Abstract:
Many studies have been conducted on the yield performance of improved and local sorghum varieties under good management, however, little is known about the yield of these varieties under low soil fertility and moisture. This study therefore presents results of yield performance of improved and local sorghum varieties in North Eastern Uganda conducted between 2014 and 2015. It aimed at comparing yield performance of improved sorghum varieties with that of local cultivars under low soil nutrients and moisture. Data were collected mainly using the semi- structured questionnaires and experiments. The survey results show that 53.3% of the households perceived sorghum yields to have been decreasing while the (46.7%) perceived sorghum yields as either constant or increasing. Analysis of student t-test on sorghum yield shows that there was significant effect (p?0.05) between yield of improved and local sorghum varieties. The yield performance of local sorghum varieties (Karieng =1092 kg/ha and Kabir = 1018 kg/ha) were higher that of improved sorghum varieties. Analysis of studentt-test on soil nutrient content and soil moisture before setting up experiment also show that there was only significant effect on sand particle while the rest of other nutrients did not show any effect in the Nabuin, Matany,Iriiri,Gweri and Tubur experimental sites. It can be concluded that the notion of higher yield in the improved sorghum varieties is not generally applicable. |
