Growth and yield of two sorghum hybrids (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under a limited supply of soil moisture imposed at different stages of growth

This study evaluated relative responses of two grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) hybrids to moisture stress treatments imposed during the seedling, early boot, flowering and grain-filling stages. The two hybrids, T.E. Y77 and FUNK HW6125, are high and low yielding respectively, having similar maturity periods. Twelve phenological characters were measured. The height to upper leaf collar, peduncle exsertion, panicle length, total plant height and total leaf area showed significant differences between the hybrids. Early boot stage stress was most sensitive to vegetative characters. T.E. Y77 produced more heads/m², grains, panicle, 500 grain weight (seed size), and grain yield/ha than FUNK HW 6125 across all treatments. Seed size was the most important determinant of grain yield in both hybrids. Moisture stress during the seedling and early boot stages enhanced grain yield, whereas during the grain-filling stage it was detrimental to grain yield in both hybrids.