Evaluation of improved lowland sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, there are several sorghum production constraints, among which shortage of high yielding varieties is the major one. The objective of this experiment was to select superior lowland sorghum varieties in Basketo special and Melokoza districts. An experiment was conducted in the 2017 main cropping season with seven improved varieties (Teshale, Melkam, Dekebe, Meko, Seredo, Gubiye, 76T1#23) and one local check arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. The result of the study revealed that the effect of variety was significant for all the measured traits. Among the varieties, the highest average grain yield (2945 kg ha-1) was obtained from Teshele variety. Thus, this variety would be recommended for further demonstration and pre-scaling up in Melokoza and Basketo special districts and other similar agro ecologies.

Keywords

• sorghum
• grain yield
• varieties