Analysis of Juice Yield, Sugar Content, and Biomass Accumulation in Sorghum

摘要

Because of its high potential for biomass production, adaptation to marginal conditions, and sugar-rich stalks, sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] has been recognized as a prospective source as biofuel feedstock. Tapping into this potential, however, requires development of distinct varieties and hybrids with enhanced value as feedstock source. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the inheritance of key plant traits associated with biofuel production and (2) to identify new genetic sources that can be used in breeding programs to improve these traits. Six high-biomass and/or sweet sorghum pollinator genotypes and three grain sorghum seed parents were intercrossed using the Design II mating scheme. The hybrids and their parents were evaluated in three environments in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on plant height, days to flowering and maturity, biomass, juice yield, Brix, and lodging. General combining ability (GCA) for male parents was highly significant for all traits, and the top pollinators had 85, 34, and 47% higher juice yield, Brix, and biomass, respectively, compared with the overall mean of the hybrids. Specific combining ability effects were also significant but much lower than the variation revealed by GCA among males. Two of the males (PI257602 and PI185672) had the top scores for all traits considered and, hence, are excellent resources for breeding sorghum as biofuel feedstock.