Registration of Early Maturing “Erer” Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Variety
Zeleke Legesse *
Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), Fedis Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box 904, Harar, Ethiopia.
Jifara Gudeta
Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), Fedis Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box 904, Harar, Ethiopia.
Fikadu Tadesse
Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), Fedis Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box 904, Harar, Ethiopia.
Alemayehu Biri
Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), Fiche Agricultural Research Center, Fiche, Ethiopia.
Birhanu Diribsa
Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), Fedis Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box 904, Harar, Ethiopia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
“Erer” with pedigree designation of 3443-2- OP X P9403 is sorghum variety was released in 2021 for Eastern part of Oromia specifically, Fadis and Babile districts and other similar agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. The variety was developed and released by Oromia Agricultural Research institute, Fadis Agricultural Research Center. Originally it was obtained from Melkasa Agricultural Research Center of Sorghum Research Program which was crossed material followed by screening method. The regional variety trial was done at two locations of Fadis research station and Erer sub-station for three years (2016-2019). From the genotypes evaluated Erer variety recorded high grain yield, large biomass and stay green traits than the standard check Dekeba and other genotypes. Mean grain yield of Erer ranged from 49 to 51 Qt ha-1 on research field, and 34 to 40 Qt ha-1 on farmers’ field. Finally, ‘Erer’ released as superior sorghum variety East Hararghe low lands and similar agro ecologies in 2021.
Keywords: Sorghum, erer, variety verification