Study on Correlation and Path Analysis in Forage Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

This investigation is conducted to determine character association and path coefficient analysis using 35 genotypes of forage sorghum at the Crop Research Centre of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology in Meerut. In Kharif 2022, testing of all 35 genotypes of forage sorghum was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications. Observations were recorded for days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), leaf breadth (cm), leaf length (cm), number of leaves per plant, total soluble solids (%), leaf area (cm2), stem girth (mm), leaf stem ratio and green fodder yield per plant (g). Correlation coefficient studies indicated that green fodder yield per plant was found highly significant positive association with leaf breadth, stem girth, leaf area, leaf length, number of leaves per plant, plant height and leaf stem ratio at both genotypic and phenotypic level, indicated that selection of these attributes may be helpful to increase fodder yield in sorghum. The results of genotypic and phenotypic path analysis indicated that stem girth had a strong positive direct effect on green fodder yield per plant, followed by leaf breadth and number of leaves per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Improving these attributes can increase fodder yield. The character showing indirect effect like Leaf breadth, leaf length, leaf area, and leaf stem ratio via another component trait, indirect selection through such trait can lead to improvement in green fodder yield.