Genetic Analysis of Grain Yield and Quality Traits in Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Varieties

Sorghum is one of the world's major cereal crops and a dietary staple for more than 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (Alina et al., 2017). Numerous studies have demonstrated that sorghum is a very diverse crop, with cultivated sorghums exhibiting great phenotypic variability. Assessment of the genetic variability for yield and quality characters is a key component of breeding programs for broadening the gene pool of crops, in characterization of germplasm collections and for the choice of parental genotypes. A study was conducted to estimate genetic variability and broad-sense heritability in some bold grained sorghum varieties

Heritabiliy Studies In Some Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor. L. Moench) Genotypes

Studies were carried out to estimate the extent of heritability in some cultivated genotypes of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Thirty genotypes were used for the evaluation. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most traits studied. Days to 50% flowering (DTF) had low PCV and GCV. Head weight had low GCV but higher PCV. 1000 grain weight was also low for PCV and GCV. Moderate GCV was observed within the range of 11.7 (stem thickness) to 19.8 (number of nodes). High GCV was observed within the range of 22.3 (panicle length) to 31.5 (sugar content). Moderate PCV ranged from 13.3 (stem thickness) to 16.6 (number of nodes) and PCV ranged from 20.0 (number of nodes) to 43.3 (head weight). But the GCV was near to PCV for traits like DTF, plant height, number of nodes, number of leaves, grain yield and sugar content, indicating a highly significant effect of genotype on phenotypic expression for these traits with very little effect of environment. The genotypes studied showed high heritability for eight (8) traits out of the 10 traits studied in the range of 69.4 (plant height) to 97.3 (number of nodes). Moderate heritability of 55.9 was observed for 1000 grain weight and low heritability of 1.5 for head weight. Keywords: heritability, GCV, PCV, genotypes

Effect of Heat Stress on Seed Production of Some Sorghum Varieties Under Irrigation in Northern Nigeria

Exposure of sorghum (sorghum bicolor) during flowering time for a period of 10-15 days to high temperature stress (>36-38oC) reduced pollen germination, failure of fertilization and flower abortion. A number of improved varieties of sorghum have recently been released for the Sudan and Sahel zones of Nigeria, with their dissemination limited by seed availability. To improve the supply of Breeder and Foundation seeds for production of certified, these varieties; SAMSORG 45 and SAMSORG 46 with two old but popular varieties SAMSORG 41 and SAMSORG 17 were grown under irrigation at Dadinkowa (10.18N, 11.27S) to assess their productivity during the dry season at two planting dates (October and January) for 2 seasons (2015 & 2016). Result showed that October planting which flowering and seed set coincided with the average maximum temperature of 27oC recorded in January produced good seed while December/January planting which flowering and seed set coincided with average maximum temperature of 42oC recorded in April had poor or no seed set on panicles especially in 2016. Rise in the average maximum temperature (2016) in the month of March (350C) and April 2016 (410C) resulted to 90-100% no seed set on SAMSORG 17, SAMSORG 45 and SAMSORG 46 as it coincided with the flowering time thus producing sterile panicle. This suggest that planting date and temperature significantly affect seed production of sorghum in the dry season

Performance of some sorghum varieties as affected by heat stress under irrigation in Northern Nigeria

Exposure of sorghum (sorghum bicolor) during flowering time for a period of 10-15 days to high temperature stress (>36-38oC) reduced pollen germination, failure of fertilization and flower abortion. A number of improved varieties of sorghum have recently been released for the Sudan and Sahel zones of Nigeria, with their dissemination limited by seed availability. In order to improve the supply of Breeder and Foundation seeds for production of certified, these varieties; SAMSORG 45 and SAMSORG 46 with two old but popular varieties SAMSORG 41 and SAMSORG 17 were grown under irrigation at Dadinkowa (10.18N, 11.27S) to assess their productivity during the dry season at two planting dates (October and January) for 2 seasons (2015 & 2016). Result showed that October planting which flowering and seed set coincided with the average maximum temperature of 27oC recorded in January produced good seed while December/ January planting which flowering and seed set coincided with average maximum temperature of 42oC recorded in April had poor or no seed set on panicles especially in 2016. Rise in the average maximum temperature (2016) in the month of March (350C) and April 2016 (410C) resulted to 90-100% no seed set on SAMSORG 17, SAMSORG 45 and SAMSORG 46 as it coincided with the flowering time thus producing sterile panicle. This suggest that planting date and temperature significantly affect seed production of sorghum in the dry season

Genetic Potentials of Landrace Sorghum Genotypes for Enhanced Micronutrient(Iron and Zinc) Nutrition in West Africa

Micronutrient malnutrition, is one of greatest global challenges of our times with devastating consequences on health. Commonly used interventions associated with high cost and short-term benefits includes: nutrient supplementation, dietary diversification, commercial fortification, nutritional education and agricultural interventions

Physical characterisation of some honey samples from North-Central Nigeria

Some physicochemical properties (water content, sugar content, viscosity, pH and conductivity) were determined for honey samples from North-Central Nigeria to evaluate their global behaviour and comparison with other honey samples. The water content and sugar content varied within the range of (18.22 - 36.82%) and (63.82 - 80.25%) respectively. The pH increased with increase in water content and the conductivities of the samples had correlation with proportion of minor constituents in the honey samples. The relationship among water content (w), temperature (t) and viscosity (�) for different honey samples of may be represented as � = 17.678× 10 3 exp (-0.32w - 0.088t). The temperature dependence of viscosity was evaluated with Arrhenius model, the activation energy with value of 70.07 kJ/g is fairly unaffected by moisture content