Evaluation of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) Varieties and Environments for Yield Performance and Stability

Abstract

Sorghum is a major food crop grown in Western Hararghe, accounting for 59.3% followed by maize 32.8%, and tef 4.15% of the total cultivated areas. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the adaptability and stability of released sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench)) varieties at three location in West Hararghe, Ethiopia. Five sorghum varieties (Mesay, ESH-1, Meko, Chare and Girana-1) were planted in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) in three locations, with three replications. The AMMI analysis of variance for grain yield showed that the main effect of Variety (V), environment (E), and G X E account for 4.5, 86.9 and 2.3 % of the total variation, respectively. The variety ESH-1 (38.67 Qut ha^-1) produced the  highest grain yield than other varieties while the lowest grain yield was recorded in Mako variety (28.89 Qut ha^-1). ESH -1 resulted in higher yield advantage than Girana-1 ( 13.21%), Mesay ( 22.4%), Chare (24.4%) and Mako (25.29%). Environments were positively correlated one another. Miesso and Hawi Gudina were moisture stress area and suitable environment for sorghum production than Mechara. The result clearly indicated that ESH-1 and Girana-1 were the tolerable variety than other variety at all locations. Finally ESH-1 and Girana-1 was preferred for further demonstration and promotion in low moisture stress area of West Hararghe to contribute to food security in the area.

Keywords: AMMI model, Environment X variety interaction, Sorghum variety