DEVELOPMENT OF DUAL PURPOSE SORGHUM [SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH] HYBRID FOR KHARIF SEASON HAVING HIGHER GRAIN AND FODDER YIELD OF SPH 1641

Due to variable use, drought hardiness, stability of yield and adoptability over wide range of climate, sorghum has maintained its importance and dependability. Dual purpose kharif sorghum hybrid SPH1641 line was developed by using new CMS line PMS71A having wide adoptability across season (kharif and rabi) and high yielding restorer line KR196 at Sorghum Research Station, Parbhani. On the basis of 5 years testing (kharif 2009-14) SPH 1641 recorded the advantage of 13.38 and 16.06 % for grain and 11.52 and 21.57% for fodder yield, over checks CSH 25 and CSH 16 in Maharashtra State Multi location Varietal cum Hybrid Trials. Grain (crude protein 9.8%) and stover quality (IVOMD 43.5%) parameters of this hybrid were comparable with checks. SPH 1641 is moderately tolerant to grain mold (FGMR 3.95 and TGMR 3.00), shoot fly and stem borer as well. Hence the hybrid is released for commercial cultivation in kharif sorghum growing areas of Maharashtra State in 2015.