Item Details

Title: Performance of elite grain sorghum varieties in the West Nile Agro-ecological Zones

Date Published: 2015
Author/s: E. Awori, M. Kiryowa, A. Basirika, F. Dradiku, R. Kahunza, A. Oriba, C. Edonia, R. Olupot and J. Mukalazi
Data publication:
Funding Agency :
Copyright/patents/trade marks: National Agricultural Research Organisation
Journal Publisher: Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Affiliation: Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (AbiZARDI), P. O. Box 219 Arua, Uganda
1 National Semi-arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI), Serere, Uganda, National Agricultural Research Organisation
Keywords: Flowering, Sorghum bicolor, spacing

Abstract:

Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the fifth most important cereal in the world and
third most important cereal crop in Uganda. In the West Nile region of Uganda, it is the most
important cereal crop. Ten pre-released sorghum varieties, acquired from the National Semi-
Arid Resources Research Institute, were evaluated on-station at Abi Zonal Agricultural Research
and Development Institute during the second rainy seasons of 2011 and 2013 to identify suitable
lines for the region. The four most promising varieties in 2011 were further evaluated in 2012
and 2013 under five different spacings namely; 60 cm×20 cm, 45 cm×20 cm, 35 cm×20 cm, 25
cm×20 cm and 15 cm×20 cm. Sorghum lines evaluated significantly differed in grain yields
(P<0.05). All parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected by spacing, except days to 50%
flowering and number of tillers. The best yielding varieties were GAO9/25(1,975 kg ha-1) and
GA06/33 (1,637 kg ha-1) and the least yielding was NASECO (38.7 kg ha-1) and Epuripuri (31.3 kg ha-1). The 35 cm x 20 cm spacing resulted in the highest yield (2,740.7 kg ha-1) and is recommended for sorghum growing in West Nile region.