International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Bioresearch

ISSN : 2456-8643

Agronomic Performance Of Dual-purpose Sorghum Hybrids In Three Environments In The Sudanian Zone Of Mali

Authors: Fily Dembélé , Abdoulaye Diallo , Sory Sissoko , Aly Kansaye , Bocar Diallo , Adama Diallo , Alfousseiny Maiga , Karim Dagno , Issa Traoré , Yacouba Kané , Aboubacar Touré , Niaba Témé and Alhousseini Bretaudeau, Mali

Abstract:

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a major food crop in West Africa. In Mali, sorghum grains are used for human consumption (Tô, couscous, porridge, etc.) while the stems and leaves are used as livestock feed and building materials. However, it must be recognized that production faces many constraints such as low productivity and poor digestibility of local varieties, etc. The aim of our study is to contribute to improving human and animal nutrition through the development of sorghum hybrids combining high grain and straw yield potential. Thus, 44 F1 hybrids including 15 parents and 1 Fadda hybrid control were evaluated in three environments: Sotuba, Samanko and Kolombada for their grain and straw yield performance. The experimental design used is an Alpha Lattice with three replicates per environment. Hybrid heterosis effects of -22.66% to +254.06% for grain yield versus 26.25% to 255.97% for straw yield were observed. Thirty-five hybrids were found to be superior to control cultivars and parental pure lines in terms of productivity and stability. Hybrids combining grain and straw yield and stability across the three environments may be proposed for registration in the catalogue of plant species and varieties..