Evaluation of the genetic variability between biomass and biofuel traits in Sorghum bicolor germplasm of Pakistan

Author(s) : Rehana, Ummara Waheed, Shoaib-ur-Rehman, Sarmad Frogh Arshad, Sehrish Ijaz

Digital object identifier:

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF040205

Abstract:

Abstract
Sorghum is a major fodder crop with a substantial biomass production all over the world, including Genetic divergence among 15 Pakistani sorghum genotypes was evaluated under this study. High variability was reported in fresh biomass (382.197-778.181g), dry biomass 70.717-79.288), leaf area index (51.200-69.596cm2), leaf length 24.778-34.876 cm2), plant height 188.36-290.16cm), brix value (11.703-16.034) days to 50% flowering (156.21-292.288 days), and days to maturity (109.1-120.87 days). The first five principal components (PCs) across sorghum genotypes with Eigen values >1 shared 83.25% variability. Strong positive correlation was observed among fresh and dry biomass with the number of leaves per plant, the flag leaf area index, days to maturity and 50% of the days to flowering, whereas plant height and days to maturity showed a positive correlation. The Un-weight Pair-Group Method of Analysis (UPGMA) identified 5 morphotypes. Based on homology, the germplasm was divided into five classes. The genotypes (GP-6) and (GP-7) had the highest values for the fresh biomass, stem thickness, leaf length, dry biomass, number of leaves/plants and flag leaf area index. The Pakistani sorghum germplasm's explored genetic potential may be useful for varietal development programs.