Recurrent Selection in Sorghum Populations

Abstract

Some elite varieties were crossed to the dwarf Goes male-sterile (ms3) and others were crossed to the ms3 segregates in the F2 generation. A total of 158 varieties was used. Populations were composited and then subjected to four systems of recurrent selection, (1) female choice mass selection, (2) alternating selfed plant and female choice mass selection, (3) alternating mass selection and (4) S1 testing. The S1 testing was most effective in yield improvement, resulting in an increase over the Serena control. Inbreeding depression in yield occurred on selfing, followed by a yield increase on recombination. Tall plants were favoured through plant competition and low yielding ms3 individuals were partially eliminated. All cultivated characters were maintained without difficulty.