Evaluation of grain sorghum accessions for the breeding of multipurpose varieties in the Lower Volga Region

Introduction. Due to climate aridization, interest in grain sorghum is increasing in arid regions of the country, including the Lower Volga region of the Russian Federation. The potential of grain sorghum as a multipurpose crop is being realized in various areas of the agro-industrial complex, such as forage production, food production, and the starch and syrup processing industry. The development of new productive grain sorghum varieties adapted to biotic and abiotic stressors is impossible without utilizing the rich diversity of genetic resources in the global plant material collection at VIR, which forms the foundation for developing new varieties. The research object and methods. The research was conducted in 2023-2025s on the experimental field of the Rossorgo. The study analyzed 38 collection accessions of grain sorghum of various ecological and geographical origins, assessed for morphometric parameters and grain productivity indicators. Statistical analysis of the data was performed in Agros 2.09 program using the “statistical analysis of a sample” method. The goal of the research was to analyze grain sorghum accessions from the VIR nursery collection for the purpose of developing productive varieties and hybrids for various applications. The results and discussion. High variability of grain sorghum accessions in morphometric parameters and productivity elements was established. The following samples were noted by the weight of 1000 seeds, distinguished by large grain size: k-4075, k-2058, O-k-8803/1 with 31.83-36.22 g, as well as valuable constant samples, characterized by increased grain yield – 06-2037, k-9115, k-2058, O-k-8803 (1) (4.72-5.11 t/ha) and biomass – k-9115, k-10112, B-03-3003 (17.69-19.85 t/ha). Conclusion. Among the studied collection of grain sorghum, three accessions – K-2058, O-K-8803/1, and K-4075-are particularly valuable. They possess a combination of valuable traits: large grain size, high grain yield, significant starch content (71.0-75.0%), light white-blue seeds, and stable annual seed maturation. All these characteristics correspond to those of a model variety optimal for processing into starch and starch products.

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