AGRONOMIC TRAITS EVALUATION IN IRRIGATED SORGHUM IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID

Abstract

Green and dry matter production, along with grain yield and otheragronomic traits, were assessed in 44 sorghum genotypes. Two sets of genotypes were formed based on known plant height, aiming to evaluate green and dry matter production and grain yield, as well as to separate forage and grain sorghum genotypes. The evaluations were performed based on experiments with three replications, being one irrigated (drip system) in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, and the other rainfed, in Nossa Senhora da Glória, state of Sergipe, Brazil. Sowing dates were July 30, 2016, in Nossa Senhora da Glória; July 13, 2017, and October 24, 2018, in Petrolina; with 117 and 128 days from sowing to harvest, respectively. Expressive forage production was observed in genotypes EP-17 and SF-11, which exceeded 120 t ha-1. BRS 506 produced 108 t ha-1, while 13F03(1141572), P-294, P-288, 2502 x 467, BRS Ponta Negra, and SF-15 presented green matter production ranging from 94 to 98.5 t ha-1. Dry matter production was highly correlated with green matter production, and SF-11 had the best performance of 45.5 t ha-1. The observed plant height was more expressive for forage sorghum genotypes, being this trait highly correlated with the green and dry matter. The best grain yield performance reached 13.4 and 10.3 t ha-1, values observed for 9910032 and BRS Ponta Negra, respectively. The results demonstrate the full adaptability of sorghum to the semi-arid environment and the feasibility to produce roughage and grains under irrigation in the Brazilian semi-arid region.