Genotype environment interaction on sugar and biomass production in sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L). Moench) in western Kenya

Abstract

Genotype x environment interaction was determined from field experiments conducted to evaluate sweet sorghum genotypes in Western Kenya during the 2011, 2012 and 2013 rainy season from April to July at Alupe, Kibos, Homa Bay and Spectre International farm. The materials used in the study consisted of sixteen sweet sorghum genotypes and two sorghum genotypes sourced from ICRISAT and KARI. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on sorghum traits in accordance with the procedure outlined in the ICRISAT sorghum descriptor. The study revealed that genotype by environment interaction had significant influence on most of the traits. This indicates that selection for plant height, girth, brix juice, juice volume and stalks weigh cannot be carried out across the four environments, suggesting that selection for these traits have to be carried separately in each of the four environments.