The relationship of several plant characters with grain yield in sorghum and their use in estimating grain loss through pest activity

Abstract

The relationship between grain yield and five plant characters in grain sorghum hybrid Pioneer 846 was studied. Grain yield was closely correlated with head weight, weight of a standard length of peduncle (WSP), peduncle perimeter (PP), head length and breadth. The close correlation of grain yield on WSP was shown to exist at a number of sites and for a number of varieties. However, regression equations differed for different sites, sowing dates and varieties. Of the two components of grain yield per head, single grain weight and grain number; only grain number was closely correlated with WSP. In one instance where moisture stress affected grain development, grain number but not yield was closely correlated with WSP. WSP was shown not to be affected by damage to the head and could therefore be used to estimate potential yield in agronomic trials where yield loss due to pest activity has occurred.