Genetic variability and divergence for DUS testing traits in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

A study was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2003-04 to evaluate 29 sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars for 39 agro-morphological traits used in DUS testing (UPOV guidelines). Analysis of variance showed significant differences among cultivars for 35 traits. Large variation among cultivars was found for the traits, time of panicle emergence (65-87 days), plant total height (120-272 cm), leaf length (57-87 cm), panicle length (22-35 cm), 1000-grain weight (23-46 g). Selections can be practised for traits, such as discolouration of midrib of flag leaf, yellow colouration of midrib of flag leaf, lemma arista formation and yellow colouration of stigma as they are governed by additive gene action. The 12 traits are governed by the non-additive gene effects and can be made use in developing distinct hybrid. Four out of 6 of the male sterile lines were grouped in same cluster revealing low divergence among them, emphasizing the need to diversify the female lines for DUS testing traits.