Desempenho agronômico inicial de sorgo granífero [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] no Cariri Paraibano.

Abstract

In the search for a crop resistant to the edaphoclimatic characteristics of Cariri in Paraíba, grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], emerges as one of the main forage species with high productive potential with xerophilic characteristics and ability to tolerate water stress and saline stress. In Brazil, sorghum presents itself as a traditional management option in the Northeast and semi-arid region of Paraíba, meeting the demands of agricultural producers. The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial development of sorghum cultivars [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivated in Cariri, Paraíba. Ten grain sorghum cultivars were used, and sowing was carried out manually. For the vegetative stage of the crop, five evaluations were carried out from the growth phase of the crop to the initiation of the panicle. Five plants were evaluated in each plot, totaling 150 plants evaluated, and the following parameters were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area. The design used consisted of ten cultivars in random blocks with three replications, totaling thirty replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance in split-plots over time, with qualitative means being compared by Tukey's test at 5% probability and evaluation periods by polynomial regression. Data analyzes were performed using the R 4.2.1 software. The results obtained showed the performance of cultivars suitable for production in Cariri Paraibano, with only smaller leaf area than cultivars 1G233, BRS 3318 and NUGRAIN 250. Sorghum cultivars ADV 1221, 1G100, P50A40, NUGRAIN 410, AS4640, NUGRAIN 430 and AS4650 presented a satisfactory initial vegetative performance when cultivated in the semiarid conditions of Paraíba. The cultivars 1G233, BRS 3318 and NUGRAIN 250 showed lower leaf area development compared to the others.