Abstract
Introducing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) genotypes into new environments is necessary for expanding the production of food and fuel, but these efforts are complicated by significant genotype × environment interactions that can reduce their effectiveness. This study set out to thoroughly analyze genotype × environment interactions and assess trade-offs between the agronomic performance and the stability of grain and biomass yields of ten contrasting genotypes under Sudano-Sahelian conditions. Experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. They were conducted from 2013 to 2016 in Bambey, Sinthiou Malem and Nioro du Rip in Senegal. The joint analysis of variance revealed a highly significant effect (p < 0.0001) of genotypes (G), environments (E) and G × E interaction. Most genotypes showed specific adaptations. The best grain yields were obtained by the Nieleni and Fadda hybrids, while the improved varieties IS15401 and SK5912 were best for biomass production. An Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that good grain yields were associated with environments having good soil fertility and good rainfall, while biomass yields were more influenced by the sowing date and rainfall. Similarly, we were able to confirm for our 10 sorghum genotypes that yield stability was generally associated with low performance, except for the Nieleni and Fadda hybrids, which performed well for grain and biomass production regardless of the environment. The Senegalese control genotype, 621B, showed particular susceptibility to growing conditions (soil), but remained very productive (more than 3 tons per hectare) under good agro-pedological conditions. These results lead us to recommend the Fadda and Nieleni hybrids for the entire study region, while 621B can also be recommended, but only for highly specific environments with good soils.
Highlights
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the main cereals grown in arid and semi-arid tropical regions [1]
The values of the indicators for each environment were summarized through a principal component analysis: this showed that 68.7 % of the initial information provided was returned (Figure 2)
The AMMI model showed that grain and biomass yields were strongly influenced by genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interaction
Summary
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the main cereals grown in arid and semi-arid tropical regions [1]. With a global production of about 68.9 million tons in 2015, from around 49.9 million hectares, sorghum ranks fifth in cereal production after maize, wheat, rice and barley [2]. It is mainly used for animal feed in most developed countries, but in Africa and India it is a staple food for millions of people [3]. In Senegal, after pearl millet and maize, sorghum is the third most important dryland cereal crop, with an estimated total area of more than 221,329 ha for a national production of 225,865 tons and a mean yield of 1,020 kg ha−1 [5]. Its production comes up against several constraints that lead to low yields, such as irregularities in rainfall distribution exacerbated by climate change, low soil fertility and sandy soils, and various crop diseases and pests [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
