Association of Grain Fe and Zn Contents with Agronomic Traits in Sorghum

Abstract

Genetic variability and the association of grain Fe and Zn-contents with other agronomic traits were studied in
1,394 accessions from core germplasm maintained at the ICRISAT gene bank. A large variability for grain Fe and
Zn contents were observed. The grain Fe and Zn contents of the accessions with white grains were marginally
higher than those with colored grains and these white grain sorghums originated mostly from India and Zimbabwe.
The Fe and Zn contents of the accessions with testa and without testa were comparable. However, endosperm
texture and grain size appeared to influence grain Fe and Zn contents. Strong positive correlation between grain
Fe and Zn contents and their weak association with the agronomic and grain traits indicated possibility to breed
simultaneously for high grain Fe and Zn traits in varied plant agronomic backgrounds that might be suitable for
different agro-climatic regions across the world.