the genotypes.. Presence of substantial genetic diversity among the genotypes screened in the present study indicated that this material may serve as a good source for selecting the diverse parents for hybridization programme. In order to increase the possibility of isolating good trangressivesegregants in the segregating generations it would be logical to attempt crosses between the diverse genotypes belonging to clusters separated by large inter-cluster distances.