Variability, heritability and association among Grain yield and yield contributing traits of Sorghum genotypes at Western Ethiopia

Sorghum is a globally significant multipurpose crop primarily utilized for food, animal feed, and industrial uses. However, its productivity remains constrained, necessitating focused efforts for enhancement. To boost sorghum yields, it is crucial to have access to genetically diverse sorghum genotypes that exhibit various agronomic traits, as well as to understand the relationships among these traits. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and the interrelationships among different agronomic traits in selected sorghum genotypes with the objective of pinpointing the most promising genotype that could improve sorghum production or act as a valuable asset for breeding programs. Sixty three sorghum genotypes were evaluated at Assosa, Bako and Mange research stations during the 2023/24 growing season. Data on important agronomic traits were collected: days to 50% flowering (DTF), days to physiological maturity (DTM), plant height (PHT), over all agronomic score (PAS), thousand kernels weight (TKW), Anthracnose disease resistant score and grain yield (GY). Higher genotypic coefficient of variations (GCV) was recorded for TKW (27.14%), GY (24.53%), PAS (23.99), while higher phenotypic coefficient of variations (PCV) were recorded for GY (53.59%), followed by PAS (35.64%), and TKW (33.02%). High broad-sense heritability was recorded for PHT (79.79), DTM (78.48), TKW (68.25), and DTF (65.64). Similarly highest genetic advance was recorded for PHT (44.54). Grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with TKW (r = 0.59), PHT (r = 0.40) while negatively associated with DTM (-0.63) and DTF (-0.55).The path analysis revealed that TKW (0.33) and PHT (0.14) exerted significant positive direct effects of on GY. Generally, the observed variability and the information obtained from this study can be used for the genetic improvement of sorghum which can result in the development of high-yielding varieties.