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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Improvement of the traditional forage sorghum cultivar ‘Abu Sab’in’

Maarouf I. Mohammed, Gamal E. Khalifa, Ghada H. Abdulrahman  and Mohammed I. Elmahi

Abstract:

A study was conducted in Khartoum and Nile States during 2000-2004 with an objective to improve the traditional forage Sorghum Abu Sab’in [Sorghum bicolor (L). Moench]. Around 206 plants were selected from a source population of the traditional Abu Sab’in during October 2000 and the progeny of the selected plants were tested in breeding nurseries during 2001. Six lines were identified and tested against the check (traditional Abu Sab’in) in preliminary yield trials during 2002-2003 using RCB design. Two selections were finally advanced for testing against the check in the farmers’ fields during 2003-2004. Agronomic and quality traits were studied. The results obtained indicated that the line S.19 consistently excelled the check in green matter yield during both summer and winter sowings with an overall gain of about 30%. Also and in farmers’ fields, the line was significantly better in the average growth rate. In addition, S.19 was significantly better in juiciness and sugar content than the check. The proximate analysis revealed no major differences between the feeding value of S. 19 and the check cultivar. The newly developed line (S.19) was released by the Variety Release Committee under the name ‘Kambal’ for commercial production in Khartoum and Nile States as an irrigated forage cultivar.
 

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 11  (2008) PP. 25-33