Laboratory screening of sorghum genotypes for drought tolerance using polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000)

Abstract

A laboratory study was conducted to screen thirty sorghum genotypes for moisture stress tolerance using the Polyethylene Glycol (PEG-6000) method. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design with three treatments, a control (0%), 5% PEG, and 10% PEG representing increasing levels of induced moisture stress. The parameters observed included germination percentage (GP), seedling vigour index (SVI), shoot length (SL), and root length (RL). The results showed a significant negative correlation, with performance declining as PEG concentration increased. Shoot Length and Seedling Vigour Index were the most severely inhibited parameters, with the mean SL dropping from (Control) to (10% treatment)..Root Length and Germination Percentage showed comparatively better retention. Genotypes NJ-2791 as the most tolerant under the highest stress (10%), both maintaining 100% germination, with NJ-2791 also showing the highest SVI.NJ-2818 was the most resilient for Root Length, and NJ-2725 for Shoot Length. NJ-2794 was the most susceptible genotype. This study successfully identified resilient genotypes suitable for breeding programs aimed at improving sorghum's drought tolerance.