Article No.: 100719180

Thirty (30) Sweet Sorghum genotypes were
evaluated for 8 traits in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with
three replications at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center in 2018. The
objective of the study were to develop best performed sweet sorghum genotypes
that adapted to central rift valley area of Ethiopia and to identify best
performed genotypes for agronomic traits, stalk yield and brix value. The
analysis of variance showed that mean square of sweet sorghum genotypes was
highly significant (p<0.01) for all traits studied. The analysis of
variances of sweet sorghum genotypes evaluated for 8 traits revealed highly
significant difference between the genotypes for most traits and significant
difference among genotypes for days to heading. It was interesting to note
that there were eight genotypes matured before the check while genotype
MR#22XIS8613/2/3-1-3 was the late maturing with 133 days. Genotype
Ent.#64DTN shown to head and mature early in both characters. In case of
plant height, twelve genotypes were found to be taller than the check.
Genotype IESV 91104 DL was taller than other all genotypes with the height
215cm. In sweet sorghum, tall and thick stems contribute more towards the
millable cane yield and juice yield. There were twelve genotypes have brix
values greater than 18%  before grain
filling while only ten genotypes scored greater than 18% at maturity stage.
The genotype, IESV 92001 DL, was the superior genotype in brix values before
grain filling and ICSB 654 also revealed highest in brix value at
physiological maturity. The most important genotypes for showing excellent
performance on grain yield per hectare obtained from IESV 92008DL, MR #
22XIS8613/2/3-1-3 and IS 2331with grain yield of 2791 kg/ha, 3416 kg/ha and
2677 kg/ha respectively, than the check variety (2530 kilogram per hectare).

Submitted: 07/10/2019

*Corresponding Author

Jemal Bekere

E-mail: jemalbekere2@
gmail.com