Daniel Otwani 'Exploring grain filling duration for yield in grain sorghum'

Daniel Otwani PhD Student, The University of Queensland ABSTRACT Yield increase in sorghum has been achieved by increasing grain number. Scope exists to increase yield by changing grain size, however this has been limited by the negative association between grain size and grain number. Extending the grain filling duration (GFD) has potential to increase grain size without the trade-off with reduced grain number. This study aimed to: (i) establish a replicable method to estimate GFD in sorghum (ii) establish the extent of genetic variation for GFD in sorghum (iii) establish the association of GFD with other yield determinants in sorghum and (iv) examine the putative value of an extended GFD to sorghum yield across environments A diverse panel of 904 sorghum genotypes were evaluated in three environments across two years. An improved method of estimating GFD in sorghum is proposed, significant variation in GFD beyond current commercial sorghum hybrids reported, and a simulation of longer GFD and its impact on sorghum yield across Australian environments presented. This webinar was recorded as part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture seminar series.