Inadequate information is available on trait relations and profiles of sorghum genotypes, yet this information is vital for precise decisions to be undertaken in breeding programs. Here, 17 sorghum experimental lines were evaluated together with three checks at five locations, representing the major sorghum production environments in Zimbabwe. Across site analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant genotypic effects on grain yield (GYD) as well as the other traits, including panicle length (PL) and stem diameter (SD). Distance-based clustering indicated the possibility of indirectly selecting for GYD using; SD, exertion (EXSTN), panicle length (PL), panicle width (PW) and number of leaves (NL). In addition, the vector view of the genotype-by-trait (GT) biplot also revealed strong correlations between GYD and, PW, SD and FYD, as well as the other physiological traits including, days to male flowering (DMA) and days to physiological maturity (DPM). Genotypes superior for a combination of traits were, G6, G7, G11, G18 and G20, which were strong for GYD, PL and PW, as well as, G5 which was strong for sugar content (SC), number of leaves (NL) and SD. Genotypes 15, 16 and 17, were specifically strong for GYD whereas, genotypes 4 and 9 were strong for FYD. Overall, results revealed the key traits which can be considered singularly or in combination, when selecting suitable sorghum genotypes, either for feed or food purposes, under arid and semi-arid conditions. This information is vital for decision making in sorghum breeding programs.
Performance of three newly released short-seasoned (Nsinjiro, Chitala and JL11) were evaluated against old (Nyanda, Illanda and Tern) groundnuts varieties under same agronomic practices. A field experiment laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates was done. Varieties were evaluated for days to 50% emergence, 50% flowering, days to physiological maturity, pod and seed yield, and shelling percentage. There were no significant difference in the days to 50% emergence among all varieties but significant difference (p ˂ 0.05) were observed on days to 50% flowering. JL11 and Tern took shortest (90 days) and longest (120 days) time to physiological maturity respectively. Chitala had highest (3.804t/ha) and Tern had lowest (3.020t/ha) seed yield. Jl11 had highest (83%) and Nyanda least (68%) shelling percentage. Results showed that the new varieties out-performed the old varieties in all measured parameters. Therefore, resource constrained farmers may safely opt for the new short-seasoned varieties over the old ones.
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