Heterozygosity, adaptability, and phenotypic stability of sweet sorghum genotypes

Abstract

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a promising energy crop for bioethanol production. This study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic structure on the adaptability and phenotypic stability of sweet sorghum lines and hybrids regarding the main agro-industrial traits, as well as selecting hybrids that associate high ethanol yield and yield stability in different growing environments. A total of 45 genotypes were evaluated in experiments conducted in a 5×9 triple alpha lattice design in three locations in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The following traits were measured: fresh matter production, juice extraction percentage, total soluble solids content, tons of Brix per hectare, and ethanol production. Adaptability and phenotypic stability were assessed by the Wricke and Annicchiarico methods. Sweet sorghum adaptability and phenotypic stability depend on genotype genetic structure, with hybrids being more stable than parental lines. Additionally, H2x9 and H3x8 were the most promising hybrids.