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Bankole Folusho Anuoluwapo

Genetic diversity and trait associations in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) germplasm under rainfed conditions

Folusho Anuoluwapo Bankole, Olawale Serifdeen Aboderin, Adesike Oladoyin Kolawole, Olasunkanmi Olajide

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-583182

ABSTRACT. Sorghum is a key cereal crop in Sub-Saharan Africa that is used as food, fodder, and biofuel. This study evaluated the genetic diversity and trait associations among sorghum accessions collected from the Nigeria Southern Guinea Savanna (SGS). A total of 160 accessions were initially collected from farmers’ fields and preliminarily screened based on distinct morphological traits. Of these, 20 distinct accessions were selected and evaluated in 6 SGS environments with 2 improved varieties under rainfed conditions in the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The results revealed moderate to high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation and high heritability estimates (66.83–97.75%) for most traits, indicating that the accessions harbour valuable genetic diversity and that selection among them would be effective for breeding purposes. Accessions LR55 (1323 kg ha⁻¹), DR25 (1293 kg ha⁻¹), and LR2 (1226 kg ha⁻¹) were selected for their high yield and stability, and LR2, DR18, and DR15 were selected through a Genotype by Yield*Trait biplot approach for their optimal combination of yield and nutritional quality traits. These accessions are promising candidates for both direct cultivation and as elite genetic resources in sorghum improvement programs. Significant positive and negative correlations were observed among agronomic and nutritional traits, but most yield-related traits showed non-significant correlations with nutritional quality traits. Leaf width, percentage of grain coverage, number of panicles harvested, 100-seed weight, and 1000-seed weight were identified as reliable selection indices for yield improvement based on their high heritability and strong positive correlation with grain yield.

Keywords: genotype × environment interaction; nutritional and antinutritional traits; sorghum accessions; sorghum grain quality; trait correlations; yield-related traits.

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Genetic Assessment of Yield Traits and Heterosis in Maize Testcrosses under Different Soil Nitrogen Conditions

Folusho Anuoluwapo Bankole, Olawale Serifdeen Aboderin

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-573148

ABSTRACT. Yield trials demand significant time and resources, necessitating efficient data collection on parental lines to optimise breeding programs and reduce costs. This study assessed the correlation between parental traits and hybrid performance, consistency, and predictability of trait expression in F1 hybrids and the heterotic advantage of agronomic traits. A total of 82 parental lines (79 lines and 3 testers) and 237 testcrosses were evaluated alongside 3 standard checks under low- and optimum-soil nitrogen (N) conditions at the Institute for Agricultural Research experimental fields in Zaria and Mokwa during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 growing seasons. Significant genetic variability was observed among parental lines and testcrosses, offering strategic breeding opportunities. Grain yield reductions under low-N conditions (35–95% in inbreds and 1.3–89% in hybrids) highlighted the impact of N stress and the need for N tolerance in maize genotypes. Correlation analysis and repeatability results linked yield improvement in low-N tolerant maize hybrids to the selection of parental lines with superior performance in traits, such as grain yield, stay-green characteristics, and flowering traits. Parental lines P69 and P14, which showed high tolerance to low N and consistent high yields, were identified as valuable genetic resources. Among the hybrids, P65×T2, P66×T3, and P66×T2 stood out, with grain yields exceeding 6000 kg/ha, representing a 42% yield advantage over the best check. These hybrids also demonstrated a high heterotic advantage over their parents and standard checks, indicating their potential for adoption as commercial hybrids in Nigeria.

Keywords: biplot; heterosis; line × tester analysis; maize testcrosses; nitrogen stress; trait correlation.

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Genetic diversity and trait associations in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) germplasm under rainfed conditions

Sep 19, 2025 |

Folusho Anuoluwapo Bankole, Olawale Serifdeen Aboderin, Adesike Oladoyin Kolawole, Olasunkanmi Olajide

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-583182

ABSTRACT. Sorghum is a key cereal crop in Sub-Saharan Africa that is used as food, fodder, and biofuel. This study evaluated the genetic diversity and trait associations among sorghum accessions collected from the Nigeria Southern Guinea Savanna (SGS). A total of 160 accessions were initially collected from farmers’ fields and preliminarily screened based on distinct morphological traits. Of these, 20 distinct accessions were selected and evaluated in 6 SGS environments with 2 improved varieties under rainfed conditions in the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The results revealed moderate to high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation and high heritability estimates (66.83–97.75%) for most traits, indicating that the accessions harbour valuable genetic diversity and that selection among them would be effective for breeding purposes. Accessions LR55 (1323 kg ha⁻¹), DR25 (1293 kg ha⁻¹), and LR2 (1226 kg ha⁻¹) were selected for their high yield and stability, and LR2, DR18, and DR15 were selected through a Genotype by Yield*Trait biplot approach for their optimal combination of yield and nutritional quality traits. These accessions are promising candidates for both direct cultivation and as elite genetic resources in sorghum improvement programs. Significant positive and negative correlations were observed among agronomic and nutritional traits, but most yield-related traits showed non-significant correlations with nutritional quality traits. Leaf width, percentage of grain coverage, number of panicles harvested, 100-seed weight, and 1000-seed weight were identified as reliable selection indices for yield improvement based on their high heritability and strong positive correlation with grain yield.

Keywords: genotype × environment interaction; nutritional and antinutritional traits; sorghum accessions; sorghum grain quality; trait correlations; yield-related traits.

read more

Genetic Assessment of Yield Traits and Heterosis in Maize Testcrosses under Different Soil Nitrogen Conditions

Nov 18, 2024 |

Folusho Anuoluwapo Bankole, Olawale Serifdeen Aboderin

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-573148

ABSTRACT. Yield trials demand significant time and resources, necessitating efficient data collection on parental lines to optimise breeding programs and reduce costs. This study assessed the correlation between parental traits and hybrid performance, consistency, and predictability of trait expression in F1 hybrids and the heterotic advantage of agronomic traits. A total of 82 parental lines (79 lines and 3 testers) and 237 testcrosses were evaluated alongside 3 standard checks under low- and optimum-soil nitrogen (N) conditions at the Institute for Agricultural Research experimental fields in Zaria and Mokwa during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 growing seasons. Significant genetic variability was observed among parental lines and testcrosses, offering strategic breeding opportunities. Grain yield reductions under low-N conditions (35–95% in inbreds and 1.3–89% in hybrids) highlighted the impact of N stress and the need for N tolerance in maize genotypes. Correlation analysis and repeatability results linked yield improvement in low-N tolerant maize hybrids to the selection of parental lines with superior performance in traits, such as grain yield, stay-green characteristics, and flowering traits. Parental lines P69 and P14, which showed high tolerance to low N and consistent high yields, were identified as valuable genetic resources. Among the hybrids, P65×T2, P66×T3, and P66×T2 stood out, with grain yields exceeding 6000 kg/ha, representing a 42% yield advantage over the best check. These hybrids also demonstrated a high heterotic advantage over their parents and standard checks, indicating their potential for adoption as commercial hybrids in Nigeria.

Keywords: biplot; heterosis; line × tester analysis; maize testcrosses; nitrogen stress; trait correlation.

read more

© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)