| dc.description.abstract | Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a major food crop grown in dry lands and sub-humid areas of
East Africa. A study was conducted between 2010 to 2012 in dry lands (Miwaleni, Kiboko) and sub-
humid (Ukiriguru) environments to identify parents for hybrid production. It involved 121 lines from
ICRISAT and 121 hybrids developed from 36 male sterile lines and 42 restorer lines in a line × tester
crossing. Experiments were planted in an alpha lattice design with three replications. Analysis revealed
significant (P < 0.05) differences between parents and between crosses for yield and yield components,
indicative of potentiality for exploitation. Line IESV23010 expressed best (-6.5) general combing ability
(GCA) for days to 50% flowering (DAF). Highest general combiner for height was -55.4 expressed in
ICSR24007 and for yield was 382.8 expressed in IESV92156DL. The crosses SDSA4×ICSR43 and
SDSA4×ICSR59059 exhibited high and significant specific combining ability (SCA) for DAF. Lines IESB2
and ICSB44 were suited to sub-humid, whereas BTX623, ICSB15 and ICSB6 to dry lands environments.
Testers IESV91104DL, IESV91131DL, ICSR93034 were well suited to dry lands whereas KARI-MTAMA1
and IESV23019 to sub-humid environments. The parents identified could be used to produce hybrids
and varieties for the dry lands and sub-humid environments. | en_US |
