Diversity Analysis for Grain Nutrient Content and Agronomic Traits among Newly Bred Striga-Resistant and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae (FOS)-Compatible Sorghum Genotypes

Abstract

The parasitic weed, Striga species, is among the major causes of yield and quality losses of cereal and legume crops in sub-Saharan Africa. The development of nutritionally enhanced genetic resources with Striga resistance is an overriding consideration in sorghum breeding programs. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic variability among 12 elite and newly bred sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) lines with variable Striga resistance for agronomic performance and nutritional traits. The sorghum genotypes were analyzed for protein, amino acid profiles, and selected minerals. For agronomic traits, significant variations were observed for yield per plant that varied from 51.74 to 15.12 g/plant, with a mean of 29.77 g/plant. The tested genotypes showed significant (p < 0.05) variation in protein, amino acid, iron, and zinc contents. The crude protein content varied from 9.59 to 13.60%, with a mean of 11.64%. The lysine values ranged from 1.13 to 3.08%, with a mean of 2.15%, while methionine content varied from 0.42 to 1.58%, with a mean of 0.87%. Iron content ranged from 35.26 to 156.32 mg/kg with a mean of 78.32 mg/kg, while zinc content varied from 14.45 to 44.46 mg/kg with a mean of 24.91 mg/kg. The following genotypes: AS1, PAN8816, 672, Macia, AS436, 3984 × 630, AS426 × 672, and 105 × 654 were identified as having superior agronomic and nutritional qualities for commercialization and sorghum breeding programs.