Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and quality traits in forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

The present investigation was carried out with 70 F2 crosses of forage sorghum in completely randomized block design with 3 replications at GBPUAT, Pantnagar under normal sown condition. The observations were recorded on nine yield contributing traits and three quality traits. The statistical analysis for genetic variability was done using ANOVA, h2, GCV, PCV and GA. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the crosses with respect to different yield and quality traits. The results of the present study indicated that high heritability values were observed in plant height, number of leaves, leaf width, leaf area, green fodder yield, and dry fodder yield and moderate for others. High GCV and PCV values were observed for leaf: stem whereas low and moderate for other characters. The high genetic advance was observed in plant height, leaf area, stem girth, total soluble solids, leaf: stem ratio, hydrocyanic acid content, green fodder yield, and dry fodder yield whereas low and moderate for others.