Abstract

Phule Suchitra (RSV 1098/SPV 2048), a new rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] variety identified and developed from the cross SPV 1359 x SPV 1502 through multi-environment testing at Rahuri was found to be superior in grain and fodder yield over checks viz., Phule Chitra, Phule Maulee and M 35-1 on medium soils. Average of 16 tests under rainfed situations on medium soils, it gave 2118 kg/ha grain yield as against 1742 kg/ha of Phule Chitra, 1309 kg/ha of Phule Maulee and 1723 kg/ha of M 35-1, thus amounting to 21.6, 61.8 and 22.9% increase over Phule Chitra, Phule Maulee and M 35-1, respectively. As regards fodder, it had recorded higher mean of 6710 kg/ha over Phule Chitra (5790 kg/ha), Phule Maulee (4920 kg/ha) and M 35-1 (5620 kg/ha) and was 15.9, 36.4 and 19.3% more than Phule Chitra, Phule Maulee and M 35-1, respectively. Considering average performance in 23 adaptive trials on cultivators’ fields, the variety Phule Suchitra (RSV 1098/SPV 2048) gave 21.6% more grain and 22.6% more fodder yield over Phule Chitra under rainfed condition on medium soils. Besides being the higher yield, Phule Suchitra is characterized as midlate (120–125 days), mid tall (230–240 cm), medium bold grain (30–32 g/1000 seeds), pearly white round grain with high degree of tolerance to shootfly (26.6%), stem borer (10%) and charcoal rot (20%). It was also characterized as drought tolerant because of its superior physiological traits under moisture stress. The roti and fodder quality of Phule Suchitra are excellent to that of Phule Chitra, Phule Maulee and M 35-1. The variety RSV 1098 (SPV 2048) was, therefore, released under the name Phule Suchitra for replacement of existing variety Phule Chitra for western Maharashtra on medium soil under rainfed conditions.