Farmer Participatory Evaluation of Sorghum Hybrid in Niger

Participatory varietal selection (PVS) with farmers and Seed Companies was conducted at Maradi research station (07°05'E/13°48'N) and in farmer field to evaluate and select sorghum hybrid varieties for high yield and other important agronomic traits. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications where flowering (days), plant height (cm) and yield (kg) were collected. The analysis of variance showed highly significance among treatments of all traits measured Environment and Genotype by Environment interactions also contributed significantly to the performance of yield components. The highest average grain yield was recorded from hybrids P9511A x ST9007-5-2-1 (4289 kg/ha), NE223A x 90SN1 (3666 kg/ha), NE223A x Sepon 82 (3533 kg/ha) and NE223A x P9405 (3519 kg/ha) across locations. Farmers’ preferences were the panicle size, good seed set, earliness, and seed color. Hence, in a variety selection farmer’s preferences focus more on prioritized yield-related trait. The best varieties ranked by traits of interest were P9511A x ST9007-5-2-1, NE223A x 90SN1, NE223A x P9405 and P9511A x SEPON 82 that performed well under their circumstances. The results showed that farmers’ preferred varieties match with researchers. Therefore, based on objectively measured traits, farmers’ preferences and the agro ecologies of the site, varieties NE223A x 90SN1 and P9511A x ST9007-5-2-1 were found promising for production.