Genetic divergence among a non-restorer collection of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and its relationship with heterosis

A genetic diversity analysis in a collection of 171 non-restorer lines of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) using D2 technique and canonical variate analysis indicated that considerable variation in grain yield has been added to the collection by the addition of lines derived from random mating populations. The efficiency of D2 and canonical variate techniques in distinguishing extremely diverse genotypes was confirmed. However, the two techniques showed weak correspondence in their clusters. The F1 hybrids of 15 diverse lines exhibited no relationship between heterosis or per se performance of crosses and diversity in their parents. Therefore, traditional plant breeding methods are being advocated.