Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Quantitative-genetic parameters of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown in semi-arid areas of Kenya

  • Published:
Euphytica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Low and erratic rainfall constitutes a major constraint to sorghum production, and impedes sorghum improvement in semi-arid tropics. To estimate quantitative-genetic parameters for sorghum under variable stress conditions, three sets of factorial crosses between four by four lines each were grown with parents and a local cultivar in eight macro-environments in semi-arid areas of Kenya. Fourteen traits were recorded including grain yield, above-ground drymatter, harvest index, days to anthesis, leaf rolling score, and stay-green. Environmental means for grain yield ranged from 167 to 595 g m-2. Mean hybrid superiority over mid-parent values was 47, 31, and 9% for grain yield, above-ground drymatter, and harvest index, respectively. Differences among both lines and hybrids were highly significant for all traits. Genotype × environment interaction variances were larger than genotypic variances for grain yield, above-ground drymatter, and harvest index. Corresponding heritabilities ranged between 0.72 and 0.84. Variation among hybrids was determined by GCA and SCA effects for most characters. Predominance of additive-genetic effects was found for grain yield components, plant height, and leaf rolling score. Lack of variation in GCA was noted among female lines for major performance traits. While low leaf rolling score was correlated with high grain yield, there was no such association for stay-green. Hybrid breeding could contribute to sorghum improvement for semi-arid areas of Kenya. To increase selection progress for major performance traits, genetic variation among female lines should be enhanced. Importance of genotype × environment interaction underlines the necessity of evaluating breeding materials under a broad range of dryland conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acevedo, E. & E. Fereres, 1993. Resistance to abiotic stresses. In: M.D. Hayward, N.O. Bosemark & I. Romagosa (Eds), Plant Breeding: Principles and Prospects, pp. 406–421. Chapman & Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allard, R.W., 1960. Principles of Plant Breeding. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, United States of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beil, G.M. & R.E. Atkins, 1967. Estimates of general and specific combining ability in F1 hybrids for grain yield and its components in grain sorghum, Sorghum vulgare Pers. Crop Sci 7: 225–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bidinger, F.R., E. Weltzien, R.V. Mahalakshmi, S.D. Singh & K.P. Rao, 1994. Evaluation of landrace topcross hybrids of pearl millet for arid zone environments. Euphytica 76: 215–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bittinger, T.S., R.P. Cantrell, J.D. Axtell & W.E. Nyquist, 1981. Analysis of quantitative traits in PP9 random mating sorghum population. Crop Sci 21: 664–669.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, A., 1988. Plant Breeding for Stress Environments. CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli, S., 1987. Breeding strategies to improve barley yields and stability in drought prone environments. In: L. Monti & E. Porceddu (Eds), Agriculture — Drought Resistance in Plants: Physiological and Genetic Aspects, pp. 333–348. Meeting held in Amalfi, 19 to 23 October 1986. Commission of the European Communities, Luxembourg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli, S., 1994. Specific adaptation and breeding for marginal conditions. Euphytica 77: 205–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli, S., E. Acevedo & S. Grando, 1991. Breeding for yield stability in unpredictable environments: single traits, interaction between traits, and architecture of genotypes. Euphytica 56: 169–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli, S. & S. Grando, 1991. Environment of selection and type of germplasm in barley breeding for stress conditions. Euphytica 57: 207–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli, S., M.M. Nachit, G.O. Ferrara, M.S. Mekui, M. Tahir, J. von Leur & J.P. Srivastava, 1987. Breeding strategies for improving cereal yield and stability under drought. In: J.P. Srivastava, E. Porceddu, E. Acevedo & S. Varma (Eds), Drought Tolerance in Winter Cereals, pp. 101–114. ICARDA. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

  • Collins, F.C. & R.C. Pickett, 1972. Combining ability for yield, protein, and lysine in an incomplete diallel of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Crop Sci 12: 5–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corlett, J.E., H.G. Jones, A. Massacci & J. Masojidek, 1994. Water deficit, leaf rolling, and susceptibility to photoinhibition in field grown sorghum. Physiol Plant 92: 423–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkner, R.E., M.D. Finkner, R.M. Glaze & G. Maese, 1981. Genetic control for percentage grain protein and grain yield in grain sorghum. Crop Sci 21: 139–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haussmann, B.I.G., A.B. Obilana, A. Blum, P.O. Ayiecho, W. Schipprack & H.H. Geiger, 1998. Hybrid performance of sorghum and its relationship to morphological and physiological traits under variable drought stress in Kenya. Plant Breeding 117: 223–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hookstra, G.H., W.M. Ross & R.F. Mumm, 1983. Simultaneous evaluation of grain sorghum A-lines and random-mating populations with topcrosses. Crop Sci 23: 977–981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jan-orn, J., C.O. Gardner & W.M. Ross, 1976. Quantitative genetic studies of the NP3R random-mating grain sorghum population. Crop Sci 16: 489–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jowett, D., 1972. Yield stability parameters for sorghum in East Africa. Crop Sci 12: 314–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kambal, A.E. & O.J. Webster, 1966. Manifestations of hybrid vigor in grain sorghum and the relations among the components of yield, weight per bushel, and height. Crop Sci 6: 513–515.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laosuwan, P. & R.E. Atkins, 1977. Estimates of combining ability and heterosis in converted exotic sorghums. Crop Sci 17: 47–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlow, M.M. & R.C. Muchow, 1990. A critical evaluation of traits for improving crop yields in water-limited environments. Adv Agron 43: 107–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahalakshmi, V., F.R. Bidinger, K.P. Rao & D.S. Raju, 1992. Performance and stability of pearl millet topcross hybrids and their variety pollinators. Crop Sci 32: 928–932.

    Google Scholar 

  • Majisu, B.N. & H. Doggett, 1972. The yield stability of sorghum varieties and hybrids in East African environments. East Afr Agric Forest J October 1972: 179–192.

  • Martiniello, P., 1984. Drought resistance in maize: methods of detection and breeding considerations. Genet Agrar 38: 267–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, R.B., S.N. Azam-Ali & J.M. Peacock, 1990. Response of four sorghum lines to mid-season drought. II. Leaf characteristics. Field Crops Res 25: 297–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, R.C., V.S. Kandalkar & G.S. Chauhan, 1992. Combining ability analysis of harvest index and its components in sorghum. Ind J Genet 52: 178–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreno-Gonzáles, J. & J.I. Cubero, 1993. Selection strategies and choice of breeding methods. In: M.D. Hayward, N.O. Bosemark & I. Romagosa (Eds), Plant Breeding: Principles and Prospects, pp. 281–313. Chapman & Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukuru, S.Z., 1993. Sorghum and Millet in Eastern Africa. In: D.E. Byth (Ed), Sorghum and Millets Commodity and Research Environments, pp. 57–62. ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niehaus, M.H. & R.C. Pickett, 1966. Heterosis and combining ability in a diallel cross in Sorghum vulgare Pers. Crop Sci 6: 33–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romagosa, I. & P.N. Fox, 1993. Genotype_environment interaction and adaptation. In: M.D. Hayward, N.O. Bosemark & I. Romagosa (Eds), Plant Breeding: Principles and Prospects, pp. 373–390. Chapman & Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Searle, S.R., 1971. Linear Models. Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singhania, D.L., 1980. Heterosis and combining ability studies in grain sorghum. Ind J Genet Pl Breed 40: 463–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M.E., W.R. Coffman & T.C. Barker, 1990. Environmental effects on selection under high and low input conditions. In: M.S. Kang (Ed), Genotype-by-environment Interaction and Plant Breeding, pp. 261–272. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ud-Din, N., B.F. Larver & A.C. Clutter, 1992. Genetic analysis and selection for wheat yield in drought stressed and irrigated environments. Euphytica 62: 89–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utz, H.F., 1993. PLABSTAT: A computer program for the statistical analysis of plant breeding experiments. Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science, and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utz, H.F., 1994. PLABCOV: Varianz-und Kovarianzanalysen. Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science, and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Oosterom, E.J., V. Mahalakshmi, F.R. Bidinger & K.P. Rao, 1996. Effect of water availability and temperature on the genotype-by-environments interaction of pearl millet in semiarid tropical environments. Euphytica 89: 175–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Virk, D.S. & B.K. Mangat, 1991. Detection of cross over genotype × environment interactions in pearl millet. Euphytica 52: 193–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weltzien, E. & G. Fischbeck, 1990. Performance and variability of local barley landraces in Near-Eastern environments. Plant Breeding 104: 58–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zavala-García, F., P.J. Bramel-Cox & J.D. Eastin, 1992a. Potential gain from selection for yield stability in two grain sorghum populations. Theor Appl Genet 85: 112–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zavala-García, F., P.J. Bramel-Cox, J.D. Eastin, M.D. Witt & D.J. Andrews, 1992b. Increasing the efficiency of crop selection for unpredictable environments. Crop Sci 32: 51–57.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science, and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany

    B.I.G. Haussmann, W. Schipprack & H.H. Geiger

  2. ICRISAT, P.O. Box 776, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

    A.B. Obilana

  3. Department of Crop Science, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box, 30197, Nairobi, Kenya

    P.O. Ayiecho

  4. Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan, Israel

    A. Blum

Authors
  1. B.I.G. Haussmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A.B. Obilana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P.O. Ayiecho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Blum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. W. Schipprack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. H.H. Geiger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haussmann, B., Obilana, A., Ayiecho, P. et al. Quantitative-genetic parameters of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown in semi-arid areas of Kenya. Euphytica 105, 109–118 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003469528461

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003469528461

Search

Navigation