Multivariate analyses in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] for fodder yield and their attributes.

Mahalanobis D2 statistics revealed considerable genetic diversity among the 108 genotype of sorghum. The genotypes grouped into 11 clusters. Cluster 1 contains maximum twenty three genotypes, followed by seventeen in cluster II and fourteen in cluster III. The average inter-cluster values were maximum between cluster V and cluster XI (54.42) followed by III and VI (49.29). At intra cluster level maximum value was recorded for cluster IV (22.12), followed by cluster VII (21.39) and cluster III (20.01). Cluster mean revealed that cluster VIII and IX had genotypes with early maturity while cluster XI followed by cluster X and VIII have the higher fodder yield. Cluster XI, X, IIIV and III have genotypes with higher plant height with other yield contributing traits. The green and dry fodder yield contributed enormously (33.25 and 28.80 per cent) to the total variation followed by plant height (13.00 percent) and days to 50 percent flowering (9.21 percent). Thus the considerable degree of divergence existed in the pre cent sorghum material.