Genetics of biomass and bioenergy related traits in sorghum.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to screen sorghum accessions and their crosses for high biomass yield and bioenergy traits. It was carried out also to collect information regarding genetic variability, general and specific combining ability effects, heterosis over mid and better parents, heritability, gene action and correlations for various seedling, biomass and bioenergy traits of sorghum. Genetic variation among the entries indicated that this breeding material may be used for the improvement of biomass yield, forage quality and bioenergy traits. Combining ability analysis showed variable direction and magnitude of general combining ability (GCA) effects among lines and testers and specific combining ability effects (SCA) among crosses. On the basis of GCA results Lines 010046 and 010054, and tester 010045 were found best general combiners while SCA results indicated that cross combinations 009914 × 010034, 010046 × 010045, 009929 × 009921, 010012 × 010034 and 009914 × 009994 were found best specific combiners. Fresh shoot weight, plant height, number of leaves per plant and brix value were under the genetic control with additive gene action while other traits showing non-additive gene action. Plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, dry biomass, moisture content, dry matter content, ash content, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and crude fiber may be used as criteria for selection of sorghum for biomass yield and bioenergy purpose.