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Characterizing phenology of sorghum hybrids in relation to production management for high yields

Phenology and growth stages of sorghum hybrid grown under semi-arid tropical regions of India are described in this paper. The phenology and growth stages have been characterized on the standard scale of “0” to “9”. Identification of correct phenology and growth stages and their timing based on crop development phases results in better crop management decisions in seed production plots. Tropical commercial sorghum hybrid CSH 16 growth stages namely emergence, 3-leaf stage, 5-leaf stage, growing point differentiation (panicle initiation), flag leaf visible, boot, 50% flowering, soft dough, hard dough, and physiological maturity have been characterized on a scale of “0” to “9” scale. Parents of kharif sorghum hybrids and commercial varieties also follow almost the similar scheme of growth and development. To achieve the targeted grain yields of hybrids and their parents’ identification of correct growth stages, and their timing will help in proper timing of application of production inputs and management practices at appropriate stage of crop development. Also, using these crop growth stages, the sensitive stage of crop for insect pests and diseases could be identified for appropriate management practices, which helps the farming community to reduce the cost of cultivation but at the same time realize high yield potentials. Introduction: Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is the principal cereal grown for food ,fodder, fuel and fiber around the world in over 45.8 m ha, with production and productivity of 59.6 m t and 1.30 t ha, respectively (FAO, 2004). In India, it is cultivated over 9.50 m ha with a production of 7.73 m t and productivity of 0.77 t ha. The major production constraints that reduce sorghum productivity are abiotic (nutrient and drought stresses, excess water, temperature extremities, etc.), biotic (shoot fly, stem borer, head bugs, grain mold, foliar diseases, charcoal rot, etc.). Vanderlip and Reeves (1972) described the temperate sorghum growth stages on a scale of 0-9. However, the duration of these stages varied according to the climatic conditions, latitude, date of planting, temperature, photoperiod, etc. Eastin (1972) reported three simplified sorghum growth stages, i.e., i) planting to panicle initiation (GS1), ii) panicle initiation to flowering (GS2), and iii) flowering to physiological maturity (GS3). However, the variation in growth stages of temperate sorghum described by Vanderlip and Reeves (1972) is inadequate to characterize the Indian tropical sorghums, where the growing conditions and seasons are different from those of temperate countries. Rao et al (2004) have characterized the phenology and growth stages of tropical sorghum hybrids which are described in this paper. Identification of growth stages and their duration Stages of Indian semiarid tropical sorghum development on a ‘0’ (emergence) to ‘9’ (physiological maturity) have been characterized to determine the duration to each growth stage including their time interval between stages are presented in Table 1. However, the duration of these growth stages may vary with planting date, genotype and location