Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) is the most widely produced and consumed
cereal crop in Sudan. However, productivity is low since the crop is
produced in favorable and unfavorable environments where the crop suffers
from drought stresses at different growth stages. In the present study, six
sorghum inbred lines developed by local breeding program and two commercial
checks were evaluated for grain yield potential, yield stability, some
important agronomic characters and grain quality properties. Series variety
trials were conducted at Elobeid and Suki, Damazin areas of Sudan, during
three consecutive rainy seasons. The selected locations represent low,
medium and high rainfall areas of Sudan. The trial was laid out in a
randomized complete block design. The results revealed that mean squares of
genotypes, seasons, locations, location x season, location x genotypes,
season x genotypes and season x location x genotype interactions were highly
significant (P=0.01) for grain yield. The sorghum genotypes Edo 34-23-4, Edo
26-18 and Edo 16-dwarf produced substantially higher grain yields than
commercial checks and the trial mean. Their percentage yield increase ranged
from 5% to 75% over commercial checks. The stability analysis revealed that
the above mentioned Edo-genotypes had high yield potentials and were stable
across a wide range of agricultural conditions. Moreover, the same Edo-lines
showed early maturing compared to selected commercial checks and also the
Edo-lines possessed good food grains and were market preferred and
acceptable for making quality kisra (fermented sorghum pancake-like
flatbread). The Edo developed lines also possess the acceptable grain
quality in addition to moderate physical grain characteristics such as
protein content, fat acidity and moisture content.
Multi-environment analysis of grain quality traits in recombinant inbred lines of a biparental cross in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
