Gene Effects for Yield and Shootfly Resistance in Sorghum

Abstract

Generation means analysis involving six generations of each of six crosses was used to elucidate the inheritance of grain yield and shootfly resistance. The genetic analysis for seven characters in sorghum indicated manifestation of complex genetic interaction for most of the characters. Both additive as well as non-additive gene effects were recorded for days to flowering, plant height, dry fodder yield per plant, grain yield per plant, grain weight, number of shootfly eggs per plant and dead heart (%). Grain yield was found to be predominantly under the control of dominance effects. These results indicated the use of biparental approach/intermating for improvement in grain yield and shootfly resistance.