Science Letters

Evaluation of different sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. moench) varieties for grain yield and related characteristics

Aamir Ghani *1, Muhammad Saeed 1, Dilbar Hussain 1, Mian M. Shafique 1, Muhammad Arshad 1, Syed Awais Sajid Shah 2

1 Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yousafwala, Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan

2 Agricultural Research Station, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Abstract

Eight sorghum genotypes were evaluated for grain and other associated traits at Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yousafwala, Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan in 2011. The results revealed that sorghum varieties differed significantly for grain yield, fodder yield, plant height and days to 50% flowering. Among the varieties, YSS-9, YSS-10 (Cream) and YSS-17 produced higher grain yield (3433, 3167 and 3100 kg/ha, respectively) than other genotypes. Varieties YSS-9 and YSS-10 (Cream) produced higher fodder yield of 15833 and 12000 kg/ha, respectively. Sorghum variety YSS-10 (cream) took maximum days (86) to 50% flowering, while variety YSS-98 (control) took minimum 79 days to 50% flowering. Among the tested genotypes, YSS-9 produced higher grain yield as well as fodder yield (stay greener at maturity) than all other genotypes. It has a bold grain size of creamy color which has no tannin contents (anti nutritional factor) and strong root anchor system. So it is concluded that YSS-9 proved as a dual-purpose variety with reasonable grain and fodder yields.

Keywords: Fodder yield, grain yield, sorghum, varieties, yield traits.

Received February 05, 2015 Revised April 13, 2015 Published online first May 15, 2015

*Corresponding author Aamir Ghani Email aamirghani_uaf@yahoo.com Phone +923007966817