Performance of grain sorghum hybrids in soils with low and high aluminum saturation¹

Desempenho de híbridos de sorgo granífero em solos com baixa e alta saturação por alumínio

ABSTRACT

The presence of aluminum (Al³⁺) in acidic soils is one of the main causes of low crop yield, since it inhibits the root growth, thus affecting the nutrients and water uptake by plants. An approach to grow crops in areas with high Al³⁺ saturation is the use of tolerant cultivars. This study aimed to evaluate commercial sorghum hybrids in soils with low and high aluminum saturation, in order to select cultivars with high grain yield, even when exposed to abiotic stress. Twenty hybrids were evaluated for characteristics such as plant flowering, plant height and grain yield. All three traits were significantly affected by Al³⁺, being grain yield the most affected one. Despite the significant genotypes x environments interaction for grain yield, it was possible to select hybrids with yield above the national average in both environments. The hybrids BRS373, 50A50, AS4639, DKB540, AS4625, A9721R, 1167092, DKB550, 1G282 and AG1040 showed a high yield under low and high Al-saturation conditions.

KEYWORDS:
Sorghum bicolor; abiotic stress; aluminum tolerance; plant breeding