Morphological variability, heritability and genetic advancement in F2 sorghum lines

¹ Research Center for Food Crops, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Bogor Km. 46 Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia
² Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 10 Kampus Unhas, Makassar 90245, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: Muhammad.aqil@brin.go.id

Abstract

Evaluating genetic advancement is particularly important in sorghum breeding programs through selective processes. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological diversity and genetic parameters of 32 F2 sorghum genotypes, focusing on traits with high heritability and significant correlations with kernel weight per panicle. The research was conducted at the BPSI Cereals Experiment Station in Maros, South Sulawesi, from December 2023 to March 2024. A randomized block design with two replications was used to plant 32 genotypes (Gen-4 to Gen-64) in 4-meter rows with 70 cm x 20 cm spacing. Results The evaluation of 32 F2 sorghum genotypes revealed significant genetic advancements, particularly in traits with high heritability and positive correlations with kernel weight per panicle. Genotype Gen-48 exhibited the highest kernel weight per panicle, with notable plant height, stem diameter, panicle length, and biomass. Traits such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf angle, kernel weight per panicle, 100-kernel weight, panicle length, panicle width, panicle circumference, panicle weight, biomass, panicle density, and panicle length-width ratio demonstrated high heritability and genetic advance. In addition, it significantly correlates positively with grain yield, including plant height, stem diameter, leaf length, panicle length, panicle circumference, panicle width, panicle weight, weight of 100 kernels, and biomass.