Abstract
Genotype by environment (G×E) interaction is a major factor limiting the success of germplasm selection and identification of superior genotypes for use in plant breeding programs. Similar to the case in other crops, G×E complicates the improvement of sorghum, and hence it should be determined and used in decision-making programs. The present study aimed at assessing the G×E interaction, and the correlation between traits for superior sorghum genotypes. Three hundred twenty sorghum landraces and four improved varieties were used in alpha lattice experimental design-based field trial across three environments (Melkassa, Mieso and Mehoni) in Ethiopia. Phenotypic data were collected for days to flowering (DTF), plant height (PH), panicle length (PALH), panicle width (PAWD), panicle weight (PAWT) and grain yield (GY). The results revealed that the variance due to genotype, environment and G×E interaction were highly significant (P < 0.001) for all traits. GY and PAWT were highly affected by environments and G×E whereas DTF, PALH, PAWD and PH were mainly affected by genotypic variation. Therefore, multi-environment testing is needed for taking care of G × E interaction to identify high yielding and stable sorghum landraces. GY and PAWT revealed highly significant positive correlations indicating the possibility of effective selection of the two traits simultaneously. Among the studied populations, South Wello, West Hararghe and Shewa zones had highly diverse genotypes that were distributed across all clusters. Hence, these areas can be considered as hotspots for identifying divergent sorghum landraces that could be used in breeding programs. Melkassa was the most representative environment whereas Mieso was the most discriminating. Five genotypes (G148, G123, G110, G203 and G73) were identified as superior across the test environments for grain yield with farmer-preferred trait, such as plant height. The identified stable and high yielding genotypes are valuable genetic resources that should be used in sorghum breeding programs.
Highlights
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) belongs to the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae)
The genotype explained over 50% of the total variation in days to flowering (DTF), Plant height (PH), panicle length (PALH) and Panicle width (PAWD)
This study determined Genotype by environment (G×E) interaction effect, stability of genotypes and representativeness and discriminating ability of environments for days to flowering, plant height, panicle length, panicle width, panicle weight and yield in diverse sorghum genotypes grown in Ethiopia
Summary
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) belongs to the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae) It is a predominantly self-pollinated [1] diploid (2n = 2x = 20) species with a genome size of ca 700 Mbp [2]. It is the fifth most important cereal crop only surpassed by maize, rice, wheat, and barley, with a global production estimated at 59.3 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2019/2020 [3,4]. In Africa, sorghum is the second most widely cultivated cereal crop following maize, with a total production of 29.8 MMT on 29.7 million ha of cultivated land [3]. Its grain yield varied from 3.3 to 4.8 tha−1 on well-managed fields and experimental plots [5]
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