SAEED-2023: A High-Yielding, Early-Maturing New Sorghum Hybrid Tailored for Punjab's Agro-Ecological Conditions

Abstract

SAEED-2023 (YSH-134) is a dual-purpose sorghum hybrid developed at MMRI–Yusafwala Sahiwal, characterized by early maturity, medium plant height, high grain and stover yield, and resistance to foliar diseases. It was derived from a CMS-10 × YSS-98 cross using ICRISAT germplasm, the parental lines were developed through pedigree selection from Kharif 2007 to 2017, followed by the generation of 54 hybrid combinations in 2017–18 and their rigorous evaluation at MMRI and SRSS, D.G. Khan. Preliminary yield station trials conducted in Kharif 2018 and 2020 showed grain yield advantages of 3.01% (3520 vs. 3417 kg ha⁻¹) and 15.17% (4175 vs. 3625 kg ha⁻¹), respectively, over the check hybrid Fakhar-e-Punjab. Under natural Helminthosporium infection, SAEED-2023 scored 1.00 vs. 1.84 for the check, indicating 46% improved tolerance. Multi-location National Uniform Sorghum Yield Trials conducted at five sites across Punjab in 2019 and 2020 demonstrated average yield gains of 19.71% and 36.11%, respectively, with an overall increase of 18.50% (3705 vs. 3150.4 kg ha⁻¹) over the check. Agronomic optimization identified 75 cm × 15 cm spacing under irrigation yielding 5404 kg ha⁻¹ and a fertilizer regime of 225:112:50 kg N:P:K ha⁻¹ producing 3056 kg ha⁻¹. Proximate analysis confirmed competitive grain quality 9.69% protein and 84.1% NFE suitable for feed and industrial uses. Medium height (180–190 cm) reduced lodging risk, while 110–115-day maturity offered terminal heat escape. These findings recommend SAEED-2023 for broad cultivation across Punjab and similar environments to enhance sorghum productivity, sustainability and resource-use efficiency.