Summary: | The present investigation was conducted at Giza Research Station, Egypt, to evaluate the mean performance of 30
sweet sorghum genotypes for stalk and juice yields during the 2021 and 2022 summer seasons. The experiment
was laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The magnitude of genetic variability was
estimated using broad sense heritability and genetic advance expressed as a percent of the grand mean. Also, cluster
analysis was automated to identify the similarity and dissimilarities among the tested genotypes. The genotype by
trait (GxT) biplot was graphically diagrammed to compare genotypes on the basis of multiple traits. Results revealed
significant differences among sweet sorghum genotypes for all studied traits across the two seasons. There were three
promise genotypes Willy, William, and Atlas that surpassed the other genotypes regarding juice extraction percentage
and juice yield indicating their magnitude as breeding materials that may be successfully used in breeding programs
of sweet sorghum. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded by leaf area index,
stalk diameter, stalk length, juice extraction percentage, and juice yield. In the same context, high values of heritability
accompanied by genetic advance percentage were observed in terms of leaf area index, stalk diameter, stalk length,
and juice yield indicating that these traits were well heritable and can be improved through breeding programs. The
results of cluster analysis exhibited the presence of considerable genetic diversity among the tested genotypes. Cluster
analysis classified the sweet sorghum genotypes into five clusters where the 1st cluster consisted of four genotypes
Willy, William, Rio, and Dall that were lately flowered but recorded the highest values of all studied traits except stalk
length, sucrose percentage, and purity percentage giving considerable stalk and juice yields. According to the GxT
biplot graph, it is clear that genotypes; William, Rio, Tracy, and Atlas recorded the best values in the case of juice
extraction percentage, juice yield, stripped stalk yield, stalk diameter, days to 50% flowering, and leaf area index.
Information obtained from this research may be helpful to select the best sorghum genotypes to share in breeding
programs to improve the characteristics of stalk and juice yields.
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