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Combining ability and heterosis of sweet stem sorghum genotypes for bioethanol yield and related traits

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Abstract

Sorghum hybrids can provide enhanced bioethanol yield if genetically complementary parents and progenies are developed using efficient crossing and selection methods. The objective of this study was to determine the combining ability of sweet stem sorghum genotypes, and assess heterosis among F1 hybrids for ethanol production and associated traits. Eight sweet stem sorghum lines and four testers were crossed using a line × tester mating design. The F1 hybrids and parental lines were evaluated for bioethanol yield and related traits. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, combining ability and heterosis analyses. Biomass production of test populations varied from 11.6 to 68 t ha−1, with a mean of 30 t ha−1. Six hybrids were among the top ten biomass producing genotypes. Four hybrids (AS391 × AS246, AS204 × AS251, AS204 × AS79, AS204 × AS74) expressed greater ethanol productivity with positive better-parent heterosis (> 30%). Lines AS253, AS246 and AS 105, and testers AS391 and SS27 had highly positive general combining ability (GCA) effects for almost all the traits in a desirable direction. Due to its consistent, significant and positive GCA effects across the majority of the traits, line AS253 is recommended for utilisation in sweet stem sorghum hybrid programs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the National Research Fund (NRF)/South Africa, for providing financial support.

Funding

The research was funded by Technology Innovation Agency (South Africa) and National Research Fund (South Africa).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Precious Mangena, Hussein Shimelis & Mark Laing

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  1. Precious Mangena
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  2. Hussein Shimelis
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  3. Mark Laing
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Correspondence to Precious Mangena.

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Mangena, P., Shimelis, H. & Laing, M. Combining ability and heterosis of sweet stem sorghum genotypes for bioethanol yield and related traits. Euphytica 218, 72 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-022-03022-y

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