Selection of post-rainy sorghum landraces combining multi-traits mean performance and stability

Developing sorghum genotypes suited to post-rainy conditions requires understanding of the genetic diversity available for grain yield and its component traits. A multi-location trial was conducted at four experimental sites involving 97 post-rainy landraces and seven checks in an alpha lattice design with three replications during the post-rainy season of 2020–21 to understand the diversity of traits, genotype x environment interaction (G × E), and to select the landraces based on multi-traits mean performance and stability. Significant genetic differences were seen in the Indian post-rainy landraces for all the seven traits (days to 50% flowering, DFF; plant height, PH; panicle weight per plant, PWPP; grain yield per plant, GYPP; 100-grain weight, TW; seed hardness, SH and number of grains per panicle, SeedPP) studied. Trait heritability was moderate to high, indicating a good response to selection. Analysis of AMMI (additive main effects and multiplicative interaction) revealed significant G × E for all the seven traits. G × E contributed higher for GYPP, PH, PWPP, TW and SH than for DFF and SeedPP. Based on muti-traits mean performance and stability, multi-trait stability index (MTSI) identified 16 landraces of potential use. The results confirm existence of adequate trait diversity in the post-rainy landraces which may be exploited to develop genetically enhanced sorghum cultivars with higher productivity and better acceptance by stakeholders.