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Water Productivity of Selected Sorghum Genotypes Under Rainfed Conditions

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Abstract

Water productivity (WP) is becoming a key issue in understanding the relationship between water availability and rainfed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) yields in agricultural systems across sub–Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine water productivity of three sorghum genotypes under different environmental conditions. Three sorghum genotypes, a hybrid (PAN8816), a commercial open-pollinated variety (Macia) and a landrace (Ujiba) were planted at two sites (Ukulinga and Mbumbulu) in South Africa during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. High clay content in Mbumbulu lowered plant available water in the soil compared to Ukulinga. Sorghum adapted to low water availability by significantly (P < 0.05) lowering plant growth (green leaf number, plant height and canopy cover), crop physiology (chlorophyll content index and stomatal conductance), biomass and grain yield. Ujiba and PAN8816 genotypes hastened phenological development, whilst Macia delayed phenological development in response to low water availability. Total and grain WP were lower at Mbumbulu (14.93 and 7.49 kg/ha/mm) relative to Ukulinga (21.49 and 11.01 kg/ha/mm), respectively. Results showed that Macia had significantly higher (P < 0.05) WP (10.51 kg/ha/mm) relative to PAN8816 (9.34 kg/ha/mm) and Ujiba (7.90 kg/ha/mm). Lack of significant genotypic differences in grain WP highlights that all three genotypes are equally suitable for production under sub–optimal and dryland conditions.

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Acknowledgements

The Water Research Commission (WRC) of South Africa is acknowledged for initiating, funding and directing the study through WRC Project No. K5/2274//4 ‘Determining water use of indigenous grain and legume food crops” and WRC Project No. K5/2493//4 ‘Water use and nutritional water productivity for improved health and nutrition in poor rural households’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    Sandile T. Hadebe

  2. Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu–Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Sandile T. Hadebe, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Albert T. Modi

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  1. Sandile T. Hadebe
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Correspondence to Sandile T. Hadebe.

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Hadebe, S.T., Mabhaudhi, T. & Modi, A.T. Water Productivity of Selected Sorghum Genotypes Under Rainfed Conditions. Int. J. Plant Prod. 14, 259–272 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-019-00082-4

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