VI. Material and Methods The planned research study willbe carried out in Somatic Cell Genetics Laboratory, Centre of AgriculturalBiochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.Plant Material and Cultivation:The sorghum germplasm used in thestudy are provided by Agriculture Research Service, United Sates Department ofAgriculture (ARS-USDA), USA. These varieties will be screened based on theirbiomass related traits. Then diversity analysis of these varieties will be doneby using molecular markers.

 Lay out and Phenotyping:The Sorghum germplasm trial willbe sown at the research field area of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, byusing Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications usingdibbler method. The row × row and plant × plant distances will be 30 cm and 10cm respectively. Fifteen plants will be planted in a line. Identified best performingplants from each genotype per replication will be selected on biomass relatedtraits. Biomass related traits: 1.                 Germination Percentage (%)2.

                 No. of Leaves per Plant (n)3.                 No. of Nodes (n)4.                 Days to 50% Flowering5.

                 Brix Value6.                 Fresh Biomass (g)7.                 Dry Biomass (g)8.                 Days to Maturity (n) 9.                 Plant Height (cm) Molecular Analysis: 1.                 The fresh leaf samples will beused for DNA extraction following the method reported by Khan et al.(2004).2.

                 The DNA quantification will be optimized 3.                 The genetic divergence of sorghum germplasm will beassessed by SSR.      Statistical Analysis: The data will be analyzed using POPGENE 32 computersoftware (ver. 1.44) (Yeh et al., 1999) and the efficiency of SSR markers regarding no. of loci, no.

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