Genetic diversity studies in Rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes

Forty-four Rabi sorghum genotypes (Sorghum bicolor L. Monech) collected from different geographical region were assessed for their genetic divergence based on twelve characters during Rabi, 2019-20 at Sorghum Improvement Project, MPKV, Rahuri. The genotypes were grouped into 7 clusters which indicating high genetic diversity among them. It indicated that genetic diversity and geographic diversity are not related. From inter cluster distance and cluster mean for various yield contributing traits, it could be concluded that cluster I, II and III were most divergent from all other clusters. The present study revealed that plant height contributed maximum (26.85%) for divergence followed by 1000 grain weight (26.11%) and panicle weight (18.60%). Based on inter-cluster distance, intra-cluster distance and per se performance the genotypes viz., RSLG-2419, RSLG-2421, RSLG-2423, RSLG-2430, RSLG-2458, RSLG-2461 and Phule Suchitra are suggested to utilize for future breeding programme.