Agronomic Performances of Hybrid Sorghum bicolor [L] Moench, Guinea Races Cultivatedunder Limited and High-Soil Phosphorus Conditions

Sorghum bicolor [L] Moench is among the main starchy staples in Mali. However, its yield is low. Development of Guinea sorghum hybrids adapted to the Malian environment is one of the solutions to increase sorghum production and productivity. This study was carried out to: identify the combining ability of Guinea sorghum and intermediate races for grain yield, to assess the agronomic performance of hybrids in relation to local cultivars currently grown by the farmers under low and high soil phosphorus conditions; and develop the methods of hybrid seed production. Study was conducted in research stations of Samanko during the rainy season. Results revealed that the response of yield and plant growth performance to fertilization depended on the genotype. The Guinea-Caudatum/Guinea-Caudatum hybrids were the most productive in the plot with Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP). On the other hand, in the poor soil without DAP the Guinea-Ecotype/Guinea-Ecotype and Guinea-Ecotype/Guinea-Caudatum hybrids were the most productive. The best hybrids in terms of high yield stability in both trials were evaluated in farmers' fields in 15 villages. The hybrids: 150A/02-SB-F4DT-298, 150A/Grinkan, 12A/Lata-3-Bala, PR3009A/Lata-3-Bala and FambeA/Lata-3-Bala were identified as the farmers' preferred hybrids due to their high yield and good grain quality, and they were listed in the National Catalog. A total of 608 seed production farmers and peoples from private seed companies, farmers' associations and extension services were trained in hybrid seed production techniques. Through this study, the introduction of sorghum hybrids farming in Mali has become a reality.