Preliminary On-Station Evaluation of Five Dual-Purpose Sorghum Genotypes in Niger as a Basis for Subsequent Farmer Field Testing

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly impacting agricultural production in Niger, where sorghum, a vital cereal crop for food and fodder security, is still largely dominated by low-yielding, long-cycle, photoperiod-sensitive local varieties. This study aimed to evaluate five dual-purpose sorghum genotypes (grain and fodder) under experimental station conditions. The trial, conducted in 2024 under rainfed conditions, followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed no significant differences among genotypes for vegetative traits, including the number of leaves, leaf width, and plant height. However, significant differences were observed in key agronomic traits, including grain yield, vegetative biomass, and harvest index. The variety Soubatimi stood out with a high grain yield (2533.50 kg/ha) and a superior grain/fodder balance. DECO exhibited the highest thousand-grain weight (37.75 g) despite a moderate grain yield (676.89 kg/ha), while BKZ1 excelled in fodder production (4055.56 kg/ha). Principal component analysis revealed two main axes structuring the genotypes according to their performance profiles. These findings highlight the potential of dual-purpose sorghum, particularly Soubatimi, to enhance agricultural resilience. Further studies under farmers' field conditions and water stress scenarios are recommended to confirm these performances.