Yield performance and stability of advanced sorghum hybrids under moisture stress in Ethiopia

Sorghum breeders have been focusing on early-type sorghum as key approach for drought stress tolerance. Hence, this study aimed to identify drought-tolerant and high yielding sorghum hybrids in moisture stressed areas of Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted on 24 advanced sorghum hybrids including 4 standard checks. The experimental materials were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications under field conditions during the 2020/21 main cropping season. The analysis of variance revealed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) among tested hybrids for grain yield at Mieso and Melkassa. Moreover, the significant yield variation (P < 0.05) was observed at Kobo. Hence, Hybrid K7200 (6.06 ton ha−1) at Mieso, K7148 (5.46 ton ha−1) at Kobo, and K7410 (6.69 ton ha−1) at Melkassa had the highest grain yield. The combined ANOVA also showed highly significant difference (P < 0.01) among hybrids, locations, and their interaction for most of the traits. Among the tested hybrids, K7410 (5.48 ton ha−1), K7148 (5.18 ton ha−1), variety Melkam (4.95 ton ha−1), K6090 (4.86 ton ha−1), and K19020 (4.74 ton ha−1) were selected for higher mean grain yield across locations. GGE-biplot analysis revealed that hybrids K7148, K6100 and variety Melkam showed stability and superior yield performance across locations. K7148 has 24.9% yield advantage over recently released hybrid ESH-5. It can be advanced for moisture-stressed sorghum growing areas of Ethiopia.