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Heterotic Response for Vegetative Growth and Fruiting Development in Grain Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench¹

Three sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) hybrids that exhibited different levels of heterosis for grain yield were evaluated for vegetative and fruiting development over a 90-day period of growth. Two-year means showed that the high-heterosis hybrid had greater vegetative weight, vegetative plant height, and more leaves/plant than its midparent at 30 days after planting. During the grand period of growth, the absolute rate of vegetative weight accumulation of the hybrid was greater than that of the midparent, but their relative growth rates were alike. The vegetative weight advantage of the hybrid continued to increase during the early stages of enlargement of the fruiting structure. The hybrid exceeded the midparent in rate and extent of fruiting development at all stages.

Similar heterotic response was observed for the med. ium-heterosis hybrid, but the magnitude of heterosis was lower than that of the high-heterosis hybrid. The low-heterosis hybrid did not differ significantly from its midparent values for vegetative or fruiting weight at any of the stages of plant development.

Key Words: Heterosis • Hybrid vigor • Grain yield • Forage yield

² Research Associate and Professor of Agronomy, Iowa State University.

Received for publication April 8, 1971.