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A pointed collection of zera-zera sorghums in the Gambella area of Ethiopia

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Title A pointed collection of zera-zera sorghums in the Gambella area of Ethiopia
 
Creator Prasada Rao, K E
Mengesha, M H
 
Subject Sorghum
 
Description 'Zera-Zera' Sorghum belonging to the race'caudatum' and intermediate race 'caudatum-guinea' are used extensively in several Sorghum improvement Program These are highly prized for their yield, grain quality and resistances to diseases and drought. 2. A Pointed colletion was organised in the Gambella region of Ethiopia where Zera-Zera sorghum are extensively grown on the river 'Baro' after the receding of floods. 'Agnwak' tribe farmers are exclusively associated with the cultivation of Zera-Zeras in this area. 3. The geographic distribution of 'Zera-Zera' sorghum in the Ethio-Sudanese border suggests their predominance in this region. The ethnic relationship of the sorghum growing tribe 'Agnwak' their relatively close resemblance of movement supports this. 4.Sorghum belonging to the group Zera-Zera, are locally named as 'Ganga','Juwalum' and 'Utedit'. Plants are agronomically superior, with attractive heads and good grain quality. Plants are tan and practically free from diseases inspite of the high temperatures and humidity prevailing during seed setting. This suggests their possible utilization as source material in the breeding projects for yield, grain quality and resistances for grain moulds and leaf diseases. 5. Most of the samples collected are from crops grown after the receding of floods with the residual moisture under high atmosphere temeratures. It is reasonable to assume that some of the lines may be heat tolerant. 6. Since the season and cultivation of Zera-zeras somewhat correspond to the rabi (post rainy season) situation in India, some of the lines could directly enter into the 'rabi program' breeding project. 7. In general the present collection forms a good addition to the existing few Zera-Zera and provide a broad genetic base to work with in the breeding program. 8. As in the case with other Zera-zeras the only restriction for the easy flow into improvement programs may be their photoperiod sensitivity. To circumvent this, some of the Zera-zeras will soon be converted by inculding in the 'Introgression and Conversion Project'.
 
Publisher International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
 
Date 1981
 
Type Monograph
NonPeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
Rights —
 
Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/7853/1/RP-1490.pdf
Prasada Rao, K E and Mengesha, M H (1981) A pointed collection of zera-zera sorghums in the Gambella area of Ethiopia. Monograph. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.