Differences in temperature response of phenological development among diverse Ethiopian sorghum genotypes are linked to racial grouping and agroecological adaptation

Abstract

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important dryland crop in the semiarid tropics, and temperature and photoperiod are the main environmental factors affecting its phenology and thus adaptation. The objectives of this study were to quantify the response of development rate to temperature and photoperiod for 19 diverse Ethiopian sorghum genotypes, and to determine if differences in these responses could be linked to racial grouping or agroecological adaptation. The genotypes, representing four major sorghum races and adaptation to four agroecological zones, were sown on 12 dates at two locations in Ethiopia with contrasting altitude. This created a range in photoperiod and temperatures relevant to Ethiopian conditions. Days from emergence to flag leaf appearance, anthesis, and maturity were recorded. A predictive phenology modeling framework was used to fit the effects of photoperiod and temperature on the rate of development for both the pre- and post-anthesis periods. Results indicated that the pre-anthesis development rate was independent of photoperiod for the range tested. This result differed from West African germplasm and likely reflects differences in agroecological adaptation and racial background. Significant genotypic differences were observed for the base temperature (0–9.8 °C) and for the optimum rate of development (0.011–0.022 d–1, with low value indicating late anthesis), with differences related to agroecology and racial type. Post-anthesis differences in the temperature response were minor. The observed differences in pre-anthesis base temperature can positively affect sorghum breeding programs globally, especially in temperate regions where suitability for early spring plantings is often restricted by low temperatures.