Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 63: 4720 - 4726 Published March 31, 2013.
Agronomic and morphological performance of sorghum (sorghum bicolour l.) for the dry highlands of Kenya
*Ouma J. P., 1* Akuja T. E.21Department of Crops, Horticulture and Crops, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, 20115, Egerton, Kenya.
2Department of Dryland Agriculture, South Eastern University College (A Constituent College of the University of Nairobi), P.O. Box 170, 90200, Kitui, Kenya
*Corresponding author: jpam4_2001@yahoo.com
ABSRTACT
Objectives:
The use of low yielding cultivars has been a major cause of poor
sorghum production in the semi arid areas of Kenya. A study was
conducted to determine the agronomic and morphological suitability of
improved sorghum lines for adaptability to dry highlands of Kenya.
Methodology and Results: An experiment was set up as RCBD with 3 replicates at two sites (Nakuru and Baringo Counties) in the Rift valley Province of Kenya in March/April 2008 and 2009 to determine the plant height, flowering date, grain yield, 100-seed weight and agronomic score of 28 sorghum genotypes. Of the 28 genotypes evaluated, five lines gave significantly higher grain yield than the local check, Ikinyaruka. Mean grain yield was higher at the cooler, wetter Lanet site (3587.5 Kg ha -1) compared to the drier site, Koibatek (2298.5 Kg ha -1). At Koibatek, grain yield was higher in 2008 (2298.8 Kg ha -1) against 715.4 Kg ha -1 for 2009. The genotypes were classified into extra early flowering and maturation (BJ 28 and IESV90015 with mean days to flowering of about 80 days; medium maturity (100-107 days to 50% flowering) and late (Koibatek local with 161 days to flower and IS 11909 with 111 days to flower).
Conclusion and application of findings: The late maturity genotypes showed potential for forage by virtue of high biomass through multiple tillering and drought recovery. The IESV series experienced less grain yield reduction compared to other lines under reduced rainfall.
Key Words: Flowering, rainfall, grain yield, agronomic score
Methodology and Results: An experiment was set up as RCBD with 3 replicates at two sites (Nakuru and Baringo Counties) in the Rift valley Province of Kenya in March/April 2008 and 2009 to determine the plant height, flowering date, grain yield, 100-seed weight and agronomic score of 28 sorghum genotypes. Of the 28 genotypes evaluated, five lines gave significantly higher grain yield than the local check, Ikinyaruka. Mean grain yield was higher at the cooler, wetter Lanet site (3587.5 Kg ha -1) compared to the drier site, Koibatek (2298.5 Kg ha -1). At Koibatek, grain yield was higher in 2008 (2298.8 Kg ha -1) against 715.4 Kg ha -1 for 2009. The genotypes were classified into extra early flowering and maturation (BJ 28 and IESV90015 with mean days to flowering of about 80 days; medium maturity (100-107 days to 50% flowering) and late (Koibatek local with 161 days to flower and IS 11909 with 111 days to flower).
Conclusion and application of findings: The late maturity genotypes showed potential for forage by virtue of high biomass through multiple tillering and drought recovery. The IESV series experienced less grain yield reduction compared to other lines under reduced rainfall.
Key Words: Flowering, rainfall, grain yield, agronomic score
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