Identification of High Energy Sorghums by Combining Ability Studies

Abstract

High energy sorghums produce high alcohol content harvest with a considerable level of grain yield. Identification of superior hybrids with high alcohol content and grain yield is important (Selvi and Palnaisamy, 1987) for high-energy sorghum improvement. Ramalingam (1983) made genetic analysis of high energy sorghum for juice content and grain yield components. Selvi (1984) detected some of the superior cross combinations based on heterosis and combining ability studies. Assessment of combining ability for these traits will provide useful information for the selection of parents and hybrids based on general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) effects. It also gives information on the nature of gene action governing the particular trait. The present study was conducted on 7 x 7 diallel cross for combining ability analysis to identify good combiners and superior for high energy.