Performance of SPV 2217 Variety of Sorghum in the North-eastern dry Zone of Karnataka

Most of the rabi sorghum in the country and Karnataka is cultivated under receding soil moisture conditions, which is subjected to drought at various growth stages. In this context, the growing of drought-tolerant genotypes which are adaptable to water-limited conditions is the need of the hour. With this view, front-line demonstrations were conducted to popularise the variety (SPV 2217) in the Suntnoor village of Aland taluka, Kalaburagi District. The results of front-line demonstrations indicated a higher yield (22.75 q/ha) of SPV 2217 as compared to the local variety (19.10 q/ha) due to the maintenance of greenness at physiological maturity. Due to higher yield, higher income was obtained and that led to a higher B:C ratio (2.42) as compared to the local variety (2.06). So, this improved drought-tolerant variety of sorghum can be effectively utilized by the farmers for higher productivity as compared to the local variety.