Effect of moisture stress on sorghum yield and its components

A sample of 48 sorghum varieties and inbred lines were planted in randomized block designs in two trials, one of which was irrigated. The effect of moisture stress on grain yield, tillering, seeds per ear, ear mass, seeds per plot, thousand seed mass, stover mass, biomass and harvest index was quantified for each genotype. Moisture stress resulted in increased tillering while the means of all other characteristics were reduced. Increased tillering caused an increase in grain yield under dryland conditions in those genotypes that indicated least reductions in seed number per ear and seed mass. The value of this screening method which includes both yield and drought resistance is discussed with respect to developing improved cultivars for the target environment.