Water Wheel May/June 2024

Abstract

NEWS Sorghum research collaboration to boost crop’s performance millennia as a local staple for human and animal consumption. It is a highly nutritious, versatile crop that has adapted to growing in harsh climatic conditions that are increasing in a climate-changed world, making it an excellent source of food security. This latest project, is evaluating exotic germplasm as a precursor to sorghum pre-breeding. This /f_ive-year project, which started in 2023, is operating trials at three sites in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces. Researchers aim to select breeding lines that will be bene/f_icial for application in the commercial seed industry and future breeding efforts. The project aims to breed highperforming sorghum hybrids for higher yield, better disease resistance, drought tolerance and better quality in the processing sector.

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