Morphological Characteristics and Performance Evaluation of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) Yield and Yield Related Traits in Kurmuk District, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Knowledge of genetic variability enables plant breeders to identify superior traits and facilitate gene introgression from diverse germplasm into breeding programs. Accordingly, a field experiment was undertaken at the Fladulife testing site in Kurmuk district, northwestern Ethiopia, during the 2020/21 cropping season. This research assessed the extent of variability among sorghum accessions for key qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The experiment comprised seventeen sorghum accessions arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Vegetative stage observations showed that 70% of accessions had white midribs, 66% elliptical heads, 57% small seeds, 86% lacked awns, and 98% exhibited tanned leaf pigmentation. Reproductive traits also varied, with 73% compact ear heads, 62% dark brown glumes, and 50% pearly white seeds, reflecting significant qualitative diversity across the accessions. Phenological assessment revealed that most accessions matured between 90 and 120 days, placing them within the medium-maturing category. Yield performance analysis identified ADM1, ADM2, ADM5, ADM6, ADM8, ADM10, ADM16, and ADM17 as low-yielding, whereas ADM4, ADM7, and ADM14 produced intermediate grain yields. The highest grain yield was obtained from accession ADM4, followed by ADM14, suggesting their superior agronomic potential for breeding. Agronomic and morphological assessments have provided a more precise estimation of genetic diversity, constituting the fundamental resource for breeding programs and variety development. The variability identified in this study should be emphasized when formulating breeding strategies for grain yield improvement. To this end, the collection, conservation, and strategic utilization of available germplasm across the study area are imperative.