To effectively use male–sterility inducing cytoplasm, it is necessary to

identify restorers and lines that are suitable for conversion to male sterile

lines. Progressive research has been done on sorghum landraces in Nigeria

ranging from breeding for resistance to diseases, to the development of

open pollinated varieties, however, little work has been done to determine

heterotic groups and identification of good parental lines among sorghum

landraces. Although commercially viable sorghum hybrids for West and

Central Africa (WCA) are just now available, it is only suited for a single

maturity band (100km north-south latitude) for the Guinea-race zone of

Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso, but not available for the drier (further

North) zones of Nigeria, which grow mostly the caudatum or durra type.

Based on these experiences, the BMZ Project; 'Bringing the benefits of

heterosis to smallholder sorghum and pearl millet farmers in West Africa',

conducted an exploratory landrace Sorghum collection across Northern

Nigeria in May 2014. This is to target the main sorghum production

systems (700-1100mm rainfall) with work on Kaura-Fara grain types in

Nigeria.

• baCkground

To assess the germplasm capacity for grain and seed qualities, height and

flowering responses to serve as seed parent for hybrid development.

• objeCtives

Sorghum landrace collected were preliminary characterized for panicle

forms, grain size, plant height and days to maturity.

• methodology

Planted on 2 rows plot at 2 locations

Data were collected

Genotypes desegregated and grouped based on local names.

• aCtivities

Preliminary characterization showed that most of the sorghum landrace

grown in the Sudan Savannah are white or yellow grain with compact

elliptic panicle forms (caudatum type) accounting for 46% (Figure 1), as

compared to those in Guinea Savannah cultivating white or red grain with

loose dropping panicle forms (guinea type).

Based on local names 175 Sorghum landrace collected were desegregated

and grouped into 26 Local names with Fara-Fara and Kaura as most

common generic names accounting for 30% and 40% respectively of

landrace variety (Figure 2).

During targeted testcross of the landrace on CK60A, 'SorgGarki ' a landrace

sorghum variety; characterized by white/large seeded grain with compact

elliptic panicle medium maturing was identified as potential B-lines while

'Babbadiya', also characterized by white/large seeded grain with compact

elliptic panicle medium maturing, was identified as good restorers on A1

cytoplasm system.

• results and main aChievements• Current partnerships and future

engagements for out sCaling

Result could be attributed to the fact the Sudan savannah agro-ecology

have relative low rains associated with less insect pest compared to those

in the Guinea with high rains preferring loose panicle thus avoiding grain

mould and insect damage. This implies that Sorghum hybrid parent

development should at present target, high yielding white or yellow grains

with compact elliptic panicle forms, medium height (2m) and medium

maturity (100 days), since most of the users are for food consumption.

• ConClusions

Collaboration is active with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development, National Research Institutes, NARIs,

Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, (ARCN), National

Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) Universities, States Agricultural

Development programs (ADPs) of Ministries of Agriculture and

Rural Developments and relevant NGOs.

Names of partners

Prof D A Aba-Institute for Agricultural Research Ahmadu

Bello University Zaria

Prof A Lawali- Usman Danfodio University Sokoto

Prof Mary Yeye-Institute for Agricultural Research Ahmadu

Bello University Zaria

Prof B Y Abubakar- Agricultural Research Council of

Nigeria.

Mal Madu –Dala Foods limited Kano.

Characterization of Farmer’s exploratory landrace sorghum collections

from Northern Nigeria Angarawai, I. I1, Hakeem Ajeigbe1, Mary Yeye2, Nebie Baloua2

1, International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics Kano, Nigeria

2, Institute for Agricultural Research Ahmadu Bello University (IAR/ABU) Samaru Zaria, Nigeria

3, International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics Samanko, Mali

Email of corresponding author: I.Angarawai@cgiar.org

Figure 1: Histogram showing percentage variability in landrace sorghum

for panicle forms.

Figure 2: Exploratory Sorghum landrace collection across Northern

Nigeria.