Canopy Light Interception of a Conventional and an Erect Leafed Sorghum

Abstract

Two sorghum lines, an erect leafed mutant sorghum and the wild type from which the mutant was generated, were field grown in rectilinear arrays at low (10 plants m -2 ) and high (23 plants m -2 ) population densities. Canopy light interception, biomass accretion and yield were measured. Photosynthetically active radiation under the canopy at ground level and midway through the canopy were higher in the erect leafed line, as compared to the normal leafed line. Planting density had less effect on mean grain yield and biomass in the erect leaf line than in the wild type. Though not conclusive, when taken together, the results suggested that optimal planting densities are higher for the erect leaf line and that the erect leaf trait could be useful for incorporation into breeding programs.