Effect of a Single Height Gene (Dw3) of Sorghum vulgare Pers. on Certain Culm and Leaf Blade Characteristics1

Abstract

A 3‐year comparative study was made of isogenic lines of three sorghum varieties. The isogenic lines of each variety differed only in the dominant or recessive allele of the Dw3 height gene. The data showed that the Dw3 gene influenced culm diameter of the third, fourth, and fifth internodes from the top of the plant; peduncle length; and blade width, blade length, and blade area of the third, fourth, and fifth leaves from the top, aswell as culm height. There was no evidence that the Dw3 gene influenced maturity, as measured by number of nodes. Under environmental conditions that prevailed, effect of the dw3 allele resulted in greater culm diameters, longer peduncles, wider leaf blades, and shorter culms in all three varieties. The effect of the dw3 allele on leaf blade length and area was influenced by environment and variety, and its presence resulted in no effect, greater leaf blade length and area, or less leaf blade length and area, depending on environment or variety or both.