This study was conducted to compare the performance of ten sorghum hybrids at two locations (Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yusafwala, Sahiwal, MMRI) & Sorghum Research Sub-Station, Dera Gazi Khan, D.G. Khan) for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016), i.e. in a total of four environments (MMRI-15, MMRI-16, DG Khan-15 and DG Khan-16). The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design with a plot size of 4 × 0.75 × 2 m. In all four environments the crop was sown in July and harvested in December. Five plants were selected randomly from each plot for data collection. The following ranges were determined in the investigated traits; grain yield (2858.34-5266.33 kg ha-1), fodder yield (28663-45667 kg ha-1), days to 50% anthesis (76-81 days) and Brix value (8.28-18.42). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) estimates, generated by the biplot software were used for data interpretation. It was found that the influence of genotype, environment and G × E interaction was significant (P<0.05) for all traits in all environments. The data for all traits except Brix value were useful for further study. For grain yield and fodder yield, hybrid YSH-95 was the most suitable due to its higher yield and better stability. Sorghum Research Sub-Station Dera Gazi Khan (DG Khan), a non-discriminating location, were considered suitable for generally adapted hybrids and Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yusafwala, Sahiwal (MMRI), a more discriminating location, were considered best for specifically adapted hybrids. The results of which-won-where biplots showed that Lasani was the best general hybrid at both locations, whereas YSH-95 was the best hybrid for the specific environmental conditions at MMRI.

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Livestock and poultry production is increasing steadily in Pakistan but the production of poultry feed, cattle feed and fodder is not increasing at the same rate, and Pakistan is now facing a shortage of quality fodder and poultry feed. Sorghum is a good alternative to meet the growing fodder and poultry feed requirements. The major barrier in enhancing sorghum production is the lack of sufficient information on the genetic diversity of sorghum genotypes in Pakistan. In this study 30 sorghum genotypes from the gene pool maintained by the Maize and Millet Research Institute, Yusafwala, Sahiwal, Pakistan were sown in 2015 in a randomised complete block design. Morphological data such as days to 50 % anthesis, plant height, flag leaf area, brix percentage, panicle length, 1000 grain weight and grain yield were recorded. Data were evaluated for statistical significance using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. A highly significant variation was observed among the genotypes. The percentage coefficient of variation in all traits was less than 10 %, which showed that uncontrolled variation was highly unlikely. A close correlation was seen between flag leaf area and grain yield, days to 50 % anthesis and 1000 grain weight, and between panicle length and brix value. Flag leaf area, grain yield and 1000 grain weight indicated the least contribution to the total genetic diversity. The contribution of PC1, PC2 and PC3 was 64.5 % of total variation. According to PCA and cluster analysis genotype YS-9 was important for the character days to 50 % anthesis; genotype YS-22 for grain yield and flag leaf area; genotype YS-27 for plant height; genotype YS-10 and genotype YS-7 for panicle length; and genotype YS-12 for brix value.

Please use the following format when citing the article: Mumtaz A., Sadaqat H. A., Saeed M., Yousaf M. I., Shehzad A., Ahmed H. AbstractThe domestic production of edible oil meets only 20.23% of the demand in Pakistan, and domestic oil production needs to be increased. Thanks to its short life cycle, high yield and yellow seed colour, oilseed rape (Brassica rapa L.) is a potentially useful source to fill the gap between production and consumption. This study was designed to ascertain the genetic expression of descriptive and seed yield-related traits in four B. rapa accessions (UAF-11, Toria, BSA and TP-124-1) and their hybrid progenies obtained from complete diallel mating crossings. Heterosis and heterobeltiosis were computed for these traits. Seed colour was varying shades of brown and showed Mendelian genetics. Seed shape was consistently round in all lines, and leaf hairiness was a characteristic of all crosses including self. Each parent line had a particular leaf shape as elliptic, pandurate, lanceolate and ovate, and no intermediate or new shapes were observed in F 1 . Leaf colour was varying shades of green. Seed shape, leaf shape and leaf colour were under digenic control with no epistatic or maternal effects. Leaf shape showed multiple allelism. Seed shape showed no variations. Leaf hairiness was dominant and under monogenic control. Number of siliqua/primary branches of plant, number of siliqua/secondary branches of plant and total number of siliqua/plant directly affect seed yield of plant while effect of plant height is indirect. Variability was observed in heterosis and heterobeltiosis for all traits. UAF-11 and its crosses with Toria and TP-124-1 and their reciprocals were identified as the best hybrid progenies for future breeding efforts. Our results for the traits, compared here will, hopefully, facilitate future efforts to select productive B. rapa accessions for breeding programs aimed at optimizing heterosis.

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