Performance of open-pollinated and hybrid fodder varieties of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] in Grid regionLakshman

Abstract

The present study was an effort to compare the performance of fodder open-pollinated and hybrids sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] in the Grid region. Two advanced sweet sorghum genotypes of open-pollinated (SPSSV15; SPSSV20), and two hybrids (PAC52093; SPSSH19) were planted at four locations of Grid region viz. two each at Sithouli (26.140° N, 78.196° E; 27.205° N, 77.498° E) and Turari (26.122° N, 78.177° E; 26.138° N, 78.207° E) of Gwalior District during rainy season of 2021. The seeds were sown using the manual dibbling method at a uniform depth of 5 cm during the second week of June in 3 replications. The recommended dose of fertilizers was applied in the form of urea, single super phosphate, and muriate of potash. Data on plant height, biomass accumulation, days to flowering and physiological maturity were recorded using standard procedures. At the 50 per cent flowering stage, ten representative plants from the four central rows of each plot were sampled. The plant biomass was oven-dried, ground and used for chemical estimation. Suitable statistical methods were used to analyze the data. The hybrid SPSSH19 proved superior to the rest of the genotypes under study in terms overall fodder performance and can be recommended as a fodder crop in the Grid region. Keywords: Grid Region, Hybrid sorghum, Nutrient Yield, Open-pollinated sorghum, Sorghum Fodder, Sweet Sorghum.