Evaluation Of Early Maturing Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) Varieties, For Yield And Yield Components In The Lowlands Of Eastern Hararghe

Seven varieties of sorghum were tested for their adaptability at moisture stress areas of Fedis and Babile districts in Eastern Hararghe during 2013 main seasons to evaluate the performance and adaptability of released sorghum varieties for the study area. The varieties used were seven namely Melkam, Meko, Teshale, Gambela 1107, Dhaqaba, Macia and Birhan laid out in RCBD using three replications. The analysis of variance revealed that highly significant (P<0.01) difference in parameters of days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height and panicle length at both locations. Panicle diameter and yield were highly significant at (P<0.01) only at Babile (Erer) and significant difference (P<0.05) were seen for thousand seed weight at both locations during the study. Meko variety were the earliest in days to 50% flowering at both locations taking The earliest days to flowering were observed on Meko variety on both locations with 68.67 and 66.67 days at Fedis and Erer, respectively and late flowering were observed by Dhaqaba variety with 78.33 and 76.67 days at Fedis and Erer, respectively. Again Meko were the earliest in terms of maturity taking only 110.3 and 106.3 days at Fedis and Erer, respectively. The highest grain yield were obtained from Melkam (6122 kg ha-1) variety followed by Macia (5751 kg ha-1), Gambela 1107 (5700 kg ha-1) and Dhaqaba (5537 kg ha-1) at Erer. Concurrently, the lowest yield was obtained from Meko and Birhan yielding 3759 and 4255 kg ha-1, respectively. Overall, all the varieties has showed consistency over locations in this study and recommended for further demonstration to be evaluated under farmer’s management.

Author(s): Fuad Abduselam, Samuel Tegene, Zeleqe Legese, Fikadu Tadesse, Alemayehu Biri and Taye Tessema

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