Hybrid performance of sorghum and its relationship to morphological and physiological traits under variable drought stress in Kenya

Haussmann, B I G and Obilana, A B and Blum, A and Ayiecho, P O and Schipprack, W and Geiger, H H (1998) Hybrid performance of sorghum and its relationship to morphological and physiological traits under variable drought stress in Kenya. Plant Breeding, 117 (3). pp. 223-229. ISSN 1439-0523

[img] PDF
Restricted to ICRISAT users only

Download (15MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L. Moench, is grown mostly in semi-arid climates where unpredictable drought stress constitutes a major production constraint. To investigate hybrid performance at different levels of drought stress, 12 single-cross hybrids of grain sorghum and their 24 parent lines were grown in eight site-season combinations in a semi-arid area of Kenya. In addition, a subset of 20 genotypes was evaluated at the seedling stage under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress. Environmental means for grain yield ranged from 47 to 584 g/m2reflecting the following situations: two non-stress, one moderate pre-flowering, four moderate terminal and one extreme drought stress. Mean hybrid superiority over mid-parent values was 54% for grain yield and 35% for above-ground biomass. Across environments, hybrids out-yielded two local varieties by 12%. Differences in yield potential contributed to grain yield differences in all stress environments. Early anthesis was most important for specific adaptation to extreme drought. Field performance was not related to growth reduction and osmotic adjustment under PEG-induced drought stress. In conclusion, exploitation of hybrid vigour could improve the productivity of sorghum in semi-arid areas

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Sorghum bicolor; drought escape; heterosis; osmotic adjustment; semi-arid areas; yield potential
Subjects: Mandate crops > Sorghum
Depositing User: Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited: 16 May 2013 10:51
Last Modified: 20 Sep 2013 06:27
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/6805
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0523.1998.tb01930...
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
Links:
View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item