Variability study through mutation in M2 generation of Kharif sorghum: [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Sorghum is cross pollinate, diploid (2n = 2x = 20) and belongs to the family Poaceae. Sorghum is the important cereal grain after wheat, maize, rice and barley. An investigation was carried out on sorghum crop by using different doses of gamma rays and EMS concentration (10kR, 20kR, 30kR, 40kR, 10kR+0.2% EMS, 20kR+0.2% EMS, 30kR+0.2% EMS and 40kR+0.2% EMS) were used to irradiate seeds of PVK-801 genotype. Genetic variability was significant for yield and yield contributing characters among the M2 generation. Results indicated relatively higher mean performance in treatment 20kR+0.2%EMS dose for most of the characters. The GCV and PCV estimates showed wide variation for most of the characters in segregating M2 generation. High GCV, PCV, heritability and GAM were observed for grain yield per plant. The positive significant correlation was noticed for grain yield per plant with plant height, grain per primary, primary per panicle, panicle length, panicle width and days to maturity, days to 50% flowering.