Historical Characterization of Sorghum Grain Filling Dynamics

Understanding crop response to manipulations in source (number of leaves) and sink (panicle) during the growing season provides useful information develop breeding strategies. In present study, we assessed how source-sink manipulation can affect sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) yield its components—grain number grain weight (including filling dynamics)—for hybrids released past 60 years. The field experiment was conducted 2021 Wamego, KS (US), testing six commercially available between 1963 2020. Grain significantly decreased from 28 21 mg defoliation treatments among over time; reached a maximum value 34 when panicles were halved (P < 0.05). For control scenario, consistently increased time 0.01). When applied, there reduction 33 bu/a for 39 panicle halving 0.001). Regarding per unit area, trend similar across 0.1) but with 1600 grains on average 0.001) relative both scenarios. Over treatments, no significant change rate. However, duration documented defoliated plants, greater decrease time.