Evaluation of the combining ability of CMS lines in crosses with samples of grain sorghum and Sudan grass

O. Kibalnik*, S. Kukoleva, D. Semin, I. Efremova and V. Starchak

FSBSI Russian Research and Design-Technological Institute of Sorghum and Corn, 1-y Institutskiy Passage, 4, RU410050 Saratov, Russia
*Correspondence: kibalnik79@yandex.ru

Abstract:

The versatility of use, species diversity, and high drought resistance have ensured the demand for sorghum among agricultural crops in the world. Currently, the most promising direction of breeding is the creation of F1 sorghum hybrids, which is based on the identification and selection of parental forms with high combining ability. In this paper, the combining ability analysis crosses of two hybridization schemes: grain×grain sorghum and grain sorghum×Sudan grass was carried out using topcross method. Gene action governing inheritance of a particular trait can be measured in terms of general and specific combining ability estimates, where general combining ability effects are mostly indicative of additive gene action (ms (GCA)/ms (SCA)>1)and specific combining ability effects – non-additive (ms (GCA)/ms (SCA)<1). Genes with an additive effect participate in the genetic control of breeding-valuable traits, which is proven byms (GCA)/ms (SCA) ratios changing within1.10-28.01 range. It is advisable to involve CMS-lines A3 Feterita 14, A2 KVV 114 and A2 O-1237 to create high-yielding hybrids of grain sorghum; highly productive sorghum-sudangrasshybridss – lines L-106, L-143 and Anastasiya, Kinelskaya 100, Elegiya variety samples; with a high share of grain in the total biomass – Allegoriya, Krasnodarskaya 75 and Zonalskaya 6 variety samples. CMS lines are distinguished by high and average CA values both in crosses with samples of grain sorghum and Sudan grass: by weight of 1,000 grains – A2 O-1237; by seed yield and weight of 1,000 grains – A2 KVV 114.

Key words:

agronomic traits, CMS lines, CMS types, F1 hybrids, GCA effects, SCA dispersion, sorghum, Sudan grass

Sorghum dry biomass yield for solid bio-fuel production affected by different N-fertilization rates

D. Bartzialis*, K.D. Giannoulis*, E. Skoufogianni, A. Lavdis, G. Zalaoras, G. Charvalas and N.G. Danalatos

University of Thessaly, Dept. of Agriculture, Crop Production & Rural Environment, Fytokoy street, GR38443 Volos, Greece
*Correspondence: dbartz@uth.gr; kyriakos.giannoulis@gmail.com

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to examine the effect on the dry biomass yield of two different sorghum hybrids (H1 and H2) under five different N-fertilization levels (0, 70, 140, 210 and 280 kg ha^-1) in a soil which was formed by lacustrine deposits of Karla Lake and is characterized from the downward movement of calcium carbonate from the surface horizons due to leaching (Fluventic Xerochrept) during 2017. The results demonstrated a significant effect (P < 0.05) of fertilization only for one hybrid. Biomass yield ranged from 22.2 to 37.5 t ha⁻¹. For both hybrids, sorghum accumulated a high amount of biomass in stems. Dry stem/total biomass ratio was rather constant throughout the different fertilization treatments achieving 81.6 and 77.5% for the first (H1) and the second hybrid (H2), respectively. The second hybrid (H2) had a higher percentage of leaf biomass (20.1 vs. 13.8%) than the first (H1), but lagged behind in seed production (2.4 vs. 4.6%). Biomass dry matter partitioning and total dry weight are important selection criteria for energy crops, due to different gross calorific value and ash content but also because of the different economic importance they may have e.g. the seed is also used as animal feed. The above high biomass yields of sorghum, confirming the high potential of this crop, should be taken into serious consideration regarding land use planning, but further investigation for the gross calorific value and the ash content is needed as well as biomass characteristics that are quite important in case to improve the combustion process.

Key words: